Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of trends in the level of funding for neuroblastoma research.

Research is crucial in the fight against cancer. That is why the Department invests £1 billion per year in health research through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).

NIHR cancer research expenditure has risen from £101 million in 2010/11 to £137 million in 2016/17. This constitutes the largest investment in a disease area.

The NIHR has spent approximately £5 million on neuroblastoma research covering the period 2011 - present. The following table provides an annual breakdown:

In May the Government announced £40 million over the next five years for brain tumour research as part of the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission. Funding will be invested through the NIHR to support a wide range of research to support the translation of laboratory discoveries into treatments and better care for patients. We are relying on researchers to submit high-quality research proposals in this very difficult area. To encourage such applications we have released a NIHR Highlight Notice on brain tumour research asking research teams to submit collaborative applications building on recent initiatives and investments.

The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health. It is not usual practice to ring-fence funds for particular topics or conditions. Applications 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, value for money and scientific quality.