Contents

Published: Thursday 4 May 2023

Early Day Motions tabled on Wednesday 3 May 2023

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

1125Bahrain’s sponsorship of the Royal Windsor Horse Show

Tabled: 3/05/23 Signatories: 11

Richard Burgon

Zarah Sultana

Nadia Whittome

Grahame Morris

Jeremy Corbyn

Ian Byrne

That this House expresses strong concern at Bahrain’s ongoing sponsorship of the Royal Windsor Horse Show 2023, to which the King of Bahrain has been a regular visitor since 2012, despite the Kingdom's appalling human rights record under his rule; notes the ongoing detention of hundreds of political prisoners, with 26 individuals at imminent risk of execution, many of whom allege torture, including Mohammed Ramadhan and Husain Moosa; further notes leading political activists who continue to face systematic medical negligence, including Hasan Mushaima, Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, Abdulwahab Husain and Sheikh Abduljalil Al-Muqdad; decries the ongoing situation regarding Dr Abduljalil Al Singace, who has remained on a hunger strike without solid food since July 2021 and the failure of King Hamad to resolve the situation; notes that previous protests met with repressive measures of retaliation including the 2016 arrest of opposition politicians; condemns reprisals and harassment against the family members of those choosing to protest against King Hamad’s repressive rule and presence in the UK; opposes the invitation of King Hamad to the Royal Windsor Horse Show and Bahrain’s sponsorship of the event; calls for the sponsorship to be ended and the invitation rescinded; further calls on the Royal Windsor Horse Show to uphold its own human rights policy adopted in 2021 and prevent the show from being used to sportswash the reputation of the Bahraini regime.

1126World Press Freedom Day and Julian Assange

Tabled: 3/05/23 Signatories: 1

Jeremy Corbyn

That this House appreciates that World Press Freedom Day is intended to honour the excellent work and risks taken by journalists throughout the world; notes that one internationally renowned journalist has completed four years in a maximum security prison in this country; recognises that Julian Assange faces extradition to the USA under the Espionage Act for revealing uncomfortable truths such as the publication of material relating to state actions in Iraq and Afghanistan; further notes that such treatment of a journalist jeopardises the freedom of all journalists to go about their work unimpeded by state interference and criminalises the invaluable journalism that is in the public interest; and calls on the Home Secretary to reject extradition.

1127Extrajudicial executions in Iran

Tabled: 3/05/23 Signatories: 2

John McDonnell

Chris Stephens

That this House wishes to express its deep concern at the extrajudicial executions of Mohamad Reza Mashhadi Farahani, Hossein Jazy, Hamid Saied Mozafari, Sayed Farhad Hoseini, Ali Basaki, Ezatolah Shahbazi, Nika Shakarami, Shirzad Ahmadinezad, Ebrahim Rigi, Masoumeh and Aida Rostami by the Iranian State; sends condolences to the family and friends of the victims; condemns the actions of the Iranian Regime in perpetrating these crimes; and urges the Government to call on the Islamic Republic of Iran to stop executing protestors and to stop violating women's and citizens' rights and freedoms.

1128The International Christian Medical and Dental Association's Ukraine project

Tabled: 3/05/23 Signatories: 2

Daisy Cooper

Chris Stephens

That this House congratulates the International Christian Medical And Dental Association (ICDMA) in providing vital medical aid to the people of Ukraine; notes the international office located in St Albans and the fantastic work undertaken by CEO Peter Saunders, logistics manager David Sawday and the wider team; congratulates the charity on raising £750,000 and sending more than 100 lorry loads of purchased and donated medical supplies since 25 February 2022, including, but not limited to, anaesthetic machines, oxygen concentrators, patient monitors field dressings, pharmaceuticals, beds and external fixators; further notes the partnerships formed with healthcare and logistics companies including NHS Trusts Gateshead, Leeds Hospital, Northumbria NHS Trust, Barts NHS Trust, Kimal, Clinisupplies, Circle Health Group, Reflex Medical, Keswick Group, Dawson Group, Taylor Transport, Clipper Logistics, Bunzl and others; calls on honourable Members to promote the ICDMA to other potential partnership organisations; recognises the ICDMA's contribution in supporting the people of Ukraine against the illegal Russian invasion; and wishes the ICDMA the very best in its continued efforts delivering medical supplies to the region.

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.

1075Indefinite leave to remain for bereaved partners

Tabled: 19/04/23 Signatories: 18

Stuart C McDonald

Chris Stephens

Hywel Williams

Ben Lake

Patrick Grady

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

That this House supports the Refugee and Migrants Forum of Essex and London’s call for a fee waiver to be introduced for bereaved partners applying for indefinite leave to remain; notes that the death of a loved one brings multiple emotional, practical and financial costs; believes that people whose leave to remain in the UK is tied to a partner who dies are in a particularly vulnerable situation; regrets that the spouses of deceased partners are required to pay £2,404 to access that concession despite the application costing just £491 to process; recognises that people whose leave was tied to a deceased partner may not qualify for any other form of leave such as limited leave to remain; further regrets that people who cannot afford this fee may be forced to leave the UK or face detention and removal after the death of their partner; further notes that victims of domestic violence who are able to apply for indefinite leave to remain under a different concession are rightly able to apply for a fee waiver for indefinite leave to remain applications; further recognises that the lack of a fee waiver discriminates against women who constitute almost 70 per cent of those on family visas; believes it is irrational for the Government to introduce a concession in recognition of the applicants’ vulnerability if it is combined with a fee that people cannot afford; and calls for a fee waiver to be introduced.

108310th anniversary of Rana Plaza collapse

Tabled: 20/04/23 Signatories: 18

Sir Stephen Timms

Bob Blackman

Hilary Benn

Jon Trickett

Mohammad Yasin

John McDonnell

That this House marks the 10th anniversary of the Rana Plaza disaster on 24 April 2013, which claimed the lives of 1,134 people, injured around 2,500, and impacted countless livelihoods; recognises and commends Bangladesh for its subsequent efforts to transform the safety and sustainability of its garment sector, with an emphasis on good working conditions; notes that Bangladesh has 187 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certified green factories, including half the world's top 100 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certified green factories; and urges all countries and fashion brands to raise standards for the environment and for workers.

1086Voter ID requirements

Tabled: 24/04/23 Signatories: 37

Helen Morgan

Wendy Chamberlain

Jon Trickett

Mohammad Yasin

Jonathan Edwards

Richard Foord

That this House expresses deep concern at the failure of the Government’s Voter Authority Certificate (VAC) scheme, introduced as an alternative form of photo voter ID for those who do not hold an accepted form of ID under the Voter ID requirements as per the Election Act 2022, and the potential impact this will have on the May local elections; notes that the Government’s own research estimates about 2.1 million UK citizens do not have an acceptable form of ID; expects that fewer than 80,000 successful applications will have been made for Voter Authority Certificates by the April 25 deadline, representing less than 4 per cent of the number of voters estimated to be impacted; expresses concern that this policy will leave an estimated 2 million citizens unable to exercise their right to vote in future elections; and calls on the Government to scrap or postpone the introduction of the new unnecessary, costly and discriminatory Voter ID requirements.

1087MS awareness week

Tabled: 24/04/23 Signatories: 23

Charlotte Nichols

Wendy Chamberlain

Mohammad Yasin

Jonathan Edwards

Jon Trickett

Jim Shannon

That this House supports MS awareness week, which takes place between 24 and 30 April; highlights that the MS Society, MS Trust, Overcoming MS, Shift.ms, MS-UK, MS National Therapy Centres and MS Together are working together to raise awareness of the realities of living with MS, a progressive neurological condition affecting over 130,000 people in the UK; understands that each day of MS Awareness Week provides a platform for people with MS or supporting a loved one who shares their experience of living with the condition; recognises the importance of early access to treatments, physiotherapy, social care services and financial support to enable people with MS to live well with the condition for longer; and pays tribute to family and friends of people living with MS for the care and support they provide.

1089Release of Y Sŵn

Tabled: 24/04/23 Signatories: 9

Liz Saville Roberts

Ben Lake

Hywel Williams

Jonathan Edwards

Chris Stephens

John McDonnell

That this House celebrates the release of Y Sŵn, a Welsh language film reimagining the events that led to the establishment of the world’s only Welsh language television channel, S4C; notes that the film depicts the efforts of campaigners including Plaid Cymru’s first MP, Gwynfor Evans, to secure this important national institution; commends writer Roger Williams and director Lee Haven Jones for bringing this important story to the screen; notes that the film’s release coincides with S4C’s 40th anniversary; further notes the filmmakers’ aim to spark a conversation among audiences today about the power of protest, the future of broadcasting and the health of the Welsh language; and congratulates the cast and crew on the positive response to the film’s theatrical release.

1090Section 21 evictions

Tabled: 24/04/23 Signatories: 25

Jon Trickett

Kim Johnson

Beth Winter

Dan Carden

Charlotte Nichols

Chris Stephens

That this House urgently calls on the Government to proceed with their 2019 manifesto and Queen’s Speech promises to abolish section 21 of the Housing Act 1988, otherwise known as no fault evictions; notes that section 21 evictions are increasingly used by landlords, with the ONS finding that threats of eviction using section 21 notices rose by 69 per cent, while instances of actual evictions more than doubled, rising by 143 per cent; further notes media reports which show that 40 families a day have been threatened with no-fault evictions since the Government undertook to ban them in 2019; highlights the huge pressure on social housing with over one million waiting for a home; condemns the Government’s failure to fulfil its promise to ban no fault evictions, especially with the added urgency of a global pandemic and then a cost of living crisis; further condemns the fact that vulnerable people are potentially being made homeless; welcomes the statement by Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State on 15 February 2023 that the Government will legislate in this Parliament to abolish Section 21 no fault evictions; and urges the Government to stop delaying and to act now.

1091Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property rights for creative workers

Tabled: 25/04/23 Signatories: 9

Sarah Olney

John McDonnell

John Spellar

Chris Stephens

Caroline Lucas

Jamie Stone

That this House acknowledges the cultural and economic importance of the UK’s world-leading creative industry; notes that Intellectual Property rights protect the integrity of original work and provide a revenue stream for creative workers through licensing; believes that creative workers should be able to retain copyright protections over their work that is used to train artificial intelligence platforms; further notes that whilst innovation within AI presents significant opportunities across a wide variety of industries, it also poses regulatory and ethnical challenges; calls on the Government to scrap proposals to grant AI an exception to copyright for text and data mining for any purpose; agrees with the Lords Digital Communications Select Committee that these proposals were misguided; and urges the Government to consult widely across the creative industries to ensure that the proposed Code of Practice for text and data mining and the regulatory framework set out in the AI Regulation White Paper do not undermine intellectual property rights of creative workers.

1092Ynys Enlli, dark sky sanctuary

Tabled: 25/04/23 Signatories: 7

Liz Saville Roberts

Jon Trickett

Jonathan Edwards

Hywel Williams

Ben Lake

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates all those involved in Ynys Enlli’s designation as a dark sky sanctuary by the International Dark Sky Association, making its skies the darkest in Europe; notes that this designation recognises the unique skies of Ynys Enlli, which is home to a thriving fishery, high nature value farming, and Wales’s oldest bird observatory; acknowledges that the island is part of a growing network of dark skies across Wales, and will be celebrated throughout 2023 with events across North Wales; highlights its unique position of being Wales’s only year-round island based community striving to manage its natural resources for both wildlife and people; and calls for much-needed investment to safeguard its 150 year old heritage buildings for future generations living on Ynys Enlli.

1097Civil Service Pay Remit

Tabled: 25/04/23 Signatories: 30

Chris Stephens

John McDonnell

Liz Saville Roberts

Beth Winter

Jeremy Corbyn

Caroline Lucas

That this House notes the recently published pay remit guidance for the civil service for 2023 to 2024 which has been set at a average of 4.5 per cent across Government departments following an insulting imposed pay award of two per cent for 2022 to 2023; observes that departments have been advised to make sure such awards are affordable within their spending settlements; is alarmed that this derisory pay offer does nothing to tackle years of endemic low pay across the civil service and is an insult to the hard working and dedicated civil servants who have shown time and again that they are the backbone of this country; is aware that food inflation rose at the fastest rate for more than 45 years in the 12 months to March reaching 19.2 per cent with the inflation rate still above 10 per cent; is concerned that any pay award below the current rate of inflation is a pay cut and civil service workers will continue to struggle to pay bills, heat their homes and feed their families unless the Government puts more money on the table; notes that over 130,000 members of the Public and Commercial Services Union will walk out on their third day of national action in their ongoing dispute over pay, pensions and conditions and; and calls on the Government to get back round the negotiating table and show respect to their workforce by offering them a real terms pay rise and a fair and decent pension.

1098Jessica Robson marathon record

Tabled: 25/04/23 Signatories: 5

Angela Crawley

Alyn Smith

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Chris Stephens

That this house congratulates Jessica Robson for running the London Marathon in a time of two hours, 59 minutes and 27 seconds; notes that her achievement marks the first time that a Scottish female athlete under 20 has completed a marathon in under three hours and is a new national record; acknowledges the hard work and effort that former Lanark Grammar pupil Jessica has dedicated to her training in order to complete the marathon in a record time; commends Jessica for her work on Scottish Athletics’ Young People’s Forum, and with Kyniska Advocacy, an organisation advocating for progressive policies in women’s sport, enacting change through education, advocating and support; and wishes Jessica well in her studies at the University of Stirling and for her future athletic endeavours.

1099Bahrain Interior Minister Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa visit to the UK

Tabled: 25/04/23 Signatories: 10

Kenny MacAskill

Claudia Webbe

Nadia Whittome

Richard Burgon

Kate Osborne

Zarah Sultana

That this House strongly condemns the visit by Bahraini Minister of Interior Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa to the UK in April 2023; regrets that he was conducting meetings with high-level officials including the Home Secretary and a minister at the Foreign Office as such meetings seriously undermine the UK’s credibility and its claims to hold human rights abusers to account and facilitates the whitewashing of crimes of torture and unlawful imprisonment; further regrets the timing of his visit which coincided with a policy of systematic denial of medical treatment against political prisoners including Abdulwahab Hussain, Sheikh Abduljalil Al-Muqdad, Hassan Mushaima and Abduljalil Al-Singace; notes that Al-Singace has been on solid food strike since July 2021 demanding the return of his confiscated manuscripts; expresses concern that Minister Al Khalifa has overseen the systematic persecution of human rights defenders, journalists and opposition activists in Bahrain and the terrorising of civil society since at least 2011; denounces that peaceful critics of the Bahraini Government are subjected to arbitrary imprisonment, torture and sexual assault; notes that despite ultimate responsibility for serious crimes perpetrated during the 2011 uprising, including the murder of several dissidents, Minister Al Khalifa remains in his role; and calls on the Government to apply Magnitsky Act sanctions to Minister Rashid Al Khalifa for his protracted role in overseeing a culture of abuse and a climate of impunity in Bahrain.

1100Seasonal Worker visa scheme

Tabled: 25/04/23 Signatories: 16

Tony Lloyd

Jon Trickett

Jonathan Edwards

Dan Carden

Hywel Williams

Ben Lake

That this House notes the report by The Bureau of Investigative Journalism into the exploitation of agricultural seasonal workers; recognises the identified risks of exploitation for workers entering the UK on the agricultural seasonal worker visa, including debt, bullying, wage theft and substandard accommodation; highlights the importance of recruitment to the scheme being safe and accountable and complying with the Employer Pays Principle as well as the International Labour Organization definition of recruitment fees and related costs; calls on the Government to commit to urgently address the identified risks to seasonal workers before the scheme is extended or expanded and to introduce measures which allow better monitoring of compliance with employment law and labour standards on the scheme; further calls on the Government to clarify departmental responsibility for the scheme and departmental accountability for access to and enforcement of rights under employment law for seasonal workers; additionally calls on the Government to ensure that there is transparency about the scheme by publishing an annual report including recruitment supply chains, working conditions, hours and earnings in the UK and complaints and redress to inform planning and decision making; and urges the relevant select committees to conduct an inquiry into the scheme to establish whether seasonal workers are able to exercise their rights and access UK employment law and compensation schemes where needed without risking their work, visa or income.

1103Scope Disability Price Tag research

Tabled: 26/04/23 Signatories: 32

Marion Fellows

Wendy Chamberlain

Charlotte Nichols

Caroline Lucas

Dr Lisa Cameron

Rachael Maskell

That this House acknowledges disabled people face higher costs than non-disabled people, with Scope’s new Disability Price Tag research showing the average disabled person household facing extra costs of £975 per month compared to non-disabled households; notes that this implies disabled households need to find almost £12,000 more a year to achieve the same standard of living as non-disabled households; further notes concerns that disabled people are facing spiralling additional costs, which have been exacerbated by the cost of living crisis; and calls on the Government to work directly with disabled people and charities to tackle the inequality of extra costs.

110525th anniversary of the Scottish Junior Cup final

Tabled: 26/04/23 Signatories: 7

Kirsten Oswald

Jim Shannon

Hannah Bardell

Alison Thewliss

Allan Dorans

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

That this House recognises the 25th anniversary of the Scottish Junior Cup final when Arthurlie Football Club defeated local rival Pollock 4-0 at Fir Park in Motherwell; notes that the anniversary will be marked with a testimonial match on 7 May 2023 at Dunterlie Park, with players from the cup-winning Arthurlie team playing a Clydebank select team; understands the testimonial match is dedicated to Stuart Allison who played for the victorious Arthurlie team 25 years ago; further notes that the Arthurlie team was led by Jimmy McQuade and that the goal scorers were Mark McLaughlin, Steven Convery, John Millar, and Steven Nugent; highlights Stuart’s commitment to the sport having spent ten years playing for Arthurlie and a further eight years for Clydebank; further understands all funds raised at the testimonial match will be donated to the local group Voluntary Action East Renfrewshire; and wishes all the players and supporters attending the anniversary game a very enjoyable match.

1106Rosewell Tennis Club, Park Venue of the Year

Tabled: 26/04/23 Signatories: 5

Owen Thompson

Jim Shannon

Alison Thewliss

Allan Dorans

Chris Stephens

That this house congratulates Rosewell Tennis Club on being awarded 'Park Venue of the Year' award at the recent Tennis Scotland Awards; notes the club have worked tirelessly to renovate the courts and to raise funds to resurface courts and install floodlighting to create this fantastic facility over the last year; commends everyone involved at the club in not only securing this award but in all their efforts to get the club up and running; and wishes the club every success in their future ventures.

1107Etape Loch Ness

Tabled: 26/04/23 Signatories: 5

Drew Hendry

Jim Shannon

Alison Thewliss

Allan Dorans

Chris Stephens

That this House recognises the Etape Loch Ness took place on Sunday April 23rd; notes that this event attracted thousands of participants and spectators to the Scottish Highlands; further notes the importance of the volunteers who selflessly dedicated their time to contribute to the smooth running of the event; recognises the hard work and dedication of all those who took part; and congratulates them for their efforts.

1108Plastic Free Yr Wyddfa Business Scheme

Tabled: 27/04/23 Signatories: 7

Hywel Williams

Jonathan Edwards

John McDonnell

Ben Lake

Liz Saville Roberts

Claudia Webbe

That this House commends Eyri National Park Authority for the launch of its Plastic Free Yr Wyddfa Business Scheme; notes the exciting vision to begin a Plastic Free Path to reducing single-use plastics and creating a thriving, sustainable visitor economy to protect the future of Yr Wyddfa; acknowledges that Yr Wyddfa is Wales’ most popular tourist attraction and Wales and England's tallest mountain; applauds the Park Authority for working with Bangor University to study behavioural change strategies for visitors and new waste management technologies for local businesses; highlights that their survey work shows that 85 per cent of people take responsibility for their rubbish and 71 per cent of people take it home with them; and encourages everyone to help keep Yr Wyddfa plastic free.

1109East Lothian Open tennis competition

Tabled: 27/04/23 Signatories: 3

Kenny MacAskill

Neale Hanvey

Chris Stephens

That this House congratulates the East Lothian Open tennis competition on winning Tennis Scotland's Competition of the Year Award; understands that the competition, held in North Berwick Tennis Club, hosted a variety of events which saw more than 400 people take part in total this year; notes that the Tennis Scotland Awards celebrate the formidable achievements and contributions of clubs, programmes, and competitions, as well as the inspirational individuals involved in tennis who dedicate their time and energy to the continual development and growth of the sport; and wishes everyone involved in the competition the best of luck with their futures.

1110Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Bill

Tabled: 27/04/23 Signatories: 24

Wera Hobhouse

Wendy Chamberlain

Jamie Stone

Layla Moran

John McDonnell

Allan Dorans

That this House supports reforms to sexual harassment laws to ensure that employers maintain safe and respectful workplaces for all women; continues to support the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Bill; and calls on the Government to ensure it continues to prioritise the Bill and give it the time it needs to pass through Parliament.

1111Setting of Scottish television show Rebus

Tabled: 27/04/23 Signatories: 4

Margaret Ferrier

Jonathan Edwards

Jim Shannon

Chris Stephens

That this House acknowledges that Airlie Gardens and Cruachan Road in Rutherglen feature on the reboot of iconic Scottish TV show Rebus; congratulates Sir Ian Rankin on his novels and characters being adapted for TV once again; looks forward to Richard Rankin’s portrayal of Inspector Rebus; and welcomes Rutherglen’s return to the small screen.

1112Hugh Black and Sons Butchers, 2023 Smithfield Awards

Tabled: 27/04/23 Signatories: 4

Margaret Ferrier

Jonathan Edwards

Jim Shannon

Chris Stephens

That this House congratulates Hugh Black and Sons Butchers in Cambuslang for their success at the 2023 Smithfield Awards; acknowledges that they received two gold awards for their ribeye steaks and steak pies; recognises the commitment and creativity they demonstrated to receive such accolades; celebrates the Smithfield Awards for the work they do in recognising the talent and quality of butchers across the UK; and wishes Hugh Black and Sons continued success in all their endeavours.

1113Tennis Scotland Awards 2023

Tabled: 2/05/23 Signatories: 3

Wendy Chamberlain

Jim Shannon

Chris Stephens

That the House congratulates the University of St Andrews on their recent success in the annual Tennis Scotland awards; understands that the university was awarded the University of the Year title for the second time; notes that the award follows what has been described as a stellar season for the university’s players, including two promotions and no demotions, a Scottish Student Sport champion title, and two players reaching the British Universities and College Sport individuals finals; congratulates all the university’s coaches, volunteers, the University Tennis Club committee members and all those who contributed to the success in the awards; recognises that the Tennis Scotland Awards celebrate the contributions of groups and individuals who are dedicated to the growth of the sport; emphasises the importance of sport in universities and wider society and the particular role of tennis; commends the University of St Andrews for their work to develop the sport of tennis; and wishes their players continued success in the coming season.

1114Media freedoms in Hong Kong and the case of Jimmy Lai and Apple Daily

Tabled: 2/05/23 Signatories: 7

Mr Alistair Carmichael

Jim Shannon

Christine Jardine

Liz Saville Roberts

Ben Lake

Hywel Williams

That this House welcomes the report recently published by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Hong Kong on Media Freedom in Hong Kong: The Case of Jimmy Lai and Apple Daily; laments the rapid deterioration of media freedom and human rights in Hong Kong since the introduction of the draconian National Security Law; deplores the denial of bail and access to his chosen legal representation for Jimmy Lai, founder of the now defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily; denounces the sentencing to prison of Lai on spurious fraud charges; calls upon His Majesty’s Government to implement the report’s recommendations, treating the case of Jimmy Lai, a British citizen, as a political priority; deplores the use by the puppet regime in Hong Kong of the national security law and a litany of other laws to target Jimmy Lai, other journalists and pro-democracy activists; and considers that a meeting between the Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary and Jimmy Lai’s family is long overdue.

1115Charlie Robertson, Tennis Scotland's Junior Player of the Year

Tabled: 2/05/23 Signatories: 4

Dave Doogan

Jim Shannon

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

Chris Stephens

That this House congratulates Charlie Robertson for winning Tennis Scotland's Junior Player of the Year Award; commends him for his outstanding year on court including winning his first International Tennis Federation junior title in Liverpool in November 2022; notes his rise to career-high ranking number 67 in the world junior rankings at the end of March this year; and wishes Charlie every success in the future.

1116Fourth annual Lesbian Visibility Week

Tabled: 2/05/23 Signatories: 5

Hannah Bardell

Liz Saville Roberts

Ben Lake

Hywel Williams

Chris Stephens

That this House recognises the fourth annual Lesbian Visibility Week, which aims to show solidarity with all LGBTQI woman and non binary people, celebrate lesbians and is a voice for unity to lift up all women, especially those from marginalised communities; congratulates Lesbian Visibility Week founder Linda Riley for her long-standing commitment to diversity and inclusion and her work to empower the LGBTQ+ community; and further notes the importance of Lesbian Visibility Week in celebrating and supporting lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer women across the UK and beyond to be their true selves at work, at home and socially.

1117Scottish Disability Golf and Curling

Tabled: 2/05/23 Signatories: 4

Wendy Chamberlain

Jim Shannon

Dr Philippa Whitford

Chris Stephens

That this House congratulates the charity Scottish Disability Golf and Curling on holding its 500th curling event in March and 900th round of golf on 5 May 2023; notes that the Scottish Disability Golf and Curling has held games at over 250 of Scotland’s golf courses and welcomes the support of golf and curling clubs in enabling the participation of golfers and curlers with disabilities; further notes the importance of sports participation by people with disabilities, for both individual health and wellbeing and to help reduce the stigma and discrimination associated with disability; and looks forward to welcoming the 2024 Phoenix Cup to St Andrews, the home of golf.

1118Freedom of expression and use of counter-terrorism powers (No. 2)

Tabled: 2/05/23 Signatories: 9

John McDonnell

Jon Trickett

Claudia Webbe

Liz Saville Roberts

Ben Lake

Hywel Williams

That this House is extremely concerned about Ernest Moret, foreign rights manager of French publisher La Fabrique who, whilst en route to the London Book Fair, was arrested by British Police under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act on suspicion of having participated in recent protests against pension reforms in France; notes that whilst he has now been released from police custody on bail, his phone and work computer are have been seized so data can be extracted, and he has been summoned to attend a further meeting with the anti-Terror unit in four weeks’ time under threat of legal sanctions; joins organisations such as the National Union of Journalists and PEN International in believing that this incident represents a dangerous precedent for anyone concerned to protect freedom of expression including press and academic freedom and the protection of confidential sources and material; and therefore calls for an urgent review to ensure that Schedule 7 powers are not being abused to suppress democratic and human rights and criminalise political dissent in the UK or overseas.

1119Firefighters Memorial Day 2023

Tabled: 2/05/23 Signatories: 15

Zarah Sultana

Sir Mike Penning [R]

Jim Shannon

Jon Trickett

Claudia Webbe

Kim Johnson

That this House joins with firefighters across the UK to mark Firefighters Memorial Day, remembering the bravery and sacrifice of over 2,300 firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty, including firefighter Barry Martin who was critically injured whilst tackling a fire in Edinburgh in January 2023 and died a short time later of his injuries; extends its sympathies to all bereaved families of fallen firefighters; acknowledges the good work of the Fire Brigades Union's Red Plaque project and Firefighters Memorial Trust in honouring firefighters who have lost their lives serving and protecting their communities with commemorative ceremonies to unveil plaques recording their names across the country and on the Firefighters Memorial near St Paul’s Cathedral; applauds the selflessness and commitment of all UK firefighters who every day stand ready to risk their own lives to save others and to protect their communities from fires, floods, terror attacks and numerous other emergency situations; and recognises and pays tribute to the work of firefighters throughout the pandemic, and stands in solidarity with the families of firefighters who lost their lives to covid.

1120Treatment of fortified wine in the new alcohol duty system

Tabled: 2/05/23 Signatories: 6

Daisy Cooper

Sir Graham Brady

Charlotte Nichols

Marsha De Cordova

Sir Peter Bottomley

Jim Shannon

That this House notes the disproportionately harsh treatment of fortified wine businesses as a result of the new alcohol duty system and the recently-announced alcohol excise duty rate increases, due to come into force on 1 August 2023; further notes the lack of any transitional easement mechanism for fortified wines made from fresh grapes, and the exclusion of fortified wine products from the temporary transitional easement for wines between 11.5-14.5 per cent alcohol by volume; calls on the Government to extend the top end of the current easement for wine to 15 per cent to bring it in line with existing legal definitions and reduce red tape; further calls on the Government to create a transitional easement for fortified wine products made from fresh grapes which have a protected designation of origin; recommends that such an easement operate similarly to the existing easement for wines of fresh grapes, using an alcohol by volume range of 15.5-20 per cent and a fixed midpoint of 17.5 per cent alcohol by volume at which all wines in this range are taxed; and notes that the UK’s fortified wine import market is one of the most competitive globally, and that inevitable price increases will stifle consumer demand without appropriate mitigations for fortified wine companies.

1121Judicial review on miscarriages of justice between 1982 and 2016

Tabled: 2/05/23 Signatories: 4

Liz Saville Roberts

Hywel Williams

Ben Lake

Chris Stephens

That this House notes the series of cases since the 1980s investigated by South Wales Police force that resulted in wrongful convictions; further notes the devastating impact that wrongful accusation and imprisonment can have on people subject to miscarriages of justice; expresses concern that many of the perpetrators of these crimes have yet to be found; and calls on the Ministry of Justice to organise a judicial inquiry into all miscarriages of justice that took place between 1982 and 2016.

1122Child poverty in the north of England

Tabled: 2/05/23 Signatories: 10

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck

Kim Johnson

Jim Shannon

Jon Trickett

Claudia Webbe

Grahame Morris

That this House is deeply concerned by the warnings of the Child of the North APPG report on Child Poverty and the Cost of Living Crisis that the aftermath of covid-19, increasing child poverty and cost of living pressures has pushed vulnerable families in the north of England to the edge and created a situation which could see disastrous effects for generations; notes that children in the north have a nearly 34 per cent chance of living in poverty, with some areas tackling levels above 40 per cent, alongside being more likely to live in food and fuel insecure homes than those in the rest of England; and urges the Government to act on the report recommendations including increasing child benefit by up to £20 a week, expanding Free School Meals to all children whose families receive Universal Credit, expanding and auto-enrolling the Healthy Start Scheme, ensuring consistent food provisions during school holidays and actions to improve the energy efficiency of homes.

1123World Press Freedom Day

Tabled: 2/05/23 Signatories: 27

Grahame Morris

Kim Johnson

Claire Hanna

Jim Shannon

Zarah Sultana

Jeremy Corbyn

That this House notes that 2023 represents the thirtieth anniversary of the proclamation of an international day of press freedom; recognises the importance of World Press Freedom Day on 3 May 2023; further notes that the day allows citizens to commemorate journalists who have lost their lives and reminds citizens of the importance of a free press for democracy and human rights; believes that journalists everywhere across the globe have a right to hold the powerful to account without fear of persecution; notes that a report from the International Federation of Journalists shockingly identified at least 68 killings of media professionals in work-related incidents in 2022, whilst over five hundred journalists languished in jails; commends the National Union of Journalists in the UK and Ireland for their tireless campaigning work to defend press freedom; and calls on the Government to uphold press freedom at home and exert diplomatic influence overseas to end impunity for the killing and intimidation of journalists.

1124Dundee Comets and the Scottish Cup

Tabled: 2/05/23 Signatories: 4

Chris Law

Jim Shannon

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

Chris Stephens

That this House congratulates Dundee Comets on their successful 2022/23 campaign; notes that the Comets were crowned 2022/2023 Scottish Cup champions following victory over Aberdeen Lynx in front of a sold-out event; further notes that the Comets were also successful in the Scottish Ice Hockey Playoff Championship, beating Aberdeen Lynx in the final; recognises the continued importance and contributions of ice hockey clubs like the Comets to Dundee’s sporting community; and wishes all at the club, and in particular the players, management and volunteers, all the best for the year ahead.