Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reason the National Institute for Health Research has approved only £6 million for brain tumour research this year; and if he will take steps to (a) increase funding in that area to ensure that adequate research is undertaken and (b) lower the threshold for funding approval to increase the body of research-based evidence.

The level of funding committed to date is more than £6 million. This figure is for the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) programmes and academy spend only. It does not include NIHR infrastructure spend, which we are confident will be significantly more.

Similar to other Government research funders, the NIHR only funds high quality research. This maximises the likelihood of positive patient impact and gives the highest chance of success. Without this there would be not only a risk to patient safety but also a risk of wasted investment.

Applications to the NIHR are subject to peer review and judged in open competition, with awards being made on the basis of the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, scientific quality, and value for money.