Government confirms that Brexit will #donoharm

17 May 2018

Government confirms that Brexit will #donoharm to public health

During the Third Reading of the EU (Withdrawal) Bill in the House of Lords yesterday (16th May) the UK Government confirmed that the ‘do not harm’ public health duty will remain after the UK leaves the European Union.

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow are proud to have been part of a coalition of 63 health organisations, led by the Faculty of Public Health, who have campaigned for this committment. With the support of Peers from across the Lords, the coalition has called for the Government to make clear that the current EU public health duty, known as Article 168, should influence future policy-making and be legally enforceable after Brexit.

Article 168 says that “a high level of human health protection shall be ensured in the definition and implementation of all Union policies and activities”.

During the Third Reading of the EU (Withdrawal) Bill in the House of Lords, Lord Duncan of Springbank offered a clear reassurance to Peers that the duty enshrined in Article 168 would now continue after we leave the EU.

Crossbench Peer and Honorary Fellow of the Faculty of Public Health, Baroness Finlay of Llandaff, who led the debate in the Lords, said: “Today is a good day for the public’s health. The Government has set out clearly that during the Brexit negotiations and after we leave the EU, the health of individuals, communities and the country will remain a priority.

“I thank my colleagues from across the House, and the coalition of 64 public health organisations, led by the Faculty of Public Health, for making such a strong case for the public’s health. And, I thank the Government for this important reassurance and clarification, which has the certainty needed by being on the record.”

More information is available on the Faculty of Public Health’s website

Category: Wellbeing