UK Publishes 1-Year Progress Report on Antimicrobial Resistance National Action Plan
The UK Government has released its 1-year progress report on the 2024–2029 National Action Plan (NAP) for Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), reaffirming its commitment to tackling one of the greatest health threats of our time: the rise of drug-resistant infections and superbugs.
The five-year plan, launched in May 2024, sets out nine strategic outcomes across human health, animal health, agriculture, and the environment. It forms a key step towards the UK’s 20-year vision to contain, control, and mitigate antimicrobial resistance by 2040.
Why Antimicrobial Resistance Matters
AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites evolve to resist medicines designed to kill them. Without effective antibiotics and antimicrobials, even routine surgery, childbirth, or minor infections could become life-threatening.
The UK’s National Risk Register (2025) has listed AMR as a chronic biological risk, alongside pandemics. According to the National Audit Office (NAO), failing to act against rising AMR could have “huge foreseeable consequences” for UK citizens, global health, food security, and the economy.
Key Achievements in Year One
The 2024–2029 AMR National Action Plan is built on a One Health approach, recognising that resistant infections spread across people, animals, and the environment.
Highlights from the first year include:
- Public awareness campaign “Andi Biotic” – A UK Health Security Agency initiative reaching over 75,000 young people, tackling misconceptions about antibiotic use.
- Improved antibiotic stewardship in the NHS – 1.1 million fewer antibiotic prescriptions in England in 2023–24 compared with the previous year, saving £6.3 million in drug costs and reducing resistance risks.
- Innovation in diagnostics and treatment – New tools to optimise antibiotic use in hospitals and care homes, with the UK playing a global leadership role in developing rapid diagnostic technologies.
- Animal health surveillance expansion – Pilots launched to monitor AMR in healthy cats, dogs, and livestock, strengthening cross-sector understanding of resistance spread.
- Global diplomacy – The UK championed the adoption of the UN High-Level Meeting political declaration on AMR, securing 40 international commitments, including a pledge to cut global AMR deaths by 10% by 2030.
Strengthening UK Health Security
The report highlights the importance of infection prevention and control, public education, and responsible antibiotic use as the backbone of AMR strategy. It also stresses innovation, with investment in new antimicrobials, vaccines, and diagnostics through schemes like the UK antibiotic subscription model, which incentivises drug development.
Neil O’Brien, Minister for Public Health, said:
“Superbugs are one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century. This progress report shows the UK is taking bold action – from educating young people to driving international change – to protect antibiotics for future generations.”
Looking Ahead
Over 500 deliverables are being implemented by partners including the NHS, UKHSA, DEFRA, FSA, devolved governments, and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. Future priorities include:
- Embedding AMR education into secondary school curricula from 2026.
- Expanding NHS stewardship programmes to further reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescribing.
- Scaling up surveillance in the environment, including wastewater and farm waste.
- Leading international research partnerships to develop next-generation treatments.
The UK’s fight against antimicrobial resistance is not just a health policy – it’s a matter of national security and global leadership. This progress report demonstrates the UK’s determination to confront AMR head-on, protect essential medicines, and safeguard lives in the UK and worldwide.
