Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will increase research funding for motor neurone disease.

The Department funds research on health and social care through the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). While 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.