I recognise that many people with MND are struggling with the cost of living, particularly around energy costs associated with essential medical and assistive equipment. Patient groups like the MND Association are doing a fantastic job at signposting patients and their families to practical and financial support available to meet these pressures.
Increasing research into MND is vital for identifying and developing new treatments, and I welcome the progress made during the last Parliament. In 2021, the previous Government committed at least £50 million over a five-year period to MND research. I understand that £35 million of this committed funding was allocated to specialist research centres so that researchers can access the funding as quickly as possible. Everyone in England can now sign up to take part in MND and wider health research through the NHS App.
Government Ministers must build on these steps to accelerate progress across the UK to find better treatments for MND, giving people living with the condition the chance of a better quality of life. In the meantime, I will be monitoring the impact of the UK-wide Neuro Forum – recently established by the Government - which aims to address gaps in treatment and care for people affected by neurological conditions, including MND.
