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Medical Research

Volume 456: debated on Tuesday 6 February 2007

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the (a) real terms and (b) percentage change was in Government funding for medical research between 1997 and 2006. (112426)

Government funding for medical research is provided through (i) the Medical Research Council and (ii) the national health service research and development budget. Between 1997-98 and 2005-06 there has been (a) a 29.2 per cent. real terms increase and (b) a 56.8 per cent. cash increase in budget allocations.

1997-98 (£ million)

2005-06 (£ million)

Cash terms (percentage)

Real terms (percentage)

Medical Research Council

289

504

74.4

43.7

NHS R and D

426

617

44.8

19.4

Net government funding

715

1,121

56.8

29.2

The Medical Research Council figures are the Science Budget Allocations from the Department for Trade and Industry. The NHS R and D budget figures have been provided by the Department of Health.