Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking (1) to address any shortfall in funding for the World Health Organization-led Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator, and (2) to ensure global equitable access (a) to tests, (b) to treatments, and (c) to vaccines, to prevent economic damage to low and lower middle income countries; and what representations they have made to international partners to address any such shortfall in funding.

The UK is committed to rapid, equitable access to safe and effective vaccines, treatments, and tests. This is demonstrated by our strong support for the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator. The UK is its largest bilateral donor, contributing up to £813 million to the ACT-Accelerator partners. This includes up to £548 million for the COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC), which is the international initiative to support global equitable access to vaccines as well as other important medical technologies.

The UK recognises that there are critical ACT-Accelerator funding gaps. We continue to encourage international partners to actively work together to mobilise the resources needed, both bilaterally and in international fora.