An impassioned and positive brain tumour debate in Parliament last week

The Brain Tumour Debate in Parliament last week was a very moving and positive one. It involved excellent interventions from across the House, and strong, clear commitments from the Government to look to redress the balance in funding, towards this vital cause.

In my view, every type of cancer research is incredibly important. However at the moment there is an imbalance. Funding may be increasing, but this needs to de directed more towards investigating brain tumours. However to do this the applications need to be better, the charities and hospitals need to work collectively with centres of excellence, and we have to make the case to the clinicians who allocate funding better. I'm a survivor, and it’s vital that more people can state that in the years to come.

The full debate and closing comments from the Health Minister, George Freeman MP, can be found here, and are worth a read: http://goo.gl/x93fdF

Westminster this week: brain tumour research and living wage debates, meeting Air Ambulance teams, + rail in the north dominate

The Commons today has a double header which I am trying to attend - a debate on the living wage and its impact, and a separate debate in Westminster hall at the same time on the petition relating to brain tumour research. 
My views on the living wage are well known, but here is my recent Morpteth Herald article: http://www.morpethherald.co.uk/news/local-news/millions-will-benefit-from-living-wage-1-7846301

The Brain Tumour Research Petition, and the evidence gathered as part of this, has produced a full report, and it is the findings of this report that the Commons will debate upon. Local mum of Stu Ridley, Celia Ridley, has helped with this evidence making process. 

It is clear from the report that we need to change the emphasis of cancer research funding so that more funding can be channelled into researching brain tumours. Importantly, central government only has the power to assign the money, but not what areas that money is invested into. The actual total amount available has gone up, but the allocation to brain tumour research is low as they are competitive with other cancer charities and research specialisms. This is something which the relevant bodies – Cancer Research UK & the Cancer Research Institute in particular – ultimately decide. However today's debate in the House of Commons can help to shape the future of funding. I will be attending for at least part of the debate. 

Sedately this week I shall be getting a briefing on air ambulance developments, both locally and nationally, and debating the financial services bill, along with trying to make the Rail in the North meeting on Tuesday. 

Brain Tumour Research debate in the House of Commons - Monday Afternoon Westminster Hall 4.30-7.30

It is common knowledge that I suffered a brain tumour and had a craniotomy in May 2011:
My short version of events is here:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2035955/MP-Guy-Opperman-recalls-owes-NHS-life-diagnosed-brain-tumour.html
Next Monday, the House of Commons has a special debate on the issue of Brain Tumour Research + the petition to the Commons on this issue:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/cmselect/cmpetitions/554/554.pdf
This is the issue which Celia Ridley, mother of Stu Ridley, has given evidence to both in writing and when the Petitions Committee first considered this matter.

Tynedale Beer festival 18-20 June - tickets still available to our biggest beer festival

Dozens of Beers, drinks and great food and lots to see and do. Come along to Corbridge - you will not be disappointed:
http://www.tynedalebeerfestival.org.uk/tickets/