Budget cuts close UK body tackling antimicrobial resistance

The government is scrapping a programme that helps tackle antimicrobial resistance in the developing world because of cuts to the aid budget.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is seen as one of the top global public health and development threats, with the World Health Organization estimating that bacterial AMR was directly responsible for 1.27 million global deaths in 2019. Branded a “silent pandemic” by the United Nations, experts have repeatedly warned that the threat posed by AMR transcends borders.

The £265m Fleming Fund supports the surveillance of AMR in 25 countries across Africa and Asia. However, it emerged last week that the fund has been quietly shelved.

During a committee hearing on Tuesday, Ashley Dalton, a parliamentary under-secretary for public health, was asked about “the decision to close that Fleming Fund”.

She told MPs: “We are all working in a difficult financial situation and some choices have had to be made. Whilst the Fleming Fund itself isn’t continuing, the partnerships are, the information is and the expertise is.”

A government spokesperson confirmed the move, telling The Observer: “To fund a necessary increase in defence spending, the government has taken the decision to reduce our development assistance budget.”

In February, Keir Starmer announced he was cutting the aid budget from 0.5% of gross national income to 0.3%. The budget was initially cut to 0.5% by then chancellor Rishi Sunak in November 2020, with successive governments stating that the budget would return to 0.7% “when the fiscal situation allows.”

At the same time as the government is backing off from global support, it is ramping up its focus on the issue domestically. The 10-year health plan highlighted the risk posed by AMR domestically, noting the “significant human cost, as well as additional NHS expenditure” it can cause, with infections including gonorrhoea, tuberculosis and MRSA.

Jeremy Knox, head of policy, infectious diseases, at the Wellcome Trust, told BBC Radio 4 that as well as a “direct impact on the health of people in countries in Africa and Asia” the move would also undermine the UK’s standing. “The UK stepping back from leadership on AMR risks sending a signal that the UK isn’t a reliable partner.”