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Brain Cancer — [Paula Barker in the Chair]
15 June 2026
Lead MP
Paul Davies
Responding Minister
Sharon Hodgson
Tags
Employment
Word Count: 13338
Other Contributors: 34
At a Glance
Paul Davies raised concerns about brain cancer — [paula barker in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Davies called on the Government to set out how much funding will be ringfenced for brain cancer research and to raise their contribution to between £45 million and £50 million by 2029. He urged the need for stronger collaboration in early-stage research, reform of health technology assessment, increased patient awareness, and clear national leadership on brain cancer outcomes.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
Paul Davies expressed concern about the inadequate funding for brain cancer research and treatment in the UK. He highlighted that despite previous pledges, only £15 million out of promised £40 million has been delivered by 2024. With around 13,000 people diagnosed each year, the five-year survival rate remains at a low 12.9%. Davies also mentioned workforce shortages, limited access to whole-genome sequencing and clinical trials, and systemic barriers preventing funding from reaching patients effectively.
Alex Sobel
Lab
Leeds North West
Cited a constituent's statistics on survival rates and funding, agreeing with the necessity to increase research funding for better outcomes.
Dumfries and Galloway
Highlighted the issue of patients not being informed about clinical trials, agreeing that every eligible patient should have access to these trials for a wider range of treatment options.
Cameron Thomas
Con
Bolton West
Honoured Zoe Wilson, a dedicated English teacher and mother to her two boys, who passed away due to brain cancer. Called on the Minister to remember Zoe with him.
Charlie Maynard
Con
Northampton North
In his speech, Charlie Maynard highlighted personal tragedies from his constituency and proposed the implementation of mandatory flash frozen tissue nationally as a key to genetic code analysis and whole-genome sequencing. He also requested for a full-time accountable lead for brain cancer funded appropriately. The MP asks the Minister to commit to funding one person who is fully accountable for brain cancer initiatives with a full-time employee position.
Chris Evans
Lab
Caerphilly
Chris supports Owain's law, calling for updated guidance on fresh-freezing suitable brain tumour tissue and informed consent protocols. He asks the Minister to confirm if NHS England will issue or update relevant guidelines. The Member for Caerphilly raised points about brain tissue freezing and the need to support services to provide an equitable expansion of freezer capacity. He also mentioned the campaigner Ellie James and her story.
Christine Jardine
Lib Dem
Edinburgh West
Archie Goodburn's case shows issues with brain cancer research and treatment access. Christine advocates for ringfencing promised money, a dedicated full-time brain cancer lead, and the right to use licensed drugs for other conditions on brain tumours.
Clive Jones
Lib Dem
Berwick-upon-Tweed
Pays tribute to those working on the brain cancer petition, highlighting the devastating impact of a diagnosis. Notes that only 12,000 people are diagnosed annually with one of the lowest survival rates among cancers. Criticises the UK's lag in brain cancer treatment compared to other nations and calls for an end to healthcare postcode lotteries.
Mitcham and Morden
The Member for Mitcham and Morden, chair of the all-party group on brain tumours, was thanked by the Minister for her work advocating for brain cancer patients. She also mentioned the £40 million commitment for brain cancer research.
David Simmonds
Con
Kingston upon Hull East
Called for improved international collaboration among researchers and clinicians across countries for rare tumours, facilitating effective treatment identification.
Edward Argar
Con
Charnwood
The MP highlighted the need for better research, access to innovative treatments, and support for those with brain tumours. He raised questions about progress on implementing measures from the Rare Cancers Act, government investment in brain cancer research, clinical trials expected this year, and incentives for industry.
Greg Smith
Con
Derbyshire North East
Reflecting on a meeting with constituents whose son has a brain tumour, Greg Smith expressed frustration over the lack of significant funding changes since his previous speech in 2023. He urged the Minister for a detailed breakdown of spending on brain cancer treatments and research over the last decade, focusing on innovations like artificial intelligence to improve detection and treatment. The United States has legislated for a right to try innovative treatments for patients with no other options left. The MP asks if the Government will look at this model to ensure brain tumour patients can have access to new treatments.
Helena Dollimore
Con
Chelmsford
Paying tribute to the Member for Mitcham and Morden's efforts, Helena Dollimore highlighted the lack of treatments available to many constituents with brain cancer. She questioned whether training places were being allocated specifically to address the shortage of neuro-oncologists and asked about measures to inform patients about clinical trials. Questions the existence of a postcode lottery in brain cancer treatment, citing an example from Hastings where patients have to travel four hours for basic treatment. The Member for Hastings and Rye asked about workforce issues in relation to brain cancer care and highlighted the need for a 10-year workforce plan.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Expressed concern over research funds not reaching Northern Ireland and the need for UK-wide collaboration in brain tumour research. The number of brain tumour cases in Northern Ireland is projected to increase by 36% by 2035. The average survival time for aggressive glioblastoma remains at a heartbreaking 15 months despite the efforts of Queen's University Belfast and local clinical teams. Jim asks the Minister to support UK-wide collaboration, resource pooling, and financial support for families travelling abroad for trials. Praises Brainwaves NI's fundraising efforts and contributions to research at Queen's University.
Joe Morris
Con
Morecambe and Lunesdale
Stressed the importance of improving primary care recognition and referral pathways along with maximising access to clinical trials for brain tumour patients.
Hayes and Harlington
Asks for immediate action on workforce shortages in neuro-oncology and development of a workforce strategy within a limited timeframe.
John Slinger
Con
Bolton West
Acknowledged the importance of Stephen Realf's sister Maria for raising awareness and called for increased funding to reach parity with leukaemia and breast cancer.
Lee Barron
Lab
West Bromwich West
Lee Barron shared a heartfelt letter from Jackie Hall, mother of 14-year-old Max Hall who was diagnosed with a high-grade brain tumour. Lee advocated for mandatory MRIs for long-term headache sufferers and emphasized the need for meaningful investment in research and clinical trials.
Liam Conlon
Lab
Croydon North
The MP pays tribute to campaigners such as Joanna and Dennis from Beckenham and Penge, who lost their son Ollie at 29, and Tessa Jowell, calling for faster access to trials, including the right to try, precision medicine, equitable care regardless of postcode and patient-centred care.
The MP spoke of delays in treatment and access to drug trials. She noted that the UK ranks 22nd out of 29 wealthy nations for five-year brain cancer survival rate. She asked for a full-time brain cancer specialist within the national cancer plan, spending allocated money, ensuring future funding, allowing access to trials for non-specific conditions, understanding market forces determining private funding, and speeding up drug trial approvals.
Mike Wood
Con
Dudley South
Mike Wood spoke about his senior parliamentary assistant Dan Horrocks, a four-time cancer survivor. He emphasized the need for clear targets and an aggressive focus on repurposing existing drugs to address brain cancer treatment shortcomings.
Monica Harding
Lab
Oldham East and Saddleworth
Highlights the need for national accountability, sustained research investment, brain cancer care recognised as time-critical, a national clinical trials pipeline, routine genomic testing access, and tissue preservation to improve patient outcomes. Asks how Parliament will hold the Government accountable. Called on the Minister to provide leadership in addressing brain cancer, noting the presence of many MPs in the Chamber advocating for more action.
Carshalton and Wallington
Emphasised the need for government funding into research, proposing partnerships between universities and industry to tackle the issue of rare brain cancers.
Glasgow South West
Mr Shastri-Hurst acknowledged the work of charities and highlighted that brain tumours remain a challenging form of cancer with limited survival rates. He noted progress such as the Rare Cancers Act 2026 but questioned its implementation, particularly regarding the appointment of a national specialty lead and operational timeline for the rare cancer registry. Mr Shastri-Hurst also stressed the need to address disparities in research participation and access to innovative treatments across different regions.
Robbie Moore
Con
Dulwich and West Norwood
Investment in research is key to improving outcomes for brain cancer patients. Sonodynamic therapy, a promising treatment option, has shown success in the USA and at St Mary's hospital in London.
Owain's law aims to end postcode lottery in accessing fresh brain tissue freezing, crucial for preserving DNA and RNA samples for advanced testing and personalized treatment. Ruth highlights Owain's case, where only 1 cm of a 7 cm tumour was frozen, affecting future treatments. She presses the Minister for a funded delivery plan to ensure uniform quality care.
Sadik Al-Hassan
Lab
North Somerset
A constituent, Jane, diagnosed with an incurable brain tumour in March last year, has asked the MP to speak about her situation and highlight the need for understanding and support.
Sarah Edwards
Con
Clwyd South
Brain tumours account for 3.2% of national cancer funding despite being the biggest killer of adults under 40. Only half of patients are informed about clinical trial options, and long-term costs amount to £18.7 billion annually.
Sarah Owen
Con
Luton North
Highlighting the urgent need for the remaining £23 million to £25 million of promised funding, Sarah Owen spoke about her constituents Khuram and Yasmin whose daughter Amani died from glioblastoma. She called for concrete promises and actions including spending dedicated money, listening to expert doctors, improving diagnosis, setting and honouring research timelines, and expanding clinical trials.
Shockat Adam
Lab
Bolsover
Eiliyah, a young girl diagnosed with DIPG, lost her ability to move, speak, see, and eat before proper treatment could start. The speaker asks the Minister to increase research funding urgently for diseases like DIPG, ensure whole-genome sequencing access, and enshrine the right to try innovative treatments.
Mitcham and Morden
Launched Margaret's trial at University College London Hospital to test immunotherapy before surgery for glioblastoma patients. Urges newly diagnosed patients to consider the trial which is free and available.
Siân Berry
Green
Camberwell and Peckham
Asked for more detailed information about funding announced by the Government since 2018, including how funds are allocated and distributed, urging for faster distribution of resources.
Steve Yemm
Con
Mansfield
Brain cancer is devastating, especially for young families. Ellen's husband Jason, an Army veteran diagnosed with a brain tumour, has struggled to access private and clinical trial treatments. The University of Nottingham's Brain Tumour Research centre is doing important work but more needs to be done.
Tim Farron
Lib Dem
Westmorland and Lonsdale
Phil, a constituent diagnosed with glioblastoma, faced limited treatment options due to NHS funding denials. Despite evidence suggesting immunotherapy could help, Phil's family had to fight for access through their own means. Tim calls on the Government to deliver full funding promised for brain tumour research and ensure comprehensive access to clinical trials.
Tom Rutland
Con
Hemel Hempstead
Shared personal experience with brain cancer, mentioning a friend and mentor who died from the disease. Highlighted that 13,000 new cases are recorded each year and called for increased research spending.
Government Response
Sharon Hodgson
Government Response
The Minister thanked the Member for Colne Valley for introducing the petition on brain cancer, acknowledging the significance of turning brain cancer from terminal to treatable. She mentioned that over 232,000 people received a cancer diagnosis or an all-clear on time and about 42,000 more patients started treatment on time since her Government came into office. The Minister outlined efforts to prioritise access to specialist treatment for brain cancer patients and announced the appointment of a national clinical lead for rare cancers who will sit on the National Cancer Board. She also discussed recent investments in research including £32 million from the NIHR since the general election, more than £40 million commitment for brain cancer research by 2018, and over £25 million for the NIHR Brain Tumour Research Consortium. Additionally, she highlighted plans to implement Jess's rule and track cancer diagnosed in emergency settings.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.