Lobbying government

Health policy is a devolved issue. That means health policy in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales is dealt with by their respective administrations.

This page primarily covers lobbying activity at Westminster. For more specific information on the lobbying activity in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland please follow these links:

Westminster

At Westminster we monitor parliamentary and government activity and meet reguarly with MPs, peers, ministers and civil servants.

Recent news

World Asthma Day 2008

To highlight World Asthma Day 2008 (6 May), Ivan Lewis MP, Minister at the Department of Health (pictured), attended Asthma UK’s reception at the House of Commons to discuss the future of care for the 5.2 million people with asthma in the UK.

Dr Howard Stoate MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Asthma, hosted the event and welcomed over 100 Parliamentarians, healthcare professionals and people with asthma.

MPs were asked to pledge their support to Asthma UK’s campaign to reduce the shocking inequalities in healthcare provision across the UK.

Other speakers included May Holloway, who has asthma, and Rt Hon Kevin Barron MP, Chair of the House of Commons Health Select Committee.

All-Party Parliamentary Group Asthma

All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) are made up of members from different parties and can be from the House of Commons and House of Lords. There are different APPGs for different subjects and the members meet throughout the year to discuss relevant issues. The APPG Asthma raises awareness of asthma with parliamentarians and Asthma UK acts as the administrator for the APPG.

There are several other APPGs of relevance to asthma, including alternative and complementary medicine, children, health, occupational safety and health, patient and public involvement in health, smoking and health.

Select committees

A Select Committee is a group of MPs from all parties who examine the work of each government department as well as other areas of concern to MPs. They examine the activity of government and associated public bodies by holding evidence sessions and gathering detailed information. Evidence taken is used to produce reports. The reports are then considered by the government and a reply given – sometimes in the form of a White Paper.

Of particular concern to Asthma UK is the work of the Health Committee and the Children, Schools and Families Committee.