Cross-party group of MPs calls on chancellor to provide three years of matched funding
More than 50 MPs are urging the government to provide urgent financial support for the UK’s medical research charities.
In an open letter dated 17 July, the cross-party group of MPs call on chancellor Rishi Sunak to provide three years of matched funding via a Life Sciences-Charity Partnership Fund proposed by the Association of Medical Research Charities in order to bridge the projected £310 million shortfall over the next year due to impacts of Covid-19 crisis.
In the letter, the MPs describe the role of medical research charities as an “integral” part of the research ecosystem.
“By investing in charity-funded research, government can help medical research charities deliver a better future for patients across the UK, protect the UK’s research skills and capabilities and contribute to economic growth,” they said.
Aisling Burnand, chief executive of AMRC, said: “The support for this open letter shows that MPs across the four nations and political divisions recognise the importance of charity funded research for their constituents affected by life limiting and life shortening illness, those committed to carrying out the research and to the economic investment made in R&D in the UK.
“By investing in charity-funded research, government can help medical research charities deliver a better future for patients across the UK, protect the UK’s research skills and capabilities and contribute to economic growth.”