Life-saving work by charities is being ‘cancelled’ over funding issue

JUST THREE per cent of medical research charities are eligible for Government funding and that is causing life-saving work to be cancelled, Labour has claimed.

The party said charity-funded research has been severely impacted by Covid-19, with charities projecting it will take more than four years for spend to recover to normal levels.

Charity funding for medical research has plunged by 41 per cent, the party said, adding only five of 152 medical research charities (three per cent) are eligible for

Government support. Important medical studies said to be stalled or cancelled include those tackling dementia, coronary heart disease and cancer, which could have long-term consequences for patients.

Labour is warning that with around half of all medical research spend coming from charities, the impact on scientific progress could be stark.

The Treasury has previously said the Department of Health and Social Care was working with the sector to understand the impact of coronavirus and what support could be given.

Chi Onwurah, Shadow Minister for Digital, Science and technology, said: “Medical research charities carry out vital, life-saving work, but with only three per cent able to access Government support, important research is being shelved and scores of jobs are in peril. The UK gets great returns on research funding, both in terms of our economy and in the positive impact for those that rely on breakthroughs in treatment.”

Last month, Cancer Research UK said its planned research spend over the next four to five years needs to reduce by £150m.