In a significant move, seven Labour MPs who previously held ministerial roles under Keir Starmer have penned a letter to the prime minister. They express deep concern over anticipated reductions in the UK’s funding for global health initiatives aimed at battling preventable diseases. The MPs argue that cutting aid would constitute not only a “moral failure” but also a strategic misstep.

The urgency of their plea is heightened by the imminent decision regarding the UK’s financial commitment to the Global Fund, which focuses on combating AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. As government officials gear up to make this critical decision, the letter seeks to persuade Starmer to reconsider any plans for a 20% funding cut.

Alarm has already spread among numerous Labour MPs over the potential decrease in the UK’s contribution to the Global Fund. Such an announcement, expected to coincide with next month’s G20 summit in South Africa, where Starmer will be present, adds an element of international scrutiny.

Compounding the issue is Starmer’s perceived hesitance to engage the UK in developmental endeavors, evidenced by a recent decision to forgo contributions to a fund dedicated to preserving the world’s remaining tropical forests. This decision came just before the Cop30 climate summit, raising further concerns about the UK’s commitment to global environmental efforts.

Aid organizations warn that reducing the UK’s contribution to the Global Fund from £1 billion to £800 million for 2027-2029, as discussed among senior officials, could severely undermine the efficacy of one of the most cost-efficient aid programs today. Such a cut could potentially lead to as many as 340,000 preventable deaths.

While the letter remains confidential, Gareth Thomas and Fleur Anderson have publicly acknowledged their participation among the signatories. All seven signatories, who were previously junior ministers under Starmer, found themselves ousted during the reshuffle in September. Their collective appeal underscores the critical nature of the decision at hand.

Thomas, who was minister for Africa under Gordon Brown and served as a business minister for Starmer, said that in the earlier role he had seen the impact of the Global Fund’s work first-hand, for example mothers able to protect their unborn children from HIV infection because of antiretroviral drugs provided by the Switzerland-based organisation.

“These were not abstract statistics. They were healthy babies who would not have survived without this assistance. The question now is whether we have the will to see this through,” he said.

“Since 2002, this remarkable partnership has saved 70 million lives and built resilient health systems across the world. We face a stark choice: stand firm and maintain our commitment or retreat from one of the world’s greatest health achievements.

“The cost of retreat would be devastating. A 20% cut to Britain’s pledge would result in nearly 6m preventable infections, putting the most vulnerable – especially children – at serious risk. Such a move would not only be a moral failure but a strategic one.”

Thomas highlighted the UK’s decision earlier this year to cut support for another major international aid project, the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (Gavi).

The £1.25bn commitment to Gavi over five years was 24% lower than the sum pledged by Boris Johnson for 2021-25. It was, however, more than had been feared by many in the aid sector after the decision by the UK government to cut its foreign aid commitment from 0.7% of national income to 0.5%, which will then fall to 0.3% in 2027, with speculation ministers might have increased the sum due to political pressure and media coverage.

The reduction in Gavi funding was “a troubling signal of retreat”, Thomas said, adding: “We are moving in the wrong direction, precisely when we must defend international cooperation and multilateralism most vigorously.”

He went on: “But this is about more than health. It’s about Britain’s national security. Healthy communities that can learn, work and thrive create stable, resilient societies. Tackling disease in the poorest countries alleviates the conditions that fuel instability, displacement and conflict.”

Other Labour MPs have highlighted the particular risk over HIV and Aids, given developments such as the slashing of US aid funding. Another private letter saw 43 backbenchers write to Starmer on this.

Aid groups say a cut to UK money for the Global Fund would risk overturning years of progress in combating the diseases, particularly after the collapse in US aid.

Last month, polling commissioned by a major aid group found that 62% of Britons believe the government should maintain or increase its support for the Global Fund. The polling was conducted by More in Common for the One Campaign.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “The UK continues work with the Global Fund to play a significant role in the global response to fight disease globally. Our work has contributed to saving 70 million lives and reducing the combined death rate from HIV, TB and Malaria by 63%.

“We remain firmly committed to tackling global health challenges, not only because it is right, but to help deliver the plan for change in the UK by supporting global stability and growth.”

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