Gordon Brown has today pledged to reconsider the budget available for Alzheimer’s research, admitting that the disease has been “neglected for too long”. He made the assurance to author Terry Pratchett, patron of the Alzheimer’s Research Trust (ART), who this afternoon (26^th) handed a petition to the prime minister calling for an “increase in funding for dementia research as a matter of urgency”.

The Prime Minister agreed to meet the Discworld author and experts from the ART following a request made by Greg Mulholland MP during Prime Minister’s Questions in November. Mr Brown praised Terry Pratchett for “speaking for those without a voice” and congratulated him on improving public understanding of Alzheimer’s.

Earlier today, Terry Pratchett addressed a group of politicians at the House of Lords describing his own experience of living with a rare form of Alzheimer’s. He described his fury at “Alzheimer’s having the temerity to capture him” and his frustration at how the disease has made his writing more difficult.

Pratchett explained:

“At the moment I can go on writing, and I’m confident I can do two more novels. The Treasury will lose a lot of tax when I can no longer write – a harrier will have to take off with only one wing.”

Rebecca Wood, Chief Executive of the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, who also met Gordon Brown, said:

“It’s fantastic that the Prime Minister has recognised the need for more Alzheimer’s research funding. His assurances today will be a massive boost to the 700,000 people with dementia in the UK. We look forward to working with the government to ensure that this vital research funding brings about the maximum benefits.”