Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will hold discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on increasing spending on targeted research on motor neurone disease ahead of the 2021 Spending Review.

There are no plans for specific discussions. The Department funds research through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). It is not usual practice to ring-fence funding for particular topics or conditions. The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including motor neurone disease. 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. We are currently working on ways to significantly boost further research on dementia and neurodegeneration at all stages, including medical and care interventions.