Sir Keir Starmer takes at-home HIV test
The prime minister took the test at 10 Downing Street alongside soul singer
Beverley Knight, who is a strong advocate for HIV awareness.
Monday 10 February 2025 00:44, UK
Sir Keir Starmer has taken an HIV test in an effort to help destigmatise
checking for the sexually transmitted virus.
The prime minister [https://news.sky.com/topic/keir-starmer-6820] took the home
test at 10 Downing Street to mark the start of HIV
[https://news.sky.com/topic/hiv-6873] Testing Week, and did so alongside soul
singer Beverley Knight, who is a strong advocate for HIV awareness.
Sir Keir said: “It’s really important to do it and I’m really pleased to be able
to do it. It’s very easy, very quick.”
Richard Angell, chief executive of HIV charity The Terrence Higgins Trust, said
he believes Sir Keir is the first prime minister of a G7, European or NATO
nation to take an HIV test.
After saying he was “surprised”, the PM added: “Let’s try to encourage other
leaders to do the same thing because it’s really important, it’s easy, it’s
convenient and it is much better to know.”
Mr Angell said: “It’s an important symbol for people who live with HIV, for
fighting the stigma, and to let the public know that tests are free,
confidential and easy and available for everyone during this week, and it will
make a big difference.”
Around 107,000 people live with HIV in the UK, with approximately 4,700 thought
to be unaware of their status.
Majority of men have never tested for HIV despite over a third having regular
unprotected sex, poll finds
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There is no cure for HIV, which damages the cells in your immune system and
weakens your ability to fight everyday infections and disease. But there are
very effective drug treatments that enable most people with the virus to live a
long and healthy life.
As part of HIV Testing Week, which goes on until Sunday, people can order one of
20,000 free and confidential at-home tests, which provide a result in 15
minutes.
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Sir Keir has pledged to end new transmissions of HIV in England by 2030, and on
World Aids Day last year announced £27m for an expanded testing programme in NHS
emergency departments.
Read more:
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Chilly start to the week expected
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Knight became a campaigner for the movement after her friend Tyrone Jamison died
of an AIDS-related illness in 2003.
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She 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 the 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.”
