The Government’s decision to cut the UK’s contribution to the Global Fund – one of the most effective programmes tackling AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria – is a move that undermines Britain’s safety and global standing. The UK government development budget has been severely cut, but within that health investments have been a relative priority, and rightly so. The UK’s recent pledge of £283m per year to the Global Fund, will contribute to bringing an end to AIDS, driving down TB deaths, and protecting millions of children from malaria, whilst strengthening our own health security.

Nevertheless, this pledge is a 15% cut from previous years. While still a welcome contribution, this reduced pledge puts lives at risk that could have been saved. To put it in context, that cut amounts to one tenth of the money lost in the ‘failed COVID-19 contracts’. For over twenty years, the Global Fund has been one of the great success stories of modern international cooperation. Created with strong British backing, it has helped save 70 million lives.

It’s helped to cut deaths from AIDS by more than 80% in countries where it was once the primary cause of death. And in doing so, it’s strengthened fragile health systems, improved global surveillance of infectious diseases, and reduced the risk of outbreaks that could reach our shores.

When deadly diseases are left to spread unchecked in one part of the world, they don’t stay there. We learned that lesson the hard way with COVID-19.

Investments made in tackling AIDS, TB and malaria overseas, helped track the spread of COVID-19 and spot new variants.

Given the enormous cost the UK government paid during COVID-19, if the investments in global health systems reduce the risk of another pandemic like it by just 1%, then this benefit alone should be worth at least £2 billion to the UK. Looked at like that, the UK’s pledge is a small price to pay.

Indeed, tackling these three diseases – AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria – delivers extraordinary value for money. Every pound the UK puts in creates around £19 in returns.

There are also significant economic, trade and export growth benefits for the UK, as recent evidence from the Kiel Institute shows. For example, the Global Fund benefits countries that invest in it, by buying health products from national businesses. This plays a role in boosting domestic industries and creating jobs in the UK.

For two decades, Conservative and Labour governments alike have backed the Global Fund to do this precisely because tackling these epidemics embodies British values: fairness, efficiency and leadership.

Pulling back from that fight sends entirely the wrong message. It tells the world that Britain is retreating from its role as a global leader in health security – just when the need for vigilance and cooperation is greatest. And it undermines our credibility when we call on others to tackle the threats that affect us all, from pandemics to climate change.

Investing in tackling these diseases means investing in global stability, prosperity and security. It means keeping families safe from global health threats.

It means supporting British scientists, companies and institutions that work hand-in-hand with programs all over the world to deliver vaccines, treatments and diagnostics. And it means standing up for a vision of Britain that leads, rather than turns inward.

The UK helped lead the fight against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. We should be proud of that legacy – and stand up to support it.