Contents

Published: Wednesday 2 March 2022

Early Day Motions tabled on Tuesday 1 March 2022

Early Day Motions (EDMs) are motions for which no days have been fixed.

The number of signatories includes all members who have added their names in support of the Early Day Motion (EDM), including the Member in charge of the Motion.

EDMs and added names are also published on the EDM database at www.parliament.uk/edm

[R] Indicates that a relevant interest has been declared.

New EDMs

1017Royal Mail workforce reductions

Tabled: 1/03/22 Signatories: 15

Kate Osborne

Grahame Morris

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

Paula Barker

Kate Hollern

Andy McDonald

That this House expresses alarm at plans by Royal Mail to reduce frontline managerial jobs by 900 posts, a reduction that will further harm the postal service in this country; condemns this continued attack on the jobs of workers while shareholders receive £311 million in rewards; is appalled at the treatment of postal managers, who have been the hidden heroes of the service during the coronavirus pandemic, working excessive hours with no additional pay in order to ensure that the public receives their post and packages; calls on Royal Mail to immediately engage with the workforce and its union, Unite, to save these jobs; is concerned that Royal Mail is already failing to meet its public service obligation, with delays to post now a regular occurrence around the country; agrees with Unite that the removal of hundreds of core workers is a senseless move that will see the service worsen; and calls on the regulator to intervene immediately to prevent Royal Mail taking a death-by-a-thousand-cuts approach to a cornerstone public service.

1018Vehicle Safety Standards

Tabled: 1/03/22 Signatories: 1

Sir Peter Bottomley

That this House supports the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-30 and the target to halve road deaths and serious injuries by 2030; welcomes the Global Plan for the Decade of Action and, in particular, the recommended best practice in vehicle safety technologies; calls on the Department for Transport to ensure those recommendations are included in the UK’s new motor vehicle type approval system; proposes that the UK should adopt in full the fifteen proposed safety technologies included in the General Safety and Pedestrian Regulations being applied across the European Union and Northern Ireland from July 2022; notes that this package is estimated by the Transport Research Laboratory to have the potential to avoid 1,762 deaths and above 15,000 serious injuries and generate approximately £7 billion in net economic benefits in the UK; and urges the Government to ensure that UK vehicle safety regulations do not fall behind both EU and global best practice.

1019SaxaVord Spaceport

Tabled: 1/03/22 Signatories: 1

Mr Alistair Carmichael

That this House recognises and welcomes the approval of the construction of the UK’s first vertical spaceport, the SaxaVord Spaceport in Unst, scheduled to begin in late March 2022; congratulates all those involved in the realisation of this project; further welcomes the sizeable investment being made by SaxaVord in Shetland and in the UK in general, which is planned to reach £100 million after five years; notes the variety of ways in which spaceport operations can support various UK industries including telecommunications, media, weather and defence; further welcomes the deal agreed between SaxaVord and French rocket developer, Venture Orbital Systems; is pleased to note the numerous future employment opportunities that the spaceport will create for people in Shetland; and looks forward to the further opportunities for potential development, growth and exploration that the spaceport will provide in the future.

Added Names

Below are EDMs tabled in the last two weeks to which names have been added. Only the first 6 names and any new names are included.

959World Book Day 2022

Tabled: 8/02/22 Signatories: 34

Valerie Vaz

Kim Johnson

Paula Barker

Apsana Begum

Dan Carden

Patricia Gibson

That this House congratulates World Book Day on celebrating its 25th Anniversary on 3 March 2022; commends its success in distributing 15 million book tokens annually in places of education; notes that reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child’s future success; further notes that the British economy could be £30 billion larger by 2030 if every child left primary education with the reading skills they need; recognises the importance of children from all backgrounds having the opportunity to choose and own a book; and welcomes World Book Day’s campaign to inspire more children to think of themselves as readers.

993Universities' staff pensions

Tabled: 21/02/22 Signatories: 28

Geraint Davies

Hilary Benn

Beth Winter

Ian Byrne

Ian Mearns

Andy McDonald

That this House notes that the University and College Union (UCU) and members are in industrial dispute over a prospective cut in pension entitlement for lecturers of 35 per cent; further notes that the University Superannuation Scheme (USS) was last valued during the 2020 pandemic and needs re-evaluation to account for its recovery; notes that the UCU has proposed an interim settlement pending re-evaluation that would entail staff paying an additional 1.4 per cent, and universities 2.6 per cent into the USS; notes that the employers’ organisation is consulting on this proposal; recognises that industrial action is already estimated as costing £5 billion; and calls upon the Government to provide funding for the less wealthy universities that cannot afford these increases in order that the dispute may be resolved through negotiation and that university pensions become fair and sustainable.

994Venue for 2022 Champions League Final

Tabled: 22/02/22 Signatories: 27

Mr Clive Betts

Patricia Gibson

Jim Shannon

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

Valerie Vaz

Mr Barry Sheerman

That this House calls for UEFA to move the Champions League final scheduled to take place on Saturday 28 May 2022 from St Petersburg in Russia to a new venue outside of Russia as a result of Russian hostility to Ukraine.

995Jamal Edwards MBE

Tabled: 22/02/22 Signatories: 36

Dr Rupa Huq

Claudia Webbe

Jim Shannon

Margaret Ferrier

Valerie Vaz

Mr Virendra Sharma

That this House remembers the life and achievements of Jamal Edwards MBE, a musical pioneer, entrepreneur, author and philanthropist born in Luton, raised in Acton, who never forgot his roots; recognises that Jamal’s work had a tremendous impact on music in the UK, notably launching SBTV, a ground-breaking platform that was credited with helping to launch the careers of many of the UK's foremost recording artists and was noteworthy in its democratisation of music production, distribution and exchange; further notes that Jamal had a deeply held passion for wanting to better the lives of young people, starting JE Delve, the grassroots youth charity to give young people the opportunities to develop skills to help them embrace their passions and giving his time to a plethora of voluntary causes; notes that Jamal was instrumental in bringing to light many hitherto taboo issues in the attempt to improve situations, such as mental health among young black men; and extends its deepest sympathies to the family of Jamal Edwards MBE, his friends, and all of those whose lives he helped, may he rest in eternal peace.

996Estonian National Day

Tabled: 22/02/22 Signatories: 27

Martin Docherty-Hughes

Patricia Gibson

Allan Dorans

Alan Brown

John Spellar

Owen Thompson

That this House notes that 24 February is the Estonian National Day, marking 104 years since the signing of the Estonian declaration of independence in 1918, and the foundation of the Republic of Estonia; further notes that the Estonian people had been subjects variously of Swedish, Russian and German Empires and that in 1917 after years of brutal conflict in Europe, Estonians formed a Provisional National Council, the Maapäev, to reform and modernise institutions and governance that had previously been the preserve of the Russian Imperial elite; notes that as the Bolshevik government sought to overturn these steps towards self-determination and the German army threatened to invade, the Maapäev held elections at the start of February 1918 which underlined its legitimacy before the declaration of independence on 24 February; and further notes that following this demonstration of Estonian self-determination it was required to bravely fight both German and Soviet forces until the signing of the Tartu Peace Treaty in February 1920; and recalls the words in the preamble to the Estonian Declaration of Independence on 24 February, which state that never in the course of centuries have the Estonian people lost their ardent desire for independence and that from generation to generation Estonians have kept alive the secret hope that in spite of enslavement and oppression by other nations the time will come in Estonia when it is said that all splinters, at both ends, will burst forth into flames and when Kalev will come home to bring his children happiness.

997150 years since the founding of Glasgow Rangers FC

Tabled: 22/02/22 Signatories: 4

Mr Gregory Campbell

Jim Shannon

Scott Benton

Carla Lockhart

That this House notes the fact that March 2022 marks one hundred and fifty years since four young lads had a dream to start a football team; further notes that in the period since its founding Glasgow Rangers Football Club has won the Scottish top tier league title a world record breaking fifty five times and countless other Cup competitions; commends all those responsible for the history, traditions and continuing success of the Club; and looks forward to many more years of trophy winning in the future.

998International Mother Language Day

Tabled: 22/02/22 Signatories: 17

Apsana Begum

Richard Burgon

Zarah Sultana

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

Claudia Webbe

Owen Thompson

That this House pays tribute to International Mother Language Day 2022 which was the initiative of Bangladesh and was approved at the 1999 UNESCO General Conference; notes that it has been observed on 21 February throughout the world since 2000 and commemorates the Bangladeshi university students martyred for the Bangla language in 1952; and believes that valuing linguistic diversity helps provide people with an understanding of language and culture, raises educational attainment, and celebrates the plurality and richness of multicultural communities.

1002Pension triple lock and pensioner poverty

Tabled: 22/02/22 Signatories: 14

Patricia Gibson

Allan Dorans

Jim Shannon

Chris Law

Douglas Chapman

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

That this House acknowledges the 5.5 per cent rise in inflation which saw the cost-of-living soar to a 30-year high in January, with energy, fuel and food prices all being impacted; recognises that more than two million older people are already living in poverty in the UK, up 31per cent since 2013-14 according to Age UK; is concerned that the removal of the triple lock, the link between earnings and pensions, is already set to see many pensioners approximately £520 worse off over the next 12 months; is concerned that many older people will not be able to afford to keep their homes adequately heated this winter as they struggle with the cost-of-living crisis; is dismayed by the Government’s abandonment of a key manifest pledge to protect the pension's triple lock, which has seen pensioners’ incomes detrimentally impacted in recent years; notes that inflation may rise above 7 per cent with the price cap on energy prices set to rise again in the coming months; opposes this latest attack on pensioners who have already seen free TV licences removed for the over 75s, suffered cuts to Pension Credit, women born in the 1950s hit by pension changes for which they were unable to financially prepare; and urges the Government to urgently review the State Pension increase for 2022 with a view to restoring the triple lock forthwith.

1003UEFA Champions League Final 2022

Tabled: 23/02/22 Signatories: 16

Jamie Stone

Ed Davey

Tracey Crouch

Wendy Chamberlain

Layla Moran

Christine Jardine

That this House condemns Vladimir Putin’s aggression towards Ukraine; recognises that the 2022 Champions League final is scheduled to take place at the Gazprom Arena in St. Petersburg on 28 May 2022; believes that Putin should not be rewarded by allowing this prestigious, widely-viewed sports event to take place in Russia; further believes that the UK must signal to Russia that they cannot expect to sportwash their actions and strongarm their neighbours without consequences; urges the Government to call on UEFA to strip Russia of the final; and calls on the Government, and the Football Association, to prepare Wembley as suitable to host the event.

1004O2 tariff price increase

Tabled: 23/02/22 Signatories: 5

Mr Gregory Campbell

Jim Shannon

John McDonnell

Paula Barker

Carla Lockhart

That this House notes the recent decision by O2 to increase their mobile phone tariff for recent customers by 11.7 per cent from April 2022; further notes O2's failure in customer correspondence to highlight the total increase, instead choosing to reference their annual 3.9 per cent rise and indicate the additional RPI figure increase, which is 7.8 per cent; acknowledges that this is the latest substantial increase to hit hard pressed working families along with rising fuel costs, mortgage increases, energy costs, increasing National Insurance Contributions and rising food bills; and calls on the Government to revise plans for increases over which it has control to help deal with this series of impending financial setbacks that will be faced by millions of UK citizens.

1006Accommodation for children in care over the age of 15

Tabled: 24/02/22 Signatories: 17

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck

Ian Mearns

Kim Johnson

Mohammad Yasin

Mr Virendra Sharma

John McDonnell

That this House notes with grave concern the introduction of secondary legislation by the Department for Education which guarantees care and regulated accommodation to vulnerable looked-after children only to the age of 15; and is further concerned by the disproportionate impact this policy has on boys and children from black, Asian and minority ethnic communities; further adds that between 2018 and 2020, 22 children in care aged 16 and 17 died while living in this type of unregulated setting which is devoid of care and consistent adult supervision; further champions the charity Article 39 and the delegation of care experienced people who handed over a 10,700 signature-strong #KeepCaringTo18 petition to Downing Street on this issue; and urgently calls on the Government to change this legislation to ensure all looked after children, no matter what their age, live in accommodation that has carers and provides care.

1007Potential health effects of proposed medical waste incinerator, Simonswood, West Lancashire

Tabled: 24/02/22 Signatories: 4

Sir George Howarth

Rosie Cooper

Jim Shannon

Paula Barker

That this House notes with strong concern, the potential consequences for residents in Kirkby and West Lancashire if the Culzean W2E planning application for a medical waste incinerator in West Lancashire, on the border of Kirkby, is approved by Lancashire County Council; expresses concern that the site of the proposed incinerator is already very poorly managed with a number of companies conducting waste management businesses on it with a complete lack of consideration in regard to the effect that their activities have on local residents; further notes that those activities include the use of dilapidated and unsafe buildings, unacceptable storage of waste materials and waste materials falling off vehicles associated with the site; notes, with strong misgivings, the potential impact that a medical incinerator on the site would have on the health and wellbeing of residents in Knowsley and West Lancashire; and calls on Lancashire County Council, West Lancashire Borough Council and the Environment Agency to defer any further consideration of the proposal and focus on taking strong enforcement action against those already involved at the site.

1010Support for the pig farming industry

Tabled: 25/02/22 Signatories: 5

Helen Morgan

Wendy Chamberlain

Tim Farron

Jim Shannon

Carla Lockhart

That this House recognises the huge benefits the domestic pig farming industry brings to the United Kingdom; celebrates that the industry is worth £655 million to the British economy; acknowledges that farmers have been paying the price for problems in the supply chain; further notes that these problems are avoidable; and calls on the Government to offer vital support to pig farmers who face financial ruin, in the form of a targeted funding package and a relaxation of visa rules to prevent labour shortages.

1011Sir Alex Ferguson statue at Pittodrie Football Stadium

Tabled: 28/02/22 Signatories: 5

Kirsty Blackman

Allan Dorans

Marion Fellows

Jim Shannon

Chris Stephens

That this House congratulates Sir Alex Ferguson, Aberdeen Football Club’s most successful manager of all-time, on the unveiling of a statue in his honour at Pittodrie Football Stadium; celebrates the monumental success he brought to Aberdeen FC, including winning the European Cup Winners Cup in 1983; and recognises the enormous positive contribution and influence Sir Alex has had on Aberdeen and Scottish football during his trophy-laden career.

1012Implementation of the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review recommendations

Tabled: 28/02/22 Signatories: 9

Cat Smith

Christian Wakeford

Ben Lake

David Linden

Yasmin Qureshi

Rachael Maskell

That this House notes that sodium valproate can cause serious problems in a developing baby; further notes that 10 per cent of babies whose mothers take sodium valproate during pregnancy are at risk of having a birth defect, and up to 40 per cent have problems with development and learning as they grow; welcomes the July 2020 Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review; and calls on the Government to implement its recommendations in full, including paying compensation to people disabled by sodium valproate.

1013World Seagrass Day

Tabled: 28/02/22 Signatories: 8

Douglas Chapman

Rachael Maskell

Allan Dorans

Marion Fellows

Sir Mike Penning

Jim Shannon

That this House celebrates World Seagrass Day and recognises the important role of seagrass restoration as a nature-based solution to the climate and biodiversity crisis; further recognises the vital role of seagrass meadows as marine powerhouses in terms of increasing biodiversity, as a blue carbon store, as a way of enhancing coastal defences and a habitat for a huge variety of life in our shallow, sheltered waters; understands the great threat to these habitats, with an estimated loss of the size of two football pitches an hour across the globe; and calls for the UK Government to support these important marine habitats and celebrate some of the incredible community-led projects around Scotland such as Restoration Forth in the Dunfermline and West Fife constituency, which aims to restore and sustainably manage seagrass habitats in the Firth of Forth.

1014Pre-legislative scrutiny and delay for the Government's proposed conversion therapy legislation

Tabled: 28/02/22 Signatories: 2

Sir Robert Syms

Jim Shannon

That this House notes Government plans to legislate to ban conversion therapy; further notes that any legislation will cover sexual orientation and gender identity but that no definition of conversion therapy has been agreed and that there is already primary legislation which prohibits coercive conversion practices; is concerned that rushed or badly drafted legislation could criminalise private consensual conversations regarding sexual orientation and gender identity, the work of faith communities and counsellors, providers of children's services and others and prevent open and explorative discussions on sexual identity and gender; notes a lack of clarity on what gender identity is and the risk of criminal sanction for people seeking to use legitimate therapies to help children and young people with gender dysphoria as an alternative to pharmaceutical and surgical interventions; further notes that the EHRC highlighted that the proposals demonstrate a lack of clear definitions, have wide ranging implications and potential unintended consequences for new legislation, fail to recognise complexities including new gender dysphoria research, and the need to wait for the findings of the Cass Review of gender identity services for children and young people, due in the summer; notes that there is a lack of evidence to show that new legislation is needed and the possibility that such legislation will breach Articles 8 and 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights; and urges the Government to delay any new legislation until at least publication of the Cass Report and to commit to pre-legislative scrutiny of any new Bill.

1015Ovarian Cancer Month 2022

Tabled: 28/02/22 Signatories: 8

Jim Shannon

Rachael Maskell

Sir Mike Penning

Gavin Robinson

Jonathan Edwards

Paula Barker

That this House notes Ovarian Cancer Month in March; highlights the campaign by Target Ovarian Cancer to highlight the major symptoms of Ovarian Cancer acknowledging that four in 10 women wrongly believe their cervical screening also detects Ovarian Cancer and that knowing the symptoms is a key for early detection; thanks all of those who, in recognition of the 11 women per day who die in the UK from Ovarian Cancer, have pledged to walk 11,000 miles each day in March to raise money for the charity; and calls upon the Government to train more GPs in symptom spotting for Ovarian Cancer as well as to shorten the diagnostic pathway by carrying out CA125 blood test along with ultrasounds as standard practice.

1016Parade to honour UDR soldiers Cummings and Starrett

Tabled: 28/02/22 Signatories: 5

Jim Shannon

Sir Mike Penning

Gavin Robinson

Mr Gregory Campbell

Carla Lockhart

That this House notes the annual parade and the service of remembrance for UDR soldiers Frederick Starrett and James Cummings, who were only 22 years of age at the time of their murder on 24 February 1988, passed peacefully in Belfast; further notes the massive amount people who turned out to remember and who did so in a dignified manner; and underlines to the families of these young men that grieve them still, that their sacrifice is not forgotten and is honoured to this day, and further that the sacrifice of these men and too many others like them is something to be taught to younger generations, and remembered and respected.