We will continue to push for clarity and urgency from government
We are disappointed that this afternoon’s autumn Budget from the UK Government failed to detail the expected funding for the phase-out of animal testing, as promised in the government’s recent strategy.
The ambitious strategy, ‘Replacing animals in science: A strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods’ was published on Tuesday 11 November with the government’s press release indicating funding totalling £75 million to bring forward new testing methods as well as create a new hub to boost innovation.
Yet the Budget – which sets out the government’s future tax and spending plans – did not contain any confirmation or further details of that funding.
The published strategy only specified that £30 million would be spent on a “preclinical translational research hub”, a new facility to bring together experts, information and new technology so that scientific discoveries can be converted into real-world medicines and treatments. Formalconfirmation on what the additional £45 million would be spent on, and where that money would come from, has not yet been released. We will now ask the government to detail the full funding commitments.
The strategy makes many welcome promises, many of which we have long called for, and we will continue to scrutinise government actions to ensure accountability and full delivery of the plans. We urge the government to provide opportunities for us and other animal protection organisations to work with them to strengthen its proposals further and drive delivery and implementation of the strategy.
Home Office statistics show that there were 2.64 million uses of animals in laboratories in Great Britain in 2024, a meagre fall of just 2% from 2023. Of these uses, 19% (488,255 animals) were considered by researchers to have caused moderate or severe pain and suffering to the animals involved, including long-term disease and even death. Animals used in testing include dogs, cats, monkeys, rabbits and horses.
The British public have long supported an end to animal testing. Our 2021 YouGov survey showed that 65% of participants wanted to see a plan to phase out animal experiments with a target date set for ending tests in the UK.
Our Head of Public Affairs, Dylan Underhill, said: "It is disappointing to not see more detail about the £75 million funding which the government has said will be spent in the delivery of its strategy for work to replace animal testing. The government made a clear commitment to the work needed to replace animal testing and bring an end to the cruelty of outdated tests.
“We will continue to push for detail and clarity on when and how this vital investment will be delivered. We also want assurance that funding will be sustained through multi-year budgets to ensure progress across successive years and parliaments."