Adam SmithBbc Politics

Mar 16, 2024 | bbc.co.uk | Adam SmithBbc Politics |ADAM SMITH

A group campaigning to unseat the Conservatives in South Devon at the next general election have chosen a Liberal Democrat candidate they are calling "the People's Champion" to represent them. Caroline Voaden won the selection with 78.4% of the votes cast - a total of 840 votes. The Green candidate won 19.6% share, with 210 votes, while - despite refusing to take part - the Labour Party got 22 votes. The party are yet to select a parliamentary candidate for South Devon.

Mar 14, 2024 | bbc.co.uk | Helen Catt |Adam SmithBbc Politics |Adam Smith

A fresh attempt is being made to crack down on puppies and kittens being smuggled into the UK, nearly three years after the government promised to tighten the rules. The new law would allow a ban on importing dogs and cats which are younger than six-months-old. It would also prohibit the importation of heavily pregnant animals and limit how many pets a person can travel with. The bill will be debated in Parliament on Friday.

Feb 6, 2024 | bbc.co.uk | Helen Catt |Adam SmithBbc Politics |ADAM SMITH

The government has quietly dropped a commitment to increase the amount of money that disabled people in England can claim to adapt their homes. The Disabled Facilities Grant is used to fund alterations aimed at easing living at home, such as installing wet-rooms or stairlifts. The maximum amount a person is entitled to claim has been capped at £30,000 since 2008. But in real terms, that means it's now worth around a third less.

Nov 29, 2023 | news.zordo.in | Jack Fenwick |Adam SmithBbc Politics |ADAM SMITH

By Jack Fenwick & Adam SmithBBC PoliticsSir Elton John is heading to Parliament to urge ministers to do more to hit a 2030 target of eliminating new HIV cases in England, the BBC has learned. The rock legend will address MPs at a meeting on Wednesday evening. It comes as more than 580 previously undiagnosed cases have been identified by a pioneering new testing scheme.

Nov 29, 2023 | bbc.co.uk | Jack Fenwick |Adam SmithBbc Politics |ADAM SMITH

Sir Elton John is heading to Parliament to urge ministers to do more to hit a 2030 target of eliminating new HIV cases in England, the BBC has learned. The rock legend will address MPs at a meeting on Wednesday evening. It comes as more than 580 previously undiagnosed cases have been identified by a pioneering new testing scheme. Under the scheme, anyone having a blood test in selected hospital A&E units has also been tested for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, unless they opted out.