A group of seven Labor MPs who served as ministers under Keir Stillmer wrote to the Prime Minister that the cuts in the UK are a “moral failure” and a strategic disaster.
With ministers and officials set to decide on the UK’s contribution to global funding, Starmer’s support for backing away from the expected 20% cut.
Twelve of the other Labor mps expressed alarm at the idea of IK’s attack on the global fund, especially as it will be announced next month’s channels in Africa next month, which Starmer wants.
There is strong concern about Starmer’s apparent reluctance to involve the UK in development projects, with his government deciding on a fund for the rest of the tropical forests.
Aid groups say that if the UK’s contribution to the Global Fund for 2027-29 was cut from £8bn to £8bn it would be one of the best aid programs of the modern era, and there could be 340 fatal deaths.
The Starmer letter was private, and only two of the signatories, Gareth Thomas and Fleur Anderson, chose to say they were involved. But all seven of them were junior ministers under Starmer, who lost their jobs in the September reshuffle.
Tomas, who was minister for Africa under Gordon Brown and served as a business minister for the first children who are protected by unborn children because of the HIV fund organization provided by the organization based in Switzerland provided by the organization based in Switzerland provided by the organization based in Switzerland.
“This is not an abstract statistic. They are healthy children who would not have survived without this help. The question now is the will to see it through,” he said.
“Since 2002, this amazing partnership has saved 70 million lives and built transformative health systems around the world. We are facing one of the best health achievements in the world.
“The cost of backing out would be devastating. A 20% cut in Britain’s pledge would result in almost 6m preventable infections, especially children – at grave risk. Such a move is not just a moral failure.”
Thomas highlighted the UK’s decision earlier this year to cut support for another major international aid project, the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (Gavi).
After the newsletter promotion
The £1.25bn commitment to Gavi over five years is 24% less than the amount promised by Boris Johnson over 2021-25. However, the majority of the aid sector is afraid after the decision of the UK government from 0.5%, with the arrival of ministers of political consciences.
The reduction of Gavi funding is “a disturbing signal of retreat”, Tomas said, adding: “We are in the right direction, if it is necessary to protect the international community.”
He continued: “But it’s about more than health. It’s about Britain’s National Security learning, resilient societies that claim to be in poor countries that are dealing with situations of poverty, displacement and conflict.”
Other Labor MPS highlighted HIV and AIDS are at particular risk, given developments such as cuts in US aid funding. Another private letter saw 43 backbenchers write to Starmer on it.
Aid groups say a cut in UK money for global funding will risk years of progress in US diseases.
Last month, polling commissioned by a major aid group found that 62% of Britons believed the government should maintain or increase its support for global funding. Polling is done in large numbers for a campaign.
A foreign office spokesman said: “The UK continues to work with global funding to contribute to global rates from HIV, TB and MALARIA at 63%.
“We remain firmly committed to solving the world’s health challenges, not only because they are right, but to help deliver the plan for global transformation and growth.”