Commons business papers

Contents

Published: Thursday 17 March 2022

Early Day Motions tabled on Wednesday 16 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

1083Conduct of Wabtec Rail Ltd

Tabled: 16/03/22 Signatories: 3

Richard Burgon

Ian Mearns

Grahame Morris

That this House notes with alarm reports that Wabtec Rail Ltd, based at the historic Doncaster New Erecting Shop, birthplace of the world-famous Flying Scotsman and Mallard locomotives, is making 80 jobs redundant and forcing staff to re-apply for their jobs on inferior terms and conditions; condemns this cruel attempt to fire and rehire staff, a shameful abuse of employment law that risks the livelihoods and living standards of skilled rail workers across the Doncaster and South Yorkshire region; notes that this threat to jobs, pay, terms and conditions follows 12 months of negotiations with the RMT union seeking a solution to the financial problems faced by the company, following previous significant job losses at the Doncaster site; calls on Wabtec to withdraw this threat and instead return to the negotiations table with the RMT union; and further calls on the Government to outlaw the unethical and shameful practice of fire and rehire as a matter of urgency.

1084Stay in East Kilbride HMRC

Tabled: 16/03/22 Signatories: 1

Dr Lisa Cameron

That this house acknowledges the success of the Stay in EK Campaign supporting and preserving the highly skilled workforce located within HMRC in East Kilbride; recognises that the campaign was spearheaded by the Public and Commercial Services Union led by PCS Branch President Scott Clark alongside PCS Branch President John Davidson; notes that it was reported widely upon by Andrea Lambrou at the East Kilbride News; further notes that it was supported by thousands of members of the public and debated repeatedly within the House of Commons; commends HMRC for its decision to support the 2500+ workforce remaining in East Kilbride and thanks local people across the constituency of East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow for their successful grassroots activism in retaining this key service industry and highly skilled jobs within East Kilbride.

1085Support for disabled Ukrainian refugees

Tabled: 16/03/22 Signatories: 1

Wera Hobhouse

That this House supports the international humanitarian effort to support the people of Ukraine; commits to continuing to campaign to provide sanctuary and asylum to those fleeing the devastating war in Ukraine; expresses concern for disabled people's rights and safety in Ukraine; notes with concern that provisions are not in place for disabled refugees in attempting to leave Ukraine and those attempting to seek refuge in the UK; and calls on the Government to ensure disabled Ukrainians arriving in the UK are fully supported, including through immediate access to disability benefits.

1086Young Carers Action Day

Tabled: 16/03/22 Signatories: 1

Paul Blomfield

That this House supports Young Carers Action Day, led by Carers Trust, which takes place on 16 March 2022; recognises the invaluable contribution more than 800,000 young carers make to their families and local communities across the UK; notes the Day’s theme of Taking Action on Isolation, and the importance of investment in social care, and in local support for carers, to relieve young carers of the overwhelming pressure so many are under; further notes that the NHS needs to ensure its mental health services prioritise young carer support and that education providers need to take a more integrated approach to identifying and supporting young carers, working in partnership with the NHS, local authorities and local carer organisations; and calls on the Government to ensure that young carers get the support and services they need.

1087VAT on petrol and diesel

Tabled: 16/03/22 Signatories: 1

Patricia Gibson

That this House observes with concern the ongoing increase in fuel prices across Scotland and the UK, with the cost of petrol and diesel in the UK hitting an all-time high; notes that the Government announced at the recent Autumn Budget fuel duty rates will remain frozen at 57.95 pence per litre; highlights that drivers are charged a further 20 per cent in Value Added Tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel including fuel duty, resulting in drivers effectively being double-taxed, with increased transportation costs being passed on to consumers and inflation further accelerated; is mindful that this is taking place against the backdrop of the covid-19 recovery and a further significant increase in energy costs as of 1 April; is aware that rises in fuel quickly feeds into the overall cost of living as hauliers pass on their extra outlays to customers; understands that the Treasury is in receipt of billions of pounds in additional revenue as VAT on fuel at forecourts rockets and other prices rise, accelerating inflation; and recognises the calls on the Government from petrol retailers to halve VAT on fuel to ease pressure on consumers, to alleviate the very real difficulties households and businesses currently face.

1088Status Now campaign

Tabled: 16/03/22 Signatories: 1

Claudia Webbe

That this House congratulates the Status Now campaign on the two year anniversary of their important campaign; notes that there are currently an unknown number of persons in the UK who are not citizens and who do not at present have leave to remain in this country, who lack any entitlement to support from the state and are therefore entirely without funds to feed, clothe and house themselves and their families; recognises that, in nearly all cases, undocumented people are not criminals but simply those who have fallen through the cracks of the Government’s callous hostile environment policies; considers it essential that the Government takes immediate action to ensure that leave to remain in the UK is granted to all such persons who are within the UK but are not citizens, irrespective of their nationality or immigration status, so that they can access healthcare, food, housing and other essential human rights; welcomes the recent progress made in Ireland through the Regularisation Scheme for Undocumented people, launched in January 2022, which will offer an amnesty for 17,000 undocumented migrants; and calls on the Government to follow suit and ensure that all undocumented, destitute and migrant people in the legal process be granted status now, or indefinite leave to remain, to guarantee that every human being, irrespective of their nationality or citizenship can access the essentials to live safely and happily.

1089Standing charges on energy bills

Tabled: 16/03/22 Signatories: 1

Patricia Gibson

That this House is deeply concerned about the rising costs of energy bills and the severe financial pressure this is placing on households across the UK; is alarmed that standing charges on energy bills could constitute as much as around one quarter of the entire energy bills of those consumers whose energy consumption is low; is concerned that many energy companies have recently increased their standing charges by more than 100 per cent, with some consumers paying as much as 51p per day standing charge for electricity, a charge applied regardless of the amount of power used; understands this will disproportionately and significantly impact on the poorest households; and urges the Government to introduce single unit pricing and to scrap standing charges on energy bills and instead introduce a system of single unit pricing so that consumers are more easily able to compare costs charged by energy providers in a clear and transparent way.

1090Rutherglen Bankhead Tenants and Residents Association

Tabled: 16/03/22 Signatories: 1

Margaret Ferrier

That this House congratulates the Rutherglen Bankhead Tenants and Residents Association on their 30 year anniversary in March 2022; notes that they are one of the longest running associations in South Lanarkshire; recognises their long-standing and excellent contribution to their community, and their work to provide a voice to, and empower, the residents they serve; further recognises the contributions of the Association’s current chair, Carol Nisbet; and wishes them the very best in their future work.

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.

1027Russia and the Intelligence and Security Committee's report

Tabled: 3/03/22 Signatories: 34

Caroline Lucas

Chris Bryant

Dame Margaret Hodge

Alyn Smith

Layla Moran

Hywel Williams

That this House unequivocally condemns the Russian invasion of Ukraine and decision of President Putin to start a brutal war in Europe; notes that the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament report, entitled Russia, published 21 July 2020, HC 632, is of critical importance to UK national security and particularly so at this time of war in Europe; further notes the Report’s damning conclusion that insufficient attention has been paid to Russian state-linked infiltration in British politics and public life; notes paragraphs 47 and 48 on the lack of retrospective assessment and believes Ministers in effect turned a blind eye to allegations of Russian disruption in UK elections; further notes the finding that credible open source commentary that Russia undertook influence campaigns appears not to have been investigated; notes the words of the Prime Minister on 23 February 2022 that he had seen no evidence of successful Russian interference in any electoral event; calls on the Prime Minister to publish details of the unsuccessful Russian interference he has seen and criteria used to judge success; believes Kremlin-linked interference in British politics through financial dealings at multiple levels, including connections in the House of Lords, are a corrupting force in British public life that must be addressed to protect our democracy and national security; and calls on the Government to undertake a full investigation of the security threat posed to UK democracy by Russia as set out in the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament's Russia Report.

1049Cost of living

Tabled: 8/03/22 Signatories: 28

Jon Trickett

Dan Carden

Jim Shannon

Grahame Morris

Rachael Maskell

Jeremy Corbyn

That this House expresses its deepest concerns about the explosion in the cost of living and its impact on millions of working people across the country, with Ofgem announcing that the energy price cap will rise by £693 to £1,971 per year on 1 April 2022, a 54 per cent rise; further notes a rise of up to 13 per cent in the lowest paid workers’ National Insurance contributions from April 2022, together with increases in council tax and the highest levels of inflation for nearly 30 years; sadly notes wage growth has been stagnant for 15 years and looks set to stay that way, with the average person losing £1,000 in real terms in 2022 alone; particularly notes Resolution Foundation’s report showing people are facing the worst fall in living standards since the 1970s; highlights that food prices have increased, since 2010, by 27 per cent and childcare costs by 50 per cent, placing strain on millions of families; shares concerns that despite the decline in quality of privatised transport, bus and rail fares are up 50 per cent on average; also acknowledges the struggle faced by private renters, with average annual rents up £2,000 since 2010; notes with regret that this cost of living crisis will be compounded by the war in Ukraine and many families will be pushed deeper below the poverty line; and urges the Government to act immediately to tackle the cost of living crisis by ensuring that those with the broadest shoulders contribute more.

1052Persecution of religious minority women and girls

Tabled: 8/03/22 Signatories: 26

Dr Lisa Cameron

Allan Dorans

Jim Shannon

Rachael Maskell

Sir Mike Penning

Jonathan Edwards

That this House celebrates International Women’s Day on Tuesday, 8 March, 2022; supports the UK’s commitment to promoting gender equality around the world; recognises that women from religious minorities face persecution and discrimination on account of both their faith and their gender; highlights particularly the cases of Christian women in Nigeria, Yazidi women in Iraq, and Hindu and Christian girls (forcibly converted and married) in Pakistan; calls on the Government to facilitate asylum for the Christian girl Maira Shahbaz, currently in hiding in Pakistan; urges the Government to intensify its efforts to ensure the safe release of Leah Sharibu, Alice Ngaddah and the Chibok girls in Nigeria; insists that gender-specific religious persecution is clearly recognised in FCDO policy and practice; recommends that the Government fund targeted programming for women facing double vulnerabilities as members of minority faith communities; and encourages the FCDO to work with local faith actors who can best respond to these experiences.

1055Urdd Gobaith Cymru's support for Afghan refugees

Tabled: 9/03/22 Signatories: 5

Liz Saville Roberts

Jonathan Edwards

Hywel Williams

Ben Lake

Beth Winter

This House celebrates the work of Urdd Gobaith Cymru, Wales’ largest youth organisation, in providing sanctuary and support for over 100 Afghan refugees throughout their first five months in Wales; notes that the unique and innovative approach which included an offering of food and bridging accommodation, access to social spaces, a schedule of daily sports and activities, a programme of varied workshops, careers advice, nursery recreational sessions, and visits to national sporting events, has been recognised as one of the best practices of resettlement in the United Kingdom today; recognises that this approach would not have been possible without the work of community volunteers and partners to support the integration of Afghan families into Welsh society; welcomes the Urdd’s offer to share best practice advice with other organisations; and calls on the Government to engage with the Urdd’s successful approach to create a truly compassionate resettlement system for all refugees in the United Kingdom.

1056Atalian Servest cleaners and the West Coast Mainline

Tabled: 9/03/22 Signatories: 23

Kim Johnson

Ian Mearns

Paula Barker

Grahame Morris

Mick Whitley

Apsana Begum

That this House supports cleaners employed by Atalian Servest who are members of the RMT union and taking industrial action in support of better pay, sick pay and travel facilities; notes that these cleaners, who clean trains and stations on the West Coast Mainline, have worked throughout the pandemic at great personal risk, to ensure that rail travel is safe and to help keep essential services running; further notes that passenger surveys consistently stress the importance of cleanliness in restoring confidence in public transport, making clear that cleaning is an essential service; is concerned to learn that Atalian Servest’s cleaners are only paid £9.68 per hour and that none receives company sick pay; is deeply disappointed that, in spite of the strength of feeling among these keyworkers, Atalian Servest have failed to make a satisfactory pay offer to these cleaners, while paying a £10.8 million dividend to their French parent company; and calls on Atalian to meet the cleaners’ claims and for the client, Avanti West Coast, which itself recently declared a dividend of £11.5 million to its owners, to help facilitate a settlement that will give cleaners the respect and dignity they deserve.

1058Play Midlothian National Lottery funding

Tabled: 10/03/22 Signatories: 6

Owen Thompson

Allan Dorans

Marion Fellows

Jim Shannon

Chris Stephens

Chris Law

That this House congratulates Play Midlothian on being awarded £9,956 in grant funding from the National Lottery Community Fund; notes that the group will use the funding to provide group play sessions for disabled children and their families; applauds Play Midlothian on their work to enrich children’s health, wellbeing and development through play, as well as in addressing barriers and inequalities in access to the play children need; recognises the sterling work done by the National Lottery Community Fund to distribute funding on behalf of National Lottery players who raise more than £30 million each week for good causes throughout the UK; welcomes the awarding of £588.2 million of funding last year alone; and encourages projects and organisations to apply for grants whether large or small.

1059Abused Men in Scotland National Lottery funding

Tabled: 10/03/22 Signatories: 6

Owen Thompson

Allan Dorans

Marion Fellows

Jim Shannon

Chris Stephens

Chris Law

That this House congratulates Abused Men in Scotland on being awarded £177,257 in grant funding from the National Lottery Community Fund; notes that the group will use the funding to implement a new community-focussed delivery model supporting men in Scotland who are experiencing domestic abuse, providing a further 49 hours’ cover on their helpline; further notes that they will also recruit an additional 10 helpline support volunteers, with 15 Local Hero volunteers to be recruited throughout Scotland to deliver outreach and build connections in their local areas; applauds Abused Men in Scotland for their work to support men who have been victims of domestic abuse through their helpline and campaigning work; recognises the sterling work done by the National Lottery Community Fund to distribute funding on behalf of National Lottery players who raise more than £30 million each week for good causes throughout the UK; welcomes the awarding of £588.2 million of funding last year alone; and encourages projects and organisations to apply for grants whether large or small.

1060Temple Village Halls Association National Lottery funding

Tabled: 10/03/22 Signatories: 6

Owen Thompson

Allan Dorans

Marion Fellows

Jim Shannon

Chris Stephens

Chris Law

That this House congratulates Temple Village Halls Association on being awarded £7,400 in grant funding from the National Lottery Community Fund; notes that the group will use funding to carry out restoration works to preserve the C-listed Temple village hall; applauds the association for their work to preserve the history and architecture of Temple; recognises the sterling work done by the National Lottery Community Fund to distribute funding on behalf of National Lottery players who raise more than £30 million each week for good causes throughout the UK; welcomes the awarding of £588.2 million of funding last year alone; and encourages projects and organisations to apply for grants whether large or small.

1061Gorebridge Community Development Trust National Lottery funding

Tabled: 10/03/22 Signatories: 6

Owen Thompson

Allan Dorans

Marion Fellows

Jim Shannon

Chris Stephens

Chris Law

That this House congratulates Gorebridge Community Development Trust on being awarded £10,000 in grant funding from the National Lottery Community Fund; notes that the group will use funding to hold a Festival of Wellbeing; applauds the work of Gorebridge Community Development Trust in engaging with and delivering projects that have a social, environmental, enterprising and economic impact on Gorebridge; recognises the sterling work done by the National Lottery Community Fund to distribute funding on behalf of National Lottery players who raise more than £30 million each week for good causes throughout the UK; welcomes the awarding of £588.2 million of funding last year alone; and encourages projects and organisations to apply for grants whether large or small.

1063Insourcing Merseyrail cleaners

Tabled: 10/03/22 Signatories: 19

Dan Carden

Charlotte Nichols

Kim Johnson

Mick Whitley

Paula Barker

Ian Byrne

That this House believes that the pandemic has demonstrated beyond doubt the essential nature of cleaning and cleaners on public transport; notes that outsourcing these workers has delivered low pay, exploitation, disputes and corner-cutting in the drive to create profits; further notes that Mitie's contract with Merseyrail comes to an end next year; believes that insourcing would create better jobs with fairer pay and make it easier to drive improvements in service quality; and urges Merseyrail to sit down with the RMT union and work up a fully-costed proposal to bring these key workers in-house.

1065Support for Ukrainian refugees

Tabled: 14/03/22 Signatories: 30

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

Apsana Begum

Wera Hobhouse

Margaret Ferrier

Kate Osborne

Kenny MacAskill

That this House condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in contravention to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, as set out by the United Nations Charter, and resulting in catastrophic consequences for civilians; supports the international community’s call for Russia to withdraw troops immediately and for the humanitarian crisis to be urgently addressed; notes with concern that while the Government has said it will allow some relatives of Ukrainian nationals already in the UK to enter, there have been reports that it has stopped accepting visas from people trapped in Ukraine; is further concerned at reports of racist and unfair treatment of refugees; calls on all countries, including the UK, to provide humanitarian aid and assist all refugees in need; believes in the fundamental rights of refugees which includes an obligation to ensure there are always safe routes for those seeking sanctuary and asylum; and calls on the Government to ensure that the Nationality and Borders Bill does not criminalise Ukrainian or any other refugees who arrive in the UK through an irregular route.

1066Fife and plastic recycling

Tabled: 14/03/22 Signatories: 6

Peter Grant

Douglas Chapman

Allan Dorans

Marion Fellows

Alison Thewliss

Chris Law

That this House congratulates Fife Council on becoming the first Council in Scotland to collect a wider range of plastics for kerbside recycling, which now includes flexible plastic and film; notes that the new recycling facility based in Dunfermline will sort and bale plastics which will go on to be recycled by YES Recycling in Glenrothes; further notes that these will be turned into Ecosheet – a plywood alternative that can be used in construction, DIY, agriculture and fabrication; highlights that this important work is a step towards developing a circular economy, which will reduce carbon emissions and help to tackle climate change, as well as provide a financial saving for the Council by avoiding costs for disposal and landfill tax each year; commends the Scottish Government’s Recycling Improvement Fund, administered by Zero Waste Scotland, which awarded Fife Council £470,000 to purchase the Tomra Optical Sorter which segregates flexible plastics for recycling; thanks the arm’s length external organisation, Cireco, in delivering this hugely beneficial project; notes the aims of the Scottish Government’s Recycling Improvement Fund to help communities move towards a circular economy where materials and products are kept in use for as long as possible while moving away from short-term, wasteful, throwaway approaches to waste; thanks Fife Council, YES Recycling, Zero Waste Scotland and all involved for leading the way in waste recycling across Scotland and the UK; and hopes that many other Council areas across the whole of the UK may follow suit.

1067Collydean Primary School Green Flag Award

Tabled: 14/03/22 Signatories: 5

Peter Grant

Allan Dorans

Marion Fellows

Alison Thewliss

Chris Law

That this House congratulates Collydean Primary School on being awarded an Eco-Schools Green Flag from Keep Scotland Beautiful (KSB); notes that the KSB’s award recognises nurseries and schools that have made a commitment to the Eco-Schools Scotland programme and over two years have engaged the whole school community to take action on climate change; thanks the pupils, school staff and Parent Council for their amazing work in reducing the amount of litter in and around the school; recognises the hard work of both upper school pupils and their younger counterparts who buddied up to litter pick around the school grounds together and to staff and the Parent Council’s aim to reduce the amount of litter left by members of the public using the school after hours; highlights the KSB’s programme which aims to make action to tackle climate change and awareness of our environment an intrinsic part of life ethos for schools and nurseries; thanks the pupils, staff and Parent Council for their excellent work in engaging the wider school community to look after the local environment and raising awareness of this vitally important issue; and hopes that other local schools and nurseries may follow the outstanding example set by Collydean Primary School.

1068Right to roam

Tabled: 14/03/22 Signatories: 6

Caroline Lucas

Liz Saville Roberts

Dan Carden

Kate Osborne

Clive Lewis

John McDonnell

That this House notes that 24 April marks the 90th anniversary of the mass trespass onto Kinder Scout; acknowledges that this trespass united the campaign for access to the countryside and eventually contributed to the establishment of the UK’s first national parks through the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949; recognises the growing body of evidence demonstrating the importance of access to nature for health and wellbeing which has been highlighted by the covid-19 pandemic when use of parks and public green spaces increased; is concerned that people from ethnic minorities or with low incomes are less likely to live near green space and 2.7 million people in the UK have no publicly accessible green space within easy walking distance from their home; notes that the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 only provides access to 8% per cent of English land, and that the public can only access 3 per cent of rivers in England and Wales; acknowledges that legislation in Scotland and European countries including Norway provides for a much greater right to roam; believes that extending the right to roam to cover more landscapes and recreational activities would improve the public’s connection to nature whilst also delivering on the Government’s commitment in the 25 Year Environment Plan to open up the mental and physical health benefits of the natural world; and calls on the Government to bring forward legislation to extend the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 to include rivers, woods and Green Belt land.

1071Response to Ukraine emergency

Tabled: 14/03/22 Signatories: 2

Mr Gregory Campbell

John McDonnell

That this House recognises the appalling circumstances faced by millions of people in Ukraine and in countries affected by the Russian invasion, commends the outstanding efforts made by many individuals to help in whatever way they can; calls on the Government in conjunction with other governments to step up their military assistance to Ukraine to support their efforts to defend their sovereign territory; and further calls on the Prime Minister to ask Christian churches in the UK and beyond to convene a day of prayer for a peaceful outcome in Europe and across the world.

1072Regulation and support for off-grid households

Tabled: 15/03/22 Signatories: 4

Helen Morgan

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

John McDonnell

That this House recognises the millions of rural homes that are off the UK’s national gas grid network; acknowledges that many of those homes buy fuel from oil, LPG and solid fuel markets; notes with concern that there is no regulation of those markets; calls for similar financial protection to the existing energy price cap on gas and electricity for off-grid households from high prices; and urges the Government to provide financial assistance to insulate those properties and enable the transition to renewable energy sources.

1073Ukrainian students

Tabled: 15/03/22 Signatories: 5

Claudia Webbe

Ian Lavery

Jim Shannon

Steven Bonnar

John McDonnell

That this House laments Russia’s unprovoked, unjustifiable and abhorrent invasion of Ukraine; believes that no good can ever come from war and military escalation; calls on the international community to redouble its efforts to find a diplomatic solution that ensures peace and protects lives; calls on the Government to urgently provide a simple sanctuary route to the UK for all who need it, for the Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary to coordinate with the UN and with neighbouring countries to offer urgent humanitarian assistance to those crossing the border; further calls on the Government to provide safe passage and refuge for displaced people, refugees and asylum seekers arriving from Ukraine as well as all theatres of conflict across the globe; is deeply alarmed by worrying reports that thousands of Asian and African immigrants joining Ukrainians trying to flee the country have faced red tape, racist abuse and discrimination at the border; recognises that many of the African and Asian refugees fleeing this crisis are students; calls on the UK education sector to make funds available for disrupted courses to be transferred to UK institutions, and encourage their European counterparts to do the same; commends the heroic efforts of people like medical student Korrine Sky from Leicester who have documented their plight and that of African and Asian refugees fleeing the conflict; and calls for the international community to ensure that there is absolutely no discrimination between all people fleeing this appalling invasion.

1074The Fish Works in Largs

Tabled: 15/03/22 Signatories: 6

Patricia Gibson

Allan Dorans

Jim Shannon

Steven Bonnar

Alison Thewliss

Chris Law

That this House congratulates the Fish Works in Largs on being named in Fry Magazine’s Top 50 Takeaway Awards 2022 for the third year in a row; commends the hard work of owners Ross and Tiffany Irvin and their staff in providing fresh quality seafood dinners; acknowledges the use of in-season ingredients, including langoustines landed on Largs Pier by local fishermen, as well as locally sourced chicken, haggis and black pudding; recognises the Fish Works’ environmental pledge to offer sustainably-caught fish and the reduction of single-use plastic in-store, providing customers with wooden forks and paper straws; notes the restaurant is active within the local community, sponsoring the junior football team Largs Colts 2010, supporting the Fisherman’s Mission and taking part in the RNLI Fish Supper weekend to raise funds for Largs RNLI; and encourages people to visit the Fish Works in Largs.

1075Train cab temperatures

Tabled: 15/03/22 Signatories: 13

John Cryer

Paula Barker

Marsha De Cordova

Kim Johnson

Grahame Morris

Cat Smith

That this House notes with concern the Better Driving Cabs report published by the train drivers’ union, Aslef, which highlights the health and safety concerns of excessively hot and cold temperatures, including findings such as 85 per cent of drivers saying that their cabs have been too hot in the past two years and 72 per cent of respondents having experienced cabs that were too hot for most of their working week in warmer seasons; further notes that, when asked if exposure to hot or cold temperatures had caused harmful effects, 50 per cent of those responding said that it had, with the vast majority experiencing reduced concentration or distraction; believes that excessively hot or cold temperatures affects many workers in a range of industries and calls on the Government to work with unions to implement maximum workplace temperature legislation and a temperature at which mitigation must be introduced to try to prevent harmful effects.

1076Visa and housing schemes for Afghans and Ukrainians

Tabled: 15/03/22 Signatories: 3

Sir Peter Bottomley

Jim Shannon

Steven Bonnar

That this House welcomes the modernised open-hearted visa and housing schemes for Ukrainians; and calls on Government to introduce as many elements of those schemes as possible and appropriate to Afghans.

1077Lancaster District Community and Voluntary Solutions

Tabled: 15/03/22 Signatories: 2

Cat Smith

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates Lancaster District Community and Voluntary Solutions on securing funding to continue its important work building and supporting communities across the Lancaster District; notes the crucial support that the charity offers to over 500 individuals and organisations in offering financial planning, training and capacity building for charities and voluntary sector leaders; welcomes the development of the Lancaster District Volunteer Centre which seeks to build resilience and trust in the local communities as they move forward from the covid-19 outbreak; commends the work of the charity’s Community Action Networks which seek to build cohesion and sustainability across local communities and wishes Lancaster District Community and Voluntary Solutions, under the leadership of Yak Patel, very well as they endeavour to help local people and organisations achieve their dreams and goals.

1078Cervical cancer and digital cytology

Tabled: 15/03/22 Signatories: 4

Dr Lisa Cameron

Allan Dorans

Jim Shannon

John McDonnell

That this House recognises that cervical cancer is preventable in over 99 per cent of cases, and that measures, including the HPV vaccine and cervical screenings, are key to its prevention; recognises that attending cervical screenings is crucial, and there are opportunities to improve the experience for both clinicians and patients through new, innovative technologies and approaches, including digital cytology; highlights NHS Monkland’s pioneering use of digital cytology, developed by the medical technology company, Hologic, which supports a more flexible and efficient cervical cancer screening programme; and encourages the wider adoption of digital cytology by NHS trusts throughout the UK to impact the effectiveness of cervical cancer screening.

1079Strathaven Fairtrade Group

Tabled: 15/03/22 Signatories: 5

Dr Lisa Cameron

Allan Dorans

Jim Shannon

Steven Bonnar

Chris Law

That this House recognises that 2022 marks 20 years since Strathaven received its Fairtrade Town status; recognises that, because of the Fairtrade status, Strathaven ensures farmers are paid a fair price for the work they do and have a guarantee that the price of their products will always cover the cost of production; appreciates all that the town has done, including holding Traidcraft stalls on Gala Days, Reindeer Day and at the Balloon Festival, a fashion show for One World Week, a PowerPoint presentation on a study trip to Nicaragua and numerous local talks; acknowledges the founding members for all the time they have devoted to the group; and calls on the Government to commemorate the achievements of Strathaven Fairtrade during the past 20 years.

1080Veteran homelessness

Tabled: 15/03/22 Signatories: 4

Wendy Chamberlain

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

John McDonnell

That this House welcomes the Government’s commitment to end veterans’ rough sleeping by the end of 2024; recognises the excellent work that organisations such as Alabaré, Launchpad, Riverside and Stoll do in providing veterans with the specialist support they need to address complex needs and promote independent living; and calls on the Government to provide the long-term sustainable funding needed to ensure the provision of specialist supported housing for veterans who are at risk of homelessness.

1081Purple Day 2022

Tabled: 15/03/22 Signatories: 7

Dr Lisa Cameron

Allan Dorans

Jim Shannon

Alison Thewliss

Jonathan Edwards

John McDonnell

That this House notes that Saturday 26 March 2022 is Purple Day, International Epilepsy Awareness Day; understands that epilepsy is the most common chronic neurological condition with an estimated 55,000 people living with epilepsy in Scotland and that approximately eight people per day are diagnosed with the condition; recognises that Purple Day is an opportunity to get people talking about epilepsy and dispel the myths and stigma attached to the condition; and further highlights that Epilepsy Scotland will be encouraging people to dress in purple and light landmarks and buildings purple to mark the day.