Contents

Published: Friday 18 March 2022

Early Day Motions tabled on Thursday 17 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

1091War on Want's report on McDonald's tax affairs

Tabled: 17/03/22 Signatories: 8

John McDonnell

Chris Stephens

David Linden

Liz Saville Roberts

Apsana Begum

Zarah Sultana

That this House is disturbed by the findings of the Secrets and Fries report published on 17 March 2022 by War on Want, which exposes a circular, paper transaction by McDonald’s which it alleges has the primary purpose of reducing McDonald’s tax obligations by creating a UK tax shelter for its global franchise income; notes that report further alleges that mechanism could be depriving the UK exchequer of at least £295 million in public funds over ten years without having any corresponding economic substance; further notes that McDonald's UK business received extensive public subsidies in the wake of the covid-19 lockdowns, not least through the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, whilst continuing to increase its market share in the UK and continuing to pay dividends to its shareholders; notes with regret that after seeing their tax affairs in Luxembourg and Singapore come under scrutiny McDonald's have moved their intangible fixed asset to the City of London to allegedly take advantage of the UK's lax intangible fixed asset regime; therefore calls on the Government to rigorously review its tax breaks mechanisms, including those that interact with the UK’s intangible fixed asset regime, and ensure that the full costs and benefits of all tax rules for all companies, including large multinationals, are properly reported; and further calls on the Government to scrap any tax rules which cannot be justified by their effects on the UK economy, society and the environment.

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.

1030Property seizures in Iran

Tabled: 3/03/22 Signatories: 6

Mr Alistair Carmichael

Bob Blackman

Jim Shannon

Chris Stephens

Alison Thewliss

Christine Jardine

That this Houses notes reports from Iran of the seizure of six properties owned by members of the Baha'i faith in the town of Semnan; further notes that ownership of these properties has been transferred to a parastatal organisation, the Execution of the Imam Khomeini’s Order (EIKO), by the order of the Special Court for Article 49 of the Iranian constitution; and observes that Hamid Ahmadi, a provincial manager for EIKO, is reported to have initiated the court action, resulting in the expropriations of the properties of members of the Baha'i community from which his own organisation is the direct beneficiary; and calls on the Government to make representations to the Iranian Embassy, calling on the authorities to rescind those unjust seizures of the lawful property of members of a religious minority community.

1033Retirement of Sir Jason Kenny

Tabled: 7/03/22 Signatories: 5

Yasmin Qureshi

Jim Shannon

Chris Stephens

Apsana Begum

Christine Jardine

That this House wholeheartedly congratulates Sir Jason Kenny on an unprecedented career in cycling and wishes him all the best in his future retirement plans as Coach for Team GB; notes that Sir Jason, a proud Boltonian, is this country's most decorated Olympian ending his career with an amazing seven Gold medals; and further notes that he will go down in history as one of the greats of world cycling, alongside his wife Dame Laura Kenny, who is also the most successful female Olympian this country has ever seen.

1036Scotland Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association 125th Anniversary

Tabled: 7/03/22 Signatories: 18

Martin Docherty-Hughes

Jim Shannon

Chris Law

Allan Dorans

Douglas Chapman

Chris Stephens

That this House is delighted to acknowledge the 125th anniversary of the establishment of the Scotland Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), also known as Scotland GAA; believes that Scotland GAA has been instrumental in maintaining and strengthening the links between the sport, Ireland and the Irish diaspora across Scotland over the last century and that the organisation continues to grow with strength; wishes to extend its thanks to those involved in the organisation for their dedication and hard work; and believes that a positive long term future of the sport is built on strong foundations with their Sports Community Hub based in Clydebank.

1054A green transition from Russian oil and gas

Tabled: 9/03/22 Signatories: 15

Sarah Olney

Caroline Lucas

Dan Carden

Ed Davey

Wendy Chamberlain

Tim Farron

That this House maintains an unwavering commitment to achieving net zero targets; acknowledges the urgent need to tackle high carbon emissions produced by homes across the UK; recognises the need for a comprehensive Government scheme to incentivise retrofitting to improve energy efficiency of homes and buildings; pledges that any future additional investment in energy production is directed to renewable sources of energy; extends the phasing out of Russian energy supply imports to include natural gas; and commits to making the transition away from Russian oil and gas a green one.

1064Medical aid for Ukraine

Tabled: 10/03/22 Signatories: 16

Ed Davey

Layla Moran

Jonathan Edwards

Stephen Farry

Paula Barker

Jeremy Corbyn

That this House supports the need to send emergency medical aid to the people of Ukraine; acknowledges that local emergency services in Ukraine are running out of vital medical supplies that can mean the difference between life and death for many people; notes the urgent nature of providing the people of Ukraine with this medical equipment; recognises that the UK should do more to support the people of Ukraine; urges the UK Government to immediately deploy a more ambitious emergency medical aid package to Ukraine, in addition to the £120 million humanitarian aid package previously announced; and calls on the UK Government to reverse the misguided cut to the international development budget and immediately return to spending 0.7 per cent of GNI on Official Development Assistance.

1065Support for Ukrainian refugees

Tabled: 14/03/22 Signatories: 32

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: 8

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.

1072Regulation and support for off-grid households

Tabled: 15/03/22 Signatories: 11

Helen Morgan

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

John McDonnell

Christine Jardine

Wera Hobhouse

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: 6

Claudia Webbe

Ian Lavery

Jim Shannon

Steven Bonnar

John McDonnell

Deidre Brock

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.

1076Visa and housing schemes for Afghans and Ukrainians

Tabled: 15/03/22 Signatories: 6

Sir Peter Bottomley

Jim Shannon

Steven Bonnar

Christine Jardine

Ben Lake

Caroline Lucas

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.

1078Cervical cancer and digital cytology

Tabled: 15/03/22 Signatories: 5

Dr Lisa Cameron

Allan Dorans

Jim Shannon

John McDonnell

Christine Jardine

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.

1080Veteran homelessness

Tabled: 15/03/22 Signatories: 9

Wendy Chamberlain

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

John McDonnell

Christine Jardine

Layla Moran

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: 8

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.

1084HMRC and the Stay in East Kilbride campaign

Tabled: 16/03/22 Signatories: 2

Dr Lisa Cameron

Allan Dorans

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 its 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: 7

Wera Hobhouse

Layla Moran

Tim Farron

Jamie Stone

Christine Jardine

Wendy Chamberlain

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 that 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: 3

Paul Blomfield

Wera Hobhouse

Caroline Lucas

That this House supports Young Carers Action Day, led by the 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: 3

Patricia Gibson

Allan Dorans

Jamie Stone

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 that 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 2022; 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 receipts from VAT on fuel at forecourts rockets and other prices rise, accelerating inflation; and endorses the calls on the Government from petrol retailers to halve VAT on fuel to ease pressure on consumers and alleviate the very real difficulties households and businesses currently face.

1089Standing charges on energy bills

Tabled: 16/03/22 Signatories: 3

Patricia Gibson

Allan Dorans

Jonathan Edwards

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.