MPs Call for More Funds to Support Stroke

A cross-bench of over 100 MPs are for calling more funding to support life-saving stroke research.

An Early Day Motion calls on the Government to take account of the high burden that stroke places on individuals and the community and to re-examine the priority that they give to stroke research, ensuring that more resources are available.

Tabled in the House of Commons in December 2001, the motion - Stroke Research - has received 120 signatures from cross-party MPs so far, and is set to rise.

The motion recognises the work of The Stroke Association and that stroke research is seriously under-funded. With over 100,000 new strokes each year, MPs are also supporting the call for the Government and other funding agencies to give stroke research the priority it deserves.

Margaret Goose, Chief Executive of The Stroke Association, said; "We know that stroke research is seriously under-funded in this country and since the incidence of stroke is set to rise, this is worrying. We are pleased to see so many MPs supporting this motion and hope this will signal to the Government just how important stroke research is."

Ends

Notes to editor

1. Full Early Day Motion - Stroke Research.

That this House recognises that the major burden of stroke is chronic disability; recognizes that stroke is the third most common cause of death, the second most common cause of dementia, a frequent cause of depression and the most common cause of epilepsy in older people; notes with concern that stroke research is seriously under-funded and lags way behind heart disease and cancer; acknowledges that The Stroke Association is a major charitable source of research funding for stroke but is only able to fund about one in ten of the grant applications received; regrets that other research funding agencies do not afford stroke the priority that it merits; and calls on the Government and other funding agencies to take account of the high burden that stroke places on individuals and the community and to re-examine the priority that they give to stroke research so ensuring that resources available to work in this area increase in full recognition of the projected rising trend in the incidence of stroke.

Original sponsors:

Jim Cunningham MP (Labour)
Michael Jack MP (Conservative)
Sandra Gidley MP (Liberal Democrats)

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