Latest news with #HealthandSocialCareBill
Spectator
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Spectator
Lord Falconer's selective constitutional memory
Good old Charlie Falconer. For more than 15 years now, the noble Lord has been trying, desperately, to ram assisted dying through parliament. Kim Leadbeater's Bill represents his eighth attempt at legalising suicide following previous efforts in 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2019, 2022 and 2024. Now, with a narrow majority of just 23 MPs backing Leadbeater's legislation, Falconer clearly senses the victory that has eluded him for so long… The New Labour grandee penned a piece in the Times last week headlined 'Assisted dying will end the anguish. We won't let wreckers derail it.' It concluded that MPs had 'decided the law must change. The Lords will scrutinise and improve but it will respect and give effect to that decision.' In short, what MPs say, goes. Appearing subsequently on Tuesday's edition of the Today programme, he was asked whether the role of the Lords was to 'ultimately uphold something that the directly elected members of the Commons have decided to go ahead with.' 'Correct', replied Falconer. But has the good Lord himself stuck to this self-denying ordinance? A quick look at his voting record would certainly suggest not. For back in October 2011, he was one of 220 Peers, mostly Labour, who tried to vote down the Coalition's Health and Social Care Bill – despite it having passed the Commons with a majority of 65 MPs at Third Reading. He subsequently tried to delay Tory changes to tax credits in October 2015, despite it passing the Commons with a majority of 22. And, more recently, he voted against the 2023 Illegal Migration Bill – despite a Commons majority of 59. The point here is *not* that the Lords cannot vote down legislation passed by MPs. It is that those supporting assisted dying ought to recognise the rights and responsibilities of the Upper House – and be honest about their own voting records in parliament. Otherwise there will be inevitable talk of rules for thee but not for me…
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'I entered foster care as a child - I know why planned changes are so important'
The fostering community in Wales is speaking out on the "valuable" benefits of local authority care as The Welsh Government's landmark Health and Social Care Bill starts the process of removing profit from the children's care system. The move will make Wales the first UK nation to remove profit from both residential and foster care for children. The 'staying local' campaign by Foster Wales demonstrates how the policy will allow young people in care to maintain ties with their local area, community, friends and school, something care experienced individuals believe is crucial. Statistics from last year reveal 85% of youngsters with local authority foster carers stayed within their region, contrasting with 31% of those under commercial fostering agencies; 7% were relocated out of Wales altogether. Em Hattersley spent her teenage years in foster care and now dedicates her career to helping care-experienced young people navigate education. Em believes being able to stay in her school made a massive difference. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here. READ MORE: She was planning her funeral before her life was saved - others might not be so lucky READ MORE: Two cars become 'well and truly stuck' on notorious Welsh beach She said: "When I went into secondary school it was the longest stint of education I had. Having that consistency in my life was hugely valuable and meant I didn't have to move around and get used to new people all the time. "Moving and changing schools really does have an impact on a young person's identity, so being able to stay local is hugely positive." Sophia Warner, now 29, entered the foster care system at two-years-old and found herself in permanent care aged eight. Despite a "chaotic" start to life it was during these years she discovered her passion for art. Sophia has produced a painting reflecting the profound influence foster care has had on her life and her family as part of the campaign. She emphasised the importance of local authority foster care in maintaining sibling bonds, which she believes is a priority. She said: "Maintaining ties with your community, your school and familiar surroundings can help ease some of that transition, but at the heart of it, it's about the relationships and connections that young people need to thrive, especially with their siblings. Keeping siblings together should always be a priority. It helps young people feel less alone, and it gives them the emotional support they need during such a difficult time." Pontypridd-based foster carers Tim and Victoria have called switching from a commercial fostering agency to Foster Wales Rhondda Cynon Taf "the best decision we ever made". Victoria said: "Previously, we'd always cared for older children. When we started fostering through our local authority, we started caring for a younger girl – something we'd never done before. But the help we received was so refreshing." Speaking on the changes, Dawn Bowden MS, Minister for Children and Social Care said: "I am delighted that the Health and Social Care (Wales) Bill has been passed by the Senedd. We want to radically transform children's services in Wales, and this Bill will enable us to eliminate profit from the care of looked after children within both children's homes and fostering services." Figures show there are over 7,000 children in the Welsh care system but only 3,800 foster families. Foster Wales is aiming to recruit more than 800 new foster families by 2026 to ensure every child has a welcoming home. Alastair Cope, Head of Foster Wales, said: "Local authority fostering ensures public finance is retained within local government to support better outcomes and sustainable services for children. It means young people can stay within their local communities and in Wales, which is hugely important."
