Urgent action needed to get London back on track in the fight against HIV

30 April 2025 (Last updated: 30 Apr 2025 13:13)

The findings of the London Assembly Health Committee’s latest report – Getting to zero by 2030: HIV in London – make clear that, while London has achieved global recognition for its leadership in HIV prevention and care, the road to zero new HIV transmissions by 2030 is at risk without immediate and coordinated action.

Responding to the report, Professor Matt Phillips, BASHH President, said:

“London has made extraordinary progress over the last four decades in tackling HIV, but this report confirms what we in the sector have long warned – the gains are fragile, and we are now seeing them stall. Rising diagnoses, consistent inequalities in care, and overstretched services point to a system under immense strain. These challenges are not insurmountable, but they demand urgent political will, targeted investment, and renewed public health focus.

The tools to end new HIV transmissions exist – including PrEP, effective treatment, and routine opt-out testing – but access remains uneven, especially among Black African communities. Services must be properly resourced to deliver culturally competent guidance and close the gaps in prevention and care.

Critically, we cannot reach our HIV goals without a strong foundation of well-funded, accessible sexual health services across London. These services are the gateway to HIV testing, prevention and care, and have been pushed to breaking point by years of underinvestment.

We support the call for bold measures in the upcoming national HIV Action Plan, including expanding opt-out testing and improving PrEP access. Political leaders at all levels must seize this moment to show leadership, reduce stigma, and back expert-led care.

The opportunity to become the first global city to end new HIV transmissions is still within reach. But time is short, and action is needed now.”

Access the full report here.