This week in Parliament I showed my support for National HIV Testing Week.

Throughout the week, free HIV testing kits are available to order across England from www.startswithme.org.uk.

This comes as polling by YouGov, on behalf of leading HIV charity Terrence Higgins Trust, has found that more than 80% of adults in England are unaware it is possible to test for HIV at home. However, when prompted as an option, at-home testing was the most popular way to know your HIV status, with 44% of people saying it would be their preference.

It is estimated that around 4,700 people in England are currently living with undiagnosed HIV. Despite an overall low prevalence of diagnosed HIV amongst people aged 15-59 years at county level, the rate in Norwich city has remained high (above two in every 1,000 people) in the last decade.

Once diagnosed, people living with HIV can access free, effective treatment which means they can have a normal life expectancy and can’t pass on the virus.

Order a free HIV testing kit from www.startswithme.org.uk.