News & Campaigns

All the latest from HER-itage and our affiliates

bpas comment on the reinstatement of guidance to permit telemedicine for Early Medical Abortion

Ann Furedi, CEO of bpas, said:

“We welcome the confirmation we have received today that the government will re-instate telemedicine for Early Medical Abortion in England. This will prevent tens of thousands of women from having to travel needlessly to clinics and will also enable many of our healthcare professionals to provide teleconsultations and prescriptions from the safety of their own homes. BPAS staff have shown superhuman strength over recent weeks in order to prevent the collapse of services and ensure women can access the care they need. We thank them for their dedication during what continues to be an immensely difficult time for all those working in healthcare.

“Despite today’s announcement, we remain extremely concerned about the ability of women in other parts of the UK to access abortion care during the pandemic. In Northern Ireland, abortion care is now lawful, but services have not yet been established and telemedical abortion care is not permitted under the regulations produced by the government last week. As a result, women are being forced to travel hundreds of miles via ferry and public transport to clinics in England at a time when they are also being told to stay at home to save lives. We urge policymakers to now implement similar measures to permit telemedical abortion services in Northern Ireland as a matter of urgency.”

About bpas

    bpas is a charity which sees almost 100,000 women a year for reproductive healthcare services including pregnancy counselling, abortion care, miscarriage management and contraception, at clinics across the UK. It supports and advocates for reproductive choice. BPAS also runs the Centre for Reproductive Research and Communication, which seeks to develop and deliver a research agenda that furthers women’s access to evidence-based reproductive healthcare, driven by an understanding of women’s perspectives and needs. You can find out more here: https://www.bpas.org/get-involved/centre-for-reproductive-research-communication/

https://www.bpas.org/about-our-charity/press-office/press-releases/bpas-comment-on-the-reinstatement-of-guidance-to-permit-telemedicine-for-early-medical-abortion/

March 30, 2020

Employers do not have to report gender pay gaps – Government Equalities Office

Enforcement of the gender pay gap reporting deadlines suspended for this year.

Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, the Government Equalities Office (GEO) and the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) have today, 24th March, taken the decision to suspend enforcement of the gender pay gap deadlines for this reporting year (2019/20).

The decision means there will be no expectation on employers to report their data.

In a joint statement, Minister for Women & Equalities, Liz Truss, and EHRC Chair, David Isaac, said:

“We recognise that employers across the country are facing unprecedented uncertainty and pressure at this time. Because of this we feel it is only right to suspend enforcement of gender pay gap reporting this year.”

Further information:

  • In normal circumstances, the EHRC has the power to investigate employers that fail to report their gender pay gap data and could face an unlimited fine after court action.
  • More than 3000 employers have already reported their data via the gov.uk website this year (26% of expected reporters) and GEO will continue to provide support to employers in reporting their data should they wish to do so.
  • For the latest information on coronavirus support, please visit gov.uk.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/employers-do-not-have-to-report-gender-pay-gaps

March 30, 2020

Coronavirus: Nobody should lose jobs or pay because their kids’ school is closed – TUC Petition

Bring in emergency time-limited measures to make sure parents don’t lose jobs and pay when their children’s school or nursery has to close.

Why is this important?

We support measures to reduce the spread and impact of coronavirus, but no-one should be out of pocket, or even worse out of a job, for doing the right thing.

When schools and nurseries close for most children, loads of parents will be unable to work because they’ll have to look after their kids. But current parental or dependants’ leave arrangements are too short and in any case mean going without pay – something most people simply can’t afford.

If we want people to follow government health advice, the government has to support parents. And they need to act fast to deal with this emergency. That means:

  • Keeping everyone on full pay, if their kids’ school or childcare closes.
  • Reimbursing employers – just like they do for maternity pay.
  • No-one should be treated unfairly or lose their job because they need to look after their kids.

Let’s support workers in getting us through this epidemic, and make sure no-one loses their job or is pushed into hardship because their kids’ school closes.

Sign the petitions at https://www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/coronavirus-nobody-should-lose-their-job-because-their-kids-school-is-closed

  • If you’re a working parent and concerned about your own work rights when schools close, find out more where you might stand under the current arrangements here: https://bit.ly/3928WfT

March 30, 2020

Freedom Programme – pet fostering for victims of domestic violence – coronavirus update – Dogs Trust

Important update on the Freedom Project in relation to coronavirus

Due to the current situation in relation to coronavirus, we are still running our vital service but with restricted resources. If you, or someone you are supporting, would like to access our Freedom Project, please do get in touch with us and we will do all we can to help.

If you are fleeing domestic abuse or you are a service working on behalf of a client, please go to the relevant section for information on how to access our pet fostering service.

Dogs Trust currently runs this service for people fleeing domestic abuse in Greater London and the Home Counties, Yorkshire, the North East and North West of England and Scotland.

If you are fleeing domestic abuse with a cat in Greater London & the Home Counties please contact Cats Protection Paws Protect.

Other charities offer similar pet fostering services in other parts of the UK.

http://www.moretodogstrust.org.uk/accessing-our-service/accessing-our-service

March 30, 2020

Coronavirus: Domestic abuse victims ‘still allowed to leave home’ – Priti Patel

Domestic abuse victims are allowed to leave home to seek help at refuges despite rules to stop coronavirus spreading, the home secretary has said.

Priti Patel said current restrictions telling people to stay indoors were even harder for people whose “home is not the safe haven it should be”.

She also told abusers: “You will not get away with your crimes.”

It comes after police warned the new rules made victims more vulnerable.

Campaigners also warn that domestic abuse has already increased elsewhere in the world as more people at risk from abuse are forced to stay indoors with their abusers due to the pandemic.

“I am acutely aware that the necessary guidelines about social distancing and self-isolation may leave the victims of hidden crime, such as domestic abuse and child sexual abuse, feeling especially isolated, vulnerable and exposed,” said Ms Patel, in her newspaper column.

“But my message to every potential victim is simple: we have not forgotten you and we will not let you down.

“And my message to every perpetrator is equally as simple: you will not get away with your crimes.”

Priti Patel also said millions of children are now at home and more vulnerable to online predators

She said the government would protect victims, saying it has given £1.6bn to local councils to help those in need and was working with charities.

The National Domestic Abuse Helpline was also continuing to operate, she said.

“Whilst our advice is to stay at home, anyone who is at risk of, or experiencing, domestic abuse, is still able to leave and seek refuge. Refuges remain open, and the police will provide support to all individuals who are being abused – whether physically, emotionally, or otherwise” she added.

Part of a longer news report at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52081280

March 30, 2020