Having worked alongside the National Health Service for a number of years, I understand the urgency of funding medical research into preventing serious illnesses. Being a member of the APPG for HIV and Aids means that I devote particular attention to issues in this area, and understand that medical advances are of paramount importance in the ongoing battle against HIV and Aids.
I agree that it is essential to combat discrimination surrounding HIV and Aids, and to ensure that affected people can access the necessary treatments available to them. I believe that we all have a part to play in eliminating HIV-related stigma.
I am delighted that the Government has committed to ending the Aids epidemic as a public health threat by 2030, with £2.4 million invested in a national HIV prevention and sexual health promotion programme. In addition, NHS England and Public Health England have recently announced a £10 million extension of their HIV prevention programme, running a three year clinical trial for pre-exposure prophylaxis which will allow 10,000 participants to take part.
I am aware that there is still much to be done to tackle the ongoing stigma associated with the disease. Stigma is not just profoundly wrong; it prevents many of those affected from accessing the testing, treatment and support that they need. That is why the National HIV and Sexual Health Promotion programme has a focus on reducing stigma, by working with the communities most affected by HIV. The Government has also provided support to the People Living with HIV Stigma Survey which highlights the experiences and feelings of people living with HIV across the country.
On a global scale, the Government has pledged a further £1.1 billion to fight Aids, tuberculosis and malaria, which will provide essential retroviral therapy for 1.3 million people who are living with HIV.
I also welcome the Government's continued work with charities such as the Terence Higgins Trust and the World AIDS Day initiative, in order to raise awareness of HIV and reach groups with the highest rates of the infection.