Asthma UK and the British Lung Foundation have announced their intention to merge to form the Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation Partnership.

The organisations have said the move aims to strengthen the existing collaboration between the two charities and will save a ‘significant amount of money’ in running costs.

Completion of the merger is expected to release up to £2m each year to fund research and support services for asthma and lung disease.

Asthma UK members will vote to change the organisation’s Articles of Association at a general meeting on 2 December 2019. If members support the change, the charities would formally join forces by the end of the year.

Commenting on the merger, Asthma UK chief executive, Kay Boycott said: “The merger would be an exciting new chapter in the history of Asthma UK. It would mean that we could spend more to help people affected by asthma and lung disease. Together, as a partnership of equals, we would share our combined energy and passion and become a stronger, more powerful voice for change.

“Supporters and other beneficiaries of our work would not see any major change in their day-to-day links with us. We would keep our focus on and maintain the profile of asthma within the merged charity as we know this is important to our supporters.”

British Lung Foundation chief executive, Dr Penny Woods added: “As we develop our joint vision and strategy, we will continue to explore opportunities for closer working, doing so where we believe we will have more impact together. We are confident this proposal would bring lasting benefits for those affected by asthma and other lung diseases.”

Both charities’ core activities – research programmes, campaigning, nurse helplines, and websites – will continue as normal.

Leading experts in asthma and lung health back the proposed merger, claiming it will bring ‘real benefits to patients now and in years to come’.

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