Key Summary
- Labour MPs warn that planned 20% cuts to Global Fund aid would be a “moral failure”
- Experts say the reduction could reverse years of progress and lead to millions of preventable infections
- MPs urge Starmer to maintain funding, citing the Global Fund’s proven impact in saving lives
The government’s proposed move to cut global aid for Aids, tuberculosis, and malaria is being opposed by the ruling party MPs.
A letter signed by seven Labour MPs, who had served as junior ministers under Starmer, have termed this decision as a “moral failure” and a strategic disaster.
Among the former ministers, Gareth Thomas and Fleur Anderson have publicly confirmed their involvement.
Dozens of other Labour MPs have also expressed their concern.
Prime minister Keir Starmer is expected to announce a 20 percent cut in the aid on the sidelines of next month’s G20 summit in South Africa.
Thomas claimed he had seen the positive impact of the Global Fund while serving as minister for Africa in the Gordon Brown cabinet.
The aid had helped in the supply antiretroviral drugs to women to protect their unborn children from HIV infection, he said.
He said that since 2002, this partnership has saved 70 million lives, and we need to continue with our commitment.
Any retreat could affect the resilient healthcare systems built over the years, he added.
“A 20 per cent cut to Britain’s pledge would result in nearly 6 million preventable infections, putting the most vulnerable - especially children - at serious risk.”
Aid groups warn that cutting UK funding for the Global Fund could undo years of progress against major diseases.
