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Watch the 2021 MP inquiry into the current state of dementia research

In the first half of 2021, the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia (APPG) held an inquiry into dementia research in the UK and the Government’s commitment to double dementia research funding. 

What is the APPG?

The APPG on Dementia is a cross-party group of MPs with an interest in dementia.

It is co-chaired by the Labour MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, Debbie Abrahams MP and Crossbench Peer, Baroness Greengross. 

The APPG is run in partnership with Alzheimer's Society, which provides administrative support and expert advice to the group.

What does the APPG aim to do?

The aim of the APPG is to raise awareness of dementia among parliamentarians and to influence legislation and policy making in order to improve the lives of people with dementia and their carers.

The Group meets several times a year and uses each meeting to focus on specific issues affecting people with dementia. It also conducts inquiries on issues that affect people living with dementia.

What is the Dementia Moonshot?

At the 2019 General Election, the Government committed to implement a ‘Dementia Moonshot’ that would double dementia funding from £83m a year to £166m a year over the next ten years. Nearly 18 months on, this promise is yet to be realised. 

As such, the APPG held an inquiry to investigate the current state of dementia research in the UK, make the case for the Government to bring forward the Dementia Moonshot, and suggest which areas of research should be prioritised with any of this additional funding. 

Watch the inquiry

The inquiry included four sessions to hear from expert individuals and organisations in the field in oral evidence sessions and is also accepted written evidence that will support the production of the Group’s final report.

Session 1: Introductory session (14 April 2021)

This session included panellists Professor Bart de Strooper (UK Dementia Research Institute), Professor Martin Rossor (National Director of Dementia Research), David Thomas (Head of Policy at Alzheimer's Research UK) and Jane Ward (Alzheimer's Society Research Network volunteer).

• Watch  a video of session 1 
• Read a summary of session 1 (PDF)

Session 2: Focusing on early detection and care research (29 April 2021)

Our own Director of Research and Influencing, Fiona Carragher, Professor John O'Brien (University of Cambridge), Professor Dame Louise Robinson (Newcastle University) and Professor David Sharp (UK Dementia Research Institute) gave evidence.

• Watch a video of session 2 (with transcript)

Session 3: Focusing on dementia prevention (20 May 2021)

In this session we heard from Professor Gill Livingston (University College London), Professor Craig Ritchie (University of Edinburgh), Professor Willie Stewart ( University of Glasgow), and former professional rugby player and commentator Ben Kay, who is a participant in the PREVENT research program.

• Watch a video of session 3 (with transcript)

Session 4: Focusing on early career dementia researchers (8 June 2021)  

The final session's panellists were Dr Paresh Malholtra (Imperial College London), Dr Sarah Ryan (University of Manchester) Professor Selina Wray (University College London), and Dr Jennifer Bute, a former GP who is living with dementia.

• Watch a video of session 4 (with transcript)

What's next?

We're now writing up a report about the inquiry and its recommendations to be put to Government, with the hope that they will be implemented, and the additional funding brought forward. Sign up to our regular Research newsletter below the comments for announcements about the report.

This article was first published on 21 April 2021 and last updated on 16 June 2021.