PM Brown commits to innovation and cancer care

Speaking at the Labour Party conference in Brighton, the UK's Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, re-affirmed his support to ensure Britain remains a base for pioneering research, and innovation development and manufacturing, and promised that in future cancer patients would be diagnosed with a week.

Richard Barker, director general of the of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, said: "I welcome government's intent to create a positive environment which will encourage innovative companies like those within the pharmaceutical industry to continue to use Britain as a base for their pioneering research - and to go on to develop and manufacture their innovations in Britain. We also welcome his commitment to early detection and treatment for cancer patients."

Following a summit with leaders of the pharmaceutical industry in January, Gordon Brown set up the Office for Life Sciences, a new 'virtual' department within government. It published a blueprint for the life sciences industry in July which included a commitment to look at changes to the tax system to encourage innovation in the UK. The government will publish the findings of its research before the 2009 Pre-Budget Report in November.