Commons business papers

Contents

Published: Friday 12 May 2023

Early Day Motions tabled on Thursday 11 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

115575th anniversary of the Nakba

Tabled: 11/05/23 Signatories: 1

Layla Moran [R]

That this House notes that Monday 15 May 2023 marks 75 years since 750,000 Palestinians were expelled or fled from Palestine in what is now known as the Nakba; notes that there are now over five and a half million Palestinian refugees worldwide and supports these refugees' rights in line with international law; affirms the need for the Government to continue to fund UNRWA' which carries out important work with and for Palestinian refugees; further recalls the 800,000 Jews who fled or were expelled from Arab states from 1948 onwards; further notes the ongoing occupation of Palestinian territories in the West Bank and Gaza by the Israeli authorities; calls on the Government to immediately recognise an independent Palestinian state which will help breathe new life into the peace process; and urges the Government to continue to pursue a two-state solution and a lasting peace in the region.

1156Remembering Leah Sharibu on the occasion of her 20th birthday

Tabled: 11/05/23 Signatories: 1

Brendan O'Hara

That this House sends its sincere best wishes, as well as its renewed hopes for her speedy release from captivity, to Leah Sharibu on the occasion of her 20th birthday on 14 May; notes with deep regret that this will be the sixth birthday Leah has had to face since being kidnapped and held in sexual slavery by Islamic State West Africa Province following their 2018 attack a girl’s school in Dapchi, Yobe State, Nigeria, in which they killed five of the girls and abducted 104 others; recognises that of all the kidnapped girls, Leah is the only one who remains in captivity, reportedly because of her refusal to renounce her Christian faith and convert to Islam; understands that there is credible evidence to say that Leah is still alive; and therefore amplifies the oft repeated call for the government and the Nigerian authorities to do everything they can to secure Leah’s timely release and allow her to be reunited with her family.

1157Express direct rail services between Stirling and London

Tabled: 11/05/23 Signatories: 1

Alyn Smith

That this House welcomes the proposals of Grand Union Trains to open a new train service from Stirling to London Euston; notes that Grand Union has been granted the right to introduce a similar service between London Paddington and Carmarthen; believes that a new direct service between Stirling and London will improve connectivity with calls along the route in Falkirk, Lanarkshire and South West Scotland as well as through England; further notes that the route will support the creation of approximately 100 jobs, primarily in Scotland and North West England whilst also reducing congestion along existing routes from Glasgow and Edinburgh to London and attract passengers from air reducing emissions; and further believes that the introduction of new train operators will provide higher quality rail travel at lower consumer costs which will help improve transport links across these islands.

1158Alzheimer Scotland and Dementia Awareness Week

Tabled: 11/05/23 Signatories: 1

Kirsten Oswald

That this House recognsies Dementia Action Week in England and Wales which is taking place from 16 to 22 May and Dementia Awareness Week in Scotland which is taking place from 29 May to 4 June; understands this year’s Dementia Awareness Week in Scotland focuses on tackling the stigma faced by people living with dementia, particularly those who face it earlier in life; highlights the important work carried out by Alzheimer Scotland, Scotland’s national dementia charity, which provides support and information for people with dementia, their loved ones, and carers; notes the wide range of services offered by Alzheimer Scotland, including 25 Dementia Resource Centres across the country which provide safe and friendly environments for people with dementia to visit and take part in therapeutic activity groups, a 24-hour freephone Dementia Helpline which provides information and emotional support to those living with dementia, and a network of Dementia Advisors and Post Diagnostic Support Link Workers working in local communities to support people with a diagnosis; further understands the important campaign work also carried out by Alzheimer Scotland to improve the provision of services for people with dementia and to increase the funds available for vital dementia research and the number of people participating in dementia research; applauds the fantastic work of all those involved with Alzheimer Scotland who are supporting those living with dementia and their carers; and wishes everyone at Alzheimer Scotland well as they continue their important work.

1159Dangerous Dogs Act 1991

Tabled: 11/05/23 Signatories: 1

Wayne David

This House is concerned at the increasing number of dog attacks and is alarmed that 13 people have been killed as a result of a dog attack since the start of 2022 and more have been seriously injured; notes that the cost to the NHS of dog bites has been calculated at £777 million per year; recognises that an approach based on breed specific legislation has failed and that the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 is woefully ineffective; looks forward to the publication of recommendations by the Government’s Responsible Dog Ownership working group and calls for this to take place before the summer recess; and further calls on the Government to introduce new legislation covering all aspects of the control of dangerous dogs that protects the public, promotes responsible dog ownership and improves animal welfare.

1160Sir David Lindsay and Ane Satyre of the Three Estaitis

Tabled: 11/05/23 Signatories: 1

Wendy Chamberlain

That this House celebrates the unveiling of a plaque at Cupar’s Castle Hill commemorating Sir David Lindsay of the Mount, Cupar (c.1486-1555) and his play Ane Satyre of the Three Estaitis; remembers Sir David Lindsay as Scotland’s first and for many people greatest dramatist; notes the plaque is placed in the location of the first performance of his famous play in 1552; further celebrates Ane Satyre of the Three Estaitis as the greatest Scottish medieval play, satirising the country’s corrupt institutions the nobility, the burgh merchants, and particularly the clergy; further notes that it laid the ground work for the reformation in Scotland; remembers the importance of satire and the arts in fostering democracy and culture; and commends the work of Three Estates Cupar in commemorating Sir David and his works.

1161Cupar Hearts win the Scottish Amateur Cup

Tabled: 11/05/23 Signatories: 1

Wendy Chamberlain

That this House congratulates Cupar Hearts on winning the Scottish Amateur Cup; notes that this is a historic win for the club as the first Fife team to win in over 30 years; celebrates each of the player’s dedication and hard work, as well as that of the manager Sean Simpson and chairman Harry Petrie; remembers the team’s dedicated physiotherapist Jim Smith who sadly died during the season; notes the importance of sports at every level to foster community and health; and wishes Cupar Hearts the best of luck in the Scottish Cup next season.

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.

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

Tabled: 2/05/23 Signatories: 8

Dave Doogan

Jim Shannon

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

Chris Stephens

Allan Dorans

Douglas Chapman

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: 11

Hannah Bardell

Liz Saville Roberts

Ben Lake

Hywel Williams

Chris Stephens

Alison Thewliss

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: 8

Wendy Chamberlain

Jim Shannon

Dr Philippa Whitford

Chris Stephens

Alison Thewliss

Jamie Stone

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.

1119Firefighters Memorial Day 2023

Tabled: 2/05/23 Signatories: 23

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.

1123World Press Freedom Day

Tabled: 2/05/23 Signatories: 40

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.

1125Bahrain’s sponsorship of the Royal Windsor Horse Show

Tabled: 3/05/23 Signatories: 15

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.

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

Tabled: 3/05/23 Signatories: 7

Daisy Cooper

Chris Stephens

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

Neale Hanvey

Jim Shannon

Wendy Chamberlain

That this House congratulates the International Christian Medical And Dental Association (ICMDA) 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.

1129Loch Lomond Brewery's Southern Summit, CAMRA’s Champion Session Pale Ale of Scotland 2023

Tabled: 9/05/23 Signatories: 5

Martin Docherty-Hughes

Allan Dorans

Jim Shannon

Chris Stephens

Chris Law

This House notes that the family-run Loch Lomond Brewery’s Southern Summit has been recognised as CAMRA’s Champion Session Pale Ale of Scotland 2023; further notes that this builds on previous CAMRA recognition for the Brewery’s Silkie Stout and Southern Summit’s own 2016 SIBA Supreme Cask Champion of the UK; recognises the contribution Loch Lomond Brewery has made to the local community and economy since its foundation in the garage of Euan and Fiona Maceachern in 2011; commends the risks they took in moving to a purpose-built, state of the art 35hl brewery and cannery in 2019; recognises their resilience through a pandemic which proved so challenging for their industry; and raises a glass to their continued success as a valuable part of the economy of West Dunbartonshire and Scotland.

1130Potential merits of a Sudanese Family Scheme visa

Tabled: 9/05/23 Signatories: 7

Hywel Williams

Liz Saville Roberts

Ben Lake

Jim Shannon

Sir Peter Bottomley

Chris Stephens

That this House calls for the creation of a Sudanese Family Scheme visa for Sudanese people affected by the ongoing conflict in Sudan; notes civilians have become trapped in Khartoum without access to water, electricity, and access to food or medical care as the city is bombarded by rival factions; acknowledges the success of the Homes for Ukraine scheme as a viable means of helping people flee from war zones to join relatives and families in the UK; and calls on the UK Government to do its part to help the displaced families of Sudan and renew its efforts to help end the fighting.

1132Majella’s Coffee Shop, Kirkintilloch

Tabled: 9/05/23 Signatories: 6

Amy Callaghan

Allan Dorans

Jim Shannon

Chris Stephens

Margaret Ferrier

Chris Law

That this House congratulates Majella’s Coffee Shop in Kirkintilloch for their outstanding commitment to their Modern Apprenticeship programme, first introduced in 2012 to encourage staff to develop their skills in bakery, food sales and customer service; congratulates Majella’s on the progress staff have made to SCQF Level 6 in Food and Drink Operations; notes the benefits and opportunities the Modern Apprenticeship programme have made on the business and wider community; and further congratulates Majella’s on their previous achievement in winning the Micro Business of the Year award at the Skills Development Scotland Awards showcasing the positive contribution Majella’s have made to the local community in Kirkintilloch.

1133Hereditary angioedema awareness day (No. 2)

Tabled: 9/05/23 Signatories: 20

Deidre Brock

Martyn Day

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

Anne McLaughlin

Allan Dorans

Marion Fellows

That this House celebrates Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) day on Tuesday 16 May 2023; recognises that HAE has a significant impact on patient lives and can cause unpredictable potentially life-threatening attacks; commends the important work patient organisations, such as HAE UK, and leading immunology specialists have done to support and advocate for those living with HAE; applauds the ambition for patients to experience zero swelling episodes or attacks; welcomes the commitments of the Rare Disease Framework to improve health outcomes for rare disease populations; and urges policymakers to recognise the need to increase clinical awareness of rare diseases, prioritise quality of life in treatment guidelines, improve shared decision-making processes, and ensure better access to psychological support.

1134North Ayrshire Wild’s Ice Hockey Club, Scottish U19 League Champions

Tabled: 9/05/23 Signatories: 5

Patricia Gibson

Allan Dorans

Jim Shannon

Chris Stephens

Chris Law

That this House congratulates the under 19s team at North Ayrshire Wild’s Ice Hockey Club, which is based at Auchenharvie Ice Rink in Stevenston on triumphing at the Scottish U19 League Champions at the recent 2022-23 final; applauds the impressive final score of 8-1 to North Ayrshire Wild against the Fife Falcons; understands that the club was rebranded as North Ayrshire Wild in 2022 with a focus on unifying the junior and senior teams and promoting junior development through the Learn to Play development programme; recognises the positive role played by the club in the local community by providing players with the opportunity to cultivate athletic skills as well as teambuilding skills, persistence and self-confidence; recognises the hard work and dedication of head coach, Domenico DeSimone, team captain, Luca DeSimone, and all the players, club committee, and volunteers; and wishes them all further success in future tournaments.

1135World Inflammatory Bowel Disease Day 2023

Tabled: 9/05/23 Signatories: 9

Mr Virendra Sharma

Jonathan Edwards

Jim Shannon

Dr Philippa Whitford

Chris Stephens

Christine Jardine

That this House welcomes World Inflammatory Bowel Disease Day on 19 May; understands that there are over 500,000 people in the UK living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, the two main forms of which are Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis; appreciates the work of Crohn’s & Colitis UK’s Early Diagnosis campaign, which puts a focus on the importance of early diagnosis of Crohn’s and Colitis; notes with concern that more than a quarter of people wait longer than one year for a diagnosis and that many people have to visit A&E departments for emergency treatment; further understands that delays in diagnosis can impact hugely on quality of life, disrupting education and work; regrets that patients who wait longest to be diagnosed with Crohn’s or Colitis are two to four times more likely to have complex disease that requires surgery; understands that reducing delays to diagnosis will improve the quality of life of patients, while reducing the wider costs to the NHS; and urges the Government to invest in a public campaign to raise awareness of digestive and bowel disease to improve diagnosis over the next five years.

1136Dundee FC Scottish Championship Winners 2022/2023

Tabled: 9/05/23 Signatories: 6

Chris Law

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

Allan Dorans

Jim Shannon

Chris Stephens

Alison Thewliss

That this House congratulates Dundee Football Club on winning the Scottish Championship; notes that the club won the Championship on the last day of the season, beating second-place Queens Park 5-3 in a nail-biting finish to the league; further congratulates all at the club who contributed to this first-place finish, including the manager Gary Bowyer, the players and the back-room staff; recognises the highly-valued work that Dundee FC carries out in local communities across the city and the wider area in partnership with the Dundee FC Community Trust; and wishes all at the club all the best for the coming season and beyond.

1138Cartvale pub and restaurant, Busby

Tabled: 9/05/23 Signatories: 6

Kirsten Oswald

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

Allan Dorans

Jim Shannon

Chris Stephens

Chris Law

That this House congratulates the Cartvale pub and restaurant in Busby, East Renfrewshire, on their great achievement being recognised as a county winner in the national pub and bar awards which were conducted by Pub and Bar magazine which aims to showcase the finest bars and pubs; notes that there were 94 county winners from across the UK and that the Cartvale, which is the only establishment in East Renfrewshire to be named, could go on to be crowned as one of the 15 regional winners or the UK’s best bar in area on June 28 at the grand final award ceremony in London; further notes the Cartvale underwent a significant transformation in recent years with investment totalling £385,000 and reopened under new ownership in September 2019; and wishes all the staff at the Cartvale continued success and the very best of luck ahead of the grand final award ceremony.

1139Allwyn Crawford and Promoting Inclusion Through Sport

Tabled: 9/05/23 Signatories: 7

Patricia Gibson

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

Allan Dorans

Jim Shannon

Chris Stephens

Margaret Ferrier

That this House celebrates local Ayrshire community not-for-profit company, Promoting Inclusion Through Sport, on securing the Connecting Communities Award at the recent annual Lawn Tennis Association and Tennis Scotland award ceremony; understands that the Connecting Communities Award recognises an individual, group or organisation that has provided innovative ways for people within the community to engage with tennis, with a strong emphasis on those underrepresented within the sport; recognises the positive role played by the charity in communities by increasing confidence and promoting good mental health and physical wellbeing in young people and adults with physical, learning and communication difficulties through tennis and social activities; commends the hard work and dedication of Allwyn in creating an inclusive environment inclusion by way of connecting individuals, communities, local authorities and the general public for the last twelve years; congratulates Allwyn and everyone involved in Promoting Inclusion Through Sport on this tremendously well-deserved achievement; is sad to hear that Allwyn is leaving North Ayrshire towards the end of May but is sure that she will continue to promote inclusion through sport to deliver fairer and healthier communities for all.

1140Perth businessman, John Bullough

Tabled: 9/05/23 Signatories: 7

Pete Wishart

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

Allan Dorans

Jim Shannon

Chris Stephens

Alison Thewliss

That this House pays tribute to Perth businessman, John Bullough, who tragically passed away recently; acknowledges his position as a key figure in the Perth business community, including as chair of the Perth City Development Board; recognises his tremendous efforts in founding, running and developing the Scottish Charity Air Ambulance, a venture that has contributed to saving lives and providing access to emergency health care in Scotland, particularly in remote areas; notes his tireless work in helping to ensure that the Stone of Destiny is returned to Perth; and sends its sympathies to his family at this sad time.

1141Wellbeing economy

Tabled: 9/05/23 Signatories: 11

Caroline Lucas

Clive Lewis

Deidre Brock

Claire Hanna

Ben Lake

Ronnie Cowan

That this House welcomes the call made by President Michael D Higgins of Ireland on 28 April 2023 at a reception for the Think-Tank for Action on Social Change to look beyond the current obsession with economic growth and rebalance economy, ecology and ethics; notes that this call is well-aligned with the aims of the European Parliament’s examination of the Beyond Growth agenda; further notes that such a call has far-reaching implications for the teaching and practice of economics in which the obsession with perpetual growth has left society blinkered to the ecological catastrophe we now face; agrees with President Higgins that an alternative paradigm of social economy within ecological responsibility is already within reach; further agrees that this new paradigm must now find its way onto the curriculum where economics is taught and into the board rooms and government ministries where economics is practised; and calls on the Government to match the ambition and leadership shown by the Irish President and the European Parliament by supporting the development of a post growth economics, conducting a review of the growth dependency of the economy and developing a comprehensive strategy to transition to a wellbeing economy.

1142Legal aid funding

Tabled: 9/05/23 Signatories: 6

Rebecca Long Bailey

Jonathan Edwards

Mary Kelly Foy

Jim Shannon

Dan Carden

Beth Winter

This House notes that the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 came into force in April 2013, significantly limiting the scope and eligibility for legal aid; notes that the Westminster Commission on Legal Aid’s Inquiry in 2021 found that the public values legal aid as part of the state-funded safety net; acknowledges that the 2021 Legal Aid Practitioners Group Census indicates that the majority of practitioners currently working in legal aid reported that they had faced financial barriers to entering the sector, that training opportunities for new entrants are limited, and that there were poor rates of financial remuneration and challenging working conditions; further notes that, for criminal legal aid, the Government has committed to fee increases of just 9 per cent in 2023, increasing to 11 per cent in 2024, constituting a real-terms cut, contrary to the recommendations from the Independent Review of Criminal Legal Aid (CLAIR) which recommended an immediate minimum 15 per cent increase, resulting in the Law Society issuing proceedings against the Ministry of Justice; calls on the Government to urgently implement the CLAIR recommendations for criminal legal aid reform, including the recommended pay increase; further notes that, for civil legal aid, the Westminster Commission recommended a range of immediate changes to relieve pressures in legal aid service provision and workforce recruitment and retention while a national review of civil legal aid is ongoing; and calls on the Government to implement those changes with urgency.

1143Housing legal aid

Tabled: 9/05/23 Signatories: 7

Rebecca Long Bailey

Jonathan Edwards

Jon Trickett

Mary Kelly Foy

Jim Shannon

Dan Carden

That this House notes that the housing system is in crisis and that many consider local authority housing services to be at breaking point; further notes that, as a result, services that provide free housing legal advice are in overwhelming demand; also notes this is compounded by half of all law centres in England and Wales closing over the past decade due to central funding cuts and many law firms suspending provision of legal aid services, resulting in the national expansion of housing legal aid deserts estimated to affect 12.45 million people in England and Wales, according to research by LexisNexis; acknowledges that having access to legal advice is fundamental to upholding the rule of law and that legal aid is a critical safety net to protect people’s rights, which, in the context of housing advice, facilitates people finding and keeping a home or upholding rights as tenants and owners; calls on the Government to restore the Local Housing Allowance rates to account for rent increases, to invest in social housing, and to bring forward the Renters Reform Bill; and further calls on the Government to implement the policies suggested by the Renters' Reform Coalition to ensure safe, secure and affordable homes for all including abolishing no fault evictions, provide emergency funding to local authority homelessness services, introduce rent controls and an evictions ban similar to Scotland, provide emergency funding to the legal aid system and advice services, and expand legal aid scope and eligibility to improve access to justice.

1147Illegal Migration Bill

Tabled: 9/05/23 Signatories: 9

Stuart C McDonald

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

Jonathan Edwards

Allan Dorans

Dr Philippa Whitford

Patrick Grady

That this House believes the proposals in the Illegal Migration Bill contravene international law, including the Refugee Convention, the European Convention on Human Rights, the European Convention on Action Against Trafficking and the Convention on the Rights of the Child; considers that the Bill will effectively close the UK’s asylum system and undermine the ability of trafficking victims to access protection; regrets the rushed timetable for the Bill’s passage through the House, including the lack of a bill committee, and the short committee stage; regrets the failure of the Government to allow proper scrutiny of its policies, including by failing to publish its impact assessment; notes that there was no mention of any proposals resembling those found in the Bill in the general election manifesto of any party represented in the House; and in light of the grave consequences of the Bill and the failure of scrutiny by this House, calls on Members of the House of Lords to vote against the Bill.

1148Europe Day 2023

Tabled: 9/05/23 Signatories: 8

Hywel Williams

Liz Saville Roberts

Ben Lake

Jonathan Edwards

Dr Philippa Whitford

Chris Stephens

That this House celebrates Europe Day, the anniversary of the historic declaration by French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman on 9 May 1950, which established the European Coal and Steel Community and ultimately led to the creation of the European Union; notes that the declaration set out a new form of political cooperation in Europe; further notes with concern recent figures by the Office for Budget Responsibility showing that total goods trade with the EU is down by 15 per cent on the level before the transition period ended; joins with our European neighbours in celebrating peace and unity on the continent; and calls on the Government to seek to negotiate the re-entry of the UK into the EU Single Market, in the spirit of political cooperation at the heart of the Schuman Declaration.

1150Workers' Educational Association 120th anniversary

Tabled: 9/05/23 Signatories: 19

Kim Johnson

Jonathan Edwards

Jon Trickett

Mary Kelly Foy

Sir Peter Bottomley

Mick Whitley

That this House congratulates the WEA on its 120th anniversary; recognises that the organisation was founded in 1903 as the Workers’ Educational Association; highlights that it provides community adult education and has supported hundreds of thousands of adult learners in England and Scotland; praises the WEA for bringing adult learning within reach for people of all backgrounds, with 42 per cent of WEA learners living in disadvantaged postcode areas; acknowledges that WEA courses support adult learners to gain qualifications and to progress into employment; further acknowledges that WEA learners also report improved mental health, better connections to their local communities and improved confidence to deal with life’s challenges; notes that, in 2023, the WEA stays true to its founders’ commitment to challenging educational inequality; and looks forward to WEA learners enjoying courses for many more years to come.

1151Clydebank FC 2005s, Scottish Cup Champions

Tabled: 10/05/23 Signatories: 2

Martin Docherty-Hughes

Chris Law

That this House congratulates the players and coaches of Clydebank FC 2005s on winning the InspireSport Scottish Youth FA Cup Final after defeating Hillwood FC 2005s 2-0; believes this is a fantastic achievement and is the culmination of a great deal of hard work and team work; and wishes the players and coaches well in their future endeavours.

1152Food workers, prices and poverty

Tabled: 10/05/23 Signatories: 16

Ian Mearns [R]

Ian Byrne

Olivia Blake

Beth Winter

Jeremy Corbyn

Chris Stephens

That this House is shocked by the findings of the Foodworkers on the Breadline report published by the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union based on a recent survey of members working in food manufacturing and retail; notes that, alarmingly, four in ten respondents reported having to skip meals for financial reasons, whilst one in five report using food banks themselves; believes that it is utterly unacceptable that, at a time when food prices have hit levels not seen in the UK for decades, workers are left unable to afford the products of their own labour; calls for trade unions to be invited to participate in the forthcoming UK Food Summit; urges immediate Government action to raise pay throughout food supply chains, outlaw exploitative zero hours contracts, whilst also tackling the culture of rampant corporate profiteering, particularly by the big supermarkets; and supports the incorporation of a statutory Right to Food in UK legislation.

1153S-Mart Social Supermarket

Tabled: 10/05/23 Signatories: 2

Dave Doogan

Chris Law

That this House commends the efforts of the S-Mart Social Supermarket in Forfar to tackle poverty and food waste in their community; notes that since opening in 2020, the enterprise has saved more than 300 tonnes of food going to landfill, the equivalent of 730,000 meals; recognises the wide range of support and services on offer, including space for local SMEs, employment training, work placements, money management support, sustainable clothing, a community café and an outdoor town garden; congratulates CEO Pauline Lockhart and her team for the immense social benefit they provide to their community; and wishes them well for the future.

1154Uddingston Hockey Club

Tabled: 10/05/23 Signatories: 2

Angela Crawley

Chris Law

That this House congratulates Uddingston Hockey Club following their success in the 2022-23 Women’s Scottish Plate; notes that Uddingston defeated Grange 2-1 in the final at the National Hockey Centre at Glasgow Green after defeating Perthshire, University of Strathclyde and Erskine Stewarts Melville to reach the final; acknowledges that Uddingston’s victory was achieved with an average squad of age 18, which signals a bright future for the club; recognises that their success comes just two years after their promotion to the Premiership; commends Lucy Hogarth and Amber Wade for scoring the goals in the final; praises their teammates, coach Connor Evans and the coaching staff for their collective efforts and determination to succeed; and further congratulates Uddingston on being named EuroHockey Club of the Year for large clubs this season.