Asked by: Lord Randall of Uxbridge (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government, relating to treatments, clinical trials, and other opportunities outside the United Kingdom that may improve outcomes for brain cancer patients, which bodies or officeholders are responsible for (1) identifying these opportunities; (2) deciding whether they should be pursued; (3) ensuring they are pursued; and (4) making sure patients benefit from them; and which bodies or officeholders are accountable where such opportunities do not progress to patient access in the UK.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Responsibility for the delivery of cancer services and the achievement of cancer outcomes sits with NHS England and local National Health Service organisations. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and its research partners support the evidence base, while NHS England is responsible for service delivery and improvement. Government responsibility for delivering cancer research is shared between DHSC, with research delivered by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, with research delivered via UK Research and Innovation.
The DHSC holds data on participation in brain tumour research studies on the NIHR Research Delivery Network portfolio but does not hold data on participation in international trials. On the other data requests contained in the Noble Lord’s questions, I refer him to the answer provided in the House of Lords on 14 September in response to Question HL3172, which, for ease of reference, is reproduced below:
“I refer the Noble Lord Hunt to the answers provided on 15 July in response to Question HL1677 and 16 July in response to Question HL1674. Further to the answer provided on 15 July in response to Question HL1677, over eight years, from 2018/19 to 2025/26, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) committed £66.3 million to brain tumour research. UKRI also supported 93 studentships over this period. All associated work packages for the National Institute for Health and Care Research Brain Tumour Research Consortium have now been fully executed. The information requested is not held by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Information on trials supported through the Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad (CVLP) can be found on their website. The platform is designed to be company and clinical trial agnostic so any company can contact the CVLP to explore how the platform can support their research. Other information is not available as it is not held in the format requested or is not held centrally.”
Asked by: Lord Randall of Uxbridge (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government which bodies hold data on (1) molecular characteristics and actionable mutations in brain cancers, (2) treatment matching, (3) clinical trial matching, and (4) patient outcomes; whether those data permit assessment of the relationship between molecular diagnosis, treatment or trial matching, and subsequent outcomes; and, if not, on what evidence Ministers assess whether molecularly driven and grade-agnostic approaches are being successfully implemented.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Responsibility for the delivery of cancer services and the achievement of cancer outcomes sits with NHS England and local National Health Service organisations. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and its research partners support the evidence base, while NHS England is responsible for service delivery and improvement. Government responsibility for delivering cancer research is shared between DHSC, with research delivered by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, with research delivered via UK Research and Innovation.
The DHSC holds data on participation in brain tumour research studies on the NIHR Research Delivery Network portfolio but does not hold data on participation in international trials. On the other data requests contained in the Noble Lord’s questions, I refer him to the answer provided in the House of Lords on 14 September in response to Question HL3172, which, for ease of reference, is reproduced below:
“I refer the Noble Lord Hunt to the answers provided on 15 July in response to Question HL1677 and 16 July in response to Question HL1674. Further to the answer provided on 15 July in response to Question HL1677, over eight years, from 2018/19 to 2025/26, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) committed £66.3 million to brain tumour research. UKRI also supported 93 studentships over this period. All associated work packages for the National Institute for Health and Care Research Brain Tumour Research Consortium have now been fully executed. The information requested is not held by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Information on trials supported through the Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad (CVLP) can be found on their website. The platform is designed to be company and clinical trial agnostic so any company can contact the CVLP to explore how the platform can support their research. Other information is not available as it is not held in the format requested or is not held centrally.”
Asked by: Lord Randall of Uxbridge (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government which bodies or officeholders are responsible for (1) reviewing evidence of disparities in brain cancer research investment, research activity, clinical trial opportunities, and patient outcomes between different grades, subtypes, and molecular profiles; (2) deciding whether such disparities require intervention and authorising or directing that intervention; and (3) ensuring accountability where evidence of disparity is identified but no action is taken.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Responsibility for the delivery of cancer services and the achievement of cancer outcomes sits with NHS England and local National Health Service organisations. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and its research partners support the evidence base, while NHS England is responsible for service delivery and improvement. Government responsibility for delivering cancer research is shared between DHSC, with research delivered by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, with research delivered via UK Research and Innovation.
The DHSC holds data on participation in brain tumour research studies on the NIHR Research Delivery Network portfolio but does not hold data on participation in international trials. On the other data requests contained in the Noble Lord’s questions, I refer him to the answer provided in the House of Lords on 14 September in response to Question HL3172, which, for ease of reference, is reproduced below:
“I refer the Noble Lord Hunt to the answers provided on 15 July in response to Question HL1677 and 16 July in response to Question HL1674. Further to the answer provided on 15 July in response to Question HL1677, over eight years, from 2018/19 to 2025/26, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) committed £66.3 million to brain tumour research. UKRI also supported 93 studentships over this period. All associated work packages for the National Institute for Health and Care Research Brain Tumour Research Consortium have now been fully executed. The information requested is not held by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Information on trials supported through the Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad (CVLP) can be found on their website. The platform is designed to be company and clinical trial agnostic so any company can contact the CVLP to explore how the platform can support their research. Other information is not available as it is not held in the format requested or is not held centrally.”
Asked by: Lord Randall of Uxbridge (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government which bodies or officeholders are accountable for (1) collecting, (2) reporting, and (3) publishing data on (a) expenditure on brain tumours, including direct disease-specific research expenditure, (b) molecular profiling, (c) liquid biopsy testing, (d) treatment and clinical trial matching, (e) international trial participation, and (f) patient outcomes; and where such data are not available for Parliamentary scrutiny, who is accountable.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Responsibility for the delivery of cancer services and the achievement of cancer outcomes sits with NHS England and local National Health Service organisations. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and its research partners support the evidence base, while NHS England is responsible for service delivery and improvement. Government responsibility for delivering cancer research is shared between DHSC, with research delivered by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, with research delivered via UK Research and Innovation.
The DHSC holds data on participation in brain tumour research studies on the NIHR Research Delivery Network portfolio but does not hold data on participation in international trials. On the other data requests contained in the Noble Lord’s questions, I refer him to the answer provided in the House of Lords on 14 September in response to Question HL3172, which, for ease of reference, is reproduced below:
“I refer the Noble Lord Hunt to the answers provided on 15 July in response to Question HL1677 and 16 July in response to Question HL1674. Further to the answer provided on 15 July in response to Question HL1677, over eight years, from 2018/19 to 2025/26, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) committed £66.3 million to brain tumour research. UKRI also supported 93 studentships over this period. All associated work packages for the National Institute for Health and Care Research Brain Tumour Research Consortium have now been fully executed. The information requested is not held by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Information on trials supported through the Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad (CVLP) can be found on their website. The platform is designed to be company and clinical trial agnostic so any company can contact the CVLP to explore how the platform can support their research. Other information is not available as it is not held in the format requested or is not held centrally.”
Asked by: Lord Randall of Uxbridge (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government which bodies or officeholders are accountable for figures relating to (1) expenditure on brain tumour research, (2) tumour-specific expenditure, (3) molecular testing and subsequent treatment or clinical trial matching, (4) participation in international clinical trials, and (5) patient outcomes; and where such figures are not available for Parliamentary scrutiny, who is accountable.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Responsibility for the delivery of cancer services and the achievement of cancer outcomes sits with NHS England and local National Health Service organisations. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and its research partners support the evidence base, while NHS England is responsible for service delivery and improvement. Government responsibility for delivering cancer research is shared between DHSC, with research delivered by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, with research delivered via UK Research and Innovation.
The DHSC holds data on participation in brain tumour research studies on the NIHR Research Delivery Network portfolio but does not hold data on participation in international trials. On the other data requests contained in the Noble Lord’s questions, I refer him to the answer provided in the House of Lords on 14 September in response to Question HL3172, which, for ease of reference, is reproduced below:
“I refer the Noble Lord Hunt to the answers provided on 15 July in response to Question HL1677 and 16 July in response to Question HL1674. Further to the answer provided on 15 July in response to Question HL1677, over eight years, from 2018/19 to 2025/26, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) committed £66.3 million to brain tumour research. UKRI also supported 93 studentships over this period. All associated work packages for the National Institute for Health and Care Research Brain Tumour Research Consortium have now been fully executed. The information requested is not held by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Information on trials supported through the Cancer Vaccine Launch Pad (CVLP) can be found on their website. The platform is designed to be company and clinical trial agnostic so any company can contact the CVLP to explore how the platform can support their research. Other information is not available as it is not held in the format requested or is not held centrally.”
Asked by: Lord Randall of Uxbridge (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have made an assessment of the impact of gamebird releases on Lyme disease risk.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Direct impacts of gamebird releases on Lyme disease risk are difficult to quantify due to the complex transmission cycle that occurs between Borrelia and a wide range of British wildlife. The lack of clarity on where humans are exposed to infected ticks, as well as levels of engagement in protective behaviours that reduce disease risk further complicates matters.
A recent study by the University of Exeter and the UK Health Security Agency in southwest England compared woodlands with and without pheasant release and provided evidence that woodlands with pheasants have a higher percentage of ticks infected with the bacteria that can cause Lyme disease. The study, however, did not link this directly with human case data and thus cannot be used to infer Lyme disease risk.
Asked by: Lord Randall of Uxbridge (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they assessed the risk of infected game meat from highly pathogenic avian influenza in released pheasants entering (1) the human food chain, and (2) pet or zoo meat supplies; and what controls are in place to prevent that entry.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
There are several statutory measures which minimise the risk of game birds infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) entering the food and feed chains.
The release of game birds is not permitted in any avian influenza disease control zone, nor are game bird releases permitted while an avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ), including mandatory housing measures, is in force. Additional biosecurity measures for game bird operations mandated by the AIPZs are currently in force across England and Wales.
For farmed game, assimilated Regulation 2019/627 does not permit animals showing symptoms of disease to enter the food chain, and they are actively prevented from entering the slaughterhouse by the Food Standards Agency (FSA).
For wild game, assimilated Regulation 853/2004 requires a trained hunter/person to identify signs that may indicate that the meat presents a health risk. If abnormal behaviour is observed before killing or there are abnormal findings during examination, the Animal and Plant Health Agency and the FSA must be notified and the bird(s) will be removed from the food and feed chain if the findings are consistent with HPAI.
Under assimilated Regulation 1069/2009, carcases of wild animals, including game animals, when suspected of being infected with diseases communicable to humans or animals, including HPAI, are classed as a Category 1, or high risk, animal by-product and cannot be used for pet food.
Asked by: Lord Randall of Uxbridge (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the forthcoming National Cancer Plan will include diffuse astrocytoma brain tumours and all grades of brain tumour subtypes.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The National Cancer Plan will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for all cancer patients, including those with brain tumours.
Although low-grade brain tumours are generally non-cancerous, they can have similar, serious symptoms and require surgery or radiotherapy to treat. The Government has invested in new lifesaving and life-improving research, supporting those diagnosed and living with brain tumours.
The plan will include further details on how we will speed up diagnosis and treatment, ensuring patients have access to the latest treatments and technology, ultimately bringing this country’s cancer survival rates back up to the standards of the best in the world.
Asked by: Lord Randall of Uxbridge (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government when the last funding reviews of (1) the Medical Research Council, and (2) the National Institute for Health and Care Research, took place, and when the next funding reviews will be undertaken.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The 2024 Autumn Budget set 2025/26 departmental budgets, including funding for health and social care research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and the Medical Research Council (MRC). The current Spending Review, which will conclude in June, will consider levels of Government funding for health and social care research through the NIHR, the MRC, and elsewhere for subsequent years.
Asked by: Lord Randall of Uxbridge (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the increase of incidents of (1) diffuse astrocytoma and (2) low grade gliomas will be considered when allocating research funding for these conditions to the Medical Research Council and the National Institute for Health and Care Research.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
Over the last ten years, the Department has invested £407,665 across three projects into research for astrocytoma brain tumours, and £632,742 across four projects into research for low grade gliomas through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
More broadly, in the five years between 2018/19 and 2022/23, the NIHR has directly invested £11.3 million in brain cancer research projects and programmes across 15 awards, with wider investments in NIHR research infrastructure, including facilities, services, and the research workforce, at a value of an estimated £31.5 million 2022/23, and has enabled 227 brain cancer research studies to take place over the same period. In total NIHR investments have enabled 8,500 people to participate in potentially life-changing research in the National Health Service over this time.
Over five years between 2020 and 2024, the Medical Research Council (MRC) also committed £12.6 million to brain tumour research, including £7.4 million for glioma research. This includes two PhD studentships related to low grade glioma. The MRC did not commit any specific funding for astrocytoma research in this period.
In September 2024, the NIHR announced new research funding opportunities for brain cancer research, spanning both adult and paediatric populations. Further details can be found on the NIHR’s website, in an online only format.
The NIHR continues to welcome funding applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including astrocytoma brain tumours and low-grade gliomas. These 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.