Write to the Chancellor

<div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW248165359 BCX8">Dear Chancellor, </div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW248165359 BCX8">I am writing as a proud supporter of Alzheimer’s Research UK, the UK’s leading dementia research charity, to urge you to use the upcoming Autumn Budget on 28th October to support the establishment of a dedicated Dementia Drugs Fund. </div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW248165359 BCX8">Dementia is the leading cause of death in the UK, and around one million people are currently living with the condition. If nothing changes, one in two of us will be affected by dementia, either by developing the condition ourselves or by caring for someone who does. Dementia also places an enormous and growing financial burden on individuals, families and the economy. In 2025 the estimated economic impact of dementia in the UK was £44.5 billion, and this is expected to more than double to over £90 billion by 2040. </div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW248165359 BCX8">The first drugs shown to slow Alzheimer's disease are already here, but people affected by dementia are still waiting to find out whether they'll be available on the NHS. I welcome the Government’s manifesto ambition to make the UK a world leader in life sciences and its recent commitment to making dementia research a national priority, including the £48 million investment to accelerate research and improve access to clinical trials. These are important steps forward, but we must now ensure that people living with dementia can benefit from the progress research is making. </div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW248165359 BCX8">That is why I am supporting Alzheimer’s Research UK’s call for a dedicated Dementia Drugs Fund to provide a practical way to support access to promising new treatments while building the evidence, clinical capacity and infrastructure needed to make them available safely, responsibly and sustainably through the NHS. </div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW248165359 BCX8">The Autumn Budget presents an important opportunity for the Government to demonstrate its commitment to tackling dementia to ensure that people affected by dementia are not left behind as research advances, offering hope that scientific breakthroughs can translate into meaningful change.  </div><div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCXW248165359 BCX8">I hope the Government will seize this opportunity to ensure that the NHS keeps pace with scientific progress and that people affected by dementia have reason to look to the future with greater hope.  If it is not possible to consider a dedicated Dementia Drugs Fund as part of the upcoming Budget, would you be willing to meet with Alzheimer’s Research UK to discuss the proposal and their <a href="https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/how-you-can-help/campaign/ready-for-a-cure/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ready for a Cure</a> campaign in more detail. </div></div>

MAKE DEMENTIA A PRIORITY