Latest news with #)Bill
The National
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Ash Regan faces questions over 'ludicrous' costs of prostitution bill
Regan is seeking to criminalise the purchase of sex, something opposed by the sex worker pressure group National Ugly Mugs (NUM) which claims she has significantly underestimated the associated costs. In a financial memorandum submitted to the Scottish Parliament for her Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill, the Alba MSP claimed that it would cost as little as 50p to train 17,000 police officers in the new laws if the bill was passed. The memo said: 'There will also be one-off training costs for Police Scotland to prepare for the introduction of the new offence. READ MORE: 'Multiple serving MSPs have paid me for sex', former sex worker tells Ash Regan 'The estimated cost of delivering a two-hour training session to all approximately 17,000 Police Scotland officers, assuming the training is conducted in-house during normal working hours, is approximately £17,000 to £85,000.' At the higher end of the scale, Regan estimates that it would cost £2.50 to train every officer per hour. But the same document states that Police Scotland estimates the hourly rate of officers at £79.50. The total cost of enforcing the new laws would be £2.6 million, falling to £2.2m annually thereafter. Regan estimates that securing charges in a case would take 'on average an additional six hours of police work' and that this would amount to each case costing £477. NUM said her figures were 'laughably false'. READ MORE: Former sex worker supports Ash Regan bid to criminalise buying sex Lynsey Walton, chief executive of NUM, said: 'As the UK's national sex worker safety charity, NUM works with police forces across the country to support sex workers during investigations. This means we know that Regan's estimates of police time needed to enforce her proposed legislation are laughably false, just like her ludicrous claims that it costs just 50p an hour to train officers. 'Sex worker groups, alongside NGOs like Amnesty and the World Health Organisation, oppose the new law on the grounds that it will make life more difficult and dangerous for sex workers, while costing taxpayers millions of pounds a year to enforce.' Regan was approached for comment.
Daily Record
15-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Stirling politicians open up over Holyrood assisted dying vote
The highly-debated topic was in the spotlight this week as the Scottish Parliament held an initial vote on proposals to allow the practice in Scotland - with local representatives on both sides. The region's political representatives have been offering their thoughts after a landmark bill aimed at legalising 'assisted dying' passed an initial vote at Holyrood. The bill would allow terminally-ill, mentally competent adults to seek medical assistance in ending their own lives - but only if they had a terminal illness and had been ruled capable of making the decisions by two separate doctors. It has been a controversial issue, with protestors gathered outside the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday while legislators cast their votes inside the chamber on the very first stage of the proposals. Following an emotionally charged and sometimes poignant debate, MSPs decided to vote in favour of the bill at stage one by 70 votes to 56. It will now need to clear two more phases of parliamentary scrutiny before it could become law. The issue was subject to a rare 'free vote' at Holyrood - meaning politicians were able to cast their vote without having to take into account party affiliations. An example of that saw Stirling MSP Evelyn Tweed and Clackmannanshire and Dunblane representative Keith Brown - who both represent the SNP - casting votes on opposite sides. Ms Tweed voted yes to the bill and said afterwards: 'I know assisted dying is an emotive issue and feelings run strong on both sides of the debate. 'This is the most important bill I will ever consider in my time as an MSP and it is important that the issue is approached carefully with sensitivity and compassion. 'I want to thank the many constituents who have taken the time to contact me to share their personal stories and views on this. I have listened closely and deeply value the range of perspectives I've heard. 'At Stage One, I have supported the general principles of the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill. 'I believe it is right that we explore whether there can be a dignified, safeguarded, compassionate framework that gives people with a terminal illness more choice over how and when they die, whilst also ensuring protections are in place for the most vulnerable. 'There is still a long way to go, and this is not a decision I will take lightly at any stage. I look forward to the further scrutiny that will take place at Stage Two, and I will continue to engage with the evidence and the arguments presented as the bill progresses. 'I want to thank Liam McArthur MSP for his approach to handling this issue with the sensitivity, openness and respect it deserves.' Meanwhile, following his vote against the plans, Mr Brown told the Observer: 'Deciding how to vote on this Bill was very difficult. 'I approached it with deep care, listening closely to the heartfelt arguments from all sides - especially those shared by people living with terminal illness, their families, and advocates for both choice and protection. 'I understand the profound pain and complexity involved in these situations, and I have great respect for those who support this Bill in the hope of easing suffering. 'However, after much reflection, I could not support it. 'My greatest concern remains the absence of strong, clear safeguards to protect the most vulnerable - especially the elderly, disabled, or terminally ill - who may, even unintentionally, feel pressure or obligation to end their lives for the sake of others. 'No one should ever feel like a burden. 'Protecting vulnerable people must always be our priority, and I did not feel this bill provided the level of protection and reassurance that is absolutely necessary.' Mid Scotland and Fife Conservative MSP Alexander Stewart also voted for the proposals - but said more work had to be done during the remaining stages of parliamentary scrutiny if he was to give the bill a final thumbs up. Mr Stewart said: 'This proposed bill covers an exceptionally emotive and poignant issue which is so close to nearly everyone's hearts. 'Every single constituent who has been in touch with me — whether this be via email, campaign card, letter or telephone — has experienced some form of first-hand trauma, towards which this issue resonates most powerfully. 'To this end — and also by personal experience —this was one of the most difficult decisions I have had to make as an MSP. 'I was in the end content to support the principles of the bill at stage one, however there has to be a raft of strong amendments coming forth in stage two, to ensure that powerful safeguards are in place. 'As such, I want to see the bill properly amended before I will even consider supporting it at stage three.' Meanwhile, Green MSP Mark Ruskell joined every member of his own party in showing his support for the initial assisted dying plans. Mr Ruskell said: 'Ending the ban on assisted dying is so important to give us choices about how we can end our lives free from suffering. 'I was proud to vote for the bill. Assisted dying was in the Greens election manifesto and we see it as an important right in a compassionate society. 'There is still some way to go before the bill becomes law. 'I'm hoping we can get more support for it at Holyrood as the bill is amended and concerns are hopefully ironed out.'
Daily Maverick
14-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Maverick
Scottish parliament approves assisted dying bill in key vote
Ahead of a final vote, the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill will move to a committee stage where it will be scrutinised and amended by members of the Scottish parliament. If the legislation is passed, Scotland would join countries such as Switzerland, Canada, New Zealand, Austria and Ecuador in allowing assisted dying in certain circumstances. It comes after a historic vote last year in the British parliament in which lawmakers backed a bill to allow assisted dying in England and Wales. The Scottish bill would give mentally competent adults who have been diagnosed with a terminal condition the right to end their life, assisted by health professionals. The legislation would include safeguards such as independent assessments by two doctors and a 14-day cooling-off period. There would be a requirement for those requesting an assisted death to have lived in Scotland for at least a year. Individuals would need to self-administer the substance that would end their life. The bill was proposed by Liberal Democrat member of the Scottish parliament Liam McArthur in 2021, and it is the third time that lawmakers in Scotland have voted on such legislation. The last vote was in 2015. Ahead of the vote, McArthur joined supporters outside the Scottish parliament and said he believed the 'political mood has shifted dramatically over the last 10 years'. Polls show a majority of Britons back assisted dying and supporters say the law needs to catch up with public opinion. Opponents say the bill would fail to safeguard those most vulnerable. Campaign group Better Way said on its website it was concerned the bill, as drafted, could lead to injustices against people with disabilities, those living with dementia and others. 'People would feel pressure to die due to inequality; coercion of vulnerable people could not be ruled out; and eligibility criteria would be challenged in the courts,' said Better Way spokesman Miro Griffiths.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Scottish assisted dying bill passes first vote
A bill to legalise assisted dying in Scotland has passed an initial vote at Holyrood. The proposals would allow terminally-ill, mentally competent adults to seek medical help to end their lives. A vote on the bill's general principles passed by 70 votes to 56. It would need to clear two more phases of parliamentary scrutiny before it could become law. MSPs at Holyrood pass first stage of assisted dying bill How do Scots feel about the assisted dying bill? The Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill would allow people to request medical assistance to end their own life – but only if they had a terminal illness and had been ruled mentally fit to make the decision by two doctors. During a highly emotional but measured debate, MSPs cited powerful testimony from family members and constituents. Supporters described the bill as a progressive move to ease the suffering of dying Scots. However opponents raised concerns about safeguards for some of the most vulnerable people in society. Brought forward by Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur, the bill was the third proposed assisted dying law to be voted on at Holyrood since 2010. The two previous bills failed to pass stage one. McArthur told BBC Scotland News he was "delighted" and "relieved" but said there was more work to be done. It comes after a bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales passed a stage one vote at Westminster in November. Opening the debate, an emotional McArthur told MSPs: "Today we can take a significant step forward giving terminally ill adults across Scotland more choice. "It's a brave step, yes, but it's a compassionate one. "And it is a step I believe Scotland is ready to take." The Scottish Parliament held a free vote on the bill – meaning MSPs were not told how to vote by their parties or the government. The proposals were supported by Conservative leader Russell Findlay and Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton, as well as Scottish Green co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater. The Scottish government is officially neutral on the matter. Health Secretary Neil Gray, who spoke on behalf of the government during the debate, abstained from the vote. First Minister John Swinney and Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes confirmed before the debate that they would not support the bill, as did Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar. Swinney said the bill had been debated with "dignity, courtesy and respect". He added that "significant issues" about the bill would be raised at the next stage of parliamentary scrutiny. Labour MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy, the first permanent wheelchair user to be elected to Holyrood, has been among the most vocal critics of the bill. She told parliament she was "deeply worried" about the consequences of legalising assisted dying, which she said could put disabled people at risk. The MSP said if the bill passed she feared it would "be easier to access help to die than help to live". She warned it could "legitimise a view that a life like ours, one of dependence and often pain, is not worth living". Others opposed to the bill, including former first minster Nicola Sturgeon, have raised concerns about the potential for "coercion" and warned the definition of a terminal illness was too broad. Ex-Tory leader Douglas Ross echoed concerns that the legislation would lead to a so-called slippery slope, fearing that access to assisted dying would widen over time. Several parliamentarians spoke of their own relatives' experiences. SNP MSP Elena Whitham told parliament about her mother, Irene, who died aged 58 just five weeks after being diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2014. "Her last decision on this earth was to starve herself to hasten her inevitable death," Whitham said. "It was awful." She added: "My mum deserved to plan a compassionate death. "No-one should be forced to starve themselves." McArthur insisted the bill would impose "strict eligibility criteria" and that concerns about a "slippery slope" had been raised in countries where assisted dying had since been successfully introduced. Addressing concerns for disabled people, he said: "Denying dying Scots more choice will not enhance the lives of those with a disability, nor do I believe would it be acceptable for a person with a disability who meets the eligibility criteria under my bill to be denied the same choice as anyone else." MSPs will be able to further scrutinise the bill at stage two, where they can also propose changes. Another vote on the final draft of the bill would need to be held before it could become legislation. The most recent Holyrood vote on assisted dying, in 2015, was defeated at stage one by 82 votes to 36. That bill was tabled by the late independent MSP Margo MacDonald, who died in 2014 after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
The Star
13-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Scottish parliament approves assisted dying bill in key vote
FILE PHOTO: A general view of the Scottish Parliament Building, in Holyrood, Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain, May 5, 2024. REUTERS/Lesley Martin/File Photo LONDON (Reuters) -The Scottish parliament voted on Tuesday in favour of a bill that would allow people living in Scotland with a terminal illness to take their own lives, bringing the proposal a step closer to becoming a reality in the country. Ahead of a final vote, the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill will move to a committee stage where it will be scrutinised and amended by members of the Scottish parliament. If the legislation is passed, Scotland would join countries such as Switzerland, Canada, New Zealand, Austria and Ecuador in allowing assisted dying in certain circumstances. It comes after a historic vote last year in the British parliament in which lawmakers backed a bill to allow assisted dying in England and Wales. The Scottish bill would give mentally competent adults who have been diagnosed with a terminal condition the right to end their life, assisted by health professionals. The legislation would include safeguards such as independent assessments by two doctors and a 14-day cooling-off period. There would be a requirement for those requesting an assisted death to have lived in Scotland for at least a year. Individuals would need to self-administer the substance that would end their life. The bill was proposed by Liberal Democrat member of the Scottish parliament Liam McArthur in 2021, and it is the third time that lawmakers in Scotland have voted on such legislation. The last vote was in 2015. Ahead of the vote, McArthur joined supporters outside the Scottish parliament and said he believed the "political mood has shifted dramatically over the last 10 years". Polls show a majority of Britons back assisted dying and supporters say the law needs to catch up with public opinion. Opponents say the bill would fail to safeguard those most vulnerable. Campaign group Better Way said on its website it was concerned the bill, as drafted, could lead to injustices against people with disabilities, those living with dementia and others. "People would feel pressure to die due to inequality; coercion of vulnerable people could not be ruled out; and eligibility criteria would be challenged in the courts," said Better Way spokesman Miro Griffiths. (Reporting by Catarina Demony; Editing by Alex Richardson)
