The initiative is organized by the Terrence Higgins Trust and is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care, aiming to promote regular home testing.

This initiative coincided with the start of National HIV Testing Week, which runs from February 10-17, 2025.

Starmer completed the test alongside soul singer Beverley Knight, highlighting the simplicity and speed of the process, which only took minutes.

During this week, the public can order one of 20,000 free, confidential at-home tests that provide results in just 15 minutes.

Polling by YouGov revealed that over 80% of adults in England are unaware that at-home testing for HIV is available, despite it being the preferred method for 44% of respondents.

Currently, approximately 107,000 people live with HIV in the UK, with around 4,700 unaware of their condition, underscoring the need for increased testing initiatives.

Richard Angell praised Starmer's actions, stressing the importance of intensified testing to meet the goal of eliminating new HIV transmissions.

On February 7, 2025, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer took a public HIV test at 10 Downing Street to destigmatize HIV testing and promote National HIV Testing Week.

The campaign aims to identify these 4,700 undiagnosed individuals, contributing to the goal of eliminating new HIV transmissions by 2030.

Starmer emphasized that knowing one's HIV status is crucial for accessing treatment and achieving the objective of eradicating new HIV cases.

Starmer's broader vision for public health reform includes reorganizing the NHS to address significant health issues, including the recent 46% increase in HIV diagnoses in 2023.

This public demonstration follows a precedent set in 2016 when Prince Harry's live HIV test with Rihanna resulted in a 500% increase in testing requests.