It is my honour and privilege to be in the Chair for at least the opening of this particular debate. I call Lloyd Russell-Moyle to move the motion.

Commended Lloyd Russell-Moyle's stance on HIV/AIDS and noted Northern Ireland’s Public Health Agency aiming to eliminate HIV transmission by 2030 through PrEP.

Expressed disappointment in the UK Government’s cut to funding for the Global Fund, aligning with Lloyd Russell-Moyle's concerns about global backsliding on HIV/AIDS efforts.

Agreed that discussing sexual and reproductive health in developing countries is crucial for reducing HIV transmission among girls and women, supporting Lloyd Russell-Moyle's position on international aid.

Acknowledged the UK’s significant contribution to the Global Fund but emphasised the importance of trading skills and research as well as financial support in combating HIV/AIDS globally.

As Chair of the Women and Equalities Committee, Caroline Nokes emphasised the importance of HIV testing for women. She highlighted that some women avoid testing due to fear or stigma, advocating for more accessible testing options such as postal tests while ensuring they are effective. She also stressed the need for culturally competent communication in communities with high prevalence rates, particularly black African communities. Additionally, she pointed out gaps in research regarding women and HIV drugs, calling for disaggregated data by gender and ethnicity to understand drug effectiveness better. Nokes praised the success of opt-out testing during pregnancy but urged continued efforts to prevent vertical transmission.

Mr. Shannon commends the hon. Member for Brighton, Kemptown and highlights the global theme of 'Equalise' for World AIDS Day. He supports increasing access to HIV treatment and prevention services worldwide and criticises the UK Government's funding cut to UNAIDS from £15 million to £2.5 million. He praises the Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland for its achievements, noting a 12% increase in new HIV cases but a 21% rise in testing which has contributed to reducing AIDS transmission. Mr. Shannon emphasises the need for greater awareness that heterosexual people are more affected by HIV than gay or bisexual men and highlights the work of the Elim church in Swaziland addressing the AIDS epidemic. He also commends Positive Life, Northern Ireland's sole HIV charity.

The Government are committed to ending new HIV cases by 2030 and have invested £20 million in opt-out testing programmes in London, Brighton, Manchester, and Blackpool. This programme has resulted in over 500 people being diagnosed or reconnected with treatment, saving the NHS between £6 million and £8 million. The west midlands is a high HIV prevalence area, especially Sandwell. Testing on admission to hospital should be offered as recommended by NICE, but it is not yet happening in many areas. We need more funding for opt-out testing to level up the HIV response outside London. Stigma around HIV remains an issue and needs to be addressed through campaigns like 'RuPaul’s Drag Race UK' and initiatives such as 'It's A Sin'. The Terrence Higgins Trust does vital work to end stigma, which is a key barrier to ending HIV transmission by 2030.

The Slough constituency has a relatively high prevalence of HIV and requires proper support from the Government in order to meet the 2030 target. The hon. Member for West Bromwich East is correct that it is crucial for areas like Slough to be included in the opt-out HIV testing scheme to prevent a resurgence of the disease.

Welcomes the debate on HIV/AIDS prevention; praises Lloyd Russell-Moyle for his work and transparency regarding HIV. Highlights the UK Government's commitment to zero new HIV infections by 2030, including £20 million funding for opt-out testing in high-prevalence areas like Manchester, London, Blackpool, and Brighton. Mentions local statistics and success of opt-out testing in Rochdale borough. Advocates for better access to PrEP services and the need for global cooperation in tackling HIV/AIDS. Supports calls from Terrence Higgins Trust and National AIDS Trust for expansion of opt-out testing and provision of PrEP.

Commemorates World AIDS Day; highlights the impact of HIV in Scotland, including 6,000 people living with AIDS and 95% on effective treatment. Praises Scottish Government's provision of free PrEP and its success in reducing new diagnoses by 20%. Advocates for continued research and awareness programmes to reduce stigma and transmission. Asks the UK Government to address socio-economic inequalities impacting health outcomes and to restore UNAIDS funding cut due to aid budget reduction.

I, too, congratulate both my hon. Friend the Member for Brighton, Kemptown on securing this debate, and the Backbench Business Committee on granting it. In thanking my hon. Friend, I want to say that we listened intently to his opening contribution... Shockingly, in 2021, no local authority in England—not one—reported more than five women accessing PrEP, and there are still stark racial disparities in treatment and in support that must be addressed. Sexual health services are under unprecedented pressure due to mpox. Service displacement means that appointments for PrEP, STI testing and long-active, reversible contraceptives have been cut. With that in mind, can the Minister set out whether there are any plans to change the current scope of HIV opt-out testing to include all areas of high prevalence? Finally, I want to touch on stigma. A study recently published by the Terrence Higgins Trust found that just 38% of people knew that those living with HIV and on effective treatment cannot pass the virus on to partners... Labour is committed to the HIV 2030 pledge. It is more than prepared to work on a cross-party basis to make this ambition a reality.

Acknowledged contributions from Members including Lloyd Russell-Moyle's detailed insights, Caroline Nokes' points about women and girls, Jim Shannon's Northern Ireland perspective, Nicola Richards' constituents’ experiences of stigma, Steven Bonnar’s lessons from Scotland, and more. Emphasised the Government's progress towards ending new HIV transmissions by 2030 with achievements like meeting UNAIDS targets, investing £33 million in PrEP access, expanding opt-out HIV testing in A&E departments, and addressing challenges to improve equity.

Called for the Department to collate data on average wait times for sexual health clinics and availability of stocks for PrEP appointments. Suggested this would help identify areas struggling with PrEP roll-out compared to others.

Thanked those who have spoken today, expressed pleasure at the Minister's mention of continued roll-out of opt-out testing and better outreach for PrEP in community settings. Emphasised the importance of involving local organisations such as the Lawson Unit, Peer Action, Martin Fisher Foundation, anti-stigma buses, Fast-Track Cities, Lunch Positive, Sussex Beacon, MindOut, Terrence Higgins Trust, and Frontline AIDS in the effort against HIV/AIDS.