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21/07/2004
£150m Aids fund to help children in developing world
The government has set up a £150 million fund to help children whose parents have died from Aids, as part of a new plan to tackle the disease in the developing world.
Prime Minister Tony Blair launched the strategy yesterday at a Downing Street breakfast with women and young people who are living with Aids or have been made vulnerable by it. It will provide the framework for how the government will spend the £1.5 billion committed in last week's Spending Review.
Mr Blair described his personal commitment to providing global leadership to tackle Aids during the UK presidencies of the EU and G8 in 2005 and beyond.
"Ignoring the issue of Aids is simply not an option," he said.
The Prime Minister also announced a doubling of the UK's contribution to the Global Fund to Fight Aids, TB and Malaria over the next three years - increasing the UK donation to more than £150 million.
"This is a tragedy that spans personal and global scales and it is appalling that life expectancy in some of the worst affected areas is falling back to pre-1950 levels," said Mr Blair.
"But this is not just about the millions of personal and family tragedies appalling though these are. Already fragile economies are seeing their working age populations destroyed.
"Quite simply, we cannot hope to tackle poverty on a global scale without addressing Aids. Today's strategy will place Britain at the forefront of this response."
UNAIDS, which is the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, welcomed the government's strategy and said it reinforces the UK's position as a global Aids funder.
The UK is committed to achieving the internationally agreed Millennium Development target of having halted by 2015, and begun to reverse, the spread of HIV and Aids.
(gmcg)
Prime Minister Tony Blair launched the strategy yesterday at a Downing Street breakfast with women and young people who are living with Aids or have been made vulnerable by it. It will provide the framework for how the government will spend the £1.5 billion committed in last week's Spending Review.
Mr Blair described his personal commitment to providing global leadership to tackle Aids during the UK presidencies of the EU and G8 in 2005 and beyond.
"Ignoring the issue of Aids is simply not an option," he said.
The Prime Minister also announced a doubling of the UK's contribution to the Global Fund to Fight Aids, TB and Malaria over the next three years - increasing the UK donation to more than £150 million.
"This is a tragedy that spans personal and global scales and it is appalling that life expectancy in some of the worst affected areas is falling back to pre-1950 levels," said Mr Blair.
"But this is not just about the millions of personal and family tragedies appalling though these are. Already fragile economies are seeing their working age populations destroyed.
"Quite simply, we cannot hope to tackle poverty on a global scale without addressing Aids. Today's strategy will place Britain at the forefront of this response."
UNAIDS, which is the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, welcomed the government's strategy and said it reinforces the UK's position as a global Aids funder.
The UK is committed to achieving the internationally agreed Millennium Development target of having halted by 2015, and begun to reverse, the spread of HIV and Aids.
(gmcg)
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Today is World Aids Day and it is 30 years this month since the first diagnosis of the disease in the UK.
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Today is World Aids Day and it is 30 years this month since the first diagnosis of the disease in the UK.
30 June 2014
Teen Scout Dies On Trip To Italy
A 14-year-old teenager from the Pegasus Explorer Scout Unit has died in a swimming accident at the Lillaz Falls, in the Gran Paradiso National Park of the Italian Alps on Sunday. The incident happened at about 1,800m above sea level while the scouts were jumping into the water, where inspectors were waiting for them during one of their activities.
Teen Scout Dies On Trip To Italy
A 14-year-old teenager from the Pegasus Explorer Scout Unit has died in a swimming accident at the Lillaz Falls, in the Gran Paradiso National Park of the Italian Alps on Sunday. The incident happened at about 1,800m above sea level while the scouts were jumping into the water, where inspectors were waiting for them during one of their activities.
14 November 2005
Prisons ‘failing’ on HIV and hepatitis C
Prisons are failing to halt the spread of HIV and hepatitis C, a joint report by two charities has claimed. The report, conducted by the Prison Reform Trust and the National AIDS Trust, criticised prison healthcare as “inconsistent and often sub-standard”. The survey found that over half of prisons have no sexual health policy in place.
Prisons ‘failing’ on HIV and hepatitis C
Prisons are failing to halt the spread of HIV and hepatitis C, a joint report by two charities has claimed. The report, conducted by the Prison Reform Trust and the National AIDS Trust, criticised prison healthcare as “inconsistent and often sub-standard”. The survey found that over half of prisons have no sexual health policy in place.
24 November 2003
Agency issues warning over UK's rising HIV population
The number of people who acquire their HIV infection in the UK is increasing, according to a report published by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) to mark World AIDS Day. In addition there has been almost a 20% increase in the number of people living with HIV in the UK, up from 41,700 in 2001 to 49,500 in 2002.
Agency issues warning over UK's rising HIV population
The number of people who acquire their HIV infection in the UK is increasing, according to a report published by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) to mark World AIDS Day. In addition there has been almost a 20% increase in the number of people living with HIV in the UK, up from 41,700 in 2001 to 49,500 in 2002.
15 September 2004
Blair calls for 'immediate action' to tackle global warming
Immediate action is needed to tackle global warming if the world is to avoid facing "catastrophic consequences", the Prime Minister has warned. In a strongly worded speech in central London last night, Tony Blair said that the "irreversible and destructive" effects of global warming could "radically alter" human existence within his own lifetime.
Blair calls for 'immediate action' to tackle global warming
Immediate action is needed to tackle global warming if the world is to avoid facing "catastrophic consequences", the Prime Minister has warned. In a strongly worded speech in central London last night, Tony Blair said that the "irreversible and destructive" effects of global warming could "radically alter" human existence within his own lifetime.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
