Latest news with #StefanRousseau
South Wales Argus
20-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
PM insists EU deal is ‘looking forward to tomorrow' amid fishing criticism
The Prime Minister hailed his deal with the bloc, set out at a Monday summit in London, as a 'win-win' for both parties, which would be the start of a 'new era' in the UK-EU relationship. The wide-ranging deal will allow more British travellers to use passport e-gates when going on holiday to Europe, while farmers will get swifter, easier access to trade on the continent as a result of an agreement on animal and plant product standards. A 'youth experience scheme' allowing young Britons to study and live in Europe, and a new security and defence partnership were also agreed. The Government claimed the post-Brexit 'reset' will cut red tape for travellers and businesses, boosting the economy by £9 billion by 2040. But it has been met with criticism after agreeing to grant European fishing trawlers a further 12 years' access to British waters. Speaking in the garden of Downing Street, where he welcomed UK and EU businesses on Monday evening, the Prime Minister insisted the deal was 'good for bills, good for jobs, good for borders'. He also hailed a 'mood change' in the relationship with the bloc, adding: 'The EU and the UK wanting to work together, all of us prepared to say let yesterday be yesterday, we are looking forward to tomorrow. 'We are not going to litigate old arguments, we are going to go forward in the spirit of what we do together, we do better.' The PM hit out at the 'myth that next year everybody was free to do what they like' if he had not extended the fishing deal with the EU. Sir Keir was earlier accused by the Conservatives of having 'surrendered' many of the gains they negotiated post-Brexit. Conservative ministers accused Sir Keir of having 'surrendered' many of the gains negotiated following Brexit (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Kemi Badenoch added: 'This deal will mean Britain becoming a rule-taker, accepting dynamic alignment, giving up fishing rights and paying new money to the EU.' 'Nobody has lost more than the fishermen,' as a result of the deal she also told reporters. Reform UK's Nigel Farage elsewhere warned the 12-year fishing deal would be 'the end of the fishing industry'. Other measures covered in the UK-EU deal include: – British burgers and sausages will once more be allowed into the EU, and some routine checks on plant and animal products will be removed completely. – Linking UK and EU emissions-trading schemes, which will mean British firms will not be hit by Brussels's carbon tax next year. – A commitment to work towards the UK associating with the Erasmus+ student exchange programme. – British steel exports will be protected from new EU rules and restrictive tariffs, saving the beleaguered industry £25 million.
The Herald Scotland
15-05-2025
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
MP behind assisted dying Bill defends it as medical body adds voice of concern
Its statement follows one earlier this week from the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych), which said it has 'serious concerns' and cannot support the Bill in its current form. MPs in the House of Commons will have a further debate on Friday (Stefan Rousseau/PA) That statement was branded by one opponent of the Bill as a 'blow to its foundations'. Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP behind the Bill, said it was coming back 'even stronger' when it returns to the House of Commons on Friday for the first time since a historic yes vote in November. She said the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which relates to England and Wales, goes 'further than any other around the world in its safeguards, oversight and regulation' and that the Government's impact assessment has confirmed this. 'The law as it stands is not working for dying people or their loved ones; that much is clear,' Ms Leadbeater wrote in The Mirror. 'A majority of MPs recognised this when they backed my Bill in November. 'When they come to debate it once again today, they can be confident that it returns even stronger.' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who voted for the Bill last year, has indicated he remains supportive of the proposed legislation and that it has 'sufficient time' in Parliament amid claims from some it is being rushed through. In a boost for the Bill, new Reform MP Sarah Pochin has confirmed she will support it. Mike Amesbury, who she replaced in the Runcorn and Helsby constituency earlier this month, had voted no last year. Reports speculating on the numbers of MPs who had supported the Bill last year but are now considering voting against it have been dismissed by the Bill's backers who reject the idea the proposed legislation is at risk of collapse. But the RCPsych statement prompted MPs, some with medical and clinical backgrounds, who back the Bill, to urge their colleagues in Parliament to support it. A statement, signed by supportive MPs including doctors Neil Shastri-Hurst, Simon Opher and Peter Prinsley, insisted 'most healthcare professionals understand that the current law is not working', that it 'criminalises compassion', places clinicians 'in an impossible position' and cannot be tolerated or defended. In their position statement on Thursday, the RCP said despite changes to the Bill in recent months which supporters argue have strengthened it, the college believes 'there currently remain deficiencies that would need addressing to achieve adequate protection of patients and professionals'. It said there are 'key factors' which must be in place should assisted dying be legalised. These include decisions around a patient's prognosis to be informed by 'expert clinical professionals including those who know the patient', decisions on capacity, and safeguards around coercion to be informed by face-to-face assessments of 'relevant and appropriately skilled health and care professionals', regulations of medicines and a guarantee resources will not be diverted from other end-of-life care. Their concerns follow those from RCPsych which said it has 'unanswered questions' about the safeguarding of people with mental illness, and warned of a shortage of consultant psychiatrists to meet the demands of the Bill. Both colleges said they remain neutral on the principle of assisted dying. The RCP's clinical vice president, Dr John Dean, said: 'The ultimate decision on assisted dying rests with society through Parliament, but professional and clinical issues are integral to legislation, regulation, guidance and safe and effective implementation. 'Our members and fellows who we represent have a wide range of views on assisted dying. While the RCP neither supports or opposes a change in the law on this matter, the Bill in its current form has concerning deficiencies. 'Notably, the proposed mechanisms of decision making are not in line with good clinical and professional practice. Further statutory guidance is also required to ensure effective regulation of drugs, providers, and the involvement of clinicians. 'Parliament must address these critical issues in the legislation or risk failing to protect vulnerable patients and uphold the integrity of clinical practice.' The chairwoman of the Royal College of GPs, Professor Kamila Hawthorne, also told the BBC this week that doctors have 'real concerns about the practical and legal implications of a change in the law on assisted dying', which she said 'must be acknowledged and addressed, so that any legislation is watertight'. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer signalled that his support for the assisted dying Bill has not changed (House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA) Speaking during a visit to Albania, Sir Keir was asked if his views on assisted dying had changed during the passage of the Bill. He told broadcasters: 'My views have been consistent throughout.' In a later interview he reiterated the Government's neutrality on the Bill and said it was facing 'a lot of scrutiny, both inside Parliament and outside Parliament', adding that he was 'satisfied' it had 'sufficient time' in Parliament. Some opponents have claimed proposals are being rushed through as a private member's bill and that it has not had the same level of scrutiny had it been a Government Bill. Dozens of amendments have been tabled and many could be debated and voted on during a five-hour sitting in the Commons on Friday. It is not yet clear whether time will allow for a third reading vote, with the possibility that the report stage could instead run into a second day next month because of the large number of further amendments proposed. As it stands, the Bill would allow only terminally ill adults in England and Wales, with fewer than six months to live, to apply for an assisted death – subject to approval by two doctors and the three-member expert panel featuring a psychiatrist, social worker and senior legal figure. Ms Leadbeater has defended the scrapping of the High Court judge safeguard which has been replaced by the expert panel. She told LBC Radio this was a 'more holistic approach, a more patient-centred approach' and is 'much, much stronger' as a result.
Western Telegraph
15-05-2025
- Health
- Western Telegraph
MP behind assisted dying Bill defends it as medical body adds voice of concern
The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) said it believes there are 'concerning deficiencies' with the proposed legislation as it stands. Its statement follows one earlier this week from the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych), which said it has 'serious concerns' and cannot support the Bill in its current form. MPs in the House of Commons will have a further debate on Friday (Stefan Rousseau/PA) That statement was branded by one opponent of the Bill as a 'blow to its foundations'. Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP behind the Bill, said it was coming back 'even stronger' when it returns to the House of Commons on Friday for the first time since a historic yes vote in November. She said the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which relates to England and Wales, goes 'further than any other around the world in its safeguards, oversight and regulation' and that the Government's impact assessment has confirmed this. 'The law as it stands is not working for dying people or their loved ones; that much is clear,' Ms Leadbeater wrote in The Mirror. 'A majority of MPs recognised this when they backed my Bill in November. 'When they come to debate it once again today, they can be confident that it returns even stronger.' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who voted for the Bill last year, has indicated he remains supportive of the proposed legislation and that it has 'sufficient time' in Parliament amid claims from some it is being rushed through. In a boost for the Bill, new Reform MP Sarah Pochin has confirmed she will support it. Mike Amesbury, who she replaced in the Runcorn and Helsby constituency earlier this month, had voted no last year. Reports speculating on the numbers of MPs who had supported the Bill last year but are now considering voting against it have been dismissed by the Bill's backers who reject the idea the proposed legislation is at risk of collapse. But the RCPsych statement prompted MPs, some with medical and clinical backgrounds, who back the Bill, to urge their colleagues in Parliament to support it. A statement, signed by supportive MPs including doctors Neil Shastri-Hurst, Simon Opher and Peter Prinsley, insisted 'most healthcare professionals understand that the current law is not working', that it 'criminalises compassion', places clinicians 'in an impossible position' and cannot be tolerated or defended. In their position statement on Thursday, the RCP said despite changes to the Bill in recent months which supporters argue have strengthened it, the college believes 'there currently remain deficiencies that would need addressing to achieve adequate protection of patients and professionals'. It said there are 'key factors' which must be in place should assisted dying be legalised. These include decisions around a patient's prognosis to be informed by 'expert clinical professionals including those who know the patient', decisions on capacity, and safeguards around coercion to be informed by face-to-face assessments of 'relevant and appropriately skilled health and care professionals', regulations of medicines and a guarantee resources will not be diverted from other end-of-life care. Their concerns follow those from RCPsych which said it has 'unanswered questions' about the safeguarding of people with mental illness, and warned of a shortage of consultant psychiatrists to meet the demands of the Bill. Both colleges said they remain neutral on the principle of assisted dying. The RCP's clinical vice president, Dr John Dean, said: 'The ultimate decision on assisted dying rests with society through Parliament, but professional and clinical issues are integral to legislation, regulation, guidance and safe and effective implementation. 'Our members and fellows who we represent have a wide range of views on assisted dying. While the RCP neither supports or opposes a change in the law on this matter, the Bill in its current form has concerning deficiencies. 'Notably, the proposed mechanisms of decision making are not in line with good clinical and professional practice. Further statutory guidance is also required to ensure effective regulation of drugs, providers, and the involvement of clinicians. 'Parliament must address these critical issues in the legislation or risk failing to protect vulnerable patients and uphold the integrity of clinical practice.' The chairwoman of the Royal College of GPs, Professor Kamila Hawthorne, also told the BBC this week that doctors have 'real concerns about the practical and legal implications of a change in the law on assisted dying', which she said 'must be acknowledged and addressed, so that any legislation is watertight'. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer signalled that his support for the assisted dying Bill has not changed (House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA) Speaking during a visit to Albania, Sir Keir was asked if his views on assisted dying had changed during the passage of the Bill. He told broadcasters: 'My views have been consistent throughout.' In a later interview he reiterated the Government's neutrality on the Bill and said it was facing 'a lot of scrutiny, both inside Parliament and outside Parliament', adding that he was 'satisfied' it had 'sufficient time' in Parliament. Some opponents have claimed proposals are being rushed through as a private member's bill and that it has not had the same level of scrutiny had it been a Government Bill. Dozens of amendments have been tabled and many could be debated and voted on during a five-hour sitting in the Commons on Friday. It is not yet clear whether time will allow for a third reading vote, with the possibility that the report stage could instead run into a second day next month because of the large number of further amendments proposed. As it stands, the Bill would allow only terminally ill adults in England and Wales, with fewer than six months to live, to apply for an assisted death – subject to approval by two doctors and the three-member expert panel featuring a psychiatrist, social worker and senior legal figure. Ms Leadbeater has defended the scrapping of the High Court judge safeguard which has been replaced by the expert panel. She told LBC Radio this was a 'more holistic approach, a more patient-centred approach' and is 'much, much stronger' as a result.
Glasgow Times
15-05-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
MP behind assisted dying Bill defends it as medical body adds voice of concern
The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) said it believes there are 'concerning deficiencies' with the proposed legislation as it stands. Its statement follows one earlier this week from the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych), which said it has 'serious concerns' and cannot support the Bill in its current form. MPs in the House of Commons will have a further debate on Friday (Stefan Rousseau/PA) That statement was branded by one opponent of the Bill as a 'blow to its foundations'. Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP behind the Bill, said it was coming back 'even stronger' when it returns to the House of Commons on Friday for the first time since a historic yes vote in November. She said the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which relates to England and Wales, goes 'further than any other around the world in its safeguards, oversight and regulation' and that the Government's impact assessment has confirmed this. 'The law as it stands is not working for dying people or their loved ones; that much is clear,' Ms Leadbeater wrote in The Mirror. 'A majority of MPs recognised this when they backed my Bill in November. 'When they come to debate it once again today, they can be confident that it returns even stronger.' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who voted for the Bill last year, has indicated he remains supportive of the proposed legislation and that it has 'sufficient time' in Parliament amid claims from some it is being rushed through. In a boost for the Bill, new Reform MP Sarah Pochin has confirmed she will support it. Mike Amesbury, who she replaced in the Runcorn and Helsby constituency earlier this month, had voted no last year. Reports speculating on the numbers of MPs who had supported the Bill last year but are now considering voting against it have been dismissed by the Bill's backers who reject the idea the proposed legislation is at risk of collapse. But the RCPsych statement prompted MPs, some with medical and clinical backgrounds, who back the Bill, to urge their colleagues in Parliament to support it. A statement, signed by supportive MPs including doctors Neil Shastri-Hurst, Simon Opher and Peter Prinsley, insisted 'most healthcare professionals understand that the current law is not working', that it 'criminalises compassion', places clinicians 'in an impossible position' and cannot be tolerated or defended. In their position statement on Thursday, the RCP said despite changes to the Bill in recent months which supporters argue have strengthened it, the college believes 'there currently remain deficiencies that would need addressing to achieve adequate protection of patients and professionals'. It said there are 'key factors' which must be in place should assisted dying be legalised. These include decisions around a patient's prognosis to be informed by 'expert clinical professionals including those who know the patient', decisions on capacity, and safeguards around coercion to be informed by face-to-face assessments of 'relevant and appropriately skilled health and care professionals', regulations of medicines and a guarantee resources will not be diverted from other end-of-life care. Their concerns follow those from RCPsych which said it has 'unanswered questions' about the safeguarding of people with mental illness, and warned of a shortage of consultant psychiatrists to meet the demands of the Bill. Both colleges said they remain neutral on the principle of assisted dying. The RCP's clinical vice president, Dr John Dean, said: 'The ultimate decision on assisted dying rests with society through Parliament, but professional and clinical issues are integral to legislation, regulation, guidance and safe and effective implementation. 'Our members and fellows who we represent have a wide range of views on assisted dying. While the RCP neither supports or opposes a change in the law on this matter, the Bill in its current form has concerning deficiencies. 'Notably, the proposed mechanisms of decision making are not in line with good clinical and professional practice. Further statutory guidance is also required to ensure effective regulation of drugs, providers, and the involvement of clinicians. 'Parliament must address these critical issues in the legislation or risk failing to protect vulnerable patients and uphold the integrity of clinical practice.' The chairwoman of the Royal College of GPs, Professor Kamila Hawthorne, also told the BBC this week that doctors have 'real concerns about the practical and legal implications of a change in the law on assisted dying', which she said 'must be acknowledged and addressed, so that any legislation is watertight'. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer signalled that his support for the assisted dying Bill has not changed (House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA) Speaking during a visit to Albania, Sir Keir was asked if his views on assisted dying had changed during the passage of the Bill. He told broadcasters: 'My views have been consistent throughout.' In a later interview he reiterated the Government's neutrality on the Bill and said it was facing 'a lot of scrutiny, both inside Parliament and outside Parliament', adding that he was 'satisfied' it had 'sufficient time' in Parliament. Some opponents have claimed proposals are being rushed through as a private member's bill and that it has not had the same level of scrutiny had it been a Government Bill. Dozens of amendments have been tabled and many could be debated and voted on during a five-hour sitting in the Commons on Friday. It is not yet clear whether time will allow for a third reading vote, with the possibility that the report stage could instead run into a second day next month because of the large number of further amendments proposed. As it stands, the Bill would allow only terminally ill adults in England and Wales, with fewer than six months to live, to apply for an assisted death – subject to approval by two doctors and the three-member expert panel featuring a psychiatrist, social worker and senior legal figure. Ms Leadbeater has defended the scrapping of the High Court judge safeguard which has been replaced by the expert panel. She told LBC Radio this was a 'more holistic approach, a more patient-centred approach' and is 'much, much stronger' as a result.
South Wales Argus
15-05-2025
- Health
- South Wales Argus
MP behind assisted dying Bill defends it as medical body adds voice of concern
The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) said it believes there are 'concerning deficiencies' with the proposed legislation as it stands. Its statement follows one earlier this week from the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCPsych), which said it has 'serious concerns' and cannot support the Bill in its current form. MPs in the House of Commons will have a further debate on Friday (Stefan Rousseau/PA) That statement was branded by one opponent of the Bill as a 'blow to its foundations'. Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP behind the Bill, said it was coming back 'even stronger' when it returns to the House of Commons on Friday for the first time since a historic yes vote in November. She said the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which relates to England and Wales, goes 'further than any other around the world in its safeguards, oversight and regulation' and that the Government's impact assessment has confirmed this. 'The law as it stands is not working for dying people or their loved ones; that much is clear,' Ms Leadbeater wrote in The Mirror. 'A majority of MPs recognised this when they backed my Bill in November. 'When they come to debate it once again today, they can be confident that it returns even stronger.' Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who voted for the Bill last year, has indicated he remains supportive of the proposed legislation and that it has 'sufficient time' in Parliament amid claims from some it is being rushed through. In a boost for the Bill, new Reform MP Sarah Pochin has confirmed she will support it. Mike Amesbury, who she replaced in the Runcorn and Helsby constituency earlier this month, had voted no last year. Reports speculating on the numbers of MPs who had supported the Bill last year but are now considering voting against it have been dismissed by the Bill's backers who reject the idea the proposed legislation is at risk of collapse. But the RCPsych statement prompted MPs, some with medical and clinical backgrounds, who back the Bill, to urge their colleagues in Parliament to support it. A statement, signed by supportive MPs including doctors Neil Shastri-Hurst, Simon Opher and Peter Prinsley, insisted 'most healthcare professionals understand that the current law is not working', that it 'criminalises compassion', places clinicians 'in an impossible position' and cannot be tolerated or defended. In their position statement on Thursday, the RCP said despite changes to the Bill in recent months which supporters argue have strengthened it, the college believes 'there currently remain deficiencies that would need addressing to achieve adequate protection of patients and professionals'. It said there are 'key factors' which must be in place should assisted dying be legalised. These include decisions around a patient's prognosis to be informed by 'expert clinical professionals including those who know the patient', decisions on capacity, and safeguards around coercion to be informed by face-to-face assessments of 'relevant and appropriately skilled health and care professionals', regulations of medicines and a guarantee resources will not be diverted from other end-of-life care. Their concerns follow those from RCPsych which said it has 'unanswered questions' about the safeguarding of people with mental illness, and warned of a shortage of consultant psychiatrists to meet the demands of the Bill. Both colleges said they remain neutral on the principle of assisted dying. The RCP's clinical vice president, Dr John Dean, said: 'The ultimate decision on assisted dying rests with society through Parliament, but professional and clinical issues are integral to legislation, regulation, guidance and safe and effective implementation. 'Our members and fellows who we represent have a wide range of views on assisted dying. While the RCP neither supports or opposes a change in the law on this matter, the Bill in its current form has concerning deficiencies. 'Notably, the proposed mechanisms of decision making are not in line with good clinical and professional practice. Further statutory guidance is also required to ensure effective regulation of drugs, providers, and the involvement of clinicians. 'Parliament must address these critical issues in the legislation or risk failing to protect vulnerable patients and uphold the integrity of clinical practice.' The chairwoman of the Royal College of GPs, Professor Kamila Hawthorne, also told the BBC this week that doctors have 'real concerns about the practical and legal implications of a change in the law on assisted dying', which she said 'must be acknowledged and addressed, so that any legislation is watertight'. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer signalled that his support for the assisted dying Bill has not changed (House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA) Speaking during a visit to Albania, Sir Keir was asked if his views on assisted dying had changed during the passage of the Bill. He told broadcasters: 'My views have been consistent throughout.' In a later interview he reiterated the Government's neutrality on the Bill and said it was facing 'a lot of scrutiny, both inside Parliament and outside Parliament', adding that he was 'satisfied' it had 'sufficient time' in Parliament. Some opponents have claimed proposals are being rushed through as a private member's bill and that it has not had the same level of scrutiny had it been a Government Bill. Dozens of amendments have been tabled and many could be debated and voted on during a five-hour sitting in the Commons on Friday. It is not yet clear whether time will allow for a third reading vote, with the possibility that the report stage could instead run into a second day next month because of the large number of further amendments proposed. As it stands, the Bill would allow only terminally ill adults in England and Wales, with fewer than six months to live, to apply for an assisted death – subject to approval by two doctors and the three-member expert panel featuring a psychiatrist, social worker and senior legal figure. Ms Leadbeater has defended the scrapping of the High Court judge safeguard which has been replaced by the expert panel. She told LBC Radio this was a 'more holistic approach, a more patient-centred approach' and is 'much, much stronger' as a result.
