Lobbying government

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

We also support an all-party parliamentary group, and work with MPs and Peers to highlight key issues for people with asthma through debates, questions to Ministers and motions.

For an update on the main issues we are campaigning on at Westminster, you can download our latest Parliamentary Bulletin (Jan 10) (189 kb)

Towards the end of 2009 a series of consultation events on the National Strategy for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), which contains a chapter on adult asthma, took place across England.

The strategy has now been published, but people with asthma still have the opportunity to comment on it. It's very important that we gather as many opinions as possible, as these will be submitted alongside our official response.

• Tell us what you think

To highlight the problems in asthma care and unequal access to services, Asthma UK supporter Viscount Simon led a debate in the House of Lords on 30 October 2008, despite experiencing an asthma attack shortly before he was due to speak. 

His strong case for a National Strategy was echoed by Peers from all parties, and met a sympathetic response from the Minister.

• Read a transcript of the debate on the parliament.uk website

Following the debate, Asthma UK was invited to participate in a new Department of Health working group to look at how to improve asthma care, and the work of this group led to the asthma chapter in the National Strategy for COPD.

Asthma UK raised its profile amongst politicians last autumn by attending each of the three main part conferences. We promoted our campaigns by holding meetings and events and engaging in debate.

To highlight World Asthma Day 2009 (5 May), Baroness Morgan, Minister at the Department of Children, Schools and Families, spoke at Asthma UK’s reception at the House of Commons about improving support in schools for children with asthma.

Over 150 guests, including 50 parliamentarians, many healthcare professionals, and several young people with asthma attended the event.

All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) are made up of members from different parties from both 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.  The APPG Asthma is chaired by Dr Howard Stoate MP, a practising GP.

There are several other APPGs of relevance to asthma, carers, children, health, health and well-being in schools, occupational safety and health, patient and public involvement in health, pharmacy and smoking and health.

E-campaigning is a way for your voice to be heard and to help shape policy that will make a difference to the lives of people with asthma.