Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will increase funding for research into (a) Usher Syndrome and (b) other similar genetic conditions; and what steps he is taking to meet the additional needs of people living with Usher Syndrome.

The Department funds research into rare genetic conditions, such as Usher Syndrome, through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Funding is not usually ring-fenced for specific topics, with applications are subject to peer review and judged in open competition and awards made based on the importance of the topic to patients and health and care services, value for money and scientific quality. The UK Rare Diseases Framework aims to meet the needs of patients with rare diseases, including Usher Syndrome. Each United Kingdom nation has committed to publish an action plan by the end of 2022, outlining how the Framework will be implemented. England and Northern Ireland have recently published action plans, with those from Scotland and Wales to follow later this year.