Latest news with #PrivateMembers'Bill
Edinburgh Reporter
22-07-2025
- Health
- Edinburgh Reporter
Edinburgh South West MP's bill progresses
A bill to highlight the need for research into cancers which are designated 'rare', and which was introduced by Dr Scott Arthur, MP for Edinburgh South West, has now progressed to the House of Lords. A first reading of the Rare Cancers Bill has already been heard in the Lords, it is expected to returns there in the autumn for its second reading. The purpose of the new law is to 'make provision to incentivise, research and investment into the treatment of rare types of cancer'. These are the group of cancers in respect of which little progress has been made in researching treatment or a cure. The Rare Cancers Bill is what is known as a ballot bill – a type of Private Members' Bill used in the House of Commons. Around ten months ago Dr Arthur was chosen to pick a numbered ping pong ball out of a goldfish bowl at the start of the parliamentary term to give him the chance of proposing a Ballot Bill. He was then able to choose his own subject matter. Dr Arthur said: 'It feels like things are lining up. The vast bulk of these bills do fail, so it's tremendous to get this far. And let's hope it doesn't fail, but what it's done so far is it's really got people talking about rare cancers, and it's really put some of the charities which support this sector in the spotlight, and it's been a chance for them to connect with people as well.' He continued: 'What got me started on this was that my father-in-law died of a type of brain tumour called glioblastoma, which is a rare cancer type. It wasn't until I drew the ballot and people started to contact me about what I could focus my bill on that I found that the type of brain tumour he died from – there's been no real progress in terms of treatment for decades. 'And what happened to him, he died around six months after a diagnosis. That is not unusual. I think on average, glioblastoma, nine months. Some people do live significantly longer than that, particularly if they manage to get surgery. But nine months is the average life expectancy after diagnosis. And it's the same for a lot of cancers in this field where there's just not been the progress. 'I spoke to the father of a preschool child, she had neuroblastoma, which is a type of cancer which attaches itself to your internal organs, and she died. And again, same story, he found out there's just so little money going into researching that cancer type and just not enough progress. And people in Edinburgh will remember Kira the Machine, the teenager, she had the same type of cancer and she's been able to access trials and cutting edge treatments, but still 10 years on, she still has the cancer and it's still a big part of her life.' 'The bill has the backing of around 40 charities which was useful as the bill came to the House of Commons for its Third Reading to be met with many amendments from fellow MP Sir Christopher Chope. The charities sent 120,000 emails to their supporters and some contacted their own MPs which meant the bill had a lot of support to get through the Commons. 'I think I've said this many times, I've always felt it was better to come away with something rather than nothing. Some of the private members bills, what MPs do, because they know how difficult it can be to succeed. What they do is they aim really high and they create a fantastic campaign because it's about raising awareness and they accept that ultimately there's a good chance it's not going to succeed. But our focus is on succeeding and actually delivering something.' His parliamentary colleague Tracy Gilbert also secured a Ballot Bill – hers was a different topic completely – the Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Bill, and that has also passed to the House of Lords for a Second Reading. Third Reading Dr Arthur said in the House of Commons during the Third Reading that when he was successful in having his bill supported he got 'so many emails, many of which were about glioblastoma. The reality is that someone who was diagnosed that day with glioblastoma would more than likely be dead by now – that is how serious the condition is'. The Edinburgh South West MP has used the parliamentary time to mention several constituents who have or have had a rare cancer. He said: 'I shared the tragic stories of a young constituent called Tilly, who passed away from neuroblastoma, and Kira, who has lived with the same condition for a decade—half of her life. I am proud to wear the Solving Kids' Cancer badge, which Kira's mother Aud gave me when I last met her. 'One lady travelled quite far to meet me at my constituency surgery in July in Tesco in Colinton Mains. Her daughter was diagnosed with a sarcoma. In Tesco, next to the bleeping self-checkout aisles, she told me about the uncertainty she had faced after that diagnosis and how she had found it impossible even to understand which trials were available, let alone access them. I could see that she had felt powerless and had lost hope. The other reason she was in Edinburgh – perhaps the most important reason – was that she was meeting her ex-husband to scatter her daughter's ashes in a local park. What is happening to people who face these conditions is quite incredible, so it is right that we seek to address them.' He explained to the House that there are three recurring themes in all the stories he has heard – the first is frustration, the second is perseverance and the third is that every story concludes with an offer of help from those patients who 'know that their options are limited'. Dr Arthur said: 'For far too long, rare cancer patients have been left behind—as medical science makes significant progress in many other complex fields, we have not seen enough progress in this one—but they feel this piece of legislation could mark a meaningful shift for many and turn out to be life-altering, perhaps even lifesaving, for some. There is one statistic that I often mention: rare cancers are not really rare, as they account for 47% of all cancer diagnoses in the UK each year. That equates to 180,000 people. If you are one of those 47%, two things are true: you are more likely to face outdated treatments and you are more likely to die.' The bill should spark a government review of what are known as 'orphan drugs' – a term which Dr Arthur says he prefers to talk about rare conditions – to explore new ways of getting the drugs companies to try to find innovative treatments for rare cancers. He hopes this will reduce barriers to research and also mean more trials are conducted in the UK, so saving more lives. Dr Scott Arthur MP (Edinburgh South West, Labour) presenting his bill to the Speaker in October 2024. Dr Scott Arthur MP (Edinburgh South West, Labour) PHOTO © House of Commons Like this: Like Related
Daily Record
22-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Parking pavement ban - is it illegal in Scotland?
Parking pavement ban - is it illegal in Scotland? People are still confused about pavement parking across Scotland and the rest of the UK You should not park on the pavement in Scotland (Image: Getty ) You may have heard that pavement parking is frowned upon. But is it actually illegal and where are the restrictions in place According to RAC Drive, the Department for Transport (DfT) announced it's considering making the rest of the country follow suit with two places across the UK which have already made parking on pavements illegal. These two locations are London and Scotland. And i f you ignore these rules, motorists may see themselves slapped with with a £70 fine. Is it illegal to park on the pavement? Motor experts at RAC Drive explained: "Parking on the pavement is not illegal outside of London and Scotland. Drivers should be aware of the rules (Image: Getty ) "You can, however, still get a fine for doing so in some instances, which makes the law quite a grey area." In fact, since 1974, Highway Code rule 244 has stated that drivers "MUST NOT park partially or wholly on the pavement in London and should not do so elsewhere unless signs permit it." Interestingly, they point out there are two key words you need to be aware of - this includes the words "must not" and "should not." With this in mind, they note: "In London and Scotland, you must not park on the pavement, the must indicating there is legislation behind this rule and you could receive a fine for breaking it. "However, outside of the capital, Scotland, or "elsewhere", the Highway Code states drivers should not park on the pavement, meaning it is advisory and not, therefore, backed up by any legislation." Why is it illegal in only London and Scotland? A Private Members' Bill aimed at making pavement parking illegal across the UK was introduced in Parliament in 2015. However, it failed to progress past the second reading in the House of Commons due to concerns about where residents of narrow streets could park if off-street spaces were unavailable. The Transport (Scotland) Act 2019 prohibits pavement parking, double parking and parking at dropped kerbs. There is of course specific exemptions granted by local authorities such as allowing safe access for emergency vehicles. Since December 2023, local authorities can fine drivers £100 for parking on the pavement, reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days. As of June 2025, nowhere else in the UK has banned parking on the pavement, RAC stated. How much will I be fined for parking on a pavement? The fine could be hefty (Image: Getty ) In Scotland, drivers can be fined £100; reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days. The fine for parking on the pavement varies across London. Transport for London currently manages 5% of the capital's roads, where drivers can face a penalty of up to £130 for parking on pavements - or half that amount if paid within 14 days. The Greater London Council (General Powers) Act prohibits motorists from parking on urban roads with their vehicle's wheels on pavements, grass verges, or any land situated between carriageways. What about the rest of England? Whether you're going on a trip or live in England, Rule 242 states: "You MUST NOT leave your vehicle or trailer in a dangerous position or where it causes any unnecessary obstruction of the road." Using the word "must not" means, according to the RAC, if "your car is reported or seen by a police officer and judged to be either in a dangerous position or causing an unnecessary obstruction of the road, you could receive a Fixed Penalty Notice." Article continues below In the rest of the UK, pavement parking is allowed unless explicitly banned by a local authority via a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO), which will be indicated on nearby road signs, they conclude.
Edinburgh Reporter
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
Gilbert's Bill makes its way to the House of Lords
Tracy Gilbert, MP for Edinburgh North and Leith, was chosen in October last year to introduce the Absent Voting (Elections in Scotland and Wales) Bill. This 'Ballot Bill' or private members bill received its second reading on 17 January 2025 and has been making progress through the Commons. It will now be considered by the House of Lords where it has already had its first reading. It is open to any MP who is not a government minister to propose a Private Members' Bill, and then they can proceed with it if their bill is chosen in the ballot. There were 458 MPs in the ballot in autumn 2024 – and two of those who were successful were Edinburgh MPs. The topic is chosen by the MP themselves but usually tries to change the law in a specific area. Scott Arthur MP was the other and he chose to pursue the matter of Rare Cancers which is also now in the House of Lords. Ms Gilbert told The Edinburgh Reporter: 'My bill has gone through all the stages in the House of Commons and we now need it to pass through the Lords. I'm still waiting to hear from the civil servants when that'll happen, but fingers crossed it should become law. And the bill is about absent voting. So in October '23, the UK gGovernment introduced an online digital service to enable people to apply online for a proxy or an absent voting application. If you were going to be on holiday for the general election or if you were not able to vote and you wanted to have someone else voting on your behalf you could apply online. But that only applied to England and Scotland and Wales for General Elections. It didn't apply for Scottish Government and Senedd elections, or for local government elections. My law, if passed, will enable us to use that digital service in Scotland and Wales for all elections so we're trying to get that through so that it's in place for May 2026.' She also explained that at the General Election in 2024 some 1.5 million people applied online for an online or proxy vote. And 90% of the people who applied were successful. Ms Gilbert said: 'Although it's a technical and geeky bill, it's actually quite nice because it changes the Scotland Act and the Welsh Act and Electoral Act and actually it will help, hopefully, our democracy and encourage people to use their democratic right to vote.' Any MP can be chosen in this lottery to champion a Private Members Bill and it can be on any subject but Ms Gilbert explained that it cannot cost money to pass the legislation. She sifted through quite a number of bills but this was the ones landed on. And she was most complimentary of the civil servants. She said: 'Thank goodness for the civil servants, because this has been their life working on this piece of legislation in the background. Long before I was even thought of as an MP, there's these bits of legislation or bills that people are thinking about which might be useful for the rest of the UK. 'Their knowledge and experience really leads and guides you between the civil servants and the clerks in the House of Commons, tailoring how you manage to pass this legislation and make it your own. They help support you through all the technical stages of the bill with amendments and making sure that it goes through smoothly without any problems. And also working with The Scottish Government and working with the Welsh Senedd and UK Government.' Tracy Gilbert MP speaking to The Edinburgh Reporter from her Westminster office Tracy Gilbert MP in the House of Commons in 2024 when her Ballot Bill was chosen. Ms Gilbert said at the time she was picked: 'My Bill will end the anomaly in Scotland and Wales where you can apply online for a postal or proxy vote for General Elections, but not devolved or local elections. This will make it easier and simpler to get a postal or proxy vote in the 2026 elections.' When the general election was called in July 2024 by then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, it was held on 4 July which is when most children in Scotland are already on holiday from school. The bill will make it easier for voters to retain their right to vote if they are going on holiday or are otherwise unable to attend to vote in person. When her bill achieved its third reading, Ms Gilbert said that during the passage of this proposed legislation she has 'received quite an education in the legislative process'. She continued: 'The introduction of the online absent voting application service has given electors in England, Scotland and Wales the option to apply online for a postal or proxy vote in UK general elections. Electors in England are also given the option to use the online service to apply for a postal or proxy vote for all other types of election that they can participate in. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for voters in Scotland and Wales. As it stands, voters in Scotland and Wales face a fragmented system in which they may apply online for a postal or proxy vote for a UK General Election but still rely on filling out paper forms for their local council or devolved Parliament elections. The Bill enables that inconsistency to be ended. 'In short, the Bill will allow for the extension of the same online application options to voters in Scotland and Wales for devolved elections. The goal is to have the measures in place ahead of the devolved elections scheduled for May 2026.' In supporting the bill Peter Lamb MP for Crawley said: 'As a country, we have an increasingly confusing set of election arrangements. Many different types of electoral systems are employed, there are different age arrangements in different places and there are different rules around this, that and the other. When people think that one set of rules is in play and in fact, given a particular context, there is another, that creates growing problems with confidence in our electoral system. Although it is a challenge, it is important to our democracy that, as far as possible, the general public understand how the systems operate, how they select their governors and how they express their voice. That is a critical part of the UK retaining genuine democratic accountability. 'The more that can be done to harmonise arrangements across the entire United Kingdom, and to ensure that there is a much simpler approach to people expressing their views to us, the greater the level of confidence in the system. Having two different sets of arrangements around casting votes cannot do much to encourage people to engage in the process.' Tracy Gilbert MP in the House of Commons Like this: Like Related
News18
10-07-2025
- Health
- News18
It's All 'Relative'! Are Cousin Marriages Among British Pakistanis Causing Birth Defects?
Last Updated: The primary driver of this renewed debate is alarming statistics about the increased risk of genetic disorders in children born to consanguineous couples The United Kingdom is currently witnessing in a vigorous debate regarding the legality and cultural implications of marriages between first cousins. While such unions are not explicitly illegal in the UK, unlike in many other countries and some states in the US, they have come under intense scrutiny recently due to concerns over public health and social issues. What studies show The primary driver of this renewed debate is alarming statistics about the increased risk of genetic disorders in children born to consanguineous couples. Studies, notably the 'Born in Bradford" project, which has extensively researched childhood outcomes in a city with a significant British Pakistani population, have highlighted these risks. For example, children of first cousin parents are found to have double the risk of serious birth defects or genetic conditions compared to those born to unrelated parents. While the overall risk for children of unrelated parents is around 2-3%, it rises to approximately 4-6% for children of first cousins. These conditions can include congenital heart problems, blood disorders like thalassaemia, and various metabolic or neurological conditions. Some reports suggest that in certain areas, up to 30% of paediatric referrals are linked to issues arising from cousin marriages. Despite these figures, it's important to note that the vast majority (94-96%) of children born to first cousins are healthy. However, the increased incidence of recessive genetic disorders, where both parents might unknowingly carry the same faulty gene, is a central concern for those advocating for a ban or increased awareness. Reasons for this practice often include strengthening family bonds, preserving family wealth and property, maintaining cultural values, and ensuring a sense of familiarity and support for the bride within her new family. For many, it is seen as an ideal match that fosters close-knit communities. Tory MP sparks debate The debate in the UK Parliament, notably sparked by a Private Members' Bill proposed by Tory MP Richard Holden in late 2024, has been highly contentious. Proponents of a ban, like Holden, argue that the health risks alone warrant prohibition and suggest that the practice can also be linked to issues of freedom and control, implying potential connections to forced marriages or honour-based abuse, though critics dispute this conflation. Opponents of a ban, including some community leaders and experts, argue that criminalising cousin marriage would be culturally insensitive and discriminatory, primarily targeting specific ethnic communities. They emphasise that a ban could stigmatise these groups, drive the practice underground, and deter individuals from seeking essential genetic counselling or healthcare services. Instead, they advocate for public health campaigns focused on education and awareness about genetic risks, coupled with accessible genetic screening and counselling services. They also highlight that other factors, such as parental age, smoking, or alcohol consumption, can also increase the risk of birth defects, yet these are not subject to marriage bans. The nuanced discussion continues, balancing public health concerns with cultural sensitivities and individual reproductive rights. (With agency inputs) view comments 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.
ITV News
27-06-2025
- Health
- ITV News
Jersey to make final decision on assisted dying law in December
Jersey will decide whether to officially legalise assisted dying later this year. The draft law will be published in early September before going through 14 weeks of political scrutiny, with a final debate and vote on Tuesday 9 December. If it passes, the legislation is expected to come into force in 2027. Health Minister, Deputy Tom Binet, says: "I think we're probably running a bit ahead of the game and I've been very impressed throughout with the people that have been doing this. "This could serve as a template for other places, it's that good." Politicians in Westminster recently passed the next stage of their assisted dying bill covering England and Wales. British MP Sarah Champion has been in Jersey to meet States Members and see how they can support one another. She explains: "It's looking to see where our systems are similar, where we can learn from each other and share experiences, good and bad, so we don't make the same mistakes." Jersey politicians backed the law change to allow assisted dying in principle by 32 votes to 14 in May 2024. It would see those aged 18 or over and living on the island for at least a year given the choice to end their life with the help of medical professionals if they have a terminal illness and less than six months to live, or 12 months if they have a neurodegenerative condition. Fran Hall from the campaign group Dignity in Dying says: "Momentum for change across the British Isles and beyond is unstoppable and we're really grateful that Jersey is leading this." Safeguards have been a key part of discussions about assisted dying legislation across the British Isles, due to concerns that vulnerable people could be coerced to end their lives. To combat this, the UK and the Isle of Man will bring in a specific 'coercion' offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison. Jersey has not yet defined this but ITV News understands coercion would likely fall under the island's existing homicide law, rather than being dealt with separately. This is an incredibly complicated issue and Jersey's Health Minister wants the States to have no excuse to say no when the assisted dying draft law is debated in December. The difference between Jersey and the UK is that in Westminster, their law is being proposed by a single MP, Kim Leadbeater, through a Private Members' Bill. Whereas, Jersey's legislation is being put forward by the island's government, making it more likely to be approved as they have a majority in the States Assembly. However, this is still an incredibly divisive topic and that is why Jersey politicians are so keen to talk about safeguarding with other jurisdictions. For example, compared to the Isle of Man, Jersey has different residency requirements, meaning someone could live in Jersey for a shorter amount of time before being eligible for an assisted death. What will be interesting is how Guernsey reacts with a new set of politicians - could they soon be the next place in the British Isles to propose assisted dying legislation? Some, like Gavin St Pier, believe it is time for the States to reconsider their position and follow Jersey's model.
