HIV: Testing and Medical Care

Baroness Burt of Solihull Excerpts

Monday 20th October 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

As I am sure the noble Lord is aware and welcomes, alongside South Africa, the UK is leading the campaign to raise investment for the Global Fund’s next three-year funding cycle. I assure him that we will, as he does, continue to champion global health and certainly remain committed to UK support for the Global Fund. UN aid also plays a very important role in the response and our funding has contributed towards preventing new cases in key populations. Long may that continue.

[Baroness Burt of Solihull (LD)]

My Lords, today, contracting HIV is no longer a death sentence as it once was, unless it is not spotted and treated in time. Testing is freely available, but we need greater awareness among all the communities affected. The currently growing groups tend to be heterosexual communities, and particularly women and ethnic-minority groups. We will not eradicate HIV if we do not spend the money on telling people about it. Are the Government planning to step up to this challenge and finance the eradication of this terrible blight?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

We are currently in the process of reviewing existing mechanisms as well as options for improving retention and re-engagement in care for people who live with HIV. This is a crucial part of the new HIV action plan, for which we will not be waiting very long. The noble Baroness makes an important point: there are all sorts of reasons for disengagement from care. It can be due to complex mental and physical needs but also the fear of stigma, as she referred to, particularly in the most vulnerable population groups, which means that they are disproportionately challenged. However, I assure her and your Lordships’ House that the plan will take account of that. Indeed, the 10-year health plan already makes that commitment.