Week 1 in Westminster – Are they getting it right?

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

It has been eleven days since Keir Starmer was appointed Prime Minster by King Charles in the wake of the country electing a Labour government for the first time in 14 years. Labour said during the election campaign that they were ready to hit the ground running – but how have they fared in their first week?

One of the key announcements we had the day after the General Election was that the Rwanda scheme had been officially scrapped. BASW released a statement in response to this announcement welcoming the move. 

Secretaries of State have been busy appointing new ministers to their roles, and we welcome Stephen Kinnock MP as Minister for Care. Former social worker Janet Daby MP to the team in the Department for Education but we’re yet to receive confirmation on how the role responsibilities have been allocated. 

What has been announced?

  • An independent investigation into the state of the NHS has been ordered to be carried out by Professor Lord Darzi 
  • A promise to deliver an extra 40,000 appointments and operations a week in England by getting NHS staff to work weekends and using the private sector more
  • Helping people back into work with an emphasis on “the right job, at the right time”
  • A new Borders Security Command (BSC) to tackle people-smuggling gangs crossing people over the England Channel in inflatable boats 

What else are we expecting?

The King will deliver his speech to open the UK Parliament on 17th July and announce the UK Government’s legislative plans for the year ahead. While we don’t know for certain what will be announced, we are expecting:

  • Renters Reform Bill 
  • Hillsborough Law Bill 
  • Children not in School Register Bill 
  • Race Equality Bill 
  • Mental Health Bill 
  • Education Bill 

We will update members once we know exactly what is in the Kings Speech and which legislative may affect social work practice. 

Wales at Westminster

Wales: Lead the way and speak with action, new Prime Minister urged

BASW Cymru’s National Director, Prof. Sam Baron, has called on the new Prime Minister to work closely with the newly appointed Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to deliver an ambitious plan that can become a beacon of excellence and best practice to the devolved nations across the UK.