Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

UN High-level Meetings in 2023

11 July 2023 · 5 other contributors · 9,194 words

Opened by Virendra Sharma Lab Ealing, Southall

Responding minister: Leo Docherty

NHS

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Virendra Sharma raised concerns about un high-level meetings in 2023 in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Virendra Sharma is concerned about the effectiveness of current global health strategies and the need for improved international cooperation on issues like pandemic preparedness, universal health coverage, and tuberculosis.
  • Ian Byrne highlights a reduction in UK bilateral health aid and a decrease in life expectancy, noting TB diagnosis rates fell by 18% globally due to pandemic disruptions.
  • Sharma asks the Minister to confirm attendance of UK leaders at upcoming UN high-level meetings and requests updates on funding for TB vaccine research and development.

Key requests to Government

Sharma asks the Minister to confirm whether the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary will attend all three high-level meetings later this year. Additionally, he requests updates on when new or renewed product development partnerships funding might be expected for TB vaccine research, and what more can be done to support UK research and development in the context of TB. Byrne asks the Minister to provide an update on engagement with the drafting of political declarations for UN high-level meetings and outlines what more can be done to support UK research and development in TB. He also questions why international aid spending was cut and austerity policies were pursued, which are negatively impacting health outcomes.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Virendra Sharma Lab Ealing, Southall

Virendra Sharma is concerned about the effectiveness of current global health strategies and the need for improved international cooperation. He points out that many pressing issues, such as pandemic preparedness and response (PPR), universal health coverage (UHC), and tuberculosis (TB) require multi-sector collaboration and leadership from Heads of Government. Specifically, he notes that TB is a disease of poverty affecting 1 billion people worldwide, with nearly half facing catastrophic personal or household costs due to diagnosis and treatment. He also highlights the need for increased investment in TB vaccine research and development, as well as new treatments and addressing antimicrobial resistance. Ian Byrne is concerned about the UK Government's failure to meet the United Nations' sustainable development goals both domestically and internationally. He highlighted a £620 million reduction in bilateral health aid from the UK, a decrease in life expectancy since 2011, and inequalities in life expectancy within Liverpool of up to 20 years. Additionally, Byrne pointed out that TB diagnosis rates fell by 18% globally due to pandemic disruptions, indicating fewer cases being detected.

Other contributors (5)
  • Fabian Hamilton Lab Leeds North East

    Mr Hamilton praised the debate's timing and speakers, highlighting global challenges like tuberculosis and water sanitation. He emphasised the importance of political commitment to addressing TB, which kills 1.6 million people annually, despite being preventable and curable. He also stressed the need for pandemic preparedness due to the UK's poor readiness before the covid-19 outbreak, noting that NHS waiting lists were at record levels with staff shortages even prior to the pandemic.

  • Fleur Anderson Lab Putney

    Discussed the importance of water sanitation and hygiene in healthcare facilities, highlighting that two-thirds of healthcare facilities in least developed countries lack proper access. Emphasised the link between poor WASH conditions and antimicrobial resistance, which caused 1.27 million deaths globally in 2019. Called for investment in WASH to protect UK public health and the NHS from resistant infections.

  • George Howarth Lab Great Yarmouth

    Congratulates the hon. Friend on securing the debate and asks if they agree with Professor David Lalloo from Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine regarding the interrelationship between tuberculosis, pandemic preparedness and response, and universal health coverage.

  • Graham Stringer Lab Blackley and Middleton South

    Stringer questioned the proposal to transfer decision-making powers regarding pandemics from nation states to the World Health Organisation, arguing it would be a loss of sovereignty.

  • Patrick Grady SNP Glasgow North

    Emphasised the need for political and financial capital to address global health challenges, highlighting the importance of access to water, sanitation, food security, and community-led interventions. Raised concerns over the UK's reduced aid budget and its impact on multilateral organisations like Gavi and the Global Fund.

Government Response

Leo Docherty

The Government places importance on three high-level UN meetings focusing on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, universal health coverage, and tuberculosis. The UK is ambitious in its aims for firm global commitments to achieving UHC by 2030, reversing extreme poverty due to healthcare costs, and tackling the shortage of health workers predicted at 10 million by end-2030. The minister emphasized the need for a legally binding pandemic instrument without impacting sovereignty on issues like lockdowns or vaccine rollouts. He also highlighted £1 billion in funding over three years to the Global Fund to save lives worldwide and tackle TB stigma.

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