Written question asked by Iqbal Mohamed (Independent (affiliation)) on Monday, 7 September 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 9 September 2026. It was answered by Chris McDonald (Labour) on Tuesday, 15 September 2026 on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade.

Animal Experiments

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, how much funding his Department has provided to Government research councils for (a) animal-based research and (b) the development of non-animal experimentation methods in each of the last five years.

Answer: It is not possible to provide an overall funding figure for research councils funding for animal-based research and the development of non-animal methods, as funding is not generally allocated to UKRI based on specific research approaches. UKRI funds research on the basis of scientific excellence and need. Through its standard funding processes, UKRI only supports research involving animals where no scientifically acceptable non-animal alternative exists and where researchers have properly considered and applied the principles of replacement, reduction and refinement (the 3Rs). UKRI also supports non-animal approaches, including through investment in the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs).

Secondary information