Controversial plans to reform the welfare system overcomes its first hurdle in parliament, staving off a rebellion from backbench Labour MPs but only thanks to a plethora of last-minute concessions.

With plans to reform the Mental Health Act for England and Wales set to be approved by MPs, we examine what provisions are in the Bill, including what BASW have campaigned for.

In a seismic moment in British politics, MPs vote in favour of progressing assisted dying legislation for England and Wales to the House of Lords, where it will undergo further scrutiny and debate.

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. 

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.

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 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.

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

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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 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. 

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

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

Houses of Parliament, Westminster

BASW at Westminster

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