APPG on Brain Tumours

The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Brain Tumours (APPGBT) was established in 2005 to raise awareness of the challenges faced by the brain tumour community and to influence policy for better outcomes.

All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) are informal, cross-party groups of Members of the Commons and Lords that focus on specific issues. For the APPGBT, this means scrutinising policies, addressing issues raised by the brain tumour community and advocating for change to improve outcomes.

Brain Tumour Research holds the secretariat for the APPGBT.

This means we take an active role in its work. We coordinate meetings and bring together stakeholders such as government ministers, researchers and government bodies. We also drive the agenda to align with the policy goals outlined in our manifesto.

Whilst progress has been made, we remain committed to doing more, ensuring that research into brain tumours receives the attention and funding it urgently needs.

APPGBT reports

On 28th February 2023, the APPGBT launched its landmark inquiry report Pathway to a Cure, breaking down the barriers and demanding action to make research into brain tumours a critical priority.

Read our latest update from the APPG, covering the advancement of clinical trials in the UK.

Our Chair

Dame Siobhain McDonagh, whose sister Margaret died from a glioblastoma in 2023, told us:

“As an MP and as a sister who has campaigned for a pathway to better, kinder treatments for UK brain tumour patients – and of course for there to be more of them – I am very happy to take up this position as Chair of the APPGBT.

“With this position comes a real sense of wanting to drive things forward, to make change and to do things differently. Where we are currently isn’t good enough and as Chair, alongside our officers and members, our group is determined to deliver real impact. Our mission is too important not to.”
— Dame Siobhain McDonagh MP

Our Members

  • Dame Siobhain McDonagh MP

    Chair, Labour

  • Sarah Owen MP

    Officer, Labour

  • Mims Davies MP

    Officer, Conservative

  • Lord Polak CBE

    Officer, Conservative

  • Lord Carlile of Berriew

    Member, Cross-Bench member

  • Baroness Morgan of Cotes

    Member, Non-affiliated

  • The Rt Hon Alistair Carmichael MP

    Member, Liberal Democrat

  • Ben Lake MP

    Member, Plaid Cymru

  • William Esterson MP

    Member, Labour

  • Charles Maynard MP

    Member, Liberal Democrat

  • Daisy Cooper MP

    Member, Liberal Democrat

  • Deirdre Costigan MP

    Member, Labour

  • Euan Stainbank MP

    Member, Labour

  • Greg Smith MP

    Member, Conservative

  • Gregor Poynton MP

    Member, Labour

  • Helen Hayes MP

    Member, Labour

  • Helena Dollimore MP

    Member, Labour

  • James Cartlidge MP

    Member, Conservative

  • The Rt Hon John McDonnell MP 

    Member, Labour

  • John Slinger MP

    Member, Labour

  • Monica Harding MP

    Member, Liberal Democrat

  • Nadia Whittome MP

    Member, Labour

  • Rebecca Harris MP

    Member, Conservative

  • Sarah Hall MP

    Member, Labour

  • Scott Arthur MP

    Member, Labour

  • Tom Rutland MP

    Member, Labour

Image credit:
© House of Lords | © House of Commons | © House of Commons/Roger Harris | © House of Commons/Laurie Noble

APPGBT minutes

Click here to download.

Click here to download.

Click here to download.

Click here to download.

APPGBT briefings

Click here to download.

Presentation to APPG by Professor Kathreena Kurian and Andrew Wright ( TJBCM).

Click here to download.

Click here to download.

The APPGBT is very keen to understand what opportunities there might be with repurposed drugs to impact on someone diagnosed with a brain tumour today. The secretariat requested information from the national multi-agency Medicines Repurposing Programme which is available to read here.

NIHR brain tumour research package - operational update to the APPG on brain tumours February 2025.

Click here to download.

Click here to download.

Click here to download.

Click here to download.

Click here to download.

Click here to download.

Click here to download.

Click here to download.

Click here to download.

Click here to download.

Click here to download.

July 2020: Working together to keep the research going

July 2019: A year of driving change and exploring innovation on brain tumours

June 2019: Innovation in brain tumour treatment
March 2019: With more funding for research into brain tumours are advances being made?
November 2018: Brain tumours - a cost too much to bear?

Want to keep up to date with our Campaigning work? Subscribe to our weekly updates and get news straight to your inbox.