REDDITCH MP Chris Bloore has reaffirmed his support for the introduction of Benedict’s Law – proposed legislation which would strengthen allergy safety measures in schools across the UK.
The MP joined medical professionals, campaigners and Parliamentary colleagues in the House of Commons for a special allergy awareness workshop hosted by the Benedict Blythe Foundation.
The event featured hands-on training led by Anaphylaxis UK, The Allergy Team and paediatric allergy specialist Dr Paul Turner of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.
The training aims to equip MPs and staff with vital knowledge about how to identify and respond to anaphylaxis – a potentially fatal allergic reaction – including how to use adrenaline auto-injector pens (AAIs).
The workshop was organised by Helen Blythe, whose five-year-old son Benedict tragically died from anaphylaxis at school just over three years ago.
Following the training, Mr Bloore said: “No parent should ever have to face the heartbreak that Helen and her family have endured.
“We must act now to make our schools allergy-safe for every child.
“That means ensuring trained staff, having auto-injector pens on-site and implementing robust allergy management policies in every school.
“I am proud to support Benedict’s Law and will continue working with Helen and campaigners to deliver real change.”
Mr Bloore has also formally backed a Backbench Business Debate application titled ‘Safeguarding Children with Allergies in Schools’, designed to raise Parliamentary awareness ahead of the upcoming inquest into Benedict’s death, scheduled for June/July 2025.
Benedict’s Law, spearheaded by the Benedict Blythe Foundation, calls for mandatory allergy management policies in every school, at least one adrenaline auto-injector pen on site at all times and compulsory training for staff in recognising and responding to anaphylaxis.
Mr Bloore added: “It’s shocking that around 20 per cent of anaphylaxis reactions in children.
“We owe it to every child to ensure they are safe, supported and protected at school.”
