HIV Discrimination in UK Causing Poverty

Hate crime and discrimination against people with HIV in the UK are driving some into poverty and isolation, according to a report by the National Aids Trust and Crusaid charities.

The study, which was launched to mark World Aids Day on Friday, also blamed government policies on asylum for causing poverty.
The government said adequate levels of support were being provided.

The report said that since Crusaid was established in 1986, one in three people diagnosed with HIV had turned to the Crusaid Hardship Fund for support.

In the past four years, applications from those in the most extreme poverty had risen by 33 per cent, the report said.

In 2005, the average income of applicants to the Hardship Fund fell to £60 per week, while the number of applications for basic needs such as food and clothing has risen.

The report also said restrictions on asylum seekers' rights to work
and benefits were fuelling the problem.

It said many HIV positive asylum seekers were living in
substandard housing and were unable to afford basic food and clothing.

Deborah Jack, chief executive of the National Aids Trust, said: "It's shocking that one in three of all people diagnosed with HIV in the UK have experienced real poverty.

"Much of this poverty arises from government policy decisions and from continuing discrimination in society.

"Urgent action is needed to end the unjust burden of poverty on so many people living with HIV - our report sets out a clear agenda to make this happen."

On World AIDS Day last Friday, more than 250 young adults in Northern Ireland helped Christian relief agency Tearfund launch their new Work a Miracle appeal at the Strand cinema, Belfast.

The appeal aims to help HIV-infected women get access to medicines and information that will prevent their babies being born with the disease.