A TOP Southampton scientist is calling on the Government to keep “the power on” for life-saving cancer research.

As the Government reviews its spending plans for the future, Jeremy Blaydes, pictured, from the University of Southampton wants to ensure funding for vital research into cancer is not cut.

He has joined the Breast Cancer Campaign calling on action to maintain this crucial funding and to improve the Gift Aid Scheme so that as much money as possible is used to help find a cure for cancer.

Dr Blaydes has been funded by the charity since 2003, receiving a total of £448,336 for three different grants focusing on restoring the effectiveness of chemotherapy treatments for patients who have developed resistance to it.

Charities fund this vital research but the Government’s Charity Research Support Fund covers additional running costs, such as heating and lighting.

If this is lost it would be the equivalent of cutting £400,000 from the £1.6m already spent on research in Southampton.

Dr Blaydes said: “Charities make a huge contribution to research in the UK and thanks to their support projects like ours, which further our understanding of diseases such as breast cancer, can continue.

“Any cuts to spending in science now will severely slow down the progress we’re making and have a lasting impact so I hope that more people take action to prevent this happening.”

The campaign is also calling for the Government to improve access to Gift Aid from small donation made at work.