27 October 2021 News
In December 2022, the Government announced it would accelerate distribution of the £50 million it pledged to invest in targeted MND research last year.
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Steve Barclay revealed a plan to ensure £29.5 million of the funding was available for MND research in the coming months with the remaining money to follow.
While Mr Barclay’s plan stopped short of creating a national MND research institute as members of the United To End MND campaign coalition - including people with MND, researchers and charities, MND Association, MND Scotland, My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and LifeArc – wanted, it did provide clarify and make concessions to remove some of the red tape around access to the funding.
How did the campaign start?
The announcement was the latest in the campaign which began in 2019 with people with MND, neurologists and charities joining forces for the first time. With research into MND progressing faster than ever, we all recognised that with a concerted effort treatments, and ultimately, a cure, could be found in years rather than decades.
Why is the campaign so important?
Research into the causes and potential treatments for MND has progressed with current trials offering real promise. But that progress is dependent on more research – and that needs investment. Funding for MND research from charities has outstripped that from Government for many years.
What was the campaign?
The United To End MND coalition campaigned for the Government to invest £50 million over five years in targeted MND research.
And did the Government listen?
Yes. Thanks to some incredibly hard work by members of the coalition, our campaigning volunteers and media partners the Government did listen and on Sunday 14 November 2021, then Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “We are going to throw the full weight of government, industry and civil society behind a new British-led scientific mission to transform the fight against this devastating disease.”