Latest news with #BobBlackman
News18
11-07-2025
- Politics
- News18
UK MP Flags Threats To Hindus, Other Minorities In Bangladesh, Urges PM Starmer To Act
Last Updated: UK MP also criticised Bangladesh's interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, for failing to announce the dates of its general election British Conservative Party MP Bob Blackman on Friday raised concern in the UK Parliament over rising threats to religious minorities in Bangladesh, including Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, and members of the Ahmadiyya community. In his speech, he urged the Keir Starmer-led government to act and press Bangladesh to uphold democratic values and protect minority communities. Sharing a video of his remarks on social media platform X, Blackman said he had again brought the issue of minority rights in Bangladesh to Parliament's attention. I raised my concerns in about the rising threats on Hindu, Christian, Buddhist & Ahmadiyya minorities in Rath Yatra celebrations were recently attacked. The Govt must press Bangladesh to protect minorities and uphold democracy. — Bob Blackman (@BobBlackman) July 11, 2025 He recalled hosting a recent seminar where representatives from the Hindu, Christian, Buddhist and Ahmadi communities spoke about the growing attacks and hostility they face in Bangladesh. Blackman said these groups are 'under direct attack" and called for stronger international pressure to ensure their safety. Referring to recent incidents, Blackman highlighted how the peaceful celebration of rath yatra in Bangladesh was targeted by Islamist groups. 'The were attacked by Islamist thugs, and I absolutely disgracefully destroyed that wonderful, peaceful procession." Raising a formal request, the MP urged the Leader of the House to arrange for a statement from UK Foreign Office Ministers next week. 'Could the Leader arrange for a statement from Foreign Office Ministers next week on what action the UK will take to press Bangladesh to safeguard its minority communities?," he asked. Blackman's comments came just a day after a prominent Bangladeshi rights group accused Dhaka's government of ignoring more than 2,000 crimes against religious minorities and excluding them from its planned reforms. The Hindu–Buddhist–Christian Unity Council reported it had recorded 2,442 incidents between 4 August last year and 30 June this year. These included murders, rapes, gang rapes, and vandalism of temples, homes, and businesses. Speaking to the media, Monindra Kumar Nath, the council's general secretary, said the government had dismissed their concerns as 'false, fabricated, and exaggerated," while alleging that those responsible for the attacks were 'enjoying impunity." The council also criticised the government for excluding religious minorities from its reform commissions, which are tasked with ending discrimination in society. (With inputs from agencies) view comments First Published: July 11, 2025, 22:18 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Daily Record
23-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
State Pension age compensation scheme for millions of WASPI women to be debated next week
An estimated 3.6 million women were financially impacted by the increase to the State Pension age. The Chair of the Backbench Business Committee has announced there will be a parliamentary debate on a motion over 'financial redress for 1950s women impacted by the Department for Work and Pensions' (DWP) maladministration of the State Pension ' next week. Bob Blackman confirmed the debate will take place on Thursday, July 3 during the weekly 'Business of the House' session in the Commons last week. The debate will be of keen interest to the WASPI women (Women Against State Pension Inequality) campaign who announced on Monday they have secured a vital legal safeguard in their bid for a compensation scheme for an estimated 3.6 million women after the High Court approved a limit on the campaign's liability for DWP defence costs. WASPI is seeking a judicial review to force the UK Government to reconsider its decision to rule out a compensation package for women affected by the way changes to the State Pension age were communicated. The DWP has agreed to a costs capping order, protecting each side in the event they lose. The agreement limits WASPI's liability for UK Government legal costs to £60,000, and caps the UK Government's liability for WASPI's legal costs at £90,000. WASPI has welcomed the breakthrough as a 'major milestone' in their fight to secure a lawful Government response to the Ombudsman's compensation proposals for 1950s-born women. However, campaigners stress the order does not reduce the actual legal costs of the case, which will be much higher. Earlier this month, Mr Justice Swift, a senior High Court judge ruled that the case is 'arguable' and 'ought to be considered at a final hearing', meaning ministers could be ordered to re-think their position on compensation if WASPI wins the argument in court. But arguing the case involves submitting thousands of pages of evidence, and winning key legal arguments on a complex body of case law. The campaign continues to ask supporters to contribute to its legal fighting fund as preparations begin for a full hearing later this year - they must raise enough to cover not only the capped UK Government costs, but those of the legal team fighting the case. The judicial review will examine the Government's rejection of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's (PHSO) recommendations for compensation, ranging between £1,000 and £2,950, despite ministers' acceptance that maladministration had occurred. In December 2024, the UK Government said that, while it accepted the Ombudsman's finding of maladministration and apologised for there being a delay in writing to 1950s-born women, a blanket compensation scheme, which could cost taxpayers up to £10.5 billion, cannot be justified. Angela Madden, Chair of Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI), said: 'This agreement - fully approved by the court - is a vital step forward in our legal campaign. 'We now have the certainty we need to press on, but the costs of fighting this case remain very real. Our expert legal team is showing they can and do win victories against the government but it takes time and forensic presentation of our evidence, and that costs money. 'This is the fight of our lives and we can't win it without public support.' Earlier this month, WASPI launched a new interactive tool which shows the UK-wide state of play of MP support for a compensation scheme for women affected by changes to their retirement age. The new analysis shows 179 MPs have publicly blasted the UK Government's decision not to compensate WASPI women in recent months. WASPI said that of these, 56 Labour MPs have openly criticised Downing Street's failure to deliver justice, while dozens more are thought to be supportive behind the scenes, including several senior ministers. The map shows how smaller parties are almost unanimous in their support, with a strong coalition of Liberal Democrat, Reform UK, SNP, Green, Plaid Cymru and DUP MPs backing calls to compensate WASPI women. The smaller parties are almost unanimous in their support, with a strong coalition of Liberal Democrat, Reform UK, SNP, Green, Plaid Cymru and DUP MPs backing calls to compensate WASPI women. Around a dozen Conservative MPs have also recently reaffirmed their support for compensation. The findings come at the launch of WASPI's new website, which has new resources to enable supporters to write to their MP and join the campaign for as little as £15 per year. Some of the strongest advocates for WASPI women include members of the State Pension Inequality for Women APPG, chaired by Labour MP Rebecca Long-Bailey. The cross-party group of MPs is one of the largest in Parliament and includes representatives from across the major political parties who have vowed to continue the fight for justice. However, WASPI campaigners say 134 MPs previously backed calls for compensation but have failed to reaffirm their support since the Labour Government's announcement in December. The figures do not include serving government ministers or whips, at least 80 of whom have previously pledged their support for the campaign. All MPs' positions on compensation can be found on WASPI's interactive 'state of the nation' map, alongside new campaign resources, here.
News18
19-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
'India's Gift To The World': British MP Bob Blackman Hosts Yoga Event In UK Parliament
Last Updated: International Yoga Day is observed every year on June 21 to promote physical, mental, and spiritual well-being British Conservative MP Bob Blackman on Thursday hosted a special yoga session in the UK Parliament. The event, held just ahead of International Yoga Day on June 21, saw the participation of several Members of Parliament and staff. Sharing photos from the gathering on social media platform X, Blackman wrote, 'I hostedhosted a fantastic Yoga event in Parliament, atended by many MPs and colleagues. Yoga is India's gift to the world!" I hosted a fantastic Yoga event in Parliament, atended by many MPs and colleagues. Yoga is India's gift to the world! This Saturday marks #InternationalYogaDay2025 — Bob Blackman (@BobBlackman) June 19, 2025 Earlier in the day, he had invited his fellow parliamentarians to join the session. 'This Saturday is the longest day and also #InternationalYogaDay – India's gift to the world! I invited colleagues to our Yoga event in Parliament, to practice yoga and having a healthy, long life," he shared on the platform. International Yoga Day is observed every year on June 21 to promote physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Recognised by the United Nations in 2014, the day highlights the many benefits of yoga, from improving flexibility and strength to reducing stress and anxiety. Blackman, MP for Harrow East, is well-known for his strong support for India in the UK Parliament. He has repeatedly spoken out in favour of India's domestic and foreign policy stances and has openly criticised Pakistan for allegedly backing cross-border terrorism. Earlier this month, Blackman had called on the UK government, led by Labour's Keir Starmer, to stand firmly with India in its fight against terrorism. He had also highlighted his meeting with an all-party delegation of Indian parliamentarians and reaffirmed his support for India's military operation, Operation Sindoor, calling Pakistan a 'failed state" in the context of terrorism. First Published:
The Herald Scotland
17-06-2025
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
More and more children aware of nicotine pouches, charity warns
There is currently a lack of evidence on the health effects of the pouches, which are placed under the top lip. The current law means people of any age can also buy them. In February, trading standards teams in Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Dorset warned they were seeing a 'significant growth' in illegal versions containing potentially dangerous levels of nicotine. A new YouGov survey commissioned by the charity Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) has found a growing awareness of nicotine pouches among under-18s – rising from 38% in 2024 to 43% in 2025. Almost 4% of teenagers also report trying the pouches, according to the poll of 2,746 youngsters aged 11 to 17. Ash data also shows that between 2023 and 2025, nicotine pouch use has increased among younger adults aged 18 to 34. Some 2.6% of 18 to 34-year-olds currently use them, compared to 0.2% of those aged over 55. Ash said that while nicotine pouches are less harmful than smoking, there are currently no limits on the strength of the nicotine, and few controls over their marketing and advertising. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill is currently going through Parliament which will ban the advertising and sponsorship of all vapes and other nicotine products (such as nicotine pouches) and ban all vapes and nicotine products (and non-nicotine vapes) from being sold to under-18s. Conservative MP Bob Blackman, co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Smoking and Health, said: 'Many of the big nicotine pouch brands are owned by tobacco companies with decades of experience targeting our children. 'The longer it takes for this Government to regulate, the more time the tobacco industry has to promote their products to the next generation.' Ash said the Government must now prioritise the passage of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. Hazel Cheeseman, chief executive of Ash, said: 'The surge in teen awareness and growing levels of use in young adults over the last two years indicates that the industry's marketing strategies are working. 'Products are highly promoted in shops and on social media with football stars and male influencers used to further raise their profile. 'Nicotine pouches are very likely to be less harmful than smoking. However, they must be properly regulated.' Tobacco and vapes lead for Chartered Trading Standards Institute, Kate Pike, said: 'I hear from trading standards teams across the country who are getting reports from concerned citizens who have seen teenagers being sold these products. 'However, there is no action we can take until the law is changed as no offence is being committed.' A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: 'Our landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill will ban the sale of nicotine pouches to under-18s and stop vapes and nicotine products from being deliberately promoted and advertised to children. 'The Bill will place nicotine pouches under the same advertising restrictions as tobacco and provides powers to regulate their nicotine limits, flavours, packaging and how they are displayed. 'It will stop the next generation from getting hooked on nicotine and put an end to the cycle of addiction and disadvantage.'
South Wales Guardian
17-06-2025
- Health
- South Wales Guardian
More and more children aware of nicotine pouches, charity warns
The pouches, which contain addictive nicotine and often sweeteners and flavourings, can be bought cheaply and are frequently used as a tobacco substitute. There is currently a lack of evidence on the health effects of the pouches, which are placed under the top lip. The current law means people of any age can also buy them. In February, trading standards teams in Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Dorset warned they were seeing a 'significant growth' in illegal versions containing potentially dangerous levels of nicotine. A new YouGov survey commissioned by the charity Action on Smoking and Health (Ash) has found a growing awareness of nicotine pouches among under-18s – rising from 38% in 2024 to 43% in 2025. Almost 4% of teenagers also report trying the pouches, according to the poll of 2,746 youngsters aged 11 to 17. Ash data also shows that between 2023 and 2025, nicotine pouch use has increased among younger adults aged 18 to 34. Some 2.6% of 18 to 34-year-olds currently use them, compared to 0.2% of those aged over 55. Ash said that while nicotine pouches are less harmful than smoking, there are currently no limits on the strength of the nicotine, and few controls over their marketing and advertising. The Tobacco and Vapes Bill is currently going through Parliament which will ban the advertising and sponsorship of all vapes and other nicotine products (such as nicotine pouches) and ban all vapes and nicotine products (and non-nicotine vapes) from being sold to under-18s. Conservative MP Bob Blackman, co-chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Smoking and Health, said: 'Many of the big nicotine pouch brands are owned by tobacco companies with decades of experience targeting our children. 'The longer it takes for this Government to regulate, the more time the tobacco industry has to promote their products to the next generation.' Ash said the Government must now prioritise the passage of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. Hazel Cheeseman, chief executive of Ash, said: 'The surge in teen awareness and growing levels of use in young adults over the last two years indicates that the industry's marketing strategies are working. 'Products are highly promoted in shops and on social media with football stars and male influencers used to further raise their profile. 'Nicotine pouches are very likely to be less harmful than smoking. However, they must be properly regulated.' Tobacco and vapes lead for Chartered Trading Standards Institute, Kate Pike, said: 'I hear from trading standards teams across the country who are getting reports from concerned citizens who have seen teenagers being sold these products. 'However, there is no action we can take until the law is changed as no offence is being committed.'
