All Party Parliamentary Group HIV and AIDS meets Minister to discuss Monkeypox

Monkeypox continues to spread in the U.K., with confirmed cases reaching 2,469 and there are more than 21,000 monkeypox cases across almost 80 countries have been reported since May.

On 28th July 2022 the Co Chairs Steve Brine MP, Rt Hon David Mundell MP, Baroness Barker and Vice Chair Lloyd Russell Moyle MP held an urgent meeting with the Public Health Minister to discuss the situation surrounding MonkeyPox.

On Wednesday 20th July 2022 the All Party Parliamentary Group HIV and AIDSvisited 56 Dean Street the largest sexual health clinic in the UK, where were heard first-hand how it was affecting people accessing PrEP, HIV services and Family planning services.

A week ago, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director general of the World Health Organization,declaredthe multi-country outbreak of monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern.

Steve Brine MP – Co Chair said:

“We were told by the doctors at 56 Dean St that Monkeypox is hitting all their services.Their normal services have been cut by 25% as they have had to divert to tackling the growing number of cases.

“56 Dean Street asked us to urge the government and UKHSA to act urgently in addressing this issue and to put a plan in place, as the current situation every clinic and GP service are doing their own thing.

“The Minister advised us that they have procured 150,000 doses of the vaccine that will be made available by the end of September.We were also told that the UKHSA have identified 35,000 people who are eligible for the vaccine.However, 56 Dean Street has over 35,000 eligible patients on their books alone, each one requiring a double dose. The British Association on Sexual Health and HIV have advised that there needs to be at least 250,000 vaccines made available.We were also told that Brighton has only received 1000 doses.

"We saw on the weekend that the walk-in clinic at Guys Hospital stopped seeing people at 10am on Sunday as they ran out of vaccines. Demand is outnumbering Supply.

“We urged the minister that more vaccines are needed, more needs to be done in other parts of the UK, assistance to sexual health clinics and communication needs to improve if we are to get ahead of the curve. It seems that we haven’t learnt the lessons from Covid and the AIDS pandemic.

“We also advised that testing for monkeypox and the delivery of the vaccine gives us an opportunity to test people for HIV and offer PrEP to ensure that we are still on track to meeting the goals of the HIV Action Plan.

“We look forward to working with the Minister, her officials, sexual health clinics and the voluntary sector to ensure we get this right.

Monkeypox affecting access to Sexual Health and HIV Services

On 20th July 2022 the Co Chairs Steve Brine MP, Baroness Barker and Vice Chair Lloyd Russell Moyle MP visited 56 Dean Steet, London, the largest sexual health clinic in the UK.

It has been 2 months since the first cases were reported in the Monkeypox multi-country outbreak, & the # of cases has now crossed 14k globally. The number of cases across the country has risen to more than 2,130, the majority of them in London. We were told that 56 Dean Street have seen 25% of all new cases in the UK and 50% of cases in London.

Monkeypox can infect anyone who has close, physical contact with an infected individual or the person's clothing or bedsheets, regardless of sexual orientation.

Under the guidelines every gay and bisexual man should be offered the vaccine.  To have full coverage everyone should have two doses.

Monkeypox is still a serious public health challenge, and we urge contacts to take a break from any activities or events involving skin to skin contact, including sex, hugging and kissing, to reduce the risk of the virus being passed on unknowingly.

On Saturday, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director general of the World Health Organization, declared the multi-country outbreak of monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern.

Seve Brine MP – Co Chair said:

“We were told by the doctors at 56 Dean St that Monkeypox is hitting all their services.  Their normal services have been cut by 25% as they have had to divert to tackling the growing number of cases.

“They are urging the government and UKHSA to act urgently in addressing this issue and to put a plan in place, as the current situation every clinic and GP service are doing their own thing.

“The 100,000 doses announced by the Minister is welcomed, but we need more if we are to vaccinate every man who has sex with men. 

“Dean Street sexual health clinic in London has over 40,000 eligible patients on their books alone, each one requiring a double dose.

“We have called for an urgent meeting with the Minister to urge the Government to act now, to get more vaccines, financial support to clinics and setting up testing and vaccination hubs across the UK”

.

“Nothing about us without us” - Addressing the Needs of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities in Relation to HIV.

The All Party Parliamentary Group HIV and AIDS launches its report “Nothing about us without us.” This report looks specifically at addressing the needs of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities in relation to HIV in the UK.

HIV emerged 40 years ago this month and created an epidemic that still devastates the communities it affects today.

We’ve made huge progress in the fight against HIV since the dark days of the epidemic. In the UK new cases of HIV have fallen by over a third in the last five years, with diagnoses among gay and bisexual men nearly halved. The extraordinary advances in HIV treatment now mean the majority of people living with HIV have a normal life expectancy and, even more remarkably, can not pass on the virus to their sexual partners.

But that same progress in reducing transmissions isn’t being experienced across all groups. Diagnoses among women – who account for a third of all people living with HIV in the UK, and more than half globally – fell by only 4% in 2019, compared to 10% across the general population. Almost half of new HIV diagnoses among heterosexuals in the UK are among Black African men and women, despite this group making up less than 2% of the British population. These communities are less likely to access the anti-HIV drug, PrEP, which finally became routinely available on the NHS in April 2020 after continuing delays by the government.

By looking exclusively at HIV, this report addresses how inequalities affect a patient population in which Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic vulnerable groups are disproportionately represented. The report makes the following key recommendations: 

1.    Opt-out HIV testing across all health care settings across the UK;

2.    More tailored and targeted HIV interventions are needed to reach out to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities;

3.    A UK wide campaign to educate the general population with good Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic representation on the benefits of PrEP needs to be formed and implemented;

4.    Anti-stigma campaigns and interventions to increase understanding, dispel myths and change attitudes towards HIV and HIV testing are needed to engage with under-served ethnic minority groups;

5.    Progress on addressing current inequalities that disproportionately impact these communities should be detailed in annual reporting. 

Florence Eshalomi MP – Vice Chair of the Party Parliamentary Group HIV and AIDS said:

“The history of HIV has been largely seen through a white lens, as an illness drawing attention largely for ravaging white men and highlighted by cultural touchstones like the film Philadelphia, about a gay white man who had AIDS.

“If we are to meet the target of halting new HIV transmissions by 2030 the voices, experiences and needs of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities must be given specific focus and support as part of the action plan. We cannot end transmissions whilst leaving any group behind. 

“I represent Vauxhall an area that has a large Black population and one of the highest rates of HIV prevalence in the country.  I have seen first-hand the inequalities they face day to day. If we are to end HIV in the UK then we must tackle those inequalities and ensure there is equitable and easy access for all to HIV testing, prevention and care.

“Nothing about us without us” is not just a phrase, it is a request.  Only meaningful involvement of the diverse communities of the UK will end new transmissions of HIV by 2030, combat stigma and ensure that all people living with HIV enjoy real quality of life.”

Marc Thompson said:

“Since the beginning of the global HIV pandemic over 40 years ago, people from racially minoritised communities - particularly people of Black African descent - have been disproportionately impacted by HIV worldwide. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted existing health inequalities, across almost every health condition. Therefore, it should be no surprise that these same inequalities will exist across HIV. 

“I’ve been working in HIV and sexual health for over three decades and have witnessed the impact of this exclusion. If we are to ever really make progress and meet the ambitious target by 2030, these lives must really matter, their voices must be heard, and their needs must be acknowledged and recognised.”

We cannot end the UK HIV epidemic unless all of us have a seat at the table. 

Dr Rageshri Dhairyawan said:

“In my day-to-day clinical practice I still see people who are not benefitting from the many advances that we have seen in HIV. People continue to suffer life-changing disability or die from AIDS-related conditions. These are often people diagnosed late, or not on medication or engaged in HIV care. These are often people from communities which have been marginalised, including racially minoritised groups.” 

“Ethnic health inequalities in HIV and beyond reduce life expectancy and quality of life for people from racially minoritised groups. This is a matter of human rights and social justice, as well as about meeting targets to end the AIDS epidemic. 

“I therefore welcome this timely and important report, which sets out the evidence regarding ethnic inequalities in HIV, looks at the gaps and suggests actions at multiple levels to tackle them. It is only through intersectoral working that effective change can be realised.”

For further information, please contact Mark Lewis on 07964473063 or mark.lewis@parliament.uk

Notes for editors:

The APPG put out a call for written evidence on 14th May 2021 and we received 26 submissions. We also held two oral evidence sessions on 30th June and 1st July 2021. This inquiry deals the issues faced by the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities in relation to HIV.

We recognise that initially it has been seen to be helpful to refer to many different people at once, to use the term Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic.  However, this term has now become reductive.  By attempting to represent many communities at one time, it simultaneously lacks specificity and ultimately groups a diverse range of people and experiences under dated terminology.  For example, while some experiences are shared across communities, health inequalities will inevitably show up differently in a Pakistani community in northern England, Somali community in South Wales, Indian community in Scotland compared to a Black Caribbean community in central London as differing determinants of health.  The conundrum we have seen doing this inquiry of using the term Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic highlights the need to clarify who we want to specifically address, and in what context, and how we refer to people. Therefore we would urge the four governments to work with a large diverse range of racial and ethnic communities and organisations, using the principles of co-production and meaningful involvement, to create a consensus around more acceptable terminology to be used by the HIV sector and with communities directly.

Stats:

New Diagnosis: UK IN 2019 - 4139

Ethnicity

Male

­­­­Female

Total

White

1660

305

1965

Black African

316

446

762

Black Caribbean

49

34

83

Black other

45

33

78

Asian

201

52

253

Other/mixed

301

82

383

Unknown

428

187

615

Between 2014 and 2019 there was a 50% decrease in number of new diagnoses amongst the White population and a 46% decrease amongst new diagnosis amongst individuals of a Black ethnicity. In comparison, the decrease was only 36% amongst Asians.

-       2 in 10 respondents were able to identify the main, or potential routes of HIV transmission, without also identifying any incorrect routes.

-       just 16% of the general population were aware HIV treatment stops HIV from being transmitted. If a person is on effective treatment, they cannot pass HIV on and can expect to lead a long and healthy life.

-       only a quarter of the general public knew there is medication available to prevent someone from acquiring HIV (PrEP) 

-       67% of people believe that people with HIV will always go on to develop AIDS

-       21% of Black people believe this

-       30% of Asian People believe this

Election of Co-Chairs

Election of Co-Chairs

On 24th November the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) HIV and AIDS elected a new leadership in the form of four co-chairs.

The members of the APPG unanimously voted to elected Rt Hon David Mundell MP, Florence Eshalomi MP, Steve Brine MP and Baroness Barker to be the new Co-Chairs.  It was also agreed that Stephen Doughty MP after standing down as chair became a Vice-Chair.

The next few years a critical if we are to end new transmissions of HIV not only in the UK but around the world.  We look forward to working with the HIV voluntary sector, clinicians, and politicians to ensure we meet the targets set by UNAIDS.

The APPG will continue to ensure that people living with HIV are not forgotten, all communities are involved and that HIV is always on the public health agenda.

Florence Eshalomi MP said:

 APPG has a vital role in ensuring that all voices are heard in the HIV response.

The APPG is one of the  longest and respected in Parliament, due to the work it carries out in ensuring that HIV stays on the Public Health agenda.

I look forward to working with my colleagues in this common endeavour.

Rt Hon David Mundell MP said:

We can’t allow COVID or complacency to affect the battle against HIV and AIDS. So much has been achieved in the last 40 years. The APPG has a vital role in ensuring that momentum is maintained both here in UK and around the world.

Steve Brine MP said:

We can’t allow COVID or complacency to affect the battle against HIV and AIDS. So much has been achieved in the last 40 years. The APPG has a vital role in ensuring that momentum is maintained both here in UK and around the world.

Baroness Barker said:

We can’t allow COVID or complacency to affect the battle against HIV and AIDS. So much has been achieved in the last 40 years. The APPG has a vital role in ensuring that momentum is maintained both here in UK and around the world.

Stephen Doughty MP said:

It’s been an honour and privilege to Chair the APPG, one of the best things have done in Parliament, and to work with the other officers and secretariats in ensuring that HIV and the challenges faced from mental health to marginalised communities remain firmly on the Public Health Agenda here and globally.

I look forward to continuing working with the APPG and the new co-chairs as a vice-chair to ensure we do meet the 2030 target of no new transmissions, ensure we properly fund the response here and globally, address the stigma around HIV and to ensure that those people living with HIV have the full quality of life they can and should expect.

UK’s aid cuts are jeopardising progress in HIV response & hitting marginalised communities the hardest

Whilst world leaders meet at the UN General Assembly, STOPAIDS, Frontline AIDS and the APPG on HIV and AIDS’ new report highlights that the UK Government’s aid cuts are  jeopardising progress in HIV response & the efforts to achieve the agreed targets from the recent UN High Level Meeting on HIV & AIDS. These targets include reducing the annual number of new HIV infections to under 370,000 and AIDS-related deaths to 250,000. 

The drastic cuts in ODA spending from 0.7% to 0.5% have come at a critical time for the HIV response. We’re seeing significant cuts across all of the UK’s multilateral, bilateral, and research & development (R&D) funding at a crucial time for the HIV response when COVID-19 is threatening to reverse a decade of progress.

This year the UK has cut funding to key agencies like UNAIDS, Unitaid and UNFPA by over 80% respectively; cut global health R&D spending in half; and effectively wiped out what remained of the UK’s bilateral funding going directly to HIV civil society and community-led organisations. 

From reduced access to contraceptives to driving more people into poverty, the report highlights how cutting aid funding will increase the number of HIV transmissions and AIDS related deaths. The report raises the alarm that the cuts risk setting the stage for a resurgence of the pandemic which will carry a heavy human and financial toll, affecting the most marginalised in societies. Moreover, these drastic cuts also risk jeopardising the UK’s diplomacy and hard-won reputation as a leader for the HIV response. 

These cuts will undoubtedly affect the international community's ability to get the HIV response back on track and deliver on  UK Government  development priorities. This includes their plans on  including pandemic preparedness, health system strengthening, and ending preventable deaths. 

The report highlights that it is not too late to mitigate against the impact caused by the UK’s aid cuts and get the HIV response back on track.  We welcome the appointment of Liz Truss as the new FCDO Secretary of State. She has the opportunity to save lives and get the HIV response back on track by making supplementary allocations to the critical organisations that implement bilateral and multilateral aid programs that have faced substantial cuts; and put in place plans for sustainable, long-term funding. But to address significant funding gaps and drive forward efforts to realise the Sustainable Development Goals, it’s essential that the UK Government urgently returns to meeting the 0.7% spending commitment. 

Read the report here.

Baroness Barker, Vice-Chair of the APPG on HIV said:

"Four decades on from the start of the AIDS crisis, the global HIV response is teetering. It's caught in a perfect storm of waning political support, diminishing funds and the global shock of COVID-19. 

There couldn’t be a worse time for the Government to cut so much funding. Our report highlights the devastating impact that the cuts are already having and how its jeopardising decades of progress. Britain is and can be so much better than this. I urge the Government to think again. We must save lives and get the HIV response back on track."

Mike Podmore, Director of STOPAIDS said:

“The Evidence submitted to this inquiry demonstrates clearly the terrible impact that the ODA cuts have made. I am really alarmed that the UK Government is seemingly willing to jeopardise decades of hard-won progress in the HIV response that UK Aid has been instrumental in delivering. Cutting aid will do little to reduce the UK’s deficit and yet will have a devastating impact on the world's poor and marginalised. New FCDO Secretary of State Rt Liz Truss MP can help repair the damage and reignite the UK’s historic leadership in the HIV response. I hope she’ll take up this mantle - countless lives are depending on it ”. 

Chrstine Stegling, Executive Director of Frontline AIDS, said:

“For the most marginalised communities, vulnerable both to AIDS and the impact of COVID-19, these cuts could not have come at a worse time. The World Health Organization has confirmed that people living with HIV who contract COVID-19 are at significantly increased risk of developing severe or fatal disease. A funding cut at this scale would have always been disruptive; today, with many communities doubly hit by two pandemics, such cuts are catastrophic.”

Notes to editor:

With significant cuts announced for the HIV response, The APPG on HIV and AIDS put out a call for written evidence on how the aid cuts had impacted organisations and the  global HIV & AIDS response. Through exploring case studies of UK Aid-funded multilateral, bilateral and research projects, it analyses how crucial organisations and people living with HIV are being affected by the cuts. Report highlights vital programmes are being forced to close and we risk leaving behind some of the most marginalised communities. The report also highlights how such funding cuts risk reversing the impact of UK Aid investments and the significant progress made in HIV and AIDS.

In terms of multilateral funding, the UK Government has made cuts of over 80% to key multilateral organisations for the HIV response including UNAIDS, UNFPA, and Unitaid. From reduced access to contraceptives to driving more people into poverty, the report highlights how cutting this funding will both disproportionately affect already marginalised communities and risk reversing the impact of UK Aid investments.

Whilst it’s welcome that the Government has protected its funding given to the Global Fund To Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, in isolation this Fund will not mitigate against the harm caused by the UK’s wider funding cuts. The Global Fund is also at its most effective when working in partnership with the very organisations who’ve seen their funding from the UK Government decimated.

Even before the cuts in 2021 were announced, after a decade of cuts and closure of DFID country programmes, the UK Government’s bilateral funding for HIV was already minimal. The recent aid cuts effectively wipe out the little that remained of the UK’s bilateral HIV funding.

 With cutting bilateral funding, opportunities are lost to develop much-needed innovative solutions to complex challenges, such as improving access to HIV services in crisis situations. Projects that have been forced to close would have provided innovative HIV & AIDS and SRHR programming solutions to many marginalised communities , including those affected by the deepening fragility in Lebanon, the dire situation in Afghanistan and the related refugee crisis.Secondly, there is a dangerous scale down of HIV services in the dire COVID-19 context which could lead to increased HIV transmissions,. Thirdly, abrupt and poorly coordinated cuts have led to the weakening of the programmatic impact, operations, and sustainability of many national organisations on the ground as well as the UK-based organisations. Last but not least, lack of communication and coordination around the cuts with the UK's international partners and country partners have damaged the UK’s diplomacy and position as a leader in the HIV response and on the world stage more broadly.

The report highlights that funding for global health R&D has been significantly affected. We have heard that the funding provided by the UK Government for HIV-related R&D has fallen by nearly two-thirds in the last decade, and funding for HIV vaccine R&D has been cut from around £5 million per year to zero.

In addition, this year the UK Government’s funding for global health product development partnerships (PDPs) has been cut by 87%. Through investment in PDPs, UK Aid has helped develop and deploy more than 65 products to combat many of the world’s deadliest diseases that people living with HIV are often disproportionately affected by. Without increased and long-term funding, we risk jeopardizing innovation and pushing patients to access the treatment they need at a much later stage which could impact the lives of millions.

Evidence submitted to this inquiry highlights that it is not too late to mitigate against the impact caused by the UK’s aid cuts and get the HIV response back on track. The upcoming Spending Review provides a critical opportunity to do this. The UK Government should use the Spending Review to make supplementary allocations to the critical organisations that faced substantial cuts and put in place plans for sustainable, long-term funding, including for the Global Fund’s seventh replenishment. But to address significant funding gaps and drive forward efforts to realise the Sustainable Development Goals, it’s essential that the UK Government urgently returns to meeting the 0.7% spending commitment. 

For further comment or to arrange interview, please contact: James Cole - james@stopaids.org.uk / 07421992348

Increasing and normalising HIV testing across the UK

Testing is key to fighting HIV.

Following the publication of the HIV Commission report and recommendations for ending HIV transmission in England, the All-Party Parliamentary Group on HIV and AIDS has carried out an inquiry into how to increase and to normalise HIV testing in the UK.

The inquiry received submissions from over 30 organisations across the UK. Their evidence has allowed the APPG to build on the recommendations that the HIV Commission published on World AIDS Day last year.

In total we have several recommendations that the UK, Scottish, Northern Ireland and Welsh Governments can implement to ensure we end new transmissions of HIV by 2030.

We urge the Governments to adopt opt out HIV testing. This approach, which is also voluntary, considers HIV testing to be a standard part of medical care. Our other key recommendation is that the four Governments work together on a true National HIV Testing week. This would enable the message about testing to reach every corner of the UK.

The United Kingdom’s response to the HIV epidemic over the last four decades has been a success story. This is why any HIV Action plan adopted by the four nations must be ambitious and draw from the recommendations of this report and the HIV Commission.

Now is the time to turn political promises to concrete actions.

Stephen Doughty MP – Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group HIV and AIDS

“The message from the HIV sector and Public Health professionals is to ‘test, test, test’. Late diagnosis remains high. There are still far too many people living with undiagnosed HIV who are not going to be reached through existing testing strategies alone.

Everyone should know their HIV status, and there needs to be equitable and easy access for everyone to this knowledge, and the resulting effective treatment to ensure they can live a full and healthy life with undetectable HIV.

If we get this right, the four nations will not just have closed a chapter domestically on a four decade long pandemic but be a global leader in the fight against HIV.

If all the governments embrace the recommendations in this report, we are on the way to ensuring that we end new transmissions of HIV in the UK.”

Dr Laura Waters – Chair, British HIV Association

“We know that undiagnosed HIV is a major contributor to onward transmission and driver of late presentation, which in turn significantly increases the risk of death in the first year after diagnosis. We also know that HIV testing is reliable, cost-effective, and highly acceptable to patients across a range of services and settings.

The opportunity to eliminate new cases of a long-term condition is rare, yet we have the tools to do just that, now! We must grasp that opportunity and create a culture where failure to follow guidelines is considered wrong and HIV testing considered routine.”

Parminder Sekhon – Chief Executive Officer, NAZ

“The earlier someone is diagnosed with HIV, the sooner they can begin treatment. They get to stay well and the transmission on to others can be prevented. Yet four decades on, shame, stigma and fear are still driving late diagnosis of HIV in a way that is unacceptable and entirely preventable.

This report contains all the ingredients required to achieve zero HIV transmissions by 2030. It serves as a sobering reminder of the work that remains to be done if we are all to cross the finishing line together.

It is crucial that HIV and AIDS remains firmly on the agenda of the four Governments both domestically and internationally – who must be held to their promise to reach zero new infections by 2030. “

How are the recent international aid cuts by the UK government affecting the global HIV & AIDS response.?

In November 2020, the UK Government announced it will no longer be spending 0.7% of gross national income on official development assistance. The reductions amount to a loss of 30% compared with the 2019 ODA budget. This has led to numerous program closures in 2021, including in key areas like health and humanitarian work. Analysis from Action For Global Health indicates that the reduction in global health spending represents an overall cut of up to 40% (compared against 2019).

There has been significant reductions in the UK’s bilateral, multilateral and research funding for the HIV response and co-infections, including tuberculosis. Civil society and parliamentarians have voiced concern that these cuts threaten hard-won progress in the HIV response that UK Aid has been instrumental in delivering. 

Despite significant progress that leadership from the UK Government has been instrumental in creating, AIDS remains the leading cause of death for women of a reproductive age. And although preventable, 1.5 million people acquired HIV last year,  triple where the target was supposed to be. COVID-19 is now threatening to reverse years of progress. For example, across facilities surveyed by the Global Fund around the world, HIV testing fell by over 40% in 2020.

The All Party Parliamentary Group on HIV and AIDS, STOPAIDS and Frontline AIDS are inviting written evidence on the following questions that will explore the impact of the cuts made in 2021 on the HIV response and on people living with and affected by HIV. The deadline is midday BST on Monday 2nd August. Please email Mark Lewis with your submission on mark.lewis@parliament.uk

• What impact has UK ODA had on your organisation and in the wider communities with which you work, in terms of the HIV response and / or wider health responses including Health System Strengthening, Universal Health Coverage and pandemic preparedness? 

• What impact is the reduction of ODA funding from the UK Government in the 2021-22 financial year having on your organisation and / or partners that are implementing UK ODA programmes, as well as on the wider communities with which you work ?

• What impact is the reduction of ODA funding from the UK Government in the 2021-22 financial year having on the HIV response and affected communities in low and middle income countries?

• What is your assessment of the UK Government’s split between bilateral and multilateral ODA spending, and the effectiveness of these channels for advancing the HIV response?

• If previous ODA funding is not restored from the UK Government, what long term impact will there be on the regional / national / global HIV response and on the most affected communities?

• What was the FCDO’s approach to settling ODA budget allocations for your organisation in the 2021-22 financial year, including how it was communicated and if any impact assessments or risk mitigation measures were put in place?

• To repair the damage from the cuts and advance progress towards the Sustainable Development Goal target of ending AIDS by 2030, what actions should the UK Government take? This could include recommendations for the upcoming Spending Review and the FCDO’s International Development Strategy.

APPG on HIV and AIDS Annual General Meeting

On Wednesday 24th March the APPG held its annual general meeting.

At the meeting the Chair gave a report on the work of the APPG over the past 12 months. During his report, he thanked Susie Pelly who had been the Senior Policy advisor for over 5 years who had stood down in September. The Chair welcomed Mark Lewis the new Senior Policy Advisor and acknowledged the work he has done since taking the role in November.

The Chair spoke of the COVID-19 and HIV and The Missing Link: HIV and Mental Health reports the APPG launched in 2020, World AIDS Day and HIV testing week.

In the treasurers report, the treasurer updated on the continuing work the APPG is carrying out to fundraise to ensure that the APPG maintains its effectiveness in ensuring HIV stays on the public health agenda in the UK and on the global health agenda globally.

The Chair then thanked Dr Ben Spencer and Sarah Champion who stood down as Vice Chairs before an unanimous vote in elected 8 new officers to the APPG.

An overview of the APPG work programme for the year was set out by the Policy Officer.

Going forward, the APPG will be focussing on the following areas:

• Ensuring that an HIV Action Plan is adopted in each of the four Nations

• Better access to HIV Testing

• Better access to PrEP

• Funding for HIV programmes in the UK and Globally are secured

• The quality of life for those living with HIV is improved.

As an APPG we will do everything we can to be a powerful voice in Parliament for HIV and the organisations that work in the field. We will not let HIV be forgotten during the pandemic and beyond.

Stephen Doughty MP, Chair said:

I'm pleased to confirm that I have been re-elected Chair of the APPG on HIV and aids. ​The All-Party Parliamentary Group on HIV and AIDS aims to be the voice in Parliament of those living with HIV and campaigns on multiple issues, including early better access to testing and prevention, funding for HIV programmes, ending stigma and ending new transmissions of HIV by 2030.

I'm looking forward to continuing to build on the work the APPG has already done and working with a dedicated teams to meet the goals of the APPG.

Q&A with the Lord Speaker

On Tuesday 9th the APPG held a Q&A with the Lord Speaker, were he touched on his experience of the 1980’s, It’s A Sin and his next chapter in fighting HIV and AIDS.

After a visit to America in the early 1980s, he realised there was a need to deal with the AIDS crisis as a public health issue, and a nationwide multi-campaign was needed. He knew when he launched the Don’t Die of Ignorance campaign, that it was essential to educate people about HIV and AIDS, as it was a killer.

Thankfully today with huge advances in testing and treatment, we know that we can prevent new infections. We also know that if someone living with HIV is on effective treatment, they Can’t Pass It On. But we still face huge challenges – globally there were 1.7 million new infections of HIV in 2019 and 690,000 people died of an AIDS related illness.

We look forward to working with the Lord Speaker to ensure we end new transmissions of HIV by 2030, tackle the stigma around HIV so that people living with it have a better quality of life, and that the UK continues to be a leader in the fight against HIV globally.

It's A Sin Q&A

We were so lucky to hear from Russell T Davies, Nathaniel Hall, Lisa Power and Marc Thompson, on March 1st 2021 regarding the show, what it was like in the 1980s and what needs to be done to ensure we end new transmissions of HIV by 2030 and tackle the stigma faced by those living with HIV.

Through the incredible cast and Russell’s story telling and C4’s continued commitment to challenging content and untold stories, we finally have a truly British reflection - as well as of the particular challenges experienced by those coming for example from then socially conservative communities whether in South Wales, Glasgow, the Isle of Wight or the British-Nigerian community.

The series consistently demonstrates how rife with panic, fear, shame, and silence the HIV/AIDS epidemic was for so many gay and bisexual men in particular, a combination of the real social and financial repercussions attached to seeking assistance — alongside the lack of available information.And also celebrates the incredible allies like Jill and Lizbeth who stood by and stood up for those directly affected.

 Around the world we have lost the lives of around 35 million people since the onset of that pandemic and tragically in 2019 we still saw 1.7 million new HIV transmissions and 690,000 deaths globally of AIDS related illness. Moreover, there are examples beyond count of the persecution of LGBT+ people worldwide. The APPG on HIV and AIDS has previously reported on the barriers stopping marginalised groups around the world accessing testing, prevention and HIV services.

 We must bottle up the enthusiasm and momentum that It’s A Sin has created in ending the transmissions of HIV by 2030 and to tackle HIV Stigma, and implement the recommendations of the HIV Commission and our recent reports.