Thank you for contacting me about cancer research and clinical trials.
I am glad that cancer survival rates have increased year on year over the past decade. Investment in research has been vitally important in achieving this. I recognise the need to invest properly in cancer research so that we can continue to drive up survival rates.
I am pleased that over £882 million in government funding has been spent on cancer research across the UK since 2010. However, I also know that the Covid-19 pandemic has had an impact on cancer research, in particular through reduced access to funding for new projects. Therefore, I welcome the announcement in the Spending Review 2021 that the Government will commit £5 billion over the Spending Review period for health-related research and development, this is an increase of £1.2 billion on previous commitments.
The Government funds ground-breaking medical research through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). Research is crucial in the fight against cancer. The Government invests £1 billion per year in health and care research through the NIHR. The NIHR expenditure on cancer research has risen from £101 million in 2010/11 to £132 million in 2018/19, the largest investment in a disease area.
I also recognise the indispensable contribution made by charities in driving forward research into cancer. Through the NCRI, 21 major funders of cancer research across the UK co-ordinate their research to maximise the impact of research for cancer patients. Figures from the NCRI show that these 21 partners have together spent over £669 million on cancer research in the year 2019-2020.
I warmly congratulate Cancer Research UK on their 20th anniversary as a charity. While there have been improvements in cancer outcomes and increase in research spending over the past two decades, I recognise more action is required to improve cancer survival and quality of life for people living with cancer.
My understanding is that the drop-in event is currently being rescheduled, as face-to-face events are currently suspended in the House of Commons until after the February recess period.
Thank you for taking the time to contact me.