Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure the development of new antibiotics, in the light of the publication by the World Health Organisation of the <i>Global priority list of antibiotic-resistant bacteria</i> on 27 February.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global problem that needs a global solution. This Government’s international leadership helped secure a commitment from the G20 to look at solutions for the development of new antimicrobials. We will continue to drive implementation of this commitment.

Furthermore, the Government continues to invest in global research efforts to tackle AMR, including the development of effective new drugs. In the last two years, the United Kingdom has invested £369 million in international AMR surveillance and research programmes. This is composed of £265 million for the Fleming Fund, £50 million for a Global AMR Innovation Fund, £4 million for a UK AMR Centre and £50 million in Research Council investments.