Today I am pleased to announce there will be a new right to neonatal care leave which will be available from April. This will support new parents who have to face having a newborn in hospital with a right to leave from work whilst their baby is in neonatal care.

Good to be in-studio on BBC Radio 4 Today to talk about the start of the Terminally Ill Adults Bill Committee this PM. Parliament & public expect us to work with seriousness to scrutinise this Bill in detail. The job is not to repeat the ‘in principle’ debate of 2nd reading…. 🧵

“If you can afford it, you pay” is not free at the point of delivery. They’re your words, not mine. And I thought you were straight talking… Source: telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/…

Straight from the horse’s mouth. When it comes to replacing our NHS Nigel Farage says he is “open to anything”. The Reform Party would see the NHS reduced to a poor service for poor people, with working people forced to pay for their healthcare.

Today the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill starts to hear oral evidence from national and international experts in medicine, law, social work and beyond. This is the first time any Private Members Bill has taken evidence in this way, in public. parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/70…

On accessing capacity "...as determined by the Mental Capacity Act is something which is done every day in every hospital up and down the country. Every doctor, every nurse above a certain level of seniority should be able to do that normally." - Sir Chris Whitty

Another valuable morning at Assisted Dying (AD) Bill committtee. AD has been in place in Australia since 2019, important we learn from their experience. Dr Clare Fellingham clear that our proposed law has tight limited eligibility for the terminally ill in line with theirs.

I asked Austrialian doctors specifically about palliative care - and any impact introduction of AD has had on that. Their responses clear: palliative care in no way harmed by introduction of AD and often strengthened and enhanced as a result of focus on choice at end of life.

In our next session we heard from disability campaigners Dr Tom Shakespeare & Dr Miro Griffiths, sharing the diversity of views held by disabled people. We discussed Clause 2 of the draft bill & how we can safeguard disabled people without limiting their autonomy at end of life

The Government’s new Plan for Change means that by 2030, *ALL* private rentals in England & Wales must meet an energy rating of at least EPC C (up from E). This could lift 500,000 households out of fuel poverty and save tenants around £240 a year on bills! 🧵 1/5

Pleased to see Kim Leadbeater MBE MP make a common sense change to the Assisted Dying Bill that will improve the safeguards that prevent coercion and abuse. theguardian.com/commentisfree/…

“There are cases where palliative care cannot meet the patient’s needs. ... These are real stories of real human beings.” Kim Leadbeater MBE MP mentions Laura, who was traumatised by the memory of watching her mum suffer an inhumane death.

It was an honour to welcome Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський to Downing Street and reiterate my unwavering support for Ukraine. I am determined to find a path that ends Russia's illegal war and ensures a just and lasting peace that secures Ukraine’s future sovereignty and security. Slava Ukraini.

The ceasefire between Israel + Hamas must be implemented fully, with all hostages released, incl. Avinatan Or, more aid in and a credible path to lasting peace. Israel must not block aid, which should never be used as a political tool. 🇫🇷 🇩🇪🇬🇧 urge Israel to lift restrictions.

A political process and reconstruction efforts in Gaza are vital. The UK, France, Italy and Germany are clear: Palestinians must be able to stay on their land. gov.uk/government/new… 1/2

We are concerned by horrific reports from Syria’s coastal areas. The Foreign Secretary’s statement 👇

Cutting off electricity to Gaza risks devastating consequences. Desalination plants must be able to operate and provide clean drinking water for civilians. I urge Israel to restart electricity supplies and humanitarian aid to ensure it abides by International Humanitarian Law.

The UK condemns Israel's decision to create 13 new settlements in the occupied West Bank. Settlements harm security for both Palestinians and Israelis and violate international law. 1/2

This is unacceptable, counter-productive and deeply concerning. I have been in touch with Yuan and Abtisam to offer my support and that of the FCDO.

The politicising of humanitarian aid to Gaza is unacceptable. Alongside France 🇫🇷 and Germany 🇩🇪 , the UK 🇬🇧 urges Israel to restart the flow of aid to Gaza, for all parties to return to a ceasefire and for Hamas to release all remaining hostages.