Government investment in dementia research increased this year, but the condition still receives eight times less funding than cancer research, the government has admitted.

The UK’s leading dementia research charity, the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, welcomed the increase, but warned much more needs to be done.

In response to a Parliamentary Question from Paul Burstow MP, the health minister Dawn Primarolo revealed that in 2007-08 cancer research received £248.2 million from the Department of Health and Medical Research Council, while dementia research received £32.43 million.

In 2006-07, cancer research received £246.6 million, while just £29.2 million was invested in dementia research: less than the cost of a mile of motorway.

Last month, campaigners from the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, including the charity’s patron Terry Pratchett, met the Prime Minister to discuss the underfunding of dementia research. They pointed out that 700,000 people live with dementia in the UK, costing the economy £17 billion a year: more than the cost of cancer and heart disease combined.

Rebecca Wood, Chief Executive of the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, said: “Dementia research is creeping up the agenda, as this modest funding increase shows. The race for a cure still needs a major funding boost as we strive to avert what Terry Pratchett calls a ‘tsunami’ of suffering. 1.5 million people will be affected within a generation.

“Last month Gordon Brown admitted to me that dementia research has been ‘neglected for too long’, promising to make it a much higher priority. His government appears to be making the right steps towards defeating this awful condition. However, we cannot risk stagnation on dementia research funding – substantial investment increases are needed if we are to make Alzheimer’s a thing of the past.”