Latest news with #vulnerablepeople
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Cleveland Police investigation into human trafficking from Brazil to Teesside
Five people have been arrested as part of an investigation into alleged human sex trafficking on Police said it had carried out a year-long inquiry into "vulnerable people" being moved from Brazil to Middlesbrough and Sgt John Bentley said women were allegedly being brought into the UK "for use in the adult sexual services industry, mainly online".Four men, aged 25, 29, 39 and 40, and a 41-year-old woman, were arrested during raids on suspicion of human trafficking and forced labour offences. Those arrested have been released on bail as the investigation Police said it had been in contact with more than 10 potential victims and they were taken into Sgt Bentley said the force had uncovered a suspected "international human trafficking organisation", operating in the Cleveland Police area and nationally."A member of the public was concerned about the comings and goings at a certain address and spoke to the local neighbourhood police," he added."They came out and established that something was amiss and they came to us - we have a specialised team of detectives." 'National problem' He explained that conditions in properties varied but those inside "will not leave them because of threats and coercion".Victims are often debt-bonded after entering into an agreement but "the debt is never repaid", he secured three Slavery and Trafficking Orders, which are civil orders used to protect vulnerable people from criminal exploitation and deter future Sgt Bentley described modern slavery as a "national problem" but ruled out the North East being a Khan, director of the Halo project, which supports vulnerable women, said it had supported multiple victims of trafficking so far this year."We must do more to raise awareness and provide the much needed care and support to our victims," she said."However, we must work relentlessly to bring organised gangs and perpetrators to account and ensure evidence can lead to prosecutions." Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Getting married might NOT revoke your old will under plans by government's legal gurus
Getting married might not automatically revoke older wills in future under plans to protect vulnerable and elderly people from financial predators. Changes drafted by the Law Commission would mean former beneficiaries were not immediately disinherited, because at present a previous will becomes obsolete on marriage. This rule favours new spouses, because if someone dies without making a new will the intestacy rules allow them to inherit all or most of an estate. There are ways to protect your existing arrangements if you wish, by making a new will 'in contemplation of marriage' that cannot be revoked, or very soon after you marry. But many people are unaware of these rules, and vulnerable or elderly people can fall victim to 'predatory marriage' by unscrupulous people looking to inherit their estates. The Law Commission, a body that reviews laws and recommends changes to the Government, last week published a draft bill to replace the Wills Act 1837 - which it described as 'outdated' and 'largely a product of the Victorian era'. Its proposals include abolishing the rule that a will is automatically revoked when someone marries or enters a civil partnership, 'bearing in mind the serious problem of financial abuse, particularly of the elderly'. The Commission adds: 'This rule can be exploited by those who enter a predatory marriage with a vulnerable person – marrying them in order to inherit from them. 'Predatory marriage is a form of financial abuse which has devastating consequences for the victims and their families.' The Commission's other proposals to update existing legislation on wills include: - Reducing the minimum age when someone can make a will from 18 to 16; - Increasing protections for people coerced into making a will; - Clarifying the law on testamentary 'capacity', which determines whether someone is fit to make a will; - Making electronic wills formally valid, subject to requirements to ensure they are safe and reliable. The Government responded that it will give detailed consideration to the Law Commission's 'significant and wide ranging' report, and make further announcements in due course. Sarah Sackman KC MP, Minister for Courts and Legal Services, says: 'This is the first major review of the law on making wills since the Wills Act 1837 was passed. That legislation established certain important principles in English and Welsh law that have stood the test of time, such as people being free to make a will to set out how they wish their assets to be distributed after their death. 'Another important principle it established was putting in place formalities to making a will so that safeguards are built into the process. 'However, society has changed enormously since the early 19th Century and technology has transformed our lives.' Sackman went on: 'The Government recognises that the current law is outdated, and we must embrace change, but the guiding principle in doing so will be to ensure that reform does not compromise existing freedoms or protecting the elderly and vulnerable in society from undue influence.' Emily Deane, technical counsel at the STEP body of inheritance professionals, says: 'Reform of the Wills Act is long overdue and is welcomed. 'It brings with it far-reaching implications particularly concerning the proposed abolition of the law that revokes a person's will when they marry or enter a civil partnership. 'People need to be made aware ahead of any changes to the law, the impact, and the importance of having a will and keeping it updated. 'This will ensure that any changes do not lead to an increase in inheritance disputes and litigation, further strain on the legal system, confusion and distress for bereaved families.' Deane notes that the legal profession is split over whether marriage should revoke a will because it could mean more inheritance disputes. Therefore, she says potential risks and unintended consequences need to be addressed and any changes accompanied by a strong awareness campaign by the government. Deane adds that ahead of any change to the law, people should watch out for signs of financial abuse, including predatory marriage, which often aren't discovered until after a victim's death. She also stresses the critical importance of updating wills, especially after significant life changes like marriage, and when children and stepchildren are involved. Jade Gani, chief executive of Circe Law and Director of The Association of Lifetime Lawyers, says: 'We're analysing the full detail of the Law Commission's recommendations, but we welcome this long overdue review and believe the proposed reforms are a positive step towards modernising wills law. 'The changes should make the process clearer, more accessible, and better suited to the way people live today. 'The proposal to remove the rule that automatically revokes a person's will when they marry or enter a civil partnership is a welcome move. 'It could help reduce the risk of people being left unintentionally intestate and offer stronger protection against financial abuse, such as in cases of predatory marriage. 'We support changes that aim to better safeguard and protect anyone whose circumstances make them vulnerable, and ensure their wishes are respected.'
Daily Mail
12-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Assisted dying bill puts vulnerable 'at risk', MSPs are told ahead of historic vote
Controversial proposals to legalise assisted dying in Scotland will face D-day today amid mounting concerns over the potential impact on the most vulnerable people. MSPs will vote for the first time on whether to support the principle that people with terminal illnesses should be legally allowed to ask a doctor to help end their life. All of Holyrood's political parties are allowing a free vote on the issue, meaning Scotland's 129 MSPs will make up their own mind about whether to support it without pressure from their party whips. Two previous attempts to legalise assisted dying have fallen at stage one because they were overwhelmingly rejected by a convincing majority of MSPs. But tonight's vote on the general principles of the latest bill on the issue by Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur is expected to be much closer, with supporters and opponents of the proposals set to continue attempts to persuade colleagues right up to the vote. In a series of developments on the eve of the vote, which is expected to happen at around 7pm following nearly five hours of debate: A new poll published today (TUE) revealed that nearly two-thirds of Scots fear vulnerable people will be more likely to seek an assisted death because of the current state of Scotland's health and social care system, while three in five think disabled people may end their life because they feel like a burden. A charity for vulnerable children at risk of dying young raised concerns that young people with many years left to live would be permitted to end their lives prematurely. Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay raised serious concerns about the 'potential for coercion' and the risk of legal challenges to widen the scope of the legislation - but said he will vote for the bill to allow MSPs to 'fully test' these concerns. Health Secretary Neil Gray announced he will abstain on the vote because of the Scottish Government's neutral stance, while Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said that 'I sincerely hope that, as a country, we don't get to a position where the most vulnerable in society feel like they are a burden'. The Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill would allow people to lawfully request, and be provided with, assistance by health professionals to allow them to end their life. In order to be eligible, the Bill states they must be terminally ill, which is defined as being 'an advanced and progressive disease, illness or condition which they cannot recover from, and which is expected to cause their premature death'. They also need to have been resident in Scotland for 12 months, have sufficient capacity to make and understand the decision, and be aged 16 or over - although Mr McArthur has announced his intention to increase this to 18. But a new poll of more than 1,000 Scots published today (TUE) disclosed significant concerns about the impact on the most vulnerable people. The survey, by Whitestone Insights for the Not Dead Yet disabled rights group, found that 62 per cent of respondents felt the current state of NHS and social care means disabled people may be more likely to seek an assisted death, while 59 per cent think those who feel like they are a burden on family, friends or society may feel a sense of responsibility to end their life. Labour MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy, who was the first permanent wheelchair user to be elected to Holyrood, said: 'These statistics show the public share my concerns that legalising assisted dying at a time when health and social care budgets are under sustained pressure is a real risk to people's lives.' The issue has attracted differing views within each of the main parties at Holyrood. Mr Gray, whose role as Health Secretary would include implementing assisted dying if it is approved, confirmed yesterday that he will abstain in the stage one vote in order to 'reflect the Government's neutral position'. But his Cabinet colleague Ms Forbes said: 'I think it is impossible to provide safeguards that will sufficiently avoid pressure being felt by patients who have received a terminal diagnosis. 'I think the people that are feeling the most concern and trepidation going into this week are disabled people, people who fear that it takes us down a road where, inevitably, across the world, you have seen those arbitrary lines shift.' She went on: 'Canada legalised euthanasia in 2016 but it's already scrapped the requirement for a person to be terminally ill and is set to extend that to those with mental illness. 'So there are people that are really worried going into this week about what it will mean for them, and I don't think any amount of legal drafting can prevent people feeling pressured to die, and that could be because of a lack of wider support, or because they feel like a burden on others, or just because that is now an option that has to be presented as they receive care and support. 'It's for those reasons that I will not be able to vote for the Bill, and I sincerely hope that, as a country, we don't get to a position where the most vulnerable in society feel like they are a burden.' The Children's Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) charity highlighted that the Scottish Parliament's health and sport committee has noted that failing to provide a life expectancy timescale in the legislation means those living with a progressive and untreatable illness would be eligible for assisted dying even if 'not approaching death for a considerable period of time'. In a letter to the committee, Rami Okasha, chief executive of CHAS, said: 'This is a cause of considerable concern in the context of young people. 'Our view is that it would be unacceptable for young people who 'may not be approaching death for a considerable period of time' to gain assistance to end their own lives. 'A young person with a life-shortening condition that is 'advanced', 'progressive' or 'untreatable' may still have years of life ahead of them; the terms quoted here have no accepted standard definitions or interpretations in a clinical context.' In his final pitch to MSPs, Mr McArthur said: 'Scotland cannot put off this conversation. And parliament cannot continue to leave this issue in the 'too difficult' box. It must, at the very least, allow time for amendments to be considered to see if a bill can be agreed that commands majority support and public confidence. 'To my MSP colleagues, I say, if you have not yet made up your mind, my door is always open but most importantly I would urge you to listen to the voices of terminally ill Scots desperate for more choice, control and dignity. 'This bill has been a long time coming but it does now offer the chance to provide that compassionate choice for the small number of terminally ill Scots who need it.'
Telegraph
11-05-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Six in 10 Scots worried domestic abuse victims would seek assisted death
Two previous attempts at Holyrood to change the law on the issue were decisively defeated, but Mr McArthur has expressed confidence that it will pass this time. Several MSPs have said that they would support the legislation in the first vote so the debate over assisted dying could continue and to see what amendments are made at the next stage. However, they have said that they may not support the Bill in the final vote, which would decide whether the amended Bill should become law. Separate legislation introducing assisted dying in England and Wales has been tabled in the House of Commons by Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP for Spen Valley. The poll was published after John Swinney, the First Minister, disclosed that he will oppose the legislation in Tuesday's vote. He also expressed concerns that vulnerable people could come under pressure to end their own lives. The Other Half, which develops policy in women's interests, said that the survey confirmed 'Scottish people are worried about the vulnerable being coerced into state death'. Fiona Mackenzie, The Other Half's chief executive, said: 'That worry is heightened for older people and disabled people, who report the greatest concern of all the public. They may see the vulnerability and dependence of older age and disability. We should listen to them. 'We know that older adults, especially older women, are vulnerable to escalating abuse in older age, with one in six over-60s estimated to have experienced elder abuse in the last 12 months.' The poll of 1,088 adults was conducted by Whitestone Insights between May 2 and 7. It also found that concern about the effects on domestic abuse victims was higher among women (62 per cent) than men (60 per cent). 'Direct threat' Stephen Kerr, a Scottish Tory MSP, said: 'Liam McArthur's assisted dying Bill is a direct threat to vulnerable people. Most Scots now fear that victims of domestic abuse could be pressured into ending their lives – and they're right to. 'The Bill says nothing about domestic abuse. Its definition of 'terminal illness' is dangerously vague and could be widened through the courts, just as experts have warned.' Isabelle Kerr, who recently retired as the head of a women's refuge founded by JK Rowling, also warned that the Bill 'may place domestic abuse survivors in even more danger from perpetrators'. Ms Kerr, formerly of the Beira's Place support service in Edinburgh, said: 'Domestic abuse survivors who have lived with coercive and controlling behaviour from a partner will believe that she is the one making the decision to end her life, that it is best for everyone, and that her life is worthless as this is part of that pattern of behaviour common to many controlling and abusive men.' But Mr McArthur told BBC Scotland's The Sunday Show that there had been a 'huge shift' in the 'political mood' in Holyrood since legislation to allow assisted dying was last defeated in 2015. He said that any application would have to be approved by 'two doctors acting independently', who would discuss with the patient the 'rationale' for their decision because 'there is a need to ensure that no undue pressure or coercion has been brought to bear'. Mr McArthur denied that the legislation would be the 'thin end of the wedge', with eligibility criteria expanding over time, saying a Commons inquiry had found no evidence of this. Mr McArthur added: 'I am confident that my proposals represent a robust and well safeguarded Bill, allowing Scots access to the choice of an assisted death if they have an advanced, progressive terminal illness and the mental capacity to make the decision. 'Under the current ban on assisted dying, terminally ill people – women included – are taking matters into their own hands, ending their own lives at home or travelling to Switzerland. Right now, we cannot know whether these people have made an entirely voluntary decision.'
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
John Swinney will NOT back assisted dying bill when MSPs vote on the legislation on Tuesday
John Swinney has confirmed he will vote against legalising assisted dying amid concerns that vulnerable people could feel 'undue pressure' to end their lives. The First Minister said he will oppose the bill when it is voted on by MSPs for the first time on Tuesday. Announcing his decision to journalists in the Scottish Parliament, he also cited concerns about the impact on people who feel they are a 'burden' on their families and the State, as well as the impact on the relationship patients have with doctors and the risk that the legislation may end up being extended further in the future. He also spoke emotionally about his wife Elizabeth Quigley, who has multiple sclerosis, and said he couldn't contemplate having a discussion with her about the issue. Mr Swinney said: 'I have come to the conclusion that I cannot support the bill and will be voting against it on Tuesday. 'There are three fundamental reasons why I have come to that conclusion. Firstly, I am concerned that passage of this legislation will fundamentally alter the relationship between patients and clinicians. 'In my view there is a real danger of undermining the role that we all believe is effectively performed by medical professionals of protecting and enhancing human life. 'If any possibility or indeed obligation is applied to medical professionals to advise patients about assisted dying I judge that the relationship between doctor and patient would be changed in an irrevocable and detrimental fashion. 'Secondly, I am concerned that those who are vulnerable in our society and those who may consider themselves a burden to their families or to the State may feel undue pressure to end their life prematurely. 'I am very careful of the views of many individuals and organisations on this point and I can see no means of avoiding such a situation emerging in relation to the bill. 'Thirdly, as much as I recognise the efforts to tightly define the bill, if a decision is taken to pass this legislation then I am not sufficiently confident that there will be no further developments through the judicial process that could see the provisions of the bill extended to take in other broader circumstances that would extend the intentions of parliament, and I would not wish to enable such undesirable situation to develop.' MSPs will have a free vote when Liberal Democrat Liam McArthur's proposals are voted on at stage one on Tuesday and Mr Swinney insisted he did not want to influence anyone's vote but felt people were keen to hear his views as First Minister. Mr Swinney said his Christian faith was part of his judgement when considering the issue, which he previously voted against twice, but said the consideration he gave this time was 'incredibly difficult'. When asked if he had discussed the issue with his wife, a BBC journalist, Mr Swinney said: 'I couldn't contemplate having the conversation about the question of assisted dying with my wife knowing the health challenges that she faces and the fact that, as you all know, she has terminal illness. I could not contemplate that conversation.' Mr McArthur said: 'Given John Swinney's position on this issue in the past, I have always been aware that I was unlikely to win his support. 'Nevertheless, I would like to thank him for his considered approach, the time he has taken to discuss the issue with me and his recognition that in this vote he does not speak for his party but solely on a personal basis. 'He will know that this is an issue on which an overwhelming majority of people of Scotland believe a change in the law is required. 'Public polling is consistent across age range, disability status, geographic area and religious belief: Scots want a change in the law to allow terminally ill people the choice of an assisted death.'
