Impending Update on Hillsborough Law and Vaccine Aid Cuts Raise Concerns
Ministers announce forthcoming details on the Hillsborough Law as concerns grow over UK vaccine aid reductions impacting child immunization.
An imminent update on the proposed Hillsborough Law is expected, according to a government minister.
This announcement follows reports that a meeting between the Prime Minister and Hillsborough campaigners was cancelled, raising concerns about potential modifications to the law's contents.
During the Labour Party conference in 2022, Sir Keir Starmer committed to introducing the legislation in Parliament ahead of the 36th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, which will be observed on April 15, 2024.
The proposed Hillsborough Law aims to impose a legal duty of candour on public authorities and officials, mandating transparency and cooperation with official investigations.
It includes provisions for criminal sanctions against those who mislead or obstruct inquiries.
Recent reports suggest a rift regarding who would be subject to this duty of candour, prompting anxiety among campaigners advocating for justice.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice reiterated the Government’s commitment to a Hillsborough Law that encompasses these crucial elements.
Building safety minister Alex Norris indicated to Members of Parliament (MPs) that an update on the matter would be forthcoming, stressing the government's recognition of campaigners' calls concerning the duty of candour.
In related discussions, concerns have been raised regarding the establishment of a national oversight mechanism, which would function as an independent body to monitor and address recommendations from public inquiries.
This proposal has gained traction among campaigners focused on various scandals, including the Grenfell Tower fire and the infected blood scandal.
Mr. Norris noted the acknowledgment of these calls but indicated uncertainty about the timeline and details surrounding the proposed oversight mechanism, stating, “That’s a Cabinet Office-run process.”
During the committee session, Norris confirmed the appointment of Dame Judith Hackitt, who previously led a review into building regulations after the Grenfell fire, to chair a new panel focusing on building control.
This initiative aligns with recommendations from the Grenfell inquiry, which suggested exploring public interest regarding building control functions.
In a separate development, members of the UK Parliament conveyed grave concerns regarding proposed cuts to funding for global vaccination initiatives, warning that such reductions may lead to significant child mortality rates.
MPs discussed the potential consequences of reduced contributions to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (Gavi) amid ongoing discussions about the UK’s official development assistance (ODA) budget.
The Conservative former minister Sir David Davis highlighted that cuts to the Gavi funding could result in an estimated 30 million fewer children receiving immunizations, potentially leading to over 600,000 child deaths over the next five years.
Gavi, a public-private partnership established in 2000, has successfully immunized over one billion children and has played a crucial role in preventing millions of deaths worldwide.
The proposed cuts follow a broader reduction in the ODA budget from 0.5% to 0.3% of the UK’s gross national income over the next two years, a move linked to increased defense spending due to geopolitical tensions surrounding the Ukraine conflict.
During parliamentary sessions, Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty addressed these concerns, asserting that decision-making regarding ODA allocations is ongoing and that the UK remains a significant donor to Gavi, having pledged £1.65 billion for the current strategic period until 2025. Doughty emphasized that the focus is on ensuring that each pound of aid is utilized effectively given the current context of resource constraints.
The discussion surrounding the reduction in aid comes at a time when there are intensifying calls for continued support for vaccination efforts globally, particularly in light of previous US cuts to funding for immunization initiatives which have similarly affected Gavi's capacity.
This announcement follows reports that a meeting between the Prime Minister and Hillsborough campaigners was cancelled, raising concerns about potential modifications to the law's contents.
During the Labour Party conference in 2022, Sir Keir Starmer committed to introducing the legislation in Parliament ahead of the 36th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, which will be observed on April 15, 2024.
The proposed Hillsborough Law aims to impose a legal duty of candour on public authorities and officials, mandating transparency and cooperation with official investigations.
It includes provisions for criminal sanctions against those who mislead or obstruct inquiries.
Recent reports suggest a rift regarding who would be subject to this duty of candour, prompting anxiety among campaigners advocating for justice.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice reiterated the Government’s commitment to a Hillsborough Law that encompasses these crucial elements.
Building safety minister Alex Norris indicated to Members of Parliament (MPs) that an update on the matter would be forthcoming, stressing the government's recognition of campaigners' calls concerning the duty of candour.
In related discussions, concerns have been raised regarding the establishment of a national oversight mechanism, which would function as an independent body to monitor and address recommendations from public inquiries.
This proposal has gained traction among campaigners focused on various scandals, including the Grenfell Tower fire and the infected blood scandal.
Mr. Norris noted the acknowledgment of these calls but indicated uncertainty about the timeline and details surrounding the proposed oversight mechanism, stating, “That’s a Cabinet Office-run process.”
During the committee session, Norris confirmed the appointment of Dame Judith Hackitt, who previously led a review into building regulations after the Grenfell fire, to chair a new panel focusing on building control.
This initiative aligns with recommendations from the Grenfell inquiry, which suggested exploring public interest regarding building control functions.
In a separate development, members of the UK Parliament conveyed grave concerns regarding proposed cuts to funding for global vaccination initiatives, warning that such reductions may lead to significant child mortality rates.
MPs discussed the potential consequences of reduced contributions to the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (Gavi) amid ongoing discussions about the UK’s official development assistance (ODA) budget.
The Conservative former minister Sir David Davis highlighted that cuts to the Gavi funding could result in an estimated 30 million fewer children receiving immunizations, potentially leading to over 600,000 child deaths over the next five years.
Gavi, a public-private partnership established in 2000, has successfully immunized over one billion children and has played a crucial role in preventing millions of deaths worldwide.
The proposed cuts follow a broader reduction in the ODA budget from 0.5% to 0.3% of the UK’s gross national income over the next two years, a move linked to increased defense spending due to geopolitical tensions surrounding the Ukraine conflict.
During parliamentary sessions, Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty addressed these concerns, asserting that decision-making regarding ODA allocations is ongoing and that the UK remains a significant donor to Gavi, having pledged £1.65 billion for the current strategic period until 2025. Doughty emphasized that the focus is on ensuring that each pound of aid is utilized effectively given the current context of resource constraints.
The discussion surrounding the reduction in aid comes at a time when there are intensifying calls for continued support for vaccination efforts globally, particularly in light of previous US cuts to funding for immunization initiatives which have similarly affected Gavi's capacity.
