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World AIDS Day
27 November 2024
Lead MP
Danny Beales
Uxbridge and South Ruislip
Lab
Responding Minister
Andrew Gwynne
Tags
TaxationNorthern Ireland
Word Count: 9285
Other Contributors: 13
At a Glance
Danny Beales raised concerns about world aids day in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The MP asks the government to continue funding opt-out testing programmes where they are already in place, expand access to PrEP beyond sexual health services, implement a nationwide online HIV and STI postal testing service, and ensure that everyone living with HIV is supported back into care. The new HIV action plan should address these issues.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The MP is concerned about the slow progress in ending new HIV cases, despite successful opt-out testing programmes. Recent data shows an increase in HIV cases and poor outcomes around late diagnosis. Disproportionate outcomes persist for women and people from black and Asian backgrounds, with significant challenges in accessing PrEP due to long wait times. Postal testing for HIV and STIs is unavailable in 30% of rural England, and there are persistent rates of undiagnosed HIV outside major cities. The MP also highlights the need for better support for those living with HIV who have been lost to the health system.
Clapham and Brixton Hill
Commemorates campaigners and activists for raising awareness of HIV and AIDS. Discusses the impact of racist attitudes towards AIDS on black communities, highlighting late diagnoses in Lambeth and England, delayed treatment access, and cultural taboos preventing education and prevention efforts. Criticizes former discriminatory blood donation policies affecting sickle cell patients. Advocates for challenging racism and discrimination to ensure individuals can access care.
Caroline Johnson
Con
Sleaford and North Hykeham
Ms Caroline Johnson highlighted the UK's progress in HIV reduction but noted a recent rise in diagnoses, particularly among younger populations. She raised concerns about declining condom use, the need for effective testing strategies including opt-out testing, and emphasized the importance of education to reduce stigma and increase awareness.
Southend West and Leigh
Questions whether awareness efforts should focus on communities disproportionately affected by HIV, specifically mentioning PrEP.
David Mundell
Con
Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
Commends the work of the National AIDS Trust and its report 'Getting on track'. Highlights global issues such as 1.3 million new HIV transmissions last year, with 62% in women and girls in sub-Saharan Africa. Asks the UK Government to continue major contributions to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; focus on expanding access to antiretroviral therapy (ART); and lead in confronting anti-LGBT+ legislation.
Florence Eshalomi
Lab Co-op
Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
Expresses concern about the stigma preventing certain communities from accessing treatment and highlights the work of organisations aiding these groups.
Helen Morgan
Lib Dem
North Shropshire
Morgan emphasized the importance of turning around decreasing HIV test numbers in the UK and supported calls for opt-out testing. She highlighted global statistics, noting that 4,000 adolescent girls become infected with HIV every week globally, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. She called for universal access to prevention and treatment, including restoring the public health grant and setting a path to restore international aid to support AIDS prioritization.
Jessica Morden
Lab
Newport East
Calls for recognition of grassroots campaigners in the fight against HIV and AIDS, highlighting the work of Martyn Butler.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
There were 6,008 new HIV diagnoses in England, a 51% increase. The Government committed to zero new transmissions of HIV by 2030, but the number of new diagnoses is rising. Jim Shannon asked the Minister to commit to ensuring that devolved nations play their part in ending new HIV transmissions.
Lloyd Hatton
Lab
South Dorset
Suggests focusing on community hospitals and GP surgeries to improve testing and public health awareness in rural areas.
Michael Payne
Lab
Gedling
With over 105,000 people across the UK and more than 38 million worldwide living with HIV, constant action is required to combat it. Since 2014 in the UK, there has been a significant drop in new cases among gay men and black African people, but an increase among heterosexual women. Michael Payne highlighted the need for sustained intervention and thanked those who have worked tirelessly on this issue.
Michelle Welsh
Lab
Sherwood Forest
She highlighted the impact of HIV on women, noting that they make up a third of people living with HIV and over a third of new diagnoses in the UK. She raised concerns about poverty among women with HIV and violence against them due to their status. Welsh also discussed barriers to testing for HIV and worse outcomes for black, Asian and ethnic minority women.
Steve Race
Lab
Exeter
Steve Race congratulated Danny Beales on securing the debate, noting 132 HIV diagnoses in Exeter in 2023 and supporting opt-out testing. He also discussed international inequalities in global health, advocating for human rights and grassroots community leadership. Additionally, he paid tribute to Nick Perry, an HIV education advocate who recently passed away.
Tom Hayes
Lab
Bournemouth East
Tom Hayes highlighted the importance of remembering John Eaddie, the first recorded AIDS death in Britain, and acknowledged the stigma and fear faced by gay men during the 1980s. He emphasized the need to honour those who suffered and died from HIV/AIDS and thanked a research team for uncovering Eaddie's story.
Government Response
Andrew Gwynne
Government Response
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Mark. I am extremely honoured to have the opportunity to speak today at the first dedicated debate on HIV and AIDS in this Parliament. The Government are committed to ending new HIV transmissions in England by 2030, aiming to publish their new HIV action plan in summer of next year. They commend the engagement of charities such as the Terrence Higgins Trust, the National AIDS Trust, and the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Collaboration with Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales is assured to ensure we are on track to end new cases of HIV. The Minister underlines the importance of tackling stigma and the need for cultural competence and innovation in reaching communities not yet captured. Over 2 million HIV tests have been conducted over the past 27 months, reaching those who do not typically engage with sexual health services. The PrEP road map is guiding efforts to improve access among under-represented groups. In closing, the Minister pledges a future free from fear, misinformation, and discrimination, aiming for zero new HIV transmissions.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.