UK Government undermines years of public health progress with cut to aid budget

Responding to the news, Christine Stegling, Executive Director at Frontline AIDS, said:

“The UK Government was one of the first donors to recognise and respond to the global AIDS epidemic, and has been a driving force in strengthening health systems, fighting for women’s rights and tackling the poverty and inequality that drive HIV and AIDS. The decision to abandon its 0.7% commitment now will undermine years of progress on global health, and sadly diminish the UK’s influence and impact on the global stage.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us just how unprepared the world is for major public health crises. The answer to this isn’t to pull up the castle drawbridge but to work together as a global community to tackle the major challenges that face us all. That’s as true for COVID-19 or HIV as it is for girl’s education or tackling the climate emergency. This is a baffling move by a government positioning itself as the architect of a new Global Britain.”