McDonagh emphasises the personal impact of brain tumours, mentioning her sister Margaret who died from glioblastoma. She calls for a change in system priorities to support rare cancers and innovative treatments, highlighting that only 13 patients have been recruited to a flagship trial since its launch in 2024 despite Cancer Research UK's significant funding. She argues for clear targets for clinical trials and patient recruitment as an urgent measure for improvement.

Wilson raises concerns about the availability of vorasidenib, a drug licensed in the UK for low-grade gliomas but not yet available on the NHS. She seeks support from McDonagh to urge the Government and NICE to facilitate access to this treatment for young patients in her constituency.

Thanked the hon. Member for Mitcham and Morden for securing the debate, praised her determination in driving forward the issue of brain cancer. Highlighted personal experience with his sister's battle against GBM. Emphasised the need for specific measurable goals in the national cancer plan to address low survival rates for difficult cancers like pancreatic and brain cancer due to restrictive regulatory landscapes and limited access to research opportunities. Criticised the decline in clinical trials post-Brexit but acknowledged initiatives such as whole genomic sequencing and vaccine programmes aimed at improving outcomes for all cancer patients, while calling for inclusion of brain cancer patients in these programmes.

Emphasised Britain's unique opportunity to lead the world in discovering solutions to rare blood cancers due to a £1 billion project recently approved at the London Cancer Hub, involving world-leading institutions like the Institute of Cancer Research and the Royal Marsden.

Each year, around 13,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with a primary brain tumour, including 900 children and young people. Despite that scale, progress in survival rates has lagged behind other cancers. Just 13% of adults survive five years after a high grade diagnosis, and brain tumours remain the leading cancer killer for children and adults under 40. I recently spoke with one of my constituents in Colne Valley whose husband was diagnosed with two brain tumours earlier this year. He now faces a long period of recovery to relearn many of the day-to-day functions that most of us take for granted. His courage and their campaign highlight the urgent need for renewed investment in brain tumour research, treatment and care, so that everyone affected has the best chance at life. Brain tumour research currently receives just 1% of the total UK cancer research funding. I therefore welcome the Government’s national cancer plan as a vital step forward, particularly the £13.7 million investment in the NIHR Brain Tumour Research Consortium, which will accelerate much-needed innovation. I am also encouraged by the commitment to implement the provisions of the Rare Cancers Bill, which will expand the access to clinical trials. Brain tumour patients must fully benefit from these measures. They face the lowest clinical trial recruitment rates of any cancer type, with the Brain Tumour Charity reporting that just 12% of patients have taken part. Too often, it is the distance from specialist cancer centres that stands in the way. Investment in research must therefore stand hand in hand with improved access, because postcode should never determine the support patients receive. Palliative care, too, must be integral to our strategy. I have seen first-hand, through the remarkable work of the hospices serving my constituents, the difference it can make. By helping patients manage physical and emotional side-effects, supporting physical activity where possible, and caring for families and loved ones who are also affected, palliative care can offer life-extending support for those with brain tumours.

I thank the hon. Member for Mitcham and Morden (Dame Siobhain McDonagh) and my hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Charlie Maynard) for securing this important debate. I am here speaking tonight on behalf of my friend George, who is now in his eighties and still fundraising for research into brain tumours in the name of his son, David, who he lost far too soon. Brain tumours remain one of the clearest examples of a condition where outcomes have not improved quickly enough. They are the biggest cancer killer of people under 40 in the UK. Each year, more than 12,000 people are diagnosed with a brain tumour and only a quarter of adults with a primary brain cancer survive for five years after diagnosis. That reality is compounded by late diagnosis. Studies have shown that around 45% of brain tumours are diagnosed in an emergency setting—far higher than for other cancers—meaning too many people start their treatment far later than they should. That is why I support calls for a national cancer plan to increase survival rates of those diagnosed with brain tumours. We have national campaigns to spread information on bowel cancer and other types of cancer to raise awareness, and a campaign would allow people to spot the early signs of brain tumours, but awareness on its own is not enough, as we have been hearing. Earlier recognition has to be matched by specialist services that can respond quickly and consistently. Health and social care are devolved, but brain tumour patients should not find that their chance of being offered a trial or the speed of a referral depends on the nation in which they live. I would therefore like to urge the Government to work with the Scottish Government and other devolved Administrations on a joint approach, with research supported properly across the UK and funding used as effectively as possible.

Mr Arthur expressed his gratitude towards fellow MPs who have contributed to the debate and highlighted the importance of providing equal access to excellent treatment for brain tumours in the UK. He introduced his private Member’s Bill, the Rare Cancers Bill, which is set to start Committee stage in the Lords on Wednesday. The MP emphasised that survival rates for brain tumours have not improved significantly compared to other cancers and shared a personal story about his father-in-law who was diagnosed with glioblastoma. He thanked various individuals and organisations supporting the bill, including charities such as Brain Tumour Research and the Brain Tumour Charity. Mr Arthur also discussed promising breakthroughs in brain tumour research, particularly genome testing and targeted therapies, as well as a £13.7 million allocation from the national cancer plan for brain tumour research. He highlighted Scotland's lack of consistent policy commitment to make genomic testing a standard part of care and called on the Minister to address this issue. Finally, Mr Arthur mentioned three campaigns advocating for increased funding, research, and support for brain cancer patients: Brain Cancer Justice, Owain’s Law, and Hugh’s Law.

Brain cancer is a particularly nasty and lethal form of cancer with low survival rates. In England, 45% of patients are diagnosed in an emergency setting—over two times the rate of all other cancers. The Government must act to ensure that brain cancer is caught earlier by improving GP access to diagnostic imaging and MRI/CT scans. Even when a patient gets a diagnosis, many experience delays in starting treatment. In 2024, 75% of patients at Royal Berkshire hospital began treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral; this is below the expected standard of 85%. The Government must introduce a guarantee for 100% of patients to start cancer treatment within 62 days of an urgent referral. Additionally, access to radiotherapy treatment and new advanced treatments such as personalised immunotherapy vaccines are lacking due to ageing equipment and a lack of nationwide regulations on brain tissue storage.

There is an issue with access to scanning, which is critical for early diagnosis. GPs need better guidance awareness about national guidelines due to a lack of postcode lottery issues. The Government needs to acknowledge the poverty faced by unpaid carers who often care over long periods, especially those caring for children survivors. Carer’s allowance levels are abysmal and should be at least related to the minimum wage; recent reports highlight this issue. There is also a need for flexible employment to help carers earn an income while managing their caring responsibilities.

Acknowledged the bravery of his friend, Karin Buschenfeld, who received her diagnosis in A&E last month. Celebrated the amazing work of the Brain Tumour Charity based in his constituency, which supports thousands and funds research. Urged the Minister to ensure that unspent funding is used effectively to support better quality research aimed at changing outcomes for future generations.

It is an honour to speak in this debate. We have heard many fine and very heartfelt speeches this evening, particularly those recounting personal stories about Members’ families. Our new cancer strategy was announced last week; we must do what we can to raise awareness of brain tumours as they are difficult to diagnose, even for general practitioners who may see a brain tumour once every seven years but thousands of patients in that time. We must not deceive ourselves that this is an easy condition, and I believe that we must support research into these mysterious diseases, particularly given the lack of medical researchers and clinical academics in our country.

I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket and others for their contributions. In Northern Ireland, 2,043 cases of malignant and non-invasive brain tumours were diagnosed between 2017 and 2021, averaging some 409 cases per year. Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40; in the UK, some 16,000 people are diagnosed each year with a brain tumour. We need to ensure that we can combat this terrible disease together through discussions with relevant Ministers in Northern Ireland. Although GBM has the worst outcome for patients, there is hope: Brain tumour survival rates have increased from 37.4% between 1997 and 2001 to 49.9% between 2017 and 2021. Queen’s University in Belfast is actively engaged in trying to find the cure through partnerships with big business and international students.

I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Witney and the hon. Member for Mitcham and Morden on securing this debate, which is crucial due to the significant impact brain cancer has on families. For example, no vaccine trials are running in the UK for brain cancer patients, despite the national cancer plan committing to delivering up to 10,000 cancer vaccines by 2035. However, this timeframe is too late given that around 35 families hear of a primary brain tumour diagnosis every day. The diagnosis process can be lengthy and challenging, often leading to delays in treatment due to equipment shortages. For instance, while the Government have pledged funding for 28 new radiotherapy machines, the Liberal Democrats advocate for 200 fully staffed machines to address radiotherapy deserts. Furthermore, brain cancer's grading system adds complexity, making it crucial that each patient receives a clinical nurse specialist or named lead to support them through diagnosis and treatment. I also emphasise the importance of providing adequate care and lifelong support for those with benign brain tumours.

I thank my hon. Friends for bringing forward this debate on an important subject, which is particularly poignant given my own experience of a family member who died from a brain tumour. With 12,000 people diagnosed each year, it is essential to improve survival rates that are notably poor compared to other cancers. The key areas to focus on include prevention, early diagnosis and better treatment. While the NHS recommends avoiding head injury as one preventive measure, it remains unclear how those without genetic predispositions can receive regular screening for early detection. I also raise the point of whether routine screening should be considered for individuals with a history of brain injuries.

The debate highlighted the need for better consent processes in tumour tissue research, improvements in digital consent architecture, and the importance of attracting global talent to advance life sciences. The MP also addressed issues related to referral targets, diagnostics, screening, workforce planning, and rural areas.

The right hon. Member emphasised the importance of diagnostics in cancer care and supported the Government's efforts to improve diagnostic capacity through community centres and funding.

This MP raised issues related to four-nation working, particularly concerning the health sector plan and its commitment to Northern Ireland’s expertise in life sciences.

The hon. Member intervened on brain tumour research, specifically discussing the association between traumatic brain injury and brain tumours, while cautioning about the limitations of retrospective data.

This MP intervened to address research funding for brain tumour studies, noting that only 1% of cancer research expenditure is directed towards this area.

The hon. Member highlighted the difficulties faced by families fundraising for experimental drugs and emphasised the importance of ensuring institutions utilise available funds effectively.

This MP discussed equality issues in rare cancer diagnoses, noting that ethnic minorities are more likely to receive late-stage diagnoses in A&E compared to GP surgeries.

Madam Deputy Speaker, I think I have wound up enough people this evening, but I thank all Members, from all parties, who have spoken in tonight’s debate. It is my view that the contributions of Members of this House have brought about a real and material change in what is going on at the NIHR, Cancer Research UK and other organisations, because we are watching and speaking out. We need to do that, because if we do not, they will simply continue along the same path, and we cannot allow that to happen.