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This Week in Westminster | Blog Series

A blog series providing BASW members with all the latest developments at Westminster.
  • BASW raises social work workforce issues with government

BASW worked with Sally Jameson MP to submit a series of written questions to the Department for Health and Social Care to apply pressure on the government to improve working conditions in social work.

  • Assisted Dying Bill faces key Commons vote

BASW Chair, Julia Ross looks ahead to a crucial juncture for the assisted dying legislation in Westminster.

  • BASW welcomes investment for social and affordable homes

The UK Government has announced new grant funding of £2billion as part of their long-term plans to build 1.5million new homes to help tackle the housing crisis. 

  • BASW backs AMHP Leads Network speaking out on 'deeply troubling' change to mental health bill

BASW joins with the AMHP Leads Network in expressing criticism around a change to the Mental Health Bill in the House of Lords, urging MPs to reverse the decision.

  • Spring Statement 2025

BASW provides initial reaction and analysis to the Chancellor's Spring Statement as OBR forecasts revealed a fall in growth for the UK's economy.

  • BASW secures assurances for protections for social workers in assisted dying bill

Kim Leadbeater MP agreed to BASW’s request that social workers receive the same level of legal protections in the legislation as healthcare professionals during a committee session in Westminster.

  • UK Government announces significant proposed changes to welfare system

The Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall unveiled the changes in a statement to the House of Commons as the government seek to reduce the welfare budget on the eve of the upcoming spending review.

  • BASW insists government’s immigration bill must abolish the NAAB

Following evidence submitted by BASW to MPs examining the government's Border Security, Asylum & Immigration Bill, we're pleased to see an amendment tabled to repeal the NAAB and scientific methods of age assessment. 

  • BASW seeks assurances from government on foreign aid spending target

With Keir Starmer announcing that the UK's overseas spending will be cut to 0.3% GDP, BASW writes to the government seeking assurances that spending will be restored within this parliament.

  • Will the government fit the bill?

Bills, Bills, Bills. As MPs prepare to return to their constituencies for February recess, we examine the key pieces of legislation that progressed in Westminster this term.

  • Role of social work recognised in assisted dying legislation

Kim Leadbeater MP announces an amendment to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill that would see decisions about assisted dying being made by expert, multi-disciplinary panels, that include social workers, following sign off from two independent doctors. 

  • BASW at Westminster | January 2025 Update

A round of BASW's work in parliament on the Assisted Dying Bill, Mental Health Bill and Children's Wellbeing & Schools Bill on behalf of members, the wider social work profession and people with lived experience.

  • BASW England gives evidence on children’s social care inquiry

Maris Stratulis, National Director of BASW England, appeared before the Education Select Committee as part of its reopened inquiry into children’s social care.

  • BASW seeks to strengthen government's Mental Health Bill

Ahead of the first debate in the House of Lords on the government's proposals to modernise the Mental Health Act for England and Wales, BASW engages with parliamentarians on where we believe the Bill can be improved.

  • BASW writes to MPs ahead of Assisted Dying vote

As MPs prepare to debate and vote on the general principles of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, BASW raises concerns around the absence of social work in the discussion and encourages members to contact their MP too.

  • The UK Budget - What was announced?

Following the first ever UK Budget delivered by a woman Chancellor, BASW provides initial reaction and outlines the key announcements for social work and social care.

The Kings Speech – What’s in it for BASW?

BASW takes a closer look at what was announced in the King's Speech on 17 July 2024 as the UK Government outlined their legislative plans for the year ahead. 

  • Week 1 in Westminster – Are they getting it right?

What has been announced and what else are we expecting from the new Labour government?

  • General Election Watch: What on earth is going on?!

Kerri Prince, BASW UK’s Public and Political Affairs Lead, analyses the latest political activity at Westminster and jostling on policy positions between political parties ahead of an impending General Election, and discusses how it might affect social work.

Policy Blogs

  • Scrap the two-child limit & benefit cap
  • Uprate benefits each year in line with inflation
  • Invest in family and community services
  • Investing in Good Quality Housing
  • Investing in good-quality specialist and/or supported housing
  • Undertake a review of those benefits that fuel the housing crisis
  • The importance of lived experience
  • Repeal the Illegal Migration Act
  • Payment in co-production
  • Scrap the National Age Assessment Board
  • Abolish 'scientific methods' of age assessment
  • Review of No Recourse to Public Funds
  • Restore Foreign Aid Contribution
  • Increase the Non-Taxable Mileage Rate
  • Time to properly fund social work & social care
  • Develop a Social Work Workforce Strategy
  • Continuity of Care & Support
  • Introduce Paid Carers Leave
  • Implement a new Mental Health Act
  • Reform Social Work Student Bursaries
     
Houses of Parliament, Westminster

BASW at Westminster

Working across the UK to influence governments and politicians in the interests of social work and social workers
Julia speaking at BASW's anti-poverty event at Westminster

Campaigning and influencing

BASW's campaign and influence work on what matters in social work today.

BASW in the media

BASW and SWU’s latest involvement in TV interviews, radio shows, online and print media

Campaigning and influencing

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Social Work
  • BASW in Westminster
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