End the domestic HIV epidemic in London by 2030

London is home to the highest population of people living with HIV across the UK.

There have been significant declines in new cases of HIV in London over the past five years, but nine London Boroughs have higher rates of late diagnoses than the national average.



Today the London Assembly called on the Mayor to commit to and support a number of actions to reduce new HIV cases by 80% by 2025 and end new cases of HIV within London by 2030.

Emma Best AM, who proposed the motion said:

“We can end the HIV epidemic in London by 2030, but the Mayor needs a plan to deliver on his manifesto promise to do so. That’s why the Assembly has called today for the Mayor to follow the recommendations made by the HIV Commission.

“The number of new cases of HIV has been declining in London for some time, but nine boroughs have high rates of late diagnoses. The Mayor should use Transport for London advertising to highlight the importance of testing, especially in these areas. The Mayor and Assembly must also champion accessible testing; by ensuring that everyone in London has access to HIV testing at home and rolling opt-out tests across the NHS, we can identify cases earlier and stop transmission of the disease.

The Mayor is well-placed to lead on this work on in London. He should bring together health bodies, charities and local authorities to encourage people to get tested, end the stigma and ensure there is mental health support for Londoners living with HIV.”

Zack Polanski AM, who seconded the motion said:

“I’m proud to second this motion which is a crucial step towards ending the HIV epidemic in London. No one should suffer from stigma, fear or lack of access to treatment when it comes to HIV.

“Everyone, no matter who or where they are, deserves access to non-discriminatory information, testing and compassionate care that allows them to stay healthy and safe.

“This motion puts in those key factors needed to make sure Londoners are protected in the long term.

“The Mayor must commit to these asks if he wants to reach his targets of reducing new HIV cases by at least 80% by 2025 and end new cases of HIV in London by 2030.”

The full text of the motion is:

“The Mayor of London made a commitment in his manifesto to reduce new HIV cases by 80% by 2025 and end new cases of HIV within London by 2030. This Assembly supports this commitment and notes there has been significant declines in new cases of HIV in London over the past five years but expresses concern that nine London Boroughs have higher rates of late diagnoses than the national average.

This Assembly supports the recommendations made by the HIV Commission, founded by Terrence Higgins Trust, National AIDS Trust, and Elton John AIDS Foundation, that provides recommendations on how to end the domestic HIV epidemic by 2030. London is home to the highest population of people living with HIV across the UK. As well as working with the UK Government, the Mayor must also work with NHS England, NHS Improvement London, Public Health England and local authorities to drive forward work to achieve both the 2025 and 2030 targets.

The Assembly calls on the Mayor to commit to and support the following actions:

• Support opt-out HIV testing across the NHS. Many parts of London are areas of high HIV prevalence and HIV testing should be routinely offered to patients in relevant settings, such as GP surgeries, A&E departments and in all sexual health clinics.
• Support HIV testing at home being made available in all 32 London Boroughs and the exploration of the option of providing free HIV self-testing kits to those at highest risk of HIV.
• Work with local NHS bodies to pilot a trial of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) availability beyond sexual health clinics.
• Provide free Transport for London advertising space to encourage HIV testing and up to date information about HIV.
• Support mental health support being made available to all Londoners living with HIV and end HIV related stigma.”