In support of National HIV Testing Week, Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has undertaken a public rapid HIV home test, becoming the first serving British Prime Minister and G7 leader to take a public test on camera.
Joined by Terrence Higgins Trust patron Beverley Knight, the Prime Minister took a rapid home test to raise awareness that during National HIV Testing Week, anyone in England can order a free and confidential HIV test from to do at home.
The campaign which sees up to 20,000 funded kits being available to the public – centres on regular home or self-testing – is one way to meet the Government’s ambition to end new HIV cases in England by 2030 committed to by the Prime Minister in December.
After undertaking a test, the Prime Minister said: “It’s really important to do it, and I am pleased to have taken part too. It’s easy, it’s quick. And during National HIV Testing Week you can get a test free – so it is a great time to also take part.
“If people test, they will know their status, it is better that people know and that is a good thing because you can then get treatment to help meet our target to end new HIV transmissions by 2030.”
It comes as polling by YouGov, on behalf of leading HIV charity Terrence Higgins Trust, has found that more than 80% of adults in England are unaware it is possible to test for HIV at home. However, when prompted as an option, at-home testing was the most popular way to know your HIV status, with 44% of people saying it would be their preference.
The Prime Minister has committed to ending new HIV cases in England by 2030, with a new HIV Action Plan to be published in summer 2025. Once diagnosed, people living with HIV can access free, effective treatment which means they can have a normal life expectancy and can’t pass on the virus.
Richard Angell OBE, Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “The Prime Minister has made history by becoming the first G7 leader to publicly take an HIV test while in office and has led by example.
“This free, quick and simple test sends a powerful message to the country and to the public. During National HIV Testing Week, anyone in England can order a test to their home, whether that’s to Downing Street, to Penzance or to Berwick-upon-Tweed.
“England can be the first country in the world to end new HIV transmissions, but we are not on track to do so by 2030. Scaling up HIV testing will be crucial to our shared goal. We are delighted that Keir Starmer is leading from the front in this mission.”
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