Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the restrictions in place to address the COVID-19 pandemic, whether they plan to make funding available for online HIV self-sampling services in all areas of England; and if not, why not.

The Government has mandated local authorities in England to commission comprehensive open access sexual health services, including the provision of HIV testing through self-sampling and online services. It is important that individuals and communities have information and support to access testing in a range of settings to facilitate earlier diagnosis and prevention of HIV transmission.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has issued guidance on increasing the uptake of HIV testing among people who may have undiagnosed HIV. We will explore what more can be done on testing as part of our work to develop the Sexual and Reproductive Health strategy and the HIV Action Plan.