Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Karl Turner and Kwasi Kwarteng

Tuesday 21st September 2021 Commons Chamber

[Karl Turner (Kingston upon Hull East) (Lab)]

5. If his Department will increase spending on research into motor neurone disease.

[The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Kwasi Kwarteng)]

The pandemic has shown us just how important and world-leading the UK’s life sciences sector is, and our Government are committed to making it go from strength to strength.

[Kwasi Kwarteng]

I thank my hon. Friend for the work he is doing in this area. He will know that in the last fiscal year, UK Research and Innovation spent £15.9 million on MND research. In the previous Parliament, 2017 to 2019, we announced £20 million to support the work of medical research charities which have now been impacted by covid.

[Karl Turner]

It has been said already, but rugby league fanatics like you and I, Mr Speaker, have long been inspired by the brilliance of Rob Burrow on the field, but I think we have been blown away by his tireless determination off the pitch to campaign to raise awareness of motor neurone disease. Does the Secretary of State agree with Rob and Scotland’s rugby union star Doddie Weir, who are both watching us, as the hon. Member for Colne Valley (Jason McCartney) said? We need to act now, Secretary of State—now—to increase research funding into this devastating, debilitating and life- limiting disease.