BMA raises concern over implications of new lobbying bill

The British Medical Association (BMA) has called the value of the government's new lobbying legislation into question, expressing concern that it could have a potentially harmful impact on the healthcare sector.

Responding to the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill, doctors have warned that the new regulations are overly bureaucratic and could prevent organisations campaigning on public health issues such as smoking.

It was also suggested that the law could limit freedom of expression, with the lack of clarity of the bill creating uncertainty over its exact implications for apolitical organisations such as the BMA.

Dr Mark Porter, chair of the BMA Council, said: "We urge the government to pause, listen and think again, rather than rush ahead with this ill-thought-through piece of legislation."

Earlier this month, the association called for working practices in emergency medicine to be made more safe and sustainable, as the current pressures on professionals working in this sector is putting people off entering this line of work in the UK.