Westminster Hall Presses Inclusion; Ministers Resist Ringfencing Cancer Research
High-Level Summary
Westminster Hall held two Backbench Business debates. Members examined how conflicts disproportionately affect older people, calling for age‑inclusive aid, better data and recognition of older people’s rights; the Minister endorsed data disaggregation and confirmed support for a UN convention on older persons. A second debate marked one year since Dr Susan Michaelis’s death and pressed for Government backing for the Lobular Moon Shot Project to advance research into invasive lobular breast cancer. Ministers highlighted ongoing work through competitive funding schemes, resisted ringfencing £20 million, and outlined active studies and possible next steps via targeted calls. Both debates concluded with resolutions that the matters had been considered.
Detailed Summary
Conflicts: Impact on Older People
Context and participants: Jim Shannon (Strangford) opened the debate by moving, “That this House has considered the humanitarian impact of conflicts on older people.” He cited global and Ukraine‑specific data to argue that older people’s distinct needs are overlooked, noting “approximately 200 million people aged 60 and over are living in fragile or conflict-affected settings” and that in Ukraine “one in four Ukrainians is aged over 60.” Rachael Maskell (York Central) urged restored aid levels and said, “Older lives matter, too.” John Milne (Horsham) pressed for disaggregated data and inclusion standards in humanitarian responses, while Andrew Snowden (Fylde), referred to as the shadow Minister by Mr Shannon, argued for prioritising need and value for money, saying “we must seek to ensure that our overseas aid is targeted at those who need it most”.
Key arguments, decision and next steps: Responding for the Government, Chris Elmore (Minister with responsibility for multilateral affairs) said “older people are among those hardest hit by conflict, yet they remain largely invisible.” He confirmed expectations that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and partners use disaggregated data: “FCDO partners should use disaggregated data, including on sex, age and disability” and cited assistance in Gaza through “assistive products for people injured in conflicts.” He stated that relevant budgets had “been protected, specifically for Ukraine, Gaza, Lebanon and Sudan.” On rights, he said “we are supportive of a UN convention on older persons”, while cautioning on timescales: “I cannot stand here and say it will be done by x date.” The motion was agreed to: “Resolved, That this House has considered the humanitarian impact of conflicts on older people.” Next steps included continued UK advocacy on humanitarian access, the use of disaggregated data in programmes, work under women, peace and security commitments, and engagement on a UN convention (timescale not stated in the transcript).
Lobular Breast Cancer: Moon Shot Project
Context and participants: John Milne (Horsham) led the debate marking one year since Dr Susan Michaelis’s death and seeking Government support for the Lobular Moon Shot Project, moving: “That this House has considered Government support for the Lobular Moon Shot Project.” He set out the case for a dedicated programme to understand the biology of invasive lobular breast cancer (ILC), highlighting “a research plan costing £20 million over five years” and that “Every day, 22 women in this country are told that they have lobular breast cancer”. Across the House, Members described missed diagnoses, lack of lobular‑specific treatments and calls for earlier detection (e.g., MRI) and targeted therapies; for example, one Member said ILC “remains under-researched with no specifically designed treatment.” Another noted there are “a grand total of zero lobular-specific clinical trials…actively recruiting patients in the UK.”
Government response, decision and next steps: Speaking for the Department of Health and Social Care, Stephen Kinnock outlined current activity and funding routes, reporting that a recent roundtable agreed to “encourage collaborative research and funding applications across multiple existing schemes”. He described ongoing studies, including FAST MRI: “The £1.36 million study is jointly funded by the MRC and the NIHR” and wider investments by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). On the £20 million request, he said “the Government are not of the view that a ringfencing approach is the right way to go.” He undertook to write with an update on a specific proposal’s status and agreed to take back the suggestion of a more targeted call for proposals, adding that “research funding remains available, and that funding does not have a ceiling.” The House resolved the matter had been considered: “Resolved, That this House has considered Government support for the Lobular Moon Shot Project.” Next steps included continued engagement with researchers and campaigners, applications through competitive peer‑reviewed schemes, potential departmental follow‑up on proposals, and consideration of a specific research call; no ringfenced timetable was given (not stated in the transcript).