Along with 375 other people and 44 organisations, I signed the letter composed by ACT UP London, an HIV activist group, which corrects inaccuracies in Nigel Farage’s claims during the televised leaders’ debate in the run up to the UK Parliamentary General Election.
During the leaders’ debate on 2 April, Mr Farage claimed: “Here’s a fact… there are 7,000 diagnoses in this country every year for people that are HIV positive… 60% of them are not British nationals.” He further stated treatment costs up to £25,000 per year per patient. Each of these claims is inaccurate, addressed by the letter with reference to the accurate statistics.
Mr Farage’s claims are wild, and scaremongering. They will divide our communities and further create stigma to people who are living with HIV. He should be ashamed of himself. As can be seen the opposition to his views is from many places including many other political parties. I am glad to see that Naomi Long who is standing for Parliament in Belfast East, having been the MP from 2010 until Parliament was dissolved earlier this year signed the letter. The text of the letter is below.
ACT UP London and we, the undersigned, are deeply concerned at the recent attempts made by Nigel Farage to spread misinformation about HIV for political ends. We call for the rights of people living with HIV to be respected and upheld, and for HIV treatment to be left out of the political fray.
We call for Mr Farage to apologise for his factually inaccurate, and stigmatising, comments.
During the leaders’ TV debate on 2nd April, Mr Farage claimed: “Here’s a fact…there are 7,000 diagnoses in this country every year for people that are HIV positive… 60% of them are not British nationals.” He further stated treatment costs up to £25,000 per year per patient.
Mr Farage is entitled to his own opinions, but he is not entitled to his own facts. Each claim is false.
Public Health England’s most recent figures show there were 6,000 people newly diagnosed with HIV in the UK in 2013, a decrease on the 6,250 diagnoses in 2012. [1] The ‘7,000’ figure was last true in 2008, since then the number has been steadily declining.
The same figures show that 45% of people diagnosed with HIV in 2013 were born outside the UK, but the data does not tell us about the nationality of people diagnosed. It records only country of birth – being born outside the UK does not mean you are not a British national. [2]
The average cost of treatment per patient per year is approximately £6,000. [3]
Since an amendment to NHS Charging Regulations in 2012, HIV treatment has been available free to everyone in the UK who needs it, regardless of immigration status. This is because providing antiretroviral treatment for all people living with HIV greatly reduces HIV transmission, encourages earlier testing and health-promoting behaviours and keeps people living with HIV healthy, reducing additional healthcare costs. The Coalition government implemented this change because it saves money.
Professor Dame Sally Davies, the Chief Medical Officer, explained the decision to provide free HIV treatment: “Effective treatment of HIV reduces its spread by up to 96 per cent . . . offering NHS treatment will encourage testing, resulting in fewer undiagnosed HIV infections and therefore ensuring that there is less chance of passing on infection to the wider population.”[4]
Mr Farage claims that the UK’s policy on HIV treatment encourages so-called ‘health tourism’. There is no evidence to support this claim. The National AIDS Trust, in 2008, concluded there is no evidence that decisions to migrate to the UK are influenced by the desire to seek HIV treatment. This is further demonstrated by the significant average time lapse between arriving in the UK and seeking testing and subsequent treatment [5].
Some UK residents who are living with HIV are migrants. They are brought here by work, relationships, or education. Some are seeking asylum and fleeing persecution. They contribute to and are part of British society. Many came from countries that also offer HIV treatment and care. Many others acquired HIV in the UK, or were diagnosed long after arriving. Regardless, it is wrong to link HIV with immigration.
ACT UP London and we, the undersigned, are concerned that Mr Farage’s attempts to link HIV with his policy on immigration, encourage further stigma and discrimination of all who are living with HIV, as well as migrants.
We believe in respect and dignity towards people of every type – including people living with HIV wherever they were born. We believe that a society which provides healthcare to those that need it, without discrimination, and protects the rights of people living with HIV, is a better society for us all to live in.
We, the undersigned, are committed to building an inclusive movement to take action to challenge discrimination and stigma, and to protect everyone living with HIV.
- Public Health England (2014). HIV in the United Kingdom: 2014 Report. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/401662/2014_PHE_HIV_annual_report_draft_Final_07-01-2015.pdf
- https://fullfact.org/factcheck/hiv_diagnosed_not_uk_nationals-41402
- House of Lords Select Committee on HIV and AIDS (2011), No vaccine, no cure: HIV and AIDS in the United Kingdom http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201012/ldselect/ldaids/188/18810.htm#note375
- Quoted in http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/9109658/Foreigners-to-be-offered-free-treatment-for-HIV-on-the-NHS.html
- National AIDS Trust (2008), The Myth of HIV Health Tourism http://www.nat.org.uk/media/Files/Publications/Oc-2008-The-Myth-of-HIV-Health-Tourism.pdf
Signed
Party leaders
Leanne Wood AM, on behalf of Plaid Cymru
Natalie Bennett, the Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales
Nicola Sturgeon, Leader of the Scottish National Party and First Minister of Scotland
Willie Rennie MSP, Leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats
Naomi Long, Deputy Leader of the Alliance Party and Parliamentary Candidate for Belfast East
Organisations (44)
ACT UP London, African Health Policy Network, Aids Orphan, Alliance Party, BASELINE Magazine, Bloomsbury Patients Network, Body & Soul, Catholics for AIDS Prevention and Support, Chasing Zero, Diocese of Norwich, FoTAC-UK, FPA (Family Planning Association), Gay’s the Word Bookshop, George House Trust, HIV i-Base, HIV Justice Network, ImpAcTAIDS, International HIV Partnerships, International HIV/AIDS Alliance, Liberal democrats for Seekers of Sanctuary (LD4SOS), Maternity Action, NAZ, Plan UK, Positively UK, Pride in Plymouth, Rhondda Cynon Taff Welsh Liberal Democrats, Salamander Trust, Scottish Liberal Democrats, Skipton and Ripon Liberal Democrats, Sophia Forum, South East London People’s Assembly (SELPA), South East London Stand Up to UKIP, Space Station Sixty-Five gallery, Terrence Higgins Trust, The Sophia Forum, STOPAIDS, The White Rabbits, Theatre for a Change, UK-CAB, UKSTIGMAINDEX 2015, Unite The Union, Unity Group Wales,
WECARe plus, http://www.tcell.org.uk.
All individual signatories (376)
A D Nelson, Abigail Kingston
Adam Ismael Lotun Disability Risk Management Consultant, Workplace Disability Adjustments
Adam Monks IT Consultant, Smartdesc
Adam Wilkinson Regional manager Terrence Higgins Trust
Adrian Hyyrylainen – Trett Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Vauxhall Vice President of LGBT+ Liberal Democrats
Adrian Maguire
Aidan Harper
Alastair Hudson Country Coordinator, STIGMAINDEXUK
Alderman Peter Tyzack Member, Liberal Democrats
Alexander Fairgrieve Bar man, hotel
Alexander Lee Houlton
Ali Simpson Corporate Fundraising Manager, Terrence Higgins Trust
Alice Fay
Alison Brelsford
Alison Elizabeth Jenner Liberal Democrat activist
Allan Anderson Chief Executive, Positively UK
Amanda Bryden HIV nurse, WSHT
Amanda Mammadova
Amanda Orr
Amani Mohammad Mustafa
Amar Shabandar Campaign officer, SOAS LGBTQIA + SOCIETY
Amy Dalrymple Director, Centre for Scottish Public Policy
Andie Dyer Marketing, Terrence Higgins Trust
Andreas Arany-Toth
Andrew Brown
Andrew Davies CEO, Unity Group Wales
Andrew Edworthy
Andrew Feinstein Author, former ANC MP
Andrew Feinstein Chair, FoTAC-UK
Andrew Heard Broadcasting, BBC Wales
Andrew Heffernan
Andrew McFarland Campbell Founder, Faith and Pride
Andy Brown
Andy Turner Health Promotion Officer – Terrence Higgins Trust
Angelina Namiba Project Manager, Positively UK
Ann Grant
Ann Noon Media manager for the International HIV/AIDS Alliance
Anna Beria
Anthony Fairclough Vice Chair, London Region Liberal Democrats
Aoife Nic Charthaigh Policy Manager: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Plan UK
Arlene Finnigan
Aurora Bellingham
Ben Collins Director, International HIV Partnerships. ReShape steering committee member
Ben Simms Director, STOPAIDS
Ben Spencer
Ben Watson Advice Worker Terrence Higgins Trust
Berenice Jasper
Bernard Forbes
Beverley J Careless Support services co-ordinator, Terrence Higgins Trust
Blair Kelly Lecturer
Bronwen Staff Nurse
Bryony McFarland
Cal Strode
Carl Sykes
Carly Stewart LGBT+ Officer for Trinity St David students union Swansea 2013-2015. NUS Wales lgbt+ officer 2015-2016. Unity Group Wales Youth Representative
Caroline Lucas Brighton Pavilion, Green Party
Caroline Sorbier Head of Casework and Advocacy Services at Body & Soul
Carolyn Blake Public Health Specialist, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute
Caron Lindsay Editor, Liberal Democrat Voice
Catherine Maguire
Ceri Deane Richardson Secretary & Volunteer Counsellor, LGBT Cymru Helpline & Counselling Services
Charlene Greaves Research and Communications Officer, Terrence Higgins Trust
Cheryl Watkins
Chris Lines Publications Officer
Chrissy Sakala Volunteer, George House Trust
Christina Talbot
Christopher Aitchispm
Christopher Hawtree Green Party, Parliamentary Candidate for Hove and Portslade 2015
Clark McAuley
Cllr James Barber Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate, Dulwich & West Norwood
Councillor Alaric Rose Liberal Democrat Councillor for Kidlington North, Cherwell District Council
Councillor Joe Otten Liberal Democrat councillor and PPC, Sheffield.
Councillor Katie Hall Liberal Democrat councillor for Lyncombe ward, Bath & North East Somerset signing in personal capacity
Councillor Michael John Powell Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Councillor and PPC for Pontypridd
Dada Schling Activist – ACT UP, Beyond UKIP Cabaret
Daisy Ellis Head of Policy, Terrence Higgins Trust
Dan Farthing-Sykes Scottish Liberal Democrat Candidate for Edinburgh South West
Dani Anderson
Daniel Suzuki Co-Owner of LGBT group, LGBT+ Youth Pembrokeshire
Danny West Training and leadership consultant
Dave Page Chair, LGBT+ Liberal Democrats
David de Croy HIV Advocate
David Deakin Head of HIV, Tearfund, Operations Director, Chasing Zero
David Grace Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate, Clacton Constituency
David Ogden HIV Specialist Pharmacist
Davy Jones Green Party parliamentary candidate for Brighton Kemptown
Diane Stallwood Clinical Nurse Specialist-HIV, Homerton University Hospital
Dionne Daniel Nurse Manager
Dominic Simon Berry
Dr Alice Welbourn Founding Director, Salamander Trust
Dr Anna Peters freelancer
Dr Astrid Schepers Clinical Psychologist
Dr David Asboe Chair, British HIV Association
Dr Gareth Hardy HIV Research Scientist, Imperial College London
Dr Jill Lewis Gender-focused HIV awareness and prevention trainer since 1986
Dr Johanna Jefferies Public Health Registrar
Dr John Anthony Keith Davies Retired NHS Consultant
Dr Jose Bastos Consultant Anaesthetist GMC, Barts Health NHS Trust, London
Dr Martin Tsang Professor
Dr Maurice Nagington Lecturer – University of Manchester
Dr Peter Richard Brooks Parliamentary Candidate
Dr Rosemary Gillespie Chief Executive, Terrence Higgins Trust
Dr Shema Tariq Research Fellow (UCL) and Honorary Consultant HIV Physician, Mortimer Market Centre
Dr Sinead Cook Doctor in sexual and reproductive health, NHS
Dr Turhan Ozen Parliamentary Candidate for Tottenham
Duncan McDonald
Dusan Jovovic
Ed Gonçalves Liberal Democrat candidate, Rugby constituency
Edward John Sammon
Edwin J Bernard Co-ordinator, HIV Justice Network
Elizabeth Needham Local Council Candidate – Liberal Democrats
Emily Walker Disabilities Officer, SOAS (University of London) LGBTQIA+ Society
Emma-Jayne Colette Sandrey Liberal Democrat member
Erendira Fortanel Herrera Region HR, Oxfam
Euan Cameron
Felicity Thorley
Fernando Karl Louis Alexei Gustave De Araujo LaSalles-North Member of Liberal Democrats.
Fernando Mariano ACT UP Member
Fiona Callison
Frances Alicia Grace Freeman Filmmaker
Frances Bernstein
Frances McManus
Francesca D’Emidio Programme manager
Francesco Leto
Fraser Wilson Internal Communications Officer
Fred Mann Art Dealer, New Art Projects
Gaia Marcus
Garry Brough Chair of the Bloomsbury Patients Network
Garth Richards
Gary Fuller Liberal Democrat Member
Gary Hammond
Gemma Roulston
Gill Kennett
Ginger Drage
Graham Eaton
Graham Kirkwood
Greg Baker
Hannah Bodek Executive Director of Finance, Terrence Higgins Trust
Harriet Palmer
Helen Beecher Bryant Head of Operations, Maternity Action
Helen rogers Str8talk meeting facilitator, Positively UK
Hilary Rosser Midwife Royal College of Midwives
Holly Matthies
Hywel Owen Davies Freelance Activist
Ian Eiloart
Ian Fincher
Ian J Govendir CEO, Aids Orphan UK Trust
Jack Leahy HAEMOPHILIA
Jackie Kennedy Executice Director of Services, Terrence Higgins Trust
Jacqueline Dianne Bell Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate – Skipton and Ripon
Jacqui Stevenson Activist, PhD Researcher
James Basion
James Johnson Community Engagement: Terrence Higgins Trust
Jamie Reid
Jane Calvert
Jane Currie
Jane Phillips Former Deputy Editor Baseline
Jane Sellers
Janet King Local councillor and council member of LD4SOS
Jasmine Schulkind Medical student and ACT-UP supporter
Jayce Carberry
Jean Latham
Jenna Samji
Jennie Rigg Chair, Calderdale Liberal Democrats Exec member, LGBT+ Lib Dems
Jennifer Dennis
Jeremy Goldstein Creative Producer, London Artists Projects Ltd
Jessica Ivonne Cabassa Santos
Jill Hellings Team manager, Barnardo’s Gregory’s Place project
Jim MacSweeney Manager, Gay’s the Word Bookshop
Jo Josh Member of UKCAB Steering Group, Body & Soul, CUHRRC
Jo Louise Astor Director, MKPride CIC
Joanna De Guia
Joanna Rushton
John Baker
John Carchrie Campbell Editor, HIVBlogger
John Felton
John O’Callaghan-Williamson Director
John Roberts
John Roche Support worker – charity
Johnathon Gallagher Health Promotion Specialist, Terrence Higgins Trust
Johnny Deluxe Activist, international rebel alliance
Jolan Carole Sulinski
Jon Ball Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate, Ealing Central & Acton
Jonathan Heyd-Smith
Jordan Harris
Jordan Hawkins
Josef Schumacher
Josefeen Foxter Specialist midwife in the NHS
Joy Park MBE
Judy Willis Nurse. Retired
Julia Glenn Liberal Democrat party member
Julie Meireles Nurse
Juliet McNelly Policy and Research Assistant/ Community practitioner and supporter of ACT UP London
Justin Harbottle Programme Officer
Kampamba Chomba Positively UK, Terrence Higgins Trust- Member. Operation Hope- Founder
Karen Roberts Chair, Rhondda Cynon Taff Welsh Liberal Democrats
Kat Smithson
Kate Bailey Support Worker, Scottish Assoc for Mental Health
Kathrine Morris Social Policy Consultant
Kathy Trevelyan Actor
Katy McDermott
Keith Winestein
Kelvin Hayfield
Kenneth Shepherd
Keran James
Kerstin Åkerfeldt
Kevin Ditcham Health Promotion Specialist, Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland
Kevin Farmer Tutor
Kieran Aldred Campaigns and Parliamentary Officer, Terrence Higgins Trust
Kim Mulji
Kim Pugh
Laura Micheal UK-CAB member
Laura Smales
Lauren Rowe
Leanne Wood AM on behalf of Plaid Cymru
Lee Dargue Campaigner on LGBT rights and Mental Health for the Liberal Democrats: Exec member – LGBT+LibDems Chair – LibDem Mental Health Association
Lee Kennedy
Lee Pattimore
Lisa Portway
Louis Clarke Student
Luca Bartozzi
Luca Modesti President of an association for social advancement
Lucy Kaufman
Lucy W
Luisa Orza Programmes Director, ATHENA Network
Lynda Shentall Co Chair, Sophia Forum
Lynette Keleher
Marc Tonti
Margaret Dewhurst Branch Chair
Margaret Maguire
Margherita Rondina
Mark Ayres Director, Pride in Plymouth
Mark King
Mark Pack Member, Liberal Democrat Federal Policy Committee
Mark Platt Personal
Marlene Soulier Student at SOAS
Martin Veart PPC for Edinburgh North & Leith
Mary McGrath Teacher
Mateusz Czekaj Teacher
Matt Nicholls Supporter
Matt Williams
Matthew Bentham Student, University of Bath
Matthew Geoffrey Doye
Matthew Hodson
Matthew Keogh
Maureen Ndawana Community Engagement Officer, African Health Policy Network
Mel Painter
Melanie Faith Ndzinga
Michael Casey
Michael Dunne Liberal Democrats Candidate for Liverpool’s Riverside Ward.
Michael Frank Willis Member of St Frideswide’s Church, Bletchley, Milton Keynes
Michael Green Parliamentary candidate, Hertford & Stortford, Liberal Democrats
Michael Kielthy NHS Nurse
Mog Wilde
Naomi Long Deputy Leader of the Alliance Party and Parliamentary Candidate for Belfast East
Natalie Bennett Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales
Natalie Sleigh Special Events Coordinator, Terrence Higgins Trust
Natasha Nkonde Campaigns Officer
Natika H Halil Chief Executive, Senior Manager, FPA (Family Planning Association): sexual health charity
Neal Brown
Neil Young
Nick Keeble
Nicky Alam
Nicola Sturgeon Leader of the Scottish National Party and First Minister of Scotland
Nigel Taylor International Development Consultant
Olivia Ouwehand Welfare Officer, SOAS LGBTQ+ Society
Oonagh O’Brien Lecturer, Institute for International Health and Development, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
Owen Blacker
Paola Hayward
Pat McCusker Community Development Worker – Yorkshire MESMAC
Patricia Ann Brown
Patrick Young Executive Director, Theatre for a Change
Paul Childs Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Liverpool Riverside
Paul Clift
Paul Fuller Underwriter, Insurance
Paul Robert Walter
Peter Geubels HIV Patient champion, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital Trust
Peter J Davies
Peter James Robinson
Philip Davis
Philip Ronald Latham Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate Blyth Valley
Philippe Bruyer
Philippe Bruyer
Phillip Harvey Volunteer at Terrence Higgins Trust
Professor Kholoud Porter Professor of Epidemiology, University College London
Professor Susan Bewley Professor of Complex Obstetrics, Kings College London
R Chohan Secondary teacher
Rachael House Gallery Director, Space Station Sixty-Five, gallery
Rebecca Knecht Bi/Pan/Asexual Officer of the LGBTQIA+ Society at SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies), London
Rebecca Mbewe Caseworker, Positively UK
Rebekah Webb Freelance consultant
Rev Sheila Foreman Supernumerary Methodist Minister
Rev Simon Wilson Public Preacher
Rev Susan Brewer Church of England minister
Rev Tristan Alexander-Watts Healthcare Chaplain, NHS
Rev’d Gareth Kingston Dyer Minister of Uffculme Baptist Church
Revd Heather Leake Date Consultant Pharmacist, BSUH NHS Trust, HIVPA Expert Panel member and HIV Chaplain
Revd Kes Grant
Reverend Judith Ann Evans Vicar St Alban the Martyr Northampton Church of England
Rhodri Yorath
Ricardo Tavares Magalhaes LGBT Activist
Riccardo D’Emidio
Richard Cooper
Richard Watkins
Ricky Gellissen
Rob Hammond Psychotherapist
Robert Adamson Parliamentary Candidate (Liberal Democrats) East Yorkshire
Robert Fieldhouse Editor, BASELINE magazine
Robert Knight Unite Equality Rep
Robert Sayer Retired
Robert Sherrard
Rohit K Dasgupta Lecturer in Global Media, Winchester School of Art, University of Southampton
Roshan Verghese
Ross Boseley Health Promotion coordinator, Terrence Higgins Trust
Roy Trevelion HIV treatment advocate
Russell Cutler
Russell Derek Withers
Ruth Perkins
Ryan Shearan Entertainer/Singer
S Taylor Marketing
Sally Golding
Sally Randle
Saloni Gupta Software Engineer, Infosys
Sam Thorley
Samantha Dawson Support worker Peer mentor
Samantha Jackson Recruitment & Payroll Advisor for THT
Sandra Nakigagga
Sara Care
Sarah Anneliese Ivy Fuhrmann Support Services & Advice Manager – HIV & Hepatitis Action Wales, Terrence Higgins Trust Cymru
Sarah Brown Executive member, LGBT+ Liberal Democrats
Sarah Charis Hart
Sarah Gosling
Sarah Lewis
Sarah Louise Brown LGBT+ Lib dems exec.
Sarah Louise Woolley
Sarah Noble Executive Committee Member, LGBT+ Liberal Democrats
Sarah Radcliffe
Scott Durairaj
Scott Emery
Sean McGovern Activitst, ACT UP
Silvia Petretti Chair, UK-CAB
Simon Collins Advocate, at HIV i-Base
Simon Wright
Sophie Perry
Sophie Strachan Trustee, The Sophia Forum
Spike Rhodes
Steffeny Louise McGiffen
Stephen Gilbert MP for St Austell & Newquay 2010-2015, Liberal Democrats
Stephen Glenn Liberal Democrat Candidate for Sedgefield
Steve Craftman
Steve Dunt
Susan Harrington Student worker, the Methodist Church
Suzanne Fletcher Chair, Liberal Democrats for Seekers of Sanctuary
Sylvia Ferreira Member of South East London People’s Assembly
Tadeusz Cywinski
Tanya Rosemeyer
Teal Fraser
Theodore Gordon
Thierry Schaffauser Sex Worker
Tim Aldcroft
Tim Morrison
Tim Schuler
Tom Bishop Editorial and Production Manager, Terrence Higgins Trust
Tomos Michael Rogers
Tremaine Cornish
Trevor Banthorpe
Trevor Stables Liberal Democrat
Victoria Morris London Operations Manager for Long Term Condition Management at Terrence Higgins Trust
Victoria Roffi
Vincent Manning Chairperson, Catholics for AIDS Prevention and Support
Wendy Kasanga Children and Families Practitioner, Terrence Higgins Trust
Wezi Thamm Activist
Willie Rennie MSP Leader, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Willie Wilson Scottish Liberal Democrats
Winnie Ssanyu Sseruma Project Coordinator 1000women, NAZ
Zoe O’Connell Secretary, LGBT+ Liberal Democrats LibDem Parliamentary Candidate for Maldon
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