The Government recognises that there are currently limited treatment options available for people who have been diagnosed with cancerous brain tumours, such as glioblastoma, and the significant impact that this rare cancer can have on the outcomes and experiences of care.

The Department has recently updated guidance that advises anyone considering a procedure abroad to carefully research treatment, including treatment for glioblastoma, the qualifications of their clinician, and the regulations that apply in any specific country.

In February 2026, the Department published the National Cancer Plan for England which sets out how patients with rare cancers, including glioblastoma, will benefit from a move to specialist multi-disciplinary teams which cover multiple healthcare providers. This will allow them to benefit from the input of specialist centres and access to the best evidence-based care. To accelerate breakthroughs, the Government will explore innovative procurement methods, such as advance market commitments, to stimulate the development of new diagnostic tests, targeted therapies, and more effective treatments for rare cancers, such as brain tumours.

Additionally, in January 2026, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) announced increased investment of over £25 million in the NIHR Brain Tumour Research Consortium. The world-leading consortium aims to transform outcomes for adults and children and their families who are living with brain tumours, ultimately reducing lives lost to cancer. In addition to speeding up diagnosis and treatment, the work being undertaken by the consortium aims to ensure that patients have access to the latest treatments and technology and to clinical trials. This will make a significant contribution to bringing the United Kingdom’s cancer survival rates back up to the standards of the best in the world.

The Government recognises that there are currently limited treatment options available for people who have been diagnosed with cancerous brain tumours, such as glioblastoma, and the significant impact that this rare cancer can have on the outcomes and experiences of care.

The Department has recently updated guidance that advises anyone considering a procedure abroad to carefully research treatment, including treatment for glioblastoma, the qualifications of their clinician, and the regulations that apply in any specific country.

In February 2026, the Department published the National Cancer Plan for England which sets out how patients with rare cancers, including glioblastoma, will benefit from a move to specialist multi-disciplinary teams which cover multiple healthcare providers. This will allow them to benefit from the input of specialist centres and access to the best evidence-based care. To accelerate breakthroughs, the Government will explore innovative procurement methods, such as advance market commitments, to stimulate the development of new diagnostic tests, targeted therapies, and more effective treatments for rare cancers, such as brain tumours.

Additionally, in January 2026, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) announced increased investment of over £25 million in the NIHR Brain Tumour Research Consortium. The world-leading consortium aims to transform outcomes for adults and children and their families who are living with brain tumours, ultimately reducing lives lost to cancer. In addition to speeding up diagnosis and treatment, the work being undertaken by the consortium aims to ensure that patients have access to the latest treatments and technology and to clinical trials. This will make a significant contribution to bringing the United Kingdom’s cancer survival rates back up to the standards of the best in the world.

The Department has not made a specific assessment of the extent of barriers to recruitment for glioblastoma clinical trials. However, the Government recognises that patients with rare cancers can face particular challenges in accessing research opportunities.

The National Cancer Plan for England sets out the Government’s ambition to deliver world class cancer care through world class research, including by making it easier for patients with rare cancers to find and take part in relevant clinical trials. It makes rare cancers a research priority, backed by increased spending on rarer cancer research, with commitments to incentivise inclusion of rare cancers in future trials of multi-cancer early detection tests.

Additionally, the Government is implementing the Rare Cancers Act 2026 that will make it easier for clinical trials on rare cancers to take place in England, by ensuring the patient population can be more easily contacted by researchers and that a National Specialty Lead for Rare Cancers is appointed in the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Research Delivery Network.

The NIHR also provides an online service called Be Part of Research which promotes participation in health and care research, by allowing users to search for relevant studies and register their interest. The service is available at the following link:

https://bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk/

The Department is committed to turbocharging clinical research and delivering better patient care, to make the United Kingdom a world-leading destination for clinical research, including clinical trials on glioblastoma.

The Government recognises that glioblastoma is a rare and aggressive brain tumour and is committed to improving outcomes for people affected by rare and less common cancers such as this.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) makes recommendations on whether new licensed medicines, including treatments for glioblastoma, should be routinely funded by the National Health Service based on an assessment of their clinical and cost effectiveness. NICE aims, wherever possible, to issue guidance close to the time of licensing. NICE-recommended cancer medicines are eligible for funding from the point of NICE's draft guidance, bringing forward patient access by up to five months.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is responsible for ensuring that medicines and medical devices meet appropriate standards of safety, quality, and effectiveness before they can be used in the United Kingdom.

The National Cancer Plan for England commits to accelerating access to innovation and speeding up the implementation of technologies and treatments proven to improve cancer outcomes. Through Action 16 of the plan, the Government will work to accelerate the adoption of effective technologies and treatments across cancer services, helping ensure that patients can benefit from innovation more quickly.

Patients with glioblastoma will also benefit from the wider commitments in the National Cancer Plan to improve outcomes for people affected by rare and less common cancers.

National survival data for malignant brain cancers is collected and monitored. The latest available data for England shows one-year net survival for malignant brain cancer was 44%, and five-year net survival was 16.4%.

The Department recognises that outcomes for people with brain tumours, including glioblastoma, remain poor, and that people living in more deprived areas are more likely to be diagnosed later and experience poorer cancer outcomes. Tackling health inequalities across the cancer pathway, including inequalities linked to deprivation, ethnicity, and geography, is a core priority of the National Cancer Plan for England.

Through the National Cancer Plan, the Government is committed to improving earlier diagnosis, reducing variation in access and outcomes, and strengthening care for people with rare and less survivable cancers, including glioblastoma. Glioblastoma is recognised as a rare and aggressive cancer with limited treatment options, and we continue to support research and innovation, including in genomics, clinical trials, and precision medicine.

The Government recognises that there are currently limited treatment options available for people who have been diagnosed with cancerous brain tumours, such as glioblastoma, and recognises the significant impact that this rare cancer can have on outcomes and experiences of care.

Several steps are being taken to improve outcomes for glioblastoma patients.

In January 2026, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) announced increased investment of over £25 million in the NIHR Brain Tumour Research Consortium. The world-leading consortium aims to transform outcomes for adults and children and their families who are living with brain tumours, ultimately reducing lives lost to cancer. In addition to speeding up diagnosis and treatment, the work being undertaken by the consortium aims to ensure that patients have access to the latest treatments and technology and to clinical trials. This will make a significant contribution to bringing the United Kingdom’s cancer survival rates back up to the standards of the best in the world.

In February 2026, the Department published the National Cancer Plan for England which sets out how patients with rare cancers, including glioblastoma, will benefit from a move to specialist multi-disciplinary teams which cover multiple healthcare providers. This will allow them to benefit from the input of specialist centres and access to the best evidence-based care. To accelerate breakthroughs, the Government will explore innovative procurement methods, such as advance market commitments, to stimulate the development of new diagnostic tests, targeted therapies, and more effective treatments for rare cancers, such as brain tumours.

The Department recognises that cancer outcomes remain poorest in some deprived, rural, and coastal areas. To support improvement, the Government has provided £200 million of ring‑fenced funding for Cancer Alliances in 2026/27 to improve cancer pathway performance and reduce delays. The Department monitors progress through regular oversight with NHS England, tracking improvements in early diagnosis and treatment standards across regions. These measures underpin our commitment to reducing geographic disparities so that a patient’s chances of survival do not depend on where they live.

The Government recognises that there are currently limited treatment options available for people who have been diagnosed with cancerous brain tumours, such as glioblastoma, and recognises the significant impact that this rare cancer can have on outcomes and experiences of care.

Several steps are being taken to improve outcomes for glioblastoma patients.

In January 2026, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) announced increased investment of over £25 million in the NIHR Brain Tumour Research Consortium. The world-leading consortium aims to transform outcomes for adults and children and their families who are living with brain tumours, ultimately reducing lives lost to cancer. In addition to speeding up diagnosis and treatment, the work being undertaken by the consortium aims to ensure that patients have access to the latest treatments and technology and to clinical trials. This will make a significant contribution to bringing the United Kingdom’s cancer survival rates back up to the standards of the best in the world.

In February 2026, the Department published the National Cancer Plan for England which sets out how patients with rare cancers, including glioblastoma, will benefit from a move to specialist multi-disciplinary teams which cover multiple healthcare providers. This will allow them to benefit from the input of specialist centres and access to the best evidence-based care. To accelerate breakthroughs, the Government will explore innovative procurement methods, such as advance market commitments, to stimulate the development of new diagnostic tests, targeted therapies, and more effective treatments for rare cancers, such as brain tumours.

The Department recognises that cancer outcomes remain poorest in some deprived, rural, and coastal areas. To support improvement, the Government has provided £200 million of ring‑fenced funding for Cancer Alliances in 2026/27 to improve cancer pathway performance and reduce delays. The Department monitors progress through regular oversight with NHS England, tracking improvements in early diagnosis and treatment standards across regions. These measures underpin our commitment to reducing geographic disparities so that a patient’s chances of survival do not depend on where they live.

The Government recognises that there are currently limited treatment options available for people who have been diagnosed with cancerous brain tumours, such as glioblastoma, and recognises the significant impact that this rare cancer can have on outcomes and experiences of care.

Several steps are being taken to improve outcomes for glioblastoma patients.

In January 2026, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) announced increased investment of over £25 million in the NIHR Brain Tumour Research Consortium. The world-leading consortium aims to transform outcomes for adults and children and their families who are living with brain tumours, ultimately reducing lives lost to cancer. In addition to speeding up diagnosis and treatment, the work being undertaken by the consortium aims to ensure that patients have access to the latest treatments and technology and to clinical trials. This will make a significant contribution to bringing the United Kingdom’s cancer survival rates back up to the standards of the best in the world.

In February 2026, the Department published the National Cancer Plan for England which sets out how patients with rare cancers, including glioblastoma, will benefit from a move to specialist multi-disciplinary teams which cover multiple healthcare providers. This will allow them to benefit from the input of specialist centres and access to the best evidence-based care. To accelerate breakthroughs, the Government will explore innovative procurement methods, such as advance market commitments, to stimulate the development of new diagnostic tests, targeted therapies, and more effective treatments for rare cancers, such as brain tumours.

The Department recognises that cancer outcomes remain poorest in some deprived, rural, and coastal areas. To support improvement, the Government has provided £200 million of ring‑fenced funding for Cancer Alliances in 2026/27 to improve cancer pathway performance and reduce delays. The Department monitors progress through regular oversight with NHS England, tracking improvements in early diagnosis and treatment standards across regions. These measures underpin our commitment to reducing geographic disparities so that a patient’s chances of survival do not depend on where they live.

The Department recognises that survival rates are too low for rarer cancers, such as brain cancers, and that there are currently limited treatment options available for people who have been diagnosed with brain tumours.

The National Cancer Plan (NCP) has set comprehensive measures to drive up cancer survival rates and improve outcomes for all cancer patients, including those with rarer and less common cancers such as glioblastoma. These measures include speeding up diagnosis and treatment to meet the cancer standards, ensuring patients have access to the latest treatments and technology though innovative projects, expanding access to genomic testing to diagnose and support more personalised treatment approaches, and reducing variation in access to cancer care so patients receive timely diagnosis and treatment from wherever they live.

Patients with rare cancers will also benefit from a move to specialist multi-disciplinary teams, that cover multiple providers. This will allow them to benefit from the input of specialist centres and so access to the best evidence-based care.

To meet its obligations for rare cancers, including brain tumours, the Government will appoint a new national clinical lead for rare cancers. This national clinical lead will have a clear mandate to speak up for rare cancers, and to provide clinical advice and support for the delivery of the actions in the plan.

The NCP further included a commitment to reduce the number of rare cancers, including brain tumours, being diagnosed in emergency settings. Brain cancers cannot be staged like other cancers and are subsequently not included in current early diagnosis measures. The National Health Service in England will improve on this system by regularly publishing early diagnosis data for brain tumours, incentivising systems to focus on these cancers.

The successful implementation of this plan will mean that three in every four people diagnosed in 2035 will be cancer-free or living well with cancer after five years. That translates to 320,000 more lives saved over the course of this plan, and the fastest rate of improvement this century.

Finally, the Government also backed the launch of RECURRENT‑GB, a new nationwide trial exploring whether surgery can improve the quality of life for patients when glioblastoma comes back after treatment commenced and is backed by £1.98 million of National Institute of Health and Research funding.

The Department recognises that survival rates are too low for rarer cancers, such as brain cancers, and that there are currently limited treatment options available for people who have been diagnosed with brain tumours.

The National Cancer Plan (NCP) has set comprehensive measures to drive up cancer survival rates and improve outcomes for all cancer patients, including those with rarer and less common cancers such as glioblastoma. These measures include speeding up diagnosis and treatment to meet the cancer standards, ensuring patients have access to the latest treatments and technology though innovative projects, expanding access to genomic testing to diagnose and support more personalised treatment approaches, and reducing variation in access to cancer care so patients receive timely diagnosis and treatment from wherever they live.

Patients with rare cancers will also benefit from a move to specialist multi-disciplinary teams, that cover multiple providers. This will allow them to benefit from the input of specialist centres and so access to the best evidence-based care.

To meet its obligations for rare cancers, including brain tumours, the Government will appoint a new national clinical lead for rare cancers. This national clinical lead will have a clear mandate to speak up for rare cancers, and to provide clinical advice and support for the delivery of the actions in the plan.

The NCP further included a commitment to reduce the number of rare cancers, including brain tumours, being diagnosed in emergency settings. Brain cancers cannot be staged like other cancers and are subsequently not included in current early diagnosis measures. The National Health Service in England will improve on this system by regularly publishing early diagnosis data for brain tumours, incentivising systems to focus on these cancers.

The successful implementation of this plan will mean that three in every four people diagnosed in 2035 will be cancer-free or living well with cancer after five years. That translates to 320,000 more lives saved over the course of this plan, and the fastest rate of improvement this century.

Finally, the Government also backed the launch of RECURRENT‑GB, a new nationwide trial exploring whether surgery can improve the quality of life for patients when glioblastoma comes back after treatment commenced and is backed by £1.98 million of National Institute of Health and Research funding.

The National Disease Registration Service (NDRS) in NHS England, as the national cancer registry, collects diagnosis, treatment, and outcome data on cancer patients in England. The NDRS does not routinely publish statistics on life expectancy.

However, NHS England publishes survival data for all cancers, including brain cancer, which includes glioblastoma. Currently, glioblastoma is not included as a separate cancer group in our routine statistics.

The latest data shows one year survival after diagnosis is 41.7% and five‑year survival for brain cancer is 12.9%. The data can be found at the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/cancer-survival-in-england/cancers-diagnosed-2016-to-2020-followed-up-to-2021

The Government recognises that glioblastoma is an aggressive and fast‑growing form of brain cancer with poor outcomes and is committed to improving outcomes and investing in research for brain cancers, including glioblastoma. The National Cancer Plan includes a strong focus on rarer and less common cancers, such as brain tumours, to drive earlier diagnosis, improved care, and better survival.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for assessing new medicines to ensure they meet the required standards of quality, safety, and efficacy before they can be authorised for use in the United Kingdom. The MHRA conducts a rigorous, evidence‑based scientific review of all applications for marketing authorisation and assesses them against statutory timelines. Northwest Biotherapeutics has submitted a marketing authorisation application to the MHRA for DCVax®-L, an immunotherapy for glioblastoma. The MHRA cannot comment on individual applications while they are under assessment but is committed to enabling safe and effective new treatments to reach patients as quickly as possible once the necessary standards are met.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) makes recommendations for the National Health Service on whether all new licensed medicines should be routinely funded by the NHS based on an assessment of clinical and cost effectiveness. NICE aims wherever possible to issue recommendations on new medicines close to the time of licensing. NICE is in discussions with the manufacturer of DCVax-L, Northwest Biotherapeutics, about a potential appraisal subject to licensing.

The Government recognises that there are currently limited treatment options available for people who have been diagnosed with cancerous brain tumours, such as glioblastoma, and recognises the significant impact that this rare cancer can have on patients, carers, and their families.

In October 2025, a new nationwide trial was launched exploring whether surgery can improve the quality of life for patients when glioblastoma comes back after treatment commenced, backed by £1.98 million of National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) funding.

The Government published the National Cancer Plan for England on 4 February 2026, and it was the first ever cancer plan to include a chapter on rare and less common cancers. The plan sets out that we will aim to reduce the number of cancers diagnosed in emergency settings.

To accelerate breakthroughs, the Government will explore innovative procurement methods, such as advance market commitments, to stimulate the development of new diagnostic tests, targeted therapies and more effective treatments for rare cancers, such as brain cancers.

As a result of the significant new commitments to brain tumour research being announced, committed spend on brain tumour research from NIHR programmes alone is now in excess of £40 million since 2018. This is in addition to NIHR investments in infrastructure, which are estimated to be £44.5 million over the period 2018/19 to 2024/25, and UK Research and Innovation commitments of £46.8 million to brain tumour research over the six years from 2018/19 to 2023/24.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided on 22 December 2025 by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, to Question 99356.

The Department of Health and Social Care enables research via its research arm, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), and is committed to furthering our investment and driving scientific advancements in research into the causes and treatment of brain tumours. Between 2018/19 and 2023/24, the NIHR directly invested £11.8 million in research projects and programmes focused on brain tumours. During the same period, the NIHR’s wider investments include around £37.5 million in research infrastructure and the research workforce. UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, invested £46.8 million in brain tumour research.

Newly licensed medicines are appraised by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which is the independent body responsible for developing evidence-based guidance for the National Health Service on whether new medicines represent a clinically and cost-effective use of resources.

NICE has issued guidance for the NHS on several treatments for glioma and glioblastoma and has a number of other topics in active development.

Published Cancer Registration Statistics for England, including glioblastoma, are available at the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/cancer-registration-statistics/england-2023

Cancer mortality statistics for England for 2023 are also available at the following link:

https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/cancer-registration-statistics/england-2023/cancer-mortality

Alternately, these are combined in the National Disease Registration Service Cancer Incidence and Mortality interactive dashboard, which is available at the following link:

https://nhsd-ndrs.shinyapps.io/incidence_and_mortality/

Brain tumours, including glioblastoma, remain one of the hardest to treat cancers. The Government is taking action to improve treatment options and outcomes.

Research is crucial in tackling cancer, which is why the Department invests over £1.6 billion per year in research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). In October 2025, a new nationwide trial exploring whether surgery can improve quality of life for patients when glioblastoma comes back after treatment commenced, backed by £1.98 million of NIHR funding. 

Further to this, in September 2024, the NIHR announced new research funding opportunities for brain cancer research, including glioblastoma, spanning both adult and paediatric populations. This includes a NIHR Brain Tumour Research Consortium, to ensure the most promising research opportunities are made available to adult and child patients, and a new funding call to generate high quality evidence in brain tumour care, support, and rehabilitation.

The Government supports Scott Arthur’s Private Members Bill on rare cancers which will make it easier for clinical trials into rare cancers, such as glioblastomas, to take place in England by ensuring the patient population can be easily contacted by researchers.  This will ensure that the National Health Service will remain at the forefront of medical innovation and is able to provide patients with the newest, most effective treatment options and ultimately boost survival rates.

Early next year, the Government will publish a National Cancer Plan which will set out targeted actions to reduce lives lost to cancers, including rarer cancers such as glioblastoma.

Brain tumours, including glioblastoma, remain one of the hardest to treat cancers. The Government is taking action to improve outcomes.

Research is crucial in tackling cancer, which is why the Department invests over £1.6 billion per year in research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). In October 2025, a new nationwide trial exploring whether surgery can improve quality of life for patients when glioblastoma comes back after treatment commenced, backed by £1.98 million of NIHR funding.

Further to this, in September 2024, the NIHR announced new research funding opportunities for brain cancer research, including glioblastoma, spanning both adult and paediatric populations. This includes a NIHR Brain Tumour Research Consortium, to ensure the most promising research opportunities are made available to adult and child patients and a new funding call to generate high quality evidence in brain tumour care, support, and rehabilitation.

The Government supports Scott Arthur’s Private Members Bill on rare cancers which will make it easier for clinical trials into rare cancers, such as glioblastomas, to take place in England by ensuring the patient population can be easily contacted by researchers. This will ensure that the National Health Service will remain at the forefront of medical innovation and is able to provide patients with the newest, most effective treatment options and ultimately boost survival rates.

The forthcoming National Cancer Plan will set out targeted actions to reduce lives lost to cancers and improve the experience of patients, including for rarer cancers such as glioblastomas.

This Government has made funds available to support UK manufacture of medicines and medical technology products, including up to £520 million to the Life Sciences Innovative Manufacturing Fund and £50 million to the pilot Life Sciences Transformational R&D Investment fund. These funds are open to applicants looking to establish, expand or improve UK based manufacturing of treatments for glioblastoma and other cancers, as well as a wider range of capabilities that improve UK health resilience.

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is an executive agency of the Department and regulates medicine, medical devices, and blood components for transfusion in the United Kingdom, with responsibility for ensuring medicines meet appropriate standards of safety, quality, and efficacy.

The impact of the new regulatory reform on the development of glioblastoma is that the new regulations will introduce notifiable trials, including initial and modification trials, which will be approved within 21 days without further assessment if they meet the inclusion criteria. Therefore, these submissions will be approved with a short turnaround time. This approach will free up assessors’ time to provide more support for trials that require closer scrutiny. The trials in glioblastoma are part of the oncology area, which represents almost 30% of all submissions received by the MHRA.