Macmillan Cancer Relief has claimed that serious flaws in how the government spends its money are undermining its record investment in cancer services.

Despite committing an extra £570 million to cancer care, ministers have no idea how it is being spent, the charity says.

Professor Mike Richards, national director of cancer, said: "Last week we launched a progress report on cancer which shows that real progress has been made in fighting the disease since the cancer plan was published three years ago.

"We are committed to making sure that cancer money is getting through to the front line. That is why I have been asked by the secretary of state to conduct another investment tracking exercise to ensure money provided for cancer treatment is being spent on this.

"The systems being introduced tackle the points raised by Macmillan. For example we are ensuring a system is in place to identify where resources are being invested, allowing us to look at expenditure against health outcomes and give us the information we need to make decisions about what services are commissioned."

Forum Response: The Prostate Cancer Charity

Chris Hiley, spokeswoman for the Prostate Cancer Charity, told ePolitix.com: "This must be the sight, and sound, of the NHS shooting the Department of Health in the foot.

"CancerBACUP published an audit in November 2002 that showed a high proportion of funding allocated to NHS cancer services had not reached the front line. Here we are, a year later, and Macmillan Cancer Relief have come to a similar sort of conclusion via a different route.

"The public should be reassured about progress under the Cancer Plan, and the commitment of cancer charities in the voluntary sector to supporting it, but clearly the voluntary sector also sticks its elbows out when needed. It's really not the question one would expect to have to ask.

"What is going on when the DoH can't say what the NHS is doing with the money? Money given with great fanfare, great promises and major expectations? Luckily, someone did."

Forum Response: Cancer and Leukaemia in Childhood

David Ellis, chief executive of CLIC, told ePolitix.com: "Although the number of children affected by cancer is much smaller that the number of adults affected, it is essential that they are not forgotten in the governments plans.

"One way of measuring success is in 'life years' gained and using this measure means that the treatment of children is very important."

Forum Response: Teenage Cancer Trust

Simon Davies, chief executive of Teenage Cancer Trust, told ePolitix.com: "As a patient focused organisation, we are concerned that money intended for cancer services is not being put directly into service provision forpatients.

"Lack of resources is often cited as the main reason for a delay in the development of Teenage Cancer Trust Units for teenagers so ensuring the money is reaching the front line is vital".