MPs and Bond raise concerns about aid levels despite commitment to the fund
The Westminster government’s commitment to the eighth Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has been criticised after the UK’s contribution dropped.
Ministers have pledged £850 million for the eighth replenishment of the Global Fund, down from £1 billion at the last replenishment.
The Global Fund is a worldwide partnership that brings together world leaders, communities, civil society, health workers and the private sector to fight infectious diseases and strengthen health and community systems in more than 100 of the hardest hit countries.
The UK is co-hosting the Global Fund’s 8th replenishment summit meeting with the government of South Africa on 21 November.
The pledge represents a 15% reduction from the UK’s previous pledge, made in 2022, and marks the first time in Global Fund history that a host country has reduced its pledge.
Chair of Westminster’s International Development Committee, Sarah Champion MP, said: “I’m pleased that the UK has renewed its commitment to the Global Fund. However, I am deeply disappointed that our new contribution is 15% lower in cash terms than at the last replenishment, while global inflation means that our new pledge counts for far less than it did a few years ago.
“Reducing our commitment is short-sighted; a generous pledge to the Global Fund promises a remarkable return on our investment and is critical to both eradicating dreadful diseases abroad and boosting health security at home, protecting our NHS.
“Cutting our investment by £150m also risks undermining our hard-won reputation as a global health leader. We have the opportunity to lead from the front, encouraging other countries to rise to the challenge. Reducing our contribution suggests we are willing to exit the stage.
“Cuts of this scale are not abstract; they will have real impact and result in avoidable harm. I urge ministers to take seriously the commitments the UK has made to the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people.”
NGOs have raised issues with the decision, describing the move as a “step backwards”.
Gideon Rabinowitz, director of policy and advocacy at Bond, the UK network of NGOs, said: “We welcome the pledge of £850m towards continuing to fight infectious diseases worldwide, which will prevent millions of deadly infections and help protect the UK’s health security. However, today’s announcement by the UK government represents a 15% reduction from its previous replenishment pledge – and a step backwards in our commitment to promoting a safer, more equitable and healthier world for everyone.
“The UK has long been a proud and reliable global partner in the fight against AIDS, TB, malaria and other deadly diseases, and Britons have been made safer by the Global Fund which strengthens pandemic preparedness and improves global health security for us all. Widespread calls to safeguard the Global Fund from NHS staff, MPs, and civil society in the run-up to this announcement have proven public support for a united approach to tackling disease worldwide.
“Today’s reduced commitment, combined with the UK aid cuts which have forced officials into impossible choices, will slow progress in eradicating these diseases, and risk devastating consequences for marginalised communities. Our ability to respond to future health threats, including pandemics, will also be weakened.
“As co-host of this year’s replenishment, the UK government must work to prevent their own reduced pledge from setting a precedent for other donor countries. It must also identify opportunities to supplement its pledge, such as through funds recovered to the UK aid budget from reducing spend on expensive hotel accommodation for asylum seekers in the UK. Ensuring the successful replenishment of the Global Fund means delivering progress towards a safer, healthier world for us all.”
