Parliamentarians must back this Bill

On 22nd October Baroness Meacher’s Assisted Dying Bill passed unopposed to Committee stage in the House of Lords. Lord Field, Baroness Davidson and Lord Forsyth all confirmed they had changed their minds and now support this Bill, as do four former Law Lords.

Yet this critical Bill, enabling end-of-life choice for mentally competent terminally ill adults, could however be blocked if not enough time is allowed for comprehensive debate.

Opponents have already tabled 150+ filibustering amendments for this stage. If only one day is allowed for debate, this number would surely have to be amended?

Why do so many opposed to assisted dying still think it is right that some terminally ill people at the end of their lives are forced to endure protracted unbearable deaths against their wishes when strong evidence shows even excellent palliation has its limitations?

There is support from doctors: September’s British Medical Association survey showed that 14,500 doctors are supportive.

I am relieved that more palliative care experts are finally being honest with the public regarding palliation limitations, however many of our hospices based on Christian doctrine remain totally opposed, and continue to force their directive even when this Bill is compassionate, with more safeguards than those that have been enacted in other countries.

Parliamentarians have to step up - as has our own Bath MP, Wera Hobhouse - and start supporting Baroness Meacher’s Bill to ensure that it has enough time for meaningful debate to ensure its progress. Pauline Carroll, Retired District Nurse, Bath Dignity in Dying

Bath and North East Somerset is one of the least affordable areas for housing in the country, with house prices that far outstrip average earnings, high private rents and long waiting lists for social housing.

The Lib Dem leadership of B&NES Council is taking direct action to tackle this housing crisis. We are utilising surplus councilowned land and properties to deliver the first, new, general needs council homes in our area for a generation.

Our initial plans are for 58 homes on eight sites in Bath and in North East Somerset. Then, over the coming months, we will be developing plans for a substantial programme of hundreds of additional council houses in our area.

This will mean a new role and a new responsibility for B&NES, becoming responsible for directly delivering and owning new general needs council houses for social rent for our residents.

In addition, we are also developing 50 units of specialist accommodation, including supported housing to help homeless people and emergency housing units.

Last week, Conservative spokesperson Bob Goodman said there is a ‘stigma’ related to council housing that is preventing announcement of the sites. I reject this suggestion, which is entirely his own invention.

Our new council homes will be assets to the communities in which they are situated, providing affordable housing in useful locations.

These will be quality homes, with high energy efficiency standards to help reduce fuel costs for residents and contribute to our climate emergency goals.

Work has already started on the first site at 117 Newbridge Hill in Bath, where a building formerly used for council offices is being converted. The next sites will be announced as soon as we are able to do so. Of course, all sites will be subject to robust business cases, the full planning application process and associated public engagement. I can confirm that Englishcombe Lane is not one of the eight sites identified for these general needs council houses.

Mr Goodman finds fault in the use of the council’s development company, Aequus, in assisting the council in delivering some of these new properties. This is confusing – not least of all as it was the Conservative cbinet in which Mr Goodman later served, which established this company but also because, being council-owned, any profits made by Aequus are returned to

the council to help support vital local services.

I know from the many positive comments that I have received since the launch of our council house building programme that many in our community care deeply about our housing issues and are delighted to see us deliver the first council houses for a generation.

Instead of trying to find fault with this new programme of council houses, I invite Mr Goodman to live up to his words and stated commitment to social housing by instead supporting this council’s bold decision to deliver hundreds of much needed homes for our residents.

With this milestone decision to provide new council homes, the Lib Dem administration is showing our commitment to responding to local needs and delivering for local residents.

Councillor Tom Davies Cabinet member for Council House Building