Thank you for contacting me about funding research into brain cancer. I am acutely aware, not least from hearing some harrowing stories from constituents, about the terrible impact of this disease. We are all keen to see the massive progress that has been made in combatting cancer continued across the board but I do recognise that brain cancer hitting as in does people of all ages including many with young families can be particularly cruel.
I understand that a "Westminster Hall" debate is expected to be held on this subject on 18th April. I was keen to attend and indeed speak. Frustratingly the debate may clash with a meeting of the select committee on which I serve. This is yet to be confirmed and if I can make the debate I certainly will. I will keep you informed of the debate either way.
A Department of Health Minister will reply to the Westminster Hall debate and that will be an opportunity to hear more about the Government's response and quiz the Minister.
The Government's response at present is that it and charities work closely together in cancer research, including brain tumour research, through the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI). NCRI partner organisations take into account a number of factors when making funding decisions. The NCRI Cancer Research Database includes expenditure on cancer research by NCRI partner organisations and consists of direct spending on cancer research or spending which directly supports cancer research. It is correct that the proportion of cancer research funding directly supporting brain tumour research was 1.5 per cent in 2014.
However, excluding the proportion of this brain tumour funding which was spent on fundamental research and funding relevant to all cancers, then brain tumour research received 3.3 per cent of research funding into a specific cancer. The Government stresses that this was higher than 40 of the 49 specific cancer research categories.
I am aware that the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including brain tumours. These applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition. NIHR funding is not ring-fenced for cancer research or for research on brain tumours or other types of cancer. However, I think it is encouraging that NIHR research spending on cancer has increased by a third from £101 million in 2010/11 to £135 million in 2014/15 and that the NIHR works closely with patients, charities and our world-leading life sciences industry to support further research into brain tumours.
The Government welcomes the commitment by Cancer Research UK to increase spending brain tumour research and this will drive further investment by the NIHR.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me, I will be back in contact after the debate.
