In support of National HIV Testing Week, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has become the first serving British Prime Minister and G7 leader to publicly take a rapid HIV home test.
The event, held at No. 10 Downing Street, was aimed at raising awareness about the availability of free and confidential HIV tests that can be ordered online from www.freetesting.hiv.
Joined by Terrence Higgins Trust Patron Beverley Knight, the Prime Minister demonstrated the ease and accessibility of at-home HIV testing kits. This initiative is part of a broader campaign to encourage regular home or self-testing, which is crucial to achieving the Government’s ambitious goal of ending new HIV cases in England by 2030.
The campaign, which offers up to 20,000 funded kits to the public, comes at a critical time. A recent YouGov poll conducted on behalf of the Terrence Higgins Trust revealed that over 80% of adults in England are unaware that it is possible to test for HIV at home. However, when informed about this option, 44% of respondents indicated that at-home testing would be their preferred method to know their HIV status.
By taking the test publicly, the Prime Minister aims to reduce the stigma associated with HIV testing and encourage more people to know their status. Speaking after he did the 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.”
Chief Executive of the Terrence Higgins Trust, Richard Angell OBE, also commented:
“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 Keir Starmer is leading from the front in this mission.”
The Prime Minister has reaffirmed his commitment to ending new HIV cases in England by 2030. A new HIV Action Plan is set to be published in summer 2025, outlining strategies to increase testing, improve access to treatment, and reduce transmission rates. Once diagnosed, individuals living with HIV can access free, effective treatment that allows them to live a normal life expectancy and prevents the transmission of the virus.
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