The UK government's potential backing of The Independent's call to protect HIV funding could emerge as a significant success story for the nation, according to chief international correspondent Bel Trew. In a compelling address to Parliament's International Development Select Committee, Trew emphasised that this move could have a profound impact on global efforts to end the AIDS pandemic by the 2030 target.
Global Aid Cuts Threaten Progress
The UK is poised to slash its total foreign aid funding by 40 per cent over the next three years, redirecting resources towards defence spending. This decision follows similar drastic cuts by the United States under Donald Trump, who essentially shuttered the United States Agency for International Development. These reductions have cast doubt on the world's ability to meet the 2030 goal for ending AIDS, a target that was on track as recently as 2024.
Devastating Consequences of Funding Reductions
Reporting from The Independent has highlighted the severe risks associated with dismantling current funding programmes. If protections are not upheld, millions more lives could be lost worldwide, with infection rates potentially soaring to levels not seen since the peak of the crisis 25 years ago. Additionally, medication-resistant strains of HIV could more than double, exacerbating the public health challenge.
Coalition Calls for Action
A broad coalition of leading charities, advocates, and MPs has rallied behind a letter from The Independent's editor-in-chief, Geordie Greig, urging Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to safeguard UK funding for the global HIV response. Thousands have signed a petition supporting this initiative, underscoring the public demand for action. Trew articulated the opportunity clearly, stating, "This could be a success story for the UK... we could end the Aids pandemic by 2030 and the UK could be the owner of that... this is the moment to do that right now."
Innovative Solutions and UK Leadership
Trew pointed to the rollout of lenacapavir, a groundbreaking treatment often described as the closest thing to an HIV vaccine, which has begun distribution in Sub-Saharan Africa. She suggested that the UK could step in to support this effort, even with limited resources, in an efficient manner that could be effectively communicated to the public. Drawing from her on-the-ground reporting in Zimbabwe and Uganda on the impact of Trump's aid cuts, Trew noted that lenacapavir represents a tangible opportunity for the UK to "take ownership of, we can actually see positive results of, we can fill the gaps left by what used to be one of the biggest donors and we can do that in a way that can be a success. It is a win-win."
Support from Key Organisations
Prominent groups such as the Elton John Aids Foundation, the National Aids Trust, Medecins Sans Frontieres, and the STOPAids coalition are among those endorsing The Independent's call for protected funding. Conservative MP David Mundell, a member of the International Development Select Committee, praised the newspaper's efforts, stating, "Congratulations to The Independent for the work you have done in highlighting the impact of cuts in relation to the support for HIV and AIDS funding and highlighting that publicly."
Government Response and Uncertainty
In a separate evidence hearing last week, Jennifer Chapman, the minister of state for international development and Africa, declined to confirm whether UK funding for the global HIV response would be protected. When questioned by Mr Mundell about maintaining support for organisations like the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS to uphold UK leadership, Baroness Chapman responded, "I cannot say that everything you have listed will be protected... However, whatever the allocations are, I think our commitment to working alongside those organisations that have proved themselves effective is not going to change."
Future Framework and Coordination
Baroness Chapman also indicated that changes might be necessary in how the UK coordinates with UN organisations and groups like the Robert Carr Fund. She emphasised the need for conversations in 2026 to adapt to technological shifts and broader changes, aiming to maximise impact. This uncertainty leaves the future of critical funding in limbo, even as advocates stress its essential role in complementing initiatives like the Global Fund.
This article has been produced as part of The Independent's Rethinking Global Aid project, highlighting the urgent need for sustained investment in global health priorities.
