Official Development Assistance

Debate between Lord Herbert of South Downs and Baroness Chapman of Darlington

Monday 21st July 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

I think those comments were made by the Minister for Public Health, Minister Dalton, at the International Development Committee last week. I would invite the noble Baroness to look at how we are focusing on function and not form. The decision from the Department of Health and Social Care, led by Chris Whitty, on research and development, is that the work and benefits of the Fleming Fund, which she quite rightly points out have been outstanding in its work on antimicrobial resistance, must continue. Much has been learned through the Fleming Fund, but it is right that we evolve that into other agencies so that we can get the benefit from that.

[Lord Herbert of South Downs (Con)]

My Lords, sustainable development goal 3.3 says that HIV, AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis must be beaten by 2030. On the current rate of progress, TB will not be beaten for 100 years. I was pleased to hear the Minister say that global public health will be prioritised. Will TB, within that, continue to be a priority for the Government? TB is an airborne infectious disease, and it is an entirely unnecessary loss of life that 1.5 million people a year still die from it.

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

One could say the same about HIV and, to an extent, malaria. That is one of the reasons that the UK is now the largest donor to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. As we now understand only too well, these things not only have a hugely damaging effect on developing countries but can find their way here. The Prime Minister will co-host the replenishment of the Global Fund in South Africa in the autumn, and it is his job to announce a decision on that pledge. I will not do that today, but the noble Lord will see the concerns that he has aired reflected in that announcement.

HIV/AIDS: US Withdrawal from WHO

Debate between Lord Herbert of South Downs and Baroness Chapman of Darlington

Thursday 20th March 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

I do not think it has made it any easier, but we stand by our commitment to do this by 2030. There are some things in our favour around medical advances and new treatments, and a willingness of some Governments now to play a part that perhaps they have not been able to in the past. There is no doubt that the situation is now more challenging, but we will work as firmly and with as much energy as we ever have towards this goal, because it is important that we do.

[Lord Herbert of South Downs (Con)]

My Lords, tuberculosis is the single biggest cause of death for people with HIV/AIDS, killing 1.25 million people a year. It is the most deadly infectious disease of all. Given the reduction of funding and the dismantling of USAID, and the withdrawal of funding from the WHO, does the Minister share my concern that our ability to conduct ongoing surveillance of this airborne transmissible disease is at risk? Will the Government maintain their programmes to ensure that this disease too can be beaten by 2030?