The Labour Government is absolutely committed to an international agreement on universal access to AIDS treatment by 2010.  Significant progress has been made since  1997.  The UK is now the second largest country donor in the world in the fight against HIV and AIDS.  The last Spending Review committed £1.5 billion to HIV and AIDS over the next three years.  Over the same period, the Government will double the commitment to the Global Fund for HIV, TB and Malaria.

The Government is fully aware that progress needs to be faster in the fight against HIV and AIDS.  At the annual summit of the G8 earlier this month a comprehensive plan to support Africa’s progress was agreed on. As part of this, there is a pledge to boost investment in health and education, and to take action to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, TB and other killer diseases.

This issue has been high on the agenda during the UK’s presidency of the G8 and the EU, and I am proud of the commitment that the Government has shown to this issue in terms of treatment and prevention programmes, encouraging a co-ordinated approach and working to protect vulnerable people who are left behind by AIDS.