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This Week in Westminster | Blog Series

A blog series providing BASW members with all the latest developments at Westminster.

Latest Features

Cuts, calamity & concessions: UK Government’s Welfare Bill passes

After more changes, the government gets its controversial welfare reforms through the Commons
Downing Street

BASW & ADASS push for Liberty Protection Safeguards

The scheme has been delayed since before Covid
Westminster

Labour in government: 365 days later

A year on from the General Election, we review Labour’s first year back in power.
Westminster

UK Government survives Welfare Bill scare

The government’s welfare reforms squeak through the first stage, but at a huge cost
Westminster

Mental Health Bill approaches its final stages

Plans to reform the Mental Health Act will soon be approved by MPs
Westminster

Assisted Dying Bill moves to House of Lords

MPs vote in favour of progressing assisted dying legislation

Archive

June 2025

  • Spending Review - what was (or wasn't) announced?

BASW provides analysis of the Chancellor's long awaited spending review, which sets the allocation of funding from the Treasury to government departments until 2029. 

  • Peers pick up the mantle on BASW's age assessment amendments

With the Border Security, Asylum & Immigration Bill now in the House of Lords, BASW has been engaging extensively with Peers on amendments to improve the age assessment process.

May 2025

  • BASW projects social work's voice at Westminster

Through our ongoing dialogue with parliamentarians, we’re continuing to affect changes to proposed legislation and drive forward key campaign asks from our manifesto for social work. 

  • 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.

April 2025

  • 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.

March 2025

  • 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.

February 2025

  • 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. 

January 2025

  • 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.

  • Labour government announces new commission into adult social care in England

An independent commission, led by Baroness Casey, has been tasked to put forward recommendations and a roadmap for social care reform in England. 

December 2024

  • 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.

  • UK Government publishes Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill

BASW responds to the government setting out their proposals for “making sure no child falls through gaps between different services and that families can get help when they need it”.

November 2024

  • 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.

  • New mental health bill introduced for England and Wales

BASW provides reaction to the UK Government announcing its plans to reform the Mental Health Act to “improve treatment of patients and address disparities”.

October 2024

  • 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.

  • BASW at Labour Party Conference 2024

We report back from an eventful party conference in Liverpool, where we get an insight to what this new Labour government has planned for the months ahead. 

September 2024

  • Keir Starmer announces new Hillsborough Law

BASW welcomes the commitment made at Labour Party Conference that the government will introduce a new Hillsborough Law before the next anniversary of the disaster. 

  • UK Government reveals changes to Winter Fuel Allowance

BASW expresses concern that the changes to eligibility requirements will result in a 'cliff edge' which will disproportionately impact on millions of pensioners on low incomes who do not qualify for pension credit.

  • BASW welcomes inspection into Home Office age assessments

The Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration has commenced an inspection of the Home Office’s use of age assessment, a move welcomed by BASW. 

August 2024

  • BASW prepares to make Treasury representations

Ahead of the Chancellor's first Budget, BASW sets out the case for where we want to see spending being prioritised.

July 2024

  • BASW pushes UK Government to abolish two-child limit

BASW writes to the UK Chancellor setting out why the two-child limit and benefit cap must be scrapped, adding that a child poverty strategy that doesn't include this commitment would be 'toothless.'

  • 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?

Policy Blogs

Children playing

Scrap the two-child limit & benefit cap

Ending these measures would lift thousands of children out of poverty.
Benefits system, oppressive, social worker, advocate

Uprate benefits each year in line with inflation

Our social security system should always guarantee our essentials.
people talking

Invest in family and community services

Better services prevent escalation to statutory intervention
Adult social care

Time to properly fund social work & social care

Richard Servian from BASW's Black Country Branch explores why the next UK Government must commit to properly funding social work and social care in England.
Housing

Investing in good-quality specialist and/or supported housing

Specific targeted measures to address the UK's housing crisis
Housing

Undertake a review of those benefits that fuel the housing crisis.

Rising housing costs increase insecurity
Panel at UK conference 2025

The Importance of Lived Experience

Genuine co-production is essential for good policy-making

Repeal the Illegal Migration Act

The UK needs a fairer, more humane asylum system
social work workforce image

Develop a Social Work Workforce Strategy

BASW member, Dr Sarah Pollock discusses why an incoming Westminster government must finally move beyond 'evidence gathering' and act on developing a social work workforce strategy in England
holding hands

Introduce Paid Carers Leave

Time to introduce the right for carers to be paid by their employer
An outline of two overlapping people with the brains visible, one red on the left and blue on the right.

A new Mental Health Act

One of BASW's priority asks for the next UK Government is to deliver a new Mental Health Act for England and Wales.

Reform bursary support for social work students

BASW and SWU have led on the campaign for fairer, more equitably available, and greater financial support for social work students across the UK.
person at laptop

Payment in co-production

Too often, people with lived experience are asked to contribute without proper recompense
refugee

Restore foreign aid contribution

As a nation we need to uphold our international responsibilities

Asylum & Immigration

This blog looks at three specific policy asks around asylum and immigration.
Mileage

Increase the non-taxable mileage rate

Nobody should be being penalised financially for doing their job

Further Links

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
Manifesto UK

General Election 2024 UK Manifesto for social work

BASW sets out key asks of UK Political Parties ahead of the General Election.

BASW in the media

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

Let's Talk Social Work Podcast

Hear the latest insight from across the social work profession
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.
PSW back issues

Professional Social Work Magazine (PSW)

Find out the latest features, insight and viewpoints from across social work

Campaigning and influencing

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  • Social Work Stands Against Poverty
  • This Week in Westminster | Blog Series
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  • Housing & Homelessness

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