Last year 15 people in UK contracted HIV while waiting for preventative treatment - Liberal Democrats commit to global goal of ending AIDS by 2030

Dr Wendy Taylor, pharmacist Ali Avaei and Nick Cott, the Liberal Democrats candidates for the three Newcastle seats, mark World AIDS Day today, 1st December, by rememberimg those who have tragically lost their lives to AIDS. They said :

"We have come a long way in tackling this awful disease, but we must build a future where we end the epidemic altogether.

"Today, nobody should be contracting HIV. But last year alone, 15 people did so while waiting to access preventative treatment, PrEP.

"For years the Liberal Democrats have been calling on the Conservatives in government to extend PrEP to everyone who needs it. But they have refused. It is available in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but not in England. The Conservatives do not appear to care - they haven't mentioned PrEP or HIV once in their manifesto.

"The Liberal Democrats are committed to meeting the Global Goal to end AIDS by 2030. We will build a brighter future where everyone who needs PrEP has access to it for free and where sexual health services are properly funded."