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Gavi and the Global Fund
15 May 2025
Lead MP
Emily Darlington
Milton Keynes Central
Lab
Responding Minister
Stephen Doughty
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Word Count: 12709
Other Contributors: 19
At a Glance
Emily Darlington raised concerns about gavi and the global fund in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The UK needs to continue its support for Gavi and the Global Fund to maintain immunisation funding priorities and protect global health security.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The organisations highlighted in the debate—Gavi, the Global Fund, among others—have saved over 18 million lives by reducing avoidable deaths and lowering childhood mortality rates. However, proposed funding cuts could result in between 4.4 million to 10.8 million additional HIV cases, with up to 2.9 million HIV-related deaths predicted by 2030.
Alice Macdonald
Lab/Co-op
Norwich North
1.5 million children die each year from vaccine-preventable diseases, and vaccinations are crucial for preventing future pandemics and supporting healthy nations. The UK must ensure that women and girls remain at the heart of programmes like Gavi. She discussed the importance of international development and highlighted the work of organisations like Gavi, which have helped reduce childhood mortality rates. Asked questions about women and girls in global health initiatives, highlighting Gavi's support for HPV vaccines.
Southgate and Wood Green
Stressed the importance of continued funding for Gavi to ensure immunisation remains a priority and protect global health security.
Brian Mathew
LD
Melksham and Devizes
Expressed his gratitude towards the hon. Member for Milton Keynes Central for introducing this debate on vital international health initiatives.
David Mundell
Con
Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
Emphasises the strategic importance of aid spending with maximum returns and highlights Gavi's achievements in immunising over 1 billion children, reducing vaccine-preventable child deaths by 70%, and saving millions of lives. Asked the Minister to formally acknowledge the importance of Unitaid in delivering medicines. Emphasised the importance of investment in global health initiatives like the Global Fund, Gavi, and Unitaid.
David Taylor
Lab
Hemel Hempstead
Agreed with the model of IFFIm, suggested it could be used for other issues such as education and asked about discussions on this model across different issues.
Andrew Murrison
Con
Gravesham
Spoke about his experience working at the Francis Crick Institute and the important research done there.
Lauren Sullivan
Lab
Gravesham
Emphasised that work on malaria vaccines enabled rapid vaccine development during pandemics, highlighting the UK's scientific leadership. Highlighted her background as a scientist working on neglected diseases, including human African trypanosomiasis and malaria. Stressed the economic benefits of supporting global health initiatives for the UK economy.
Iqbal Mohamed
Lab
Lewisham West and Penshurst
Questions the impact of cuts to UK foreign aid on global vaccination programmes, noting that over 1.5 million children die from preventable diseases annually. Acknowledged the UK's role in ensuring that vaccines rolled out in low-income countries are as safe as possible. Asked about concerns that a reduction or pulling back of UK’s support for global vaccine programmes could exacerbate disproportionate influence from philanthropic foundations.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Emphasised the impact of Gavi on reducing child mortality and vaccine-preventable deaths. He also raised concerns about the effects of ODA cuts on women's health in sub-Saharan Africa. Spoke passionately on the issues of global health.
Aylesbury
In east Africa, despite insecurity and limitations on humanitarian access making vaccine delivery difficult, the IRC was able to expand vaccine coverage, administering 9 million vaccine doses and putting nearly 1 million children on the path to full immunisation.
Michael Payne
Lab
Gedling
Praised the work of the APPG on HIV, AIDS and sexual health and highlighted the importance of the Global Fund in saving lives from treatable diseases. Emphasised that AIDS is a human rights issue. Emphasised the importance of the Global Fund for HIV/AIDS work.
Esher and Walton
Stressed the importance of continuing British support for global health initiatives, such as Gavi and the Global Fund. Criticised recent cuts to international development spending and called on the government to fund these organisations.
Honiton and Sidmouth
Expressed concern about China’s vaccine diplomacy due to Western funding cuts, highlighting the importance of British leadership in global health security.
Sam Rushworth
Lab
Bishop Auckland
Called for ongoing investment in the Global Fund to continue Britain’s global leadership in fighting killer diseases. Highlighted the significant impact of Gavi and the Global Fund in reducing child mortality rates. Inquired about the potential impact on other countries’ pledges if the UK delays in pledging and whether the Minister has considered making a reduced commitment or no pledge at all. Discussed personal experiences in sub-Saharan Africa and highlighted the importance of global health work.
Sojan Joseph
Lab
Ashford
Focused on the need for continued funding to tackle tuberculosis, highlighting its resurgence and the importance of global initiatives like the Global Fund. Discussed the importance of work on TB and mentioned commitments to Stop TB Partnership and TB Alliance.
Stephen Doughty
Lab
Swansea West
Confirmed the government's recognition and partnership with Unitaid, highlighting its crucial role.
Steve Race
Lab
Exeter
Discusses the link between nutrition and immunisation, advocating for integrated healthcare interventions to improve health outcomes. He mentions a pilot programme in Ethiopia aimed at reaching around 140,000 zero-dose children with cost-effective measures. Discussed his visit to Kenya and highlighted the links with nutrition research in his constituency.
Tim Roca
Lab
Macclesfield
Since its founding in 2002, the Global Fund has saved more than 50 million lives. The UK played a major role in establishing and supporting it under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. Talked about malaria, highlighting progress in vaccines and interventions like anti-malarial bed nets.
North East Fife
The UK's contribution to Gavi has been an incredible success, bolstering our reputation on the global stage. The shrinking ODA budget needs to be reconsidered as it impacts countries' ability to fund their vaccine programmes. Contributed on issues related to her constituency, mentioning work at the University of St Andrews.
Government Response
Stephen Doughty
The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Government Response
Responded positively to the debate highlighting the importance of global health and thanked Emily Darlington for securing it. Mentioned his connections with Milton Keynes through World Vision and did not provide specific financial commitments or changes in strategic direction. Stressed the UK’s commitment to global health through partnerships with Gavi and the Global Fund. Mentioned that the government will continue to champion these organisations post-spending review. Acknowledged the shadow spokespeople's concerns, reiterated the Government's commitment to development and global health despite challenging circumstances. Emphasised that the UK will continue to champion global health, work hard with partners, and make important decisions considering all voices heard in the debate.
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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.