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Cancer Research UK has just announced a £173m investment in its Cambridge research laboratory, located near Addenbrookes Hospital.
A major cancer charity has warned that research into the disease in the UK could “stagnate or lag behind” other countries unless government funding is stepped up.
Cancer Research UK, which has announced a £173 million investment in the Cambridge Institute, said current UK government funding equates to £3.60 per person, compared to £9.70 in Norway and £19.70 in the US. He said there is.
The charity’s head of communications, Sean Walsh, said the government and health charities needed to work together to fund research.
The government said it was determined to “combine the care of the NHS with the genius of our nation’s leading scientific minds to develop life-changing treatments and save lives.”
Cancer Research UK invested £400m in research last year
Cancer Research UK spent £400m on research last year. In the UK, most cancer research is funded by charities rather than the government.
Mr Walsh said: “Government contributions to cancer research are much lower than in other countries. Relying on voluntary donations is not a sustainable model.”
“We are calling on the government to consider a partnership approach that brings together health charities like Cancer Research UK, the private sector and investors over the long term.”
He said he hoped the New Labor government would consider this in its budget and industrial strategy.
Walsh added that if state aid lags behind charitable giving, “the potential impact is that we stall or go backwards.”
Martin Giles/BBC
Professor Dylan Edwards of Norwich’s Big C cancer charity, which has donated £12m to research over the past 12 years.
Professor Dylan Edwards, from the Norwich cancer charity Big C, which has donated £12m to research over the past 12 years, said: ‘The government needs to do more and match-fund areas where cancer research is needed. It would be great to see.” .
“I think there is a tendency in government to step back and put resources into other areas because they see certain areas as being well served by the philanthropic sector.”
Tom Chapman, a teacher from Norfolk who has had testicular cancer and is currently raising money for the It’s on the Ball charity, said: ‘There hasn’t been a lot of research into testicular cancer, but Cancer UK “It’s a small amount from research, but there’s definitely a lot more research needed.”
“I think we need more funding from the government.”
Martin Giles/BBC
Norfolk teacher Tom Chapman, diagnosed with testicular cancer, raises money for charity It’s on the Ball
A Department of Health spokesperson said: “This pioneering new research center highlights the important role that Cancer Research UK and other charities play in funding exciting medical research. ” he said.
“The Government is determined to combine the care of the NHS with the talent of our nation’s leading scientific minds to develop life-changing treatments for patients and save lives.”
George Freeman, Conservative MP for Mid Norfolk, who was science minister from 2022 to 2023, said: “Total research and development spending has reached £20m, with funding for the Medical Research Council (£600m) and National Health Research. “We also spent money through the government.” Research (£1.4bn).
“The UK is blessed with a strong medical sector. I think there is a danger that the government is funding banks[where research funds are donated by charities]and taking it for granted.”
