Karin Smyth

Karin Smyth

Labour — Bristol South

Speaking in the House of Commons on 27 January 2026

Debate

Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill

Contribution

I am coming to the hon. Gentleman’s point. We will keep the current system under review—I think the Secretary of State was clear about that—but we think that any change is best made through established guidance rather than through legislation. Many Members raised the issue of our relationship with Malta and Queen Mary, and the work that is done there. That relationship is clearly important. We have a great deal of work ongoing with Queen Mary, in the medical field as well as others. We are not excluding anyone. We are making sure that the prioritisation works in the best way possible, and we will of course keep all that under review. I thank hon. Members for their constructive debate on this important legislation. Question put and agreed to. Clause 1 accordingly ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clauses 2 and 3 ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clause 4 “UK medical graduate” and “the priority group” Amendment proposed: 9, page 3, line 3, after “are” insert “a British citizen or are”.—(Stuart Andrew.) This amendment would require British citizens to be prioritised for places on UK Foundation programmes and for interviews and places on speciality training programmes from 2027 onwards. Question put, That the amendment be made.

More from Karin Smyth

Other recent Hansard contributions by the same speaker.

About Hansard

Hansard is the official verbatim record of proceedings in the UK Parliament. Every word spoken in the Commons and Lords is recorded and published — this page is a single contribution from that record.

For Karin Smyth's full parliamentary record including voting history, expenses and all other contributions, see the Karin Smyth report card.