Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of whether funding for epilepsy research is proportionate to the prevalence of epilepsy.

The Department delivers research via the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). Departmental investment in the NIHR facilitates the direct funding of research projects through NIHR programmes, support for researchers to develop and conduct research through NIHR translational infrastructure, and a workforce to deliver research on behalf of other funders through NIHR research delivery infrastructure.

Between 2020/21 and 2024/25, through the NIHR, the Department invested £12.8 million in direct research funding on epilepsy. This investment in epilepsy research allows us to continue to develop our understanding of the condition, including on its prevalence, and make a real difference to people living with epilepsy.

Whilst no assessment has been made of whether the funding for epilepsy research is proportionate to the prevalence of epilepsy, the NIHR continues to welcome high quality applications for research into any aspect of human health and care, including epilepsy. 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 the public and health and care services, value for money, and scientific quality.