Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 11
11
Not Addressed
Cuts to ODA funding threaten UK's global AMR efforts and Fleming Fund initiatives
Conclusion
An important part of the UK’s international work on AMR is the aid provided, particularly through the Fleming Fund, to fund AMR initiatives in low- and middle-income countries. This aid can help support the global fight against AMR, for example by helping to develop surveillance and data collection for AMR in countries with less well-established healthcare systems.25 DHSC told us that the recent announcement of cuts to the UK’s Official Development Assistance spending is likely to put international development efforts on AMR under pressure.26 Cuts in other countries’ aid budgets might have the same effect.27 We received a number of written submissions that stressed the benefits of UK aid-funded projects on global AMR, and raised concerns that cuts to development aid may hinder the UK’s ability to contribute to the global fight against AMR.28 Progress on the 2019–24 National Action Plan
Government Response Summary
The government states the recommendation is "implemented" and outlines how AMR is addressed in the National Action Plan and trade agreements, but does not address the committee's specific concern regarding the impact of UK aid cuts on international AMR efforts.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
1.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 1.2 Tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR) requires a coordinated and comprehensive global response. The 2024 – 2029 UK National Action Plan to confront AMR (NAP) includes commitments to drive international action and is complemented by an ambitious political declaration at the UNGA High Level meeting on AMR of 2024, which the United Kingdom championed. 1.3 AMR measures have been secured in several of the UK’s recent trade agreements, including the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement, which contains AMR provisions aiming to strengthen international cooperation on AMR. The UK maintains regulatory autonomy over its AMR policy and framework. 1.4 Defra and DHSC contribute to trade negotiations. Defra leads on the Sanitary and Phytosanitary chapter, including AMR provisions, with DHSC providing advice. All mandates are subject to collective Cabinet agreement. 1.5 For new free trade agreements (FTAs), the Trade and Agriculture Commission (TAC) scrutinises whether the measures applicable to trade in agricultural products are consistent with the maintenance of UK levels of statutory protection in relation to a) animal or plant health; b) animal welfare, and c) environmental protections. This includes AMR. The TAC confirmed that recently concluded trade deals do not limit the UK’s ability to regulate imports to safeguard against the harmful effects of antimicrobial use. 1.6 Similarly, the Food Standards Agency provides independent assessments on whether agreements uphold statutory protections for human health. The FSA has reviewed the FTAs with Australia, New Zealand, and the UK’s accession to CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership), and concluded that these agreements maintain existing protections, including those related to AMR. 1.7 DHSC and Defra work with the Cabinet Office to ensure AMR is captured effectively as a chronic risk on the National Risk Register, highlighting domestic and international risks, across humans, animals and the environment.