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Cystic Fibrosis Trust reacts to King’s Speech announcements

News -

Today (17 July) a new Parliamentary session has begun with the State Opening of Parliament and the King’s Speech. This is read out by the King but written by the Government and sets out the laws they intend to pass this parliamentary session.

There are two announcements made today, which may particularly affect people with cystic fibrosis: 

Tobacco and Vapes

A commitment to create a smoke-free generation and combat rising rates of young people vaping. 

What this means:

  • New powers will be introduced to restrict flavours and packaging of vapes that are specifically marketed at children.

  • A new law will be introduced making it illegal to sell tobacco to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009, creating a smoke-free generation.

It's great to see the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which will protect future generations from the dangers of smoking, being reintroduced in the King's speech today. Smoking and vaping pose an additional risk for those with long-term health conditions, including cystic fibrosis so this legislation is a really positive step forward.

We continue to call on the Government for further research in this area, particularly into the long- and short-term effects of using vapes, and the impact of this on those with lung conditions like CF.

David Ramsden, Chief Executive of Cystic Fibrosis Trust

You can read our previous comments on the Tobacco and Vapes Bill here, here and here.

Click here for more information about vaping and cystic fibrosis.

 

Employment Rights

The Government have also committed to introduce an Employment Rights Bill within their first 100 days. 

Though we look forward to hearing more details on this soon, the draft bill  includes:

  • Strengthening Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) by removing the lower earnings limit to make it available to all workers as well as the waiting period

  • Making flexible working and sick pay available from day-one for all workers

  • Removing minimum wage age bands to ensure every adult worker benefits

We are calling for an uplift to SSP rate and believe this will be crucial to help support the 60% of people with CF in employment or who are self-employed to remain in work.

You can read our response to the Department of Work and Pensions Statutory Sick Pay report from April 2024 here.

Find out more about our Work Forwards programme here

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