PM pays tribute to boy who died from cancer

The prime minister has paid tribute to a 14-year-old boy who died nine months after being diagnosed with brain cancer.

Max Hall from Corby was diagnosed with an "incurable" brain tumour last year and died in August.

Lee Barron, Labour MP for Corby & East Northamptonshire, raised the subject of Max's death in Parliament and called on ministers to meet his family and other organisations.

In his first House of Commons appearance as PM, Andy Burnham said ministers would meet with Max's family and asked Barron to "pass on my sympathies to Max's family. It is devastating news".

Barron told the Commons: "During our summer recess, Max passed away. He will forever be 14.

"Will the prime minister commit in his direction of government to prioritising brain cancer — the biggest cancer killer in those under 40 — and get his ministers to meet with Max's family and the organisations that support families such as Brain Tumour Research and Brain Tumour Justice?"

Hundreds of mourners attended the funeral last week, including Max's mum Jackie, dad Stephen and siblings George and Hope.

Burnham said: "There is so much more we need to do on brain cancer.

"You can be sure from me, madam deputy speaker, that I will always do that in the name of my good friend Tessa Jowell, whose family still work on these issues."

Former Labour cabinet minister Dame Tessa, who was diagnosed with brain cancer, died in 2018.

She gave the prime minister his first role in politics as a parliamentary researcher when she was the MP for Dulwich & West Norwood in south-west London.

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