Group items tagged

Labour Party leader Keir Starmer leader has tested positive for Covid-19 for a second time, a spokesperson confirmed on Wednesday (January 5). Starmer had been due to face prime minister Boris Johnson at a question and answer session in parliament later today. His deputy, Angela Rayner, will take his place, the spokesperson added. Starmer had tested positive for Covid-19 last October and self-isolated four times after coming into contact with other positive cases on several occasions.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed that the Labour government is taking firm action against growing retail crime by scrapping the "shoplifters' charter." During a Commons session on Wednesday (5), Claire Hughes, Labour MP for Bangor Aberconwy, raised concerns about businesses in the seaside town of Llandudno struggling with the rise in shoplifting. She highlighted that in many cases thieves are stealing "in full view of staff because they just don't fear the consequences." While welcoming the recent funding boost for neighbourhood policing, she asked the prime minister - "What more the government is doing to tackle retail crime and deter repeat offenders?" In response, Starmer criticised the previous Conservative government for downplaying retail crime, potentially leading to increased incidents of repeat offenses. Starmer said: "For far too long, crimes like shoplifting have been written off as low level." "That's wrong, it's devastating. The opposite party (Conservatives) left us with rising crime and effectively told police to ignore shoplifting under £200 worth of goods. "We've got rid of that shoplifters' charter and we're working hard to make sure we get a grip where they lost control."

Ashley Dalton MP has been appointed as a parliamentary under-secretary of state in the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), following the dismissal of Andrew Gwynne MP by prime minister Keir Starmer last week. Dalton has served as the MP for West Lancashire since her election on 9 February 2023. Describing herself as "a mum, a carer, a cancer survivor, and a proud Lancashire lass," Dalton shares on her official page: "I grew up just outside of West Lancashire in Leyland and spent 25 years working with grassroots communities in local government. My life has been dedicated to helping residents and improving local services, and I am proud to continue doing so as your MP." Starmer sacked Gwynne, MP for Gorton and Denton since 2005, over alleged anti-semitic, racist and sexist remarks. He has also been suspended from the Labour Party. On Saturday, Gwynne expressed regret for his "badly misjudged" comments, which led to his dismissal as junior health minister.

Change is sweeping through Westminster as the newly elected Labour government makes strategic cabinet appointments following their landslide victory in the general election held on Thursday, July 4. With Sir Keir Starmer stepping in as the new Prime Minister and Wes Streeting assuming the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care role, the announcement of Karin Smyth and Stephen Kinnock as health ministers on Monday marked a pivotal moment in Labour's healthcare agenda. Who is the new Minister of State for Health? Karin Smyth, the Labour MP for Bristol South, has been appointed as Minister of State for Health. Smyth has a robust background in healthcare, having served as a shadow spokesperson on health since December 2021. Her previous roles include Shadow Minister for Northern Ireland and Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Commons. Before her parliamentary career, Smyth worked as an NHS Manager and held a non-executive director position at an NHS Trust.

In an announcement following Keir Starmer's and Wes Streeting's visit to a hospital in the East Midlands, Labour Party has unveiled a groundbreaking partnership with Virgin Media O2 aimed at ensuring every child with type 1 diabetes can access the latest medical technology to better manage diabetes. With the NHS providing patients with type 1 diabetes the option of an 'artificial pancreas' in the next five years to manage insulin levels and Continuous Glucose Monitors launched nearly 2 years ago to monitor children's glucose levels, the initiative aims to address the financial barrier hindering hundreds of families from benefiting from this breakthrough. Labour's plan to provide every child in need a smartphone, facilitating access to modern glucose monitors, aligns with the centre-leftist party's broader vision to harness technology for healthcare transformation. Announcing the partnership in an interview with ITV News, Keir Starmer, Labour Party Leader, highlighted the lack of equitable access to medical advancement amongst patients as "travesty" and "impact of fourteen years of Conservative chaos has had on the NHS", stating:

As the general election campaign continues, Labour is set to introduce a series of policies aimed at supporting small businesses. On Saturday, Sir Keir Starmer, alongside shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves and other shadow cabinet ministers, is expected to unveil the party's plans for the sector. Key proposals include an overhaul of the business rates system to enable high street shops to compete with online giants and ensure access to high street banking services by accelerating the establishment of banking hubs. Labour will also commit to addressing the issue of late payment of invoices by requiring large businesses to disclose their payment practices and "revitalise" high streets by tackling antisocial behaviour. Sir Keir described small businesses as "the beating heart of driving growth and creating jobs for local people."

The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) will deliver the national #saveourpharmacies petition to Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Health Secretary Wes Streeting on September 19. Over 300,000 people have signed the cross-sector petition in support of hard-pressed community pharmacies across the UK, which have been ravaged by funding cuts over the past decade. The NPA is inviting pharmacy bodies in England to join them on the second national pharmacy day of action to demonstrate unity in calling for a new deal to support the pharmacy sector. Earlier this year, the NPA distributed petition sheets to pharmacies across the country to maximise the number of signatories to increase pressure on the government to act in support of the pharmacy network. In preparation for the September 19 day of action, the NPA is sending out thousands of campaign packs including medicine bag stickers, posters, and postcards, to pharmacies across the UK. Through these materials, the NPA is urging pharmacies and their patients to highlight the issues of funding cuts and closures.

To combat 14 years of Tory neglect, Labour Party under the leadership of Keir Starmer has revealed plan to create "healthiest generation of children", ahead of the general elections. The broader mission includes shifting NHS focus towards prevention to improve healthy life expectancy and reduce regional health disparities within a decade. Proposing a Child Health Action Plan aimed at fostering the healthiest generation of children ever, the party has plans to ban the sale of highly caffeinated energy drinks to under-16s. Addressing concerns from health and education experts about inadequate labeling, drinks with more than 150mg of caffeine per liter will be restricted from retail and online sales to minors, with enforcement through trading standards. Labour leader underscores the significance of children's health as a national wellbeing indicator. He criticises the current government for its short-term approach, which he claims has led to deteriorating health among the nation's children.

The King's New Year Honours List 2025 has been announced, recognising unsung heroes who have made outstanding contributions to their communities across the UK. Over 1,200 individuals were honoured this year across various sectors, including healthcare, academia, sports, and voluntary service. Two pharmacists were honoured for their exceptional contributions to public health: Laura Catherine McIver, former chief pharmacist at Healthcare Improvement Scotland, was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for her services to the pharmacy profession and patient safety. Alan Malcom Kurtz, proprietor and manager of Fishers Chemist in South Norwood, London, received a Medal of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) for services to community pharmacy. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer thanked the recipients, saying: "Each and every day, ordinary people go out and do extraordinary things for their communities.