Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cancer Research

Wednesday 15 April 2026 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government works in partnership with the National Institute for Health and Care Research to support and enhance health and social care research across the UK.
  • Cancer Research UK's manifesto recommends that the Government increase strategic institutional research and innovation funding for a new Scottish Health and Biomedicine Institute.
  • The UK Government is committed to a partnership approach between the health services of Scotland and the rest of the UK.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Clive Jones Lib Dem Wokingham
NHS Scotland
Context

The question addresses the need for effective cancer research support in Scotland, given its significant impact on public health.

Question

What steps the Government are taking with the National Institute for Health and Care Research to support cancer research in Scotland?

Answer from Kirsty McNeill

Tragically, cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in Scotland. I want Scots to benefit from the very best research. The National Institute for Health and Care Research works in partnership with the Scottish Government to support and enhance health and social care research across the UK, even though healthcare is devolved. Researchers in Scotland can now apply for funding, which has, for example, allowed the outstanding researchers at the University of Dundee to identify a newer, simpler type of mammogram that can reliably show how breast cancer responds to chemotherapy before surgery.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not specify concrete steps or funding amounts dedicated to cancer research in Scotland beyond mentioning general partnership and application processes.

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Q2 Clive Jones Lib Dem Wokingham
NHS Scotland
Context

Cancer Research UK's manifesto recommends increasing strategic institutional research and innovation funding to support the establishment of a Scottish Health and Biomedicine Institute (SHBI).

Question

Cancer Research UK's manifesto for cancer research and care in Scotland recommends that the Government should increase 'strategic institutional research and innovation funding… investing in and supporting the delivery of a new Scottish Health and Biomedicine Institute (SHBI) to deliver new innovations that will benefit people and the economy in Scotland.' What is the Minister doing to support that manifesto?

Answer from Kirsty McNeill

I commend my hon. Friend for his ongoing and dogged advocacy for this cause. As he will know, the UK Government are committed to ensuring a partnership approach between the health services of Scotland and the rest of the UK, and we are focused on ensuring that higher education, and other forms of innovation, are part of our work on cancer.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific funding for SHBI or concrete actions towards its establishment were not addressed.

How: Commitment To Partnership Approach, Focus On Higher Education And Innovation

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