Latest News

The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Acquired Brain Injury and UKABIF has published a new report ‘The Cost to the UK Economy of Acquired Brain Injury’ which exposes the enormous annual cost of ABI to the UK.

The report considers the economic impact of acquired brain injuries (ABI) including traumatic brain injuries, stroke and brain tumours. The total impact to the economy including lost productivity, NHS care and the cost of benefits totals £43bn per year, though the true figure is likely to be higher as limited data is available on the impact on mental health, addiction and homelessness services. This is the equivalent of 1.5% of UK GDP. The total costs includes £20bn impact on the NHS and social care, £21.5bn in lost productivity to the economy, and £1.5bn in costs to education and the criminal justice system.

Although not included in the total £43bn cost as they are an ‘economic transfer’, the DWP is estimated to spend £1.9bn annually on benefits for those with acquired brain injuries.

Despite the scale of the challenge, ABI remains overlooked in national policy. The report calls for a government-led ABI strategy, cross-departmental coordination, and proper funding for neurorehabilitation. Such investment would not only reduce costs but transform outcomes — from reducing reoffending rates (with up to 60% of prisoners having experienced a brain injury), to preventing long-term unemployment and dependency.

You can read the full report here.

Founded in 2017, the APPG for Acquired Brain Injury advocates for those with lived experience of ABI to be heard at a national level and pushes for vital changes to improve their lives - benefiting society as a whole. 

In March 2025, the APPG  for Acquired Brain Injury was formally inaugurated, with Sir John Hayes MP as Chairperson and Andy McDonald MP, Baroness (Estelle) Morris of Yardley, and Ian Byrne MP as officers. The group now has over 25 members from both the House of Lords and the House of Commons.  Minutes of the AGM can be downloaded here. 

We have a number of events and activities planned, including around ABI Awareness Week in May. More details on the work of the APPG and forthcoming events will be available soon, which are planned throughout 2025.

The focus for the APPG in 2025 will be on four key areas:

1. Access to effective rehabilitation
2. Addressing brain Injury in the justice system
3. Education and young people
4. Promoting awareness and support in sports

Aims of the APPG

• Championing ABI awareness: Advocating for better services and support, improving understanding for those affected by ABI, their families, and carers.
• Empowering voices: Amplifying the ABI community’s voice in Parliament to ensure that they are heard by Ministers and MPs.
• The Parliament Forum for ABI: Bringing together stakeholders to address key issues and drive change across critical issues like health, social care, and welfare.

John Hayes MP, Chair of the APPG on Acquired Brain Injury

A Renewed Focus on Policy Change

Despite years of work raising awareness of ABI and its impact, the group has acknowledged that real policy shifts have yet to take place. With government priorities constantly shifting, the challenge now is to ensure ABI remains on the agenda and that proposed solutions turn into action.  

A key step in this process is updating the evidence base.  We are busy working on producing a report which will provide an update on the evidence base and cost to the economy of Acquired Brain Injury. Updated research and strengthened recommendations are crucial to making the case for urgent reform.  You can read the original Time for Change Report published in 2018 here.

Here’s how you can get involved:

• Reach out to your MP: Share your experiences or concerns, whether it’s inviting them to visit your service, highlighting gaps in care, or sharing your personal story. If you are unsure who your MP is you can find out  here.
• Raise awareness: Share information about acquired brain injury and the challenges faced by those affected.
• Use social media: Tag your MP in posts about acquired brain injury, share your story publicly, or promote events and campaigns that raise awareness. 
• Organise or attend a meeting: Arrange to meet your MP at one of their surgeries, or encourage others in your community to do the same.
• Encourage parliamentary action: Urge your MP to ask parliamentary questions (PQs), or ask them to consider organising or taking part in a Westminster Hall debate. 

Your voice can make a difference in shaping policies and improving support for those impacted by acquired brain injury.

We have drafted a template letter you can use to engage with your MP - you must add your full address and if you personalise the letter they will be more likely to get back to you.

Download a Template letter for your MP here.

If you are unsure who your MP is you can find out here.