In support of National HIV Testing week, the Prime Minister has
undertaken a public rapid HIV home test, available for free, in
No10 Downing Street.
By taking part in the campaign, he will be the first serving
British Prime Minister and serving 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 www.freetesting.hiv 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 – 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 is really important to do it, and I am pleased to have
taken part too. It's easy, it is quick. And during 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 access to treatment, and that will also help meet our
collective target to end new HIV transmissions by 2030.”
It comes as polling by YouGov, on behalf of leading HIV Charity
the 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-up-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 is leading from the front in
this mission.”
Beverley Knight MBE said:
“Living with HIV today is a world away from the experience
that my late best friend Tyrone endured in the early 2000s.
People living with HIV can now easily know their status, can
access effective treatment and live a long, healthy life. I wish
this was case for Ty. In his memory, I'm using my voice alongside
the Prime Minister to make everyone aware of how easy it is to
test. People need to hear the crucial message that thanks to
effective medication people living with HIV can't pass it on, so
we can end this epidemic once and for all.”
Rebecca Mbewe, an author and speaker, who is living with
HIV said:
“Testing for HIV is the only way to know your status, and it
helps you stay in control of your health. If you do have a
positive result, you won't be on your own. I have been living
with HIV for close to 30 years, I am still able to do anything
and everything that I like. I still have my glass of gin and
tonic. I can still go out and dance. Thanks to free, effective
medication, I have a full life, I can't pass HIV on and I have a
normal life expectancy. Every time I have a birthday I love
telling people my age. It's a statement. It's a
celebration.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
- National HIV Testing Week is a core
component of HIV Prevention England, delivered by Terrence
Higgins Trust and funded by the Department of Health and Social
Care. It has been running annually since 2012.
- During the week anyone in England
can order a free HIV test from www.freetesting.hiv/. There
are two types of at home testing kits to choose from:
o Self-testing, that gives you results
within 15 minutes
o Self-sampling, which you send off to a
lab to get your result. This kit also tests for
syphilis.
- UKHSA estimates 4,700 people are
living with undiagnosed HIV in England. Scaling up HIV testing
will be crucial to finding them.
- In December, at a reception
at 10 Downing Street to mark World AIDS Day, the
Prime Minister committed £27 million to extend opt-out HIV to 89
emergency departments across England.
- All figures, unless otherwise
stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2071
adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 29th - 30th January
2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have
been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged
18+).
- Beverley Knight is an actress,
singer and patron of Terrence Higgins Trust. In 2024 she was
awarded an MBE for outstanding commitment to diversity.
