Contents

Published: Tuesday 14 November 2023

Early Day Motions tabled on Monday 13 November 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

43175th anniversary of Royal Black Preceptory 18

Tabled: 13/11/23 Signatories: 1

Carla Lockhart

That this House congratulates the Sir Knights of Royal Black Preceptory (RBP) 18 The First Royals of County Down on reaching their 175th Anniversary; recognises the positive role the Institution has played in the local community down through the years; and wishes RBP 18 a very successful and enjoyable anniversary year.

44Breast cancer screening and entitlement to paid leave

Tabled: 13/11/23 Signatories: 1

Jonathan Edwards

That this House notes that the UK, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland Governments all offer breast cancer screening to women aged 50 to 70 every three years; supports such policies as an important preventative health care strategy; calls for employment law to be amended to remove barriers to and ensure that women do not lose pay and entitlements for attending appointments; and commends the work of the JG HR Pledge campaign for raising awareness of and encouraging employers to pledge to support their employees to attend regular screening appointments.

45Wealth taxation and EU Tax Observatory report on global tax evasion

Tabled: 13/11/23 Signatories: 1

Jonathan Edwards

That this House welcomes the EU Tax Observatory inaugural report on global tax evasion; notes that the report indicates that the richest people in the world are operating on the edge of legality to evade paying tax; expresses concern at the findings of the report that the very richest use shell companies and other measures to reduce their tax burden to between 0% and 0.6%; further notes that real estate in expensive cities such as London provides a vehicle for the very wealthy to avoid paying tax; notes that the report calls on the 3,000 richest people in the world, with combined assets of $13 trillion, to be taxed at a rate of 2% of their total wealth; estimates that such a measure would raise £205 billion annually; and joins calls for the G20 Summit in Brazil in November 2024 to begin efforts to introduce a global wealth tax on the very richest people.

46175th anniversary of Rising Sons of William Loyal Orange Lodge 240

Tabled: 13/11/23 Signatories: 1

Jim Shannon

That this House celebrates the 175th anniversary of Rising Sons of William LOL 240; notes that it was first founded in 1848; highlights that LOL 240 prides itself on treasuring history, tradition and a preservation of culture; further notes the high standing of the past and present membership and that the members of the lodge have been involved in all of the activities of the Orangeman and of the District, including the huge protest demonstration organised by William Johnston on 12 July 1867; highlights that the present day membership is drawn from a wide age group and there have always been strong family ties within the lodge, with several fathers and sons, brothers and uncles; expresses that the lodge is unique in the Strangford and North Down area as it is the only lodge that retains the traditional Lambeg Drums in the annual 12 July demonstration and are currently wearing the traditional style sash to parades; thanks LOL 240 for their impeccable service to the orange tradition in the local town of Newtownards displayed in their anniversary events including a free historical evening hosted in Ards Town Hall entitled From Revolution to Partition on Thursday 21 November; and wishes them all the very best for the future as they continue to promote the Orange Ideals of Religious Freedom and Liberty for all.

47Seasonal Worker visa scheme

Tabled: 13/11/23 Signatories: 1

John McDonnell

That this House notes the recent report by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism and the Independent which identified issues of racism, wage theft and threats of being sent back home in 19 farm inspection reports produced by the Home Office between 2021 and 2022; recognises that migrant seasonal workers are integral to the UK’s horticultural sector and that working conditions under the seasonal worker visa must urgently be improved; further recognises that the current iteration of the seasonal worker visa is due to expire at the end of 2024 and that improvements to working conditions must be implemented before any decision to extend the scheme is made; calls on the Government to urgently complete and publish a review of the seasonal worker visa scheme in line with the recommendations that it accepted by the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration in the report entitled An inspection of the immigration system as it relates to the agricultural sector, published in December 2022; further calls on the Government to implement the recommendations on the seasonal worker visa scheme of the report by the House of Lords Select Committee on Horticulture entitled Sowing the seeds: A blooming English horticultural sector (November 2023); and calls on the Government to engage with independent civil society organisations advocating for the rights of migrant seasonal workers in the recently formed Seasonal Worker Interest Group to address the design-related issues from the seasonal workers visa scheme.

48Iran's influence in the Middle East

Tabled: 13/11/23 Signatories: 1

Bob Blackman

That this House is deeply concerned by the role of the Iranian regime in the deadly conflicts in the Middle East; notes that for over four decades Iran’s regime has adopted a dual strategy of domestic suppression, such as the 1988 massacre of 30,000 political prisoners, mostly supporters of the PMOI/MEK, and creating external crises by warmongering and use of terrorism to assure its own survival; recalls that for years Khomeini rejected a ceasefire in the Iran-Iraq war, vowing to liberate Qods, Jerusalem, via Karbala despite the huge death toll inflicted; further recalls that Iran’s regime uses proxy terror groups to carry out terrorist attacks in the region; is deeply concerned by the regime’s use of hostage diplomacy to extract concessions from the West, examples of which include the release of its diplomat-terrorist, sentenced to 20 years in prison for trying to bomb an NCRI rally, by Belgium in return for hostages illegally held by Iran; reiterates that there can never be peace in the Middle East while Iran’s regime remains in power; and urges the Government to target warmongering in Tehran by proscribing the IRGC and supporting the Iranian people’s desire for regime change.

49Changes to the Highway Code for vulnerable road users

Tabled: 13/11/23 Signatories: 1

Helen Morgan

That this House appreciates the recent changes made to the Highway Code relating to protecting vulnerable road users; understands that new rules 212-215 help ensure that other road users treat these users with care; observes that these rules have been added specifically because the Highway Code previously lacked rules to protect vulnerable road users such as horse riders and horse-drawn vehicles; recognises that the frequency of incidents which include these users shows that the new rules have not been publicised enough; and calls on the Government to raise awareness of the new rules and establish better communication and education of the Highway Code to protect all road users.

50Persecution in Pakistan

Tabled: 13/11/23 Signatories: 1

Jim Shannon

That this House is deeply concerned by the ongoing attacks, discrimination and persecution faced by Hindus and Sikhs in Pakistan; recognises that these communities are integral members of the Pakistani society and have made significant contributions to its culture, history, and economy; notes with concern the rising incidents of forced conversions, kidnappings, property confiscations and violence against Hindus, Sikhs, Ahmadis and Christians, which infringe on their fundamental rights to freedom of religion, belief and security; condemns any form of religious intolerance and violence; urges the Government of Pakistan to uphold its international obligations to protect the rights of all religious minorities within its borders; calls on the Government of Pakistan to intensify efforts to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of its religious minority communities; calls on the UK Government to engage with the counterparts in Pakistan on these issues to strengthen human rights monitoring in the region.

51Veterans Day bank holiday

Tabled: 13/11/23 Signatories: 1

Grahame Morris

That this House wishes to honour the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces with a new bank holiday on the day after Remembrance Sunday; notes that many countries have a dedicated Veterans Day public holiday; recognises that, by international standards, the UK is amongst the countries with the fewest public holidays; highlights the need for more bank holidays in the second half of the year because the majority of the current statutory bank holidays are during the spring and summer months; and believes that any such proposal from the Government would command significant cross-party support.

52Ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict

Tabled: 13/11/23 Signatories: 1

Layla Moran [R]

That this House believes that only a two-state solution can deliver the security which both Palestinians and Israelis deserve; further believes that Hamas cannot be allowed to continue in charge of Gaza; condemns the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas in Israel on 7 October 2023; deplores the violence in the weeks since; notes with horror the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, affecting millions of innocent Palestinian civilians, the ongoing hostage situation and the risk of regional escalation; notes that it is increasingly clear there will be no military solution that will eliminate Hamas and that movement towards a political solution is needed; accordingly urges the Government to call for an immediate bilateral ceasefire to provide space to achieve that political solution; further notes that such a ceasefire would be contingent on both parties sticking to it and that if one party breaks the ceasefire, a military option remains on the table; believes that this is not an end goal but a step towards peace; disagrees with those who advocate freezing the conflict, which leaves Hamas in charge of Gaza and does not look to the future; and notes that an immediate bilateral ceasefire would provide time to facilitate the delivery of aid into Gaza, facilitate the release of the hostages and provide space to intensify diplomacy towards delivering a political solution with Hamas out of Gaza, two states and a lasting peace.

53Refugee campaign groups from the North East

Tabled: 13/11/23 Signatories: 1

Ian Lavery

That this House welcomes the lobby of Parliament by refugee groups from the North East of England to be held in Room S of Portcullis House from 2.00pm to 4.00pm on Tuesday 28 November; proudly acknowledges that the UK has, for centuries, provided a haven for those fleeing oppression; understands that many people seeking asylum display qualities of great courage and resilience and have abilities which can serve this country well; and urges all hon. Members to attend the lobby in order to hear the case for a fair system of asylum that enables safe routes to get to the UK, treats human beings with dignity and care in a timely and efficient manner, and allows them to make an immediate contribution to the UK through paid work.

Added Names

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

1Protecting civilians in Gaza and Israel

Tabled: 7/11/23 Signatories: 98

Richard Burgon

Caroline Lucas

Liz Saville Roberts

Chris Stephens

Claire Hanna

Kenny MacAskill

This House utterly condemns the massacre of Israeli civilians and taking of hostages by Hamas; agrees with the United Nations Secretary-General that these horrific acts do not justify responding with the collective punishment of the Palestinian people; expresses its deep alarm at the Israeli military bombardment and total siege of Gaza and the resulting deaths and suffering; believes that the urgent priority must be to stop the deaths and suffering of any more civilians in Gaza and Israel; welcomes the joint statement from 12 leading aid agencies, including Oxfam, Christian Aid, CAFOD, Medical Aid for Palestinians and Islamic Relief, calling on the UK Government to use its influence to help protect civilians, to ensure adherence to international humanitarian law and to guarantee civilians have access to critical life-saving humanitarian support; and to this end supports their call for the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary to urgently press all parties to agree to an immediate de-escalation and cessation of hostilities, to ensure the immediate, unconditional release of the Israeli hostages, to end the total siege of Gaza and allow for unfettered access of medical supplies, food, fuel electricity and water, to guarantee that international humanitarian law is upheld and that civilians are protected in accordance with those laws.

2Addressing the climate emergency

Tabled: 7/11/23 Signatories: 16

Caroline Lucas

Clive Lewis

Richard Foord

Liz Saville Roberts

Claire Hanna

Mick Whitley

That this House expresses its profound concern about the Government’s failure to address the urgency of the climate and ecological emergency; is alarmed by escalating climate impacts and the diminishing remaining carbon budget for limiting global temperatures to 1.5 degrees; is dismayed by the recent approval of the Rosebank oil field, the contents of which would, if burned, produce more CO2 than the combined annual emissions of all 28 low-income countries in the world; condemns the Prime Minister’s rollback on delivering Net Zero which falsely pits measures to achieve our climate targets against tackling the cost of living crisis, creates uncertainty for businesses, will lead to increased costs for households, and further erodes the UK’s standing on the world stage; notes that according to the Climate Change Committee, the UK is unlikely to deliver its 2030 Nationally Determined Contribution and is off track to meet the Sixth Carbon Budget; calls on the Government to press for an agreement on the urgent and just phase out of all fossil fuels, as well as the operationalisation of a properly resourced Loss and Damage Finance Fund at COP28 in Dubai; and urges the Government to deliver the transformative action needed to meet the UK’s climate targets, reduce energy bills for the long-term, and regain the UK’s climate leadership, including a retrofit revolution to upgrade the UK’s leaky homes, unleashing cheap and abundant renewables, and putting an end to new oil and gas licences, alongside facilitating a Just Transition for workers and communities.

3Stewarton Tennis Club

Tabled: 7/11/23 Signatories: 6

Alan Brown

Jim Shannon

Kirsty Blackman

Chris Stephens

Allan Dorans

David Linden

That this House congratulates Stewarton Tennis Club on reaching its centenary year, marking 100 years of service to the local community; recognises the significant role Stewarton Tennis Club has played in creating a love for tennis in the Kilmarnock and Loudoun area since its establishment in 1923; commends the club's commitment to promoting the sport through its active participation in the Ayrshire Leagues, offering a diverse coaching program for juniors, and hosting numerous successful social events throughout the year; acknowledges the great weekend that was enjoyed by all on 7 and 8 October as they celebrated this remarkable milestone, including the Yellow Ball (adults) Club Championship Finals, a mixed doubles tournament, and a family fun day, which saw the whole community come together to commemorate the club's rich history and contributions; appreciates the vital role Stewarton Tennis Club plays within the constituency of Kilmarnock and Loudoun, providing recreational opportunities and fostering community spirit; invites all hon. Members to join in congratulating Stewarton Tennis Club on its centenary year and to extend best wishes for continued success in the years to come; and requests that the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport consider providing appropriate recognition and support to Stewarton Tennis Club for its contributions to community sports over the past century.

4Darvel Telephone Museum

Tabled: 7/11/23 Signatories: 12

Alan Brown

Jim Shannon

Patrick Grady

Kirsty Blackman

Chris Stephens

Owen Thompson

That this House acknowledges with appreciation the remarkable contribution of Max Flemmich, in establishing Darvel's one-of-a-kind Telephone Museum, which has been a hidden gem in the community; recognises that the Telephone Museum, located in a former bakery, has been a unique institution in Scotland, showcasing the evolution of telecommunications over a century, from 1900 to 2000; appreciates that the museum provides a hands-on experience, allowing visitors to interact with operational manual switchboards, automatic mechanical Strowger equipment, semi-digital systems, and a wide array of vintage telephones, including early wooden and metal magneto phones; praises Max Flemmich for his dedication to preserving the rich history of telecommunications and making it accessible to the community, leaving a lasting legacy for Darvel; acknowledges that the museum's closure marks the end of an era, and it is important to commemorate its significant contribution to preserving our cultural heritage; and invites all hon. Members to join in recognising the closure of Darvel's Telephone Museum and to express gratitude for Max Flemmich's tireless efforts in establishing and maintaining this wonderful museum.

5Verve

Tabled: 7/11/23 Signatories: 7

Alan Brown

Jonathan Edwards

Patrick Grady

Kirsty Blackman

Chris Stephens

Allan Dorans

That this House commends Verve, a dynamic and community-centred organisation located in Darvel, for their unwavering commitment to well-being and connecting communities; recognises the valuable role that Verve plays in revitalising the local community, utilising the old bookmakers premises as a hub for numerous groups and classes that serve both recovery-focused and general interest purposes; applauds Verve's dedication to improving the well-being of individuals and fostering a sense of unity within the community, which aligns perfectly with the values cherished by Kilmanrock and Loudoun constituents; further recognises and commends Jane Slider who is a driving force behind this inspirational community initiative; further applauds Jane and the entire Verve team for their outstanding efforts and the multitude of community activities they manage throughout the village; and acknowledges that Verve's work exemplifies the spirit of community engagement and resilience, making a significant and positive impact on the lives of those they serve, and the all round positive community-based approach undertaken by Jane Slider.

6Immigration

Tabled: 7/11/23 Signatories: 19

Sir Stephen Timms

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

Dawn Butler

Tim Farron

Kim Johnson

Clive Lewis

That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, praying that the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2023 (S.I., 2023, No. 1004), dated 14 September 2023, a copy of which was laid before this House on 15 September 2023, be annulled.

7Sixth year of detention of Jagtar Singh Johal

Tabled: 7/11/23 Signatories: 36

Martin Docherty-Hughes

Claudia Webbe

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

Stuart C McDonald

That this House notes that Friday 4 November 2023 marked the sixth anniversary of the arbitrary detention in India of Jagtar Singh Johal, a Sikh activist and son of the Rock of Dumbarton held since being abducted from the street during his honeymoon by unidentified assailants who turned out to be undercover police agents; further notes that he alleges that while held incommunicado for 10 days by local police, he was tortured both physically and through electric shocks to his nipples and genitals, something which led him to signing a confession, a confession that has subsequently been used when filing charges against him; supports the ruling of the UN Working Group on arbitrary detention which in May 2022 gave its opinion that Jagtar’s detention was an arbitrary one; urges the Government to also support this opinion and do what it can to achieve Jagtar’s immediate release; further regrets the continuation of the Government’s negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement with the Republic of India as long as a UK citizen remains arbitrarily detained in an Indian prison; and states unequivocally that these negotiations should be paused until such time as the Indian Government addresses Jagtar’s arbitrary detention.

8National Nurturing Schools Award for Our Lady and St. Patrick's High School

Tabled: 7/11/23 Signatories: 8

Martin Docherty-Hughes

Jim Shannon

Patrick Grady

Kirsty Blackman

Chris Stephens

Owen Thompson

That this House congratulates Our Lady and St. Patrick’s High School (OLSP) in Dumbarton on being the first secondary school in Scotland to receive the National Nurturing Schools Award in recognition of their nurturing culture for children and young people in their care; believes that this award is a testament to the dedicated work carried out across the OLSP community where every child has access to the support they need, when they need it; understands that OLSP will now become an Ambassador School where they will share their work with other secondary schools nationally which will have a positive impact on young people across the country; wishes them well on their future endeavours; and thanks every member of the OLSP community for their continued service.

10Life and work of D.A. Jones

Tabled: 7/11/23 Signatories: 9

Liz Saville Roberts

Jim Shannon

Ben Lake

Hywel Williams

Patrick Grady

Kirsty Blackman

That this House commemorates the life and work of Daniel Angell Jones,1861-1936, a Harlech based botanist and schoolmaster, who served as Secretary and President of the British Bryological Society; notes that he was a much loved teacher and an acknowledged authority on ferns and mosses; further notes that his assistance was often sought by botanists interested in the flora of North Wales, especially the historic counties of Meirionnydd and Caernarfonshire; acknowledges that he was remembered by his pupils for nature walks and how to make medicines from flowers and mosses, and by his peers for his memory of detail, locality and habitat as a phanerogamic botanist; and highlights that his manuscript Flora is preserved at the National Museum of Wales for future generations of aspiring botanists.

12Calum MacLeod and Who Dares Cares

Tabled: 7/11/23 Signatories: 9

Owen Thompson

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

Patrick Grady

Kirsty Blackman

Chris Stephens

That this House applauds the superb work of Calum Macleod and his charity Who Dares Cares which seeks to help armed forces veterans and former emergency services personnel with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); recognises Calum’s lived experience of trauma and his exemplary service in the military; appreciates his tireless work to offer support and activities to people with PTSD; further applauds his recent work with his About Turn scheme which aims to rehabilitate and support veterans who have ended up in the criminal justice system; and wishes him and his organisation every success for the future.

14Newsquest Local Democracy Reporter pay

Tabled: 7/11/23 Signatories: 21

Grahame Morris

John McDonnell

Kim Johnson

Ian Byrne

Liz Saville Roberts

Chris Stephens

That this House is concerned that publisher Newsquest is failing to provide decent salaries for its Local Democracy Reporters despite allocated funding provided by the BBC from licence fee payers; notes that Newsquest has failed to account for a £10,000 surplus per post even after salary and usual employers' costs of National Insurance and pension contributions are considered; regrets that low pay risks the loss of talented journalists providing local councils and communities with wholly relevant, accessible news through their public interest journalism; further notes that other publishers pay their reporters a fair wage with one rival setting a £31,200 minimum salary for senior reporters compared to £24,056 offered by Newsquest; commends the efforts of the National Union of Journalists to achieve pay increases for reporters using ringfenced money; condemns Newsquest’s failure to address adequately the union's reasonable concerns; and implores the publisher to use licence fee payers’ funds appropriately by introducing salary increases and conditions reflective of the immense value of Local Democracy Reporters.

15Awareness of Postural Tachycardia Syndrome

Tabled: 7/11/23 Signatories: 12

Cat Smith

Angela Crawley

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

Patrick Grady

Chris Stephens

That this House notes that awareness of Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTs) is low despite an increase in diagnoses connected with long covid; highlights that PoTS is a nervous system abnormality mainly affecting women, where exercise, standing or sitting cause symptoms ranging from palpitations and shortness of breath to chest pain and fainting; further highlights that studies from the US have suggested that the condition impacts around 170 in every 100,000 people in the population; notes with concern that many doctors are still unaware of PoTS syndrome and the average diagnosis of PoTS from first presentation to diagnosis is seven years; draws attention to the fact that for 90% of patients a diagnosis followed by medically-guided lifestyle changes or medication can improve and manage symptoms; and therefore calls on the Government to increase support for people suffering from PoTS and to raise awareness around PoTS within the NHS.

16Cost of court transcripts

Tabled: 7/11/23 Signatories: 11

Sarah Olney

Claudia Webbe

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

Layla Moran

Richard Foord

That this House believes that justice should be accessible and transparent; notes that the cost of court transcripts is a barrier to justice for many victims, most of whom do not attend trial; further notes that victims have been quoted up to £22,000 to obtain court transcripts; acknowledges that a transcript of court proceedings can be beneficial to a victim’s recovery and understanding; welcomes the commitment from the Scottish Government to implement a pilot scheme to waive court transcript fees for victims of rape and sexual offences; urges the Ministry of Justice to explore how technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and captioning software could be utilised to reduce costs; and calls on the Government to take steps to improve access to justice by enabling all victims to request a transcript of court proceedings free of charge.

1880th anniversary of Canning House

Tabled: 7/11/23 Signatories: 4

Dr Lisa Cameron

Jim Shannon

Patrick Grady

Sir Peter Bottomley

That this House congratulates Canning House on reaching its 80th anniversary; recognises its unique contribution to the strengthening of understanding and fostering of closer British relations with Latin America, Spain and Portugal; applauds the 1st Viscount Davidson for his foresight in founding Canning House in November 1943; recognises the great benefits of Britain increasing its connectivity in multiple fields, including education, culture, trade and diplomacy, with countries across Latin America, including the major G20 economies of Brazil, Mexico and Argentina; and expresses delight that a rejuvenated Canning House, based in new offices in Westminster, with an enterprising and stimulating programme of events, promises to perform its valuable role for many more decades to come.

19Disability History Month 2023

Tabled: 7/11/23 Signatories: 12

Dr Lisa Cameron

Jim Shannon

Clive Lewis

Patrick Grady

Jeremy Corbyn

John McDonnell

That this House recognises that 16 November to 16 December 2023 is Disability History Month, which is now in its fourteenth year of being celebrated in the UK; notes that Disability History Month is a month to celebrate disabled people and champion their abilities and rights; further notes that this year’s theme is Disability, Childhood and Youth; commends UKDHM Organiser Richard Rieser and the many disability activists for their dedication and efforts to bringing Disability History Month to the UK; recognises that many disabled children and young people do not yet have fully inclusive lives and face barriers in developing their full potential; further recognises that, due to discrimination and stigma, many have chosen not to identify their disability within their community; calls for the wider promotion and protection of disability rights; highlights that those with mental health issues, neurodiversity and learning difficulties face particular societal barriers; highlights the importance of creating welcoming communities and promoting social inclusion; recognises the need to progress from a medical approach; and urges parliamentarians to work for an inclusive, accessible, rights based and sustainable society for disabled people across the UK.

20Clare Gray

Tabled: 7/11/23 Signatories: 8

Dr Lisa Cameron

Jim Shannon

Patrick Grady

Jeremy Corbyn

Ben Lake

Liz Saville Roberts

That this House marks with sadness the passing of Clare Gray, a distinguished disability advocate who departed on 3 October after a brief illness; recognises Clare’s immeasurable legacy as one of the most influential disabled advocates campaigning in the UK for the last decade; notes that her advocacy not only raised awareness of the challenges faced by disabled individuals, but also inspired positive change and empowered countless lives along the way; highlights her instrumental role in the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 project, which recognises and celebrates the 100 most influential disabled people living and working in the UK; and expresses heartfelt condolences to Clare’s family and colleagues for their immeasurable loss.

22Night Riviera Sleeper Service

Tabled: 8/11/23 Signatories: 9

John McDonnell

Ian Mearns [R]

Grahame Morris

Alison Thewliss

Richard Burgon

Patrick Grady

That this House recognises that the Night Riviera Sleeper service, operated by Great Western Railway (GWR) between London Paddington and Penzance, plays a vital role in providing sustainable and low-carbon travel between the capital and west of England; believes the staff employed on the Night Riviera provide a high-quality service to passengers; notes that research has found that travel by train is seven times more environmentally friendly than flying; further believes that reliable and high-quality rail links to areas popular with tourists support local economies and jobs; further notes that around 100 Sleeper services have been cancelled between September and November this year due to engineering works; further believes that wherever possible cancellations should be avoided and alternatives such as changes to the route or timing of the service should be considered; further understands that the rolling stock used to operate the Night Riviera is reaching the end of its natural lifespan; understands that GWR’s business plan for 2022 requires it to provide proposals to the Government about the future provision of the Night Riviera Sleeper; further understands that, that in light of this, concerns have been raised by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers about the future of the Night Riviera Sleeper; therefore calls on GWR and the Government to commit to maintaining the service, ensure all jobs on the Night Riviera Sleeper will be protected, and set out a plan for investing in this vital service.

23400th anniversary of the establishment of the British Jesuits

Tabled: 8/11/23 Signatories: 3

Conor McGinn

Patrick Grady

Sir Peter Bottomley

That this House congratulates everyone associated with the Jesuits in Britain on the 400th anniversary of the foundation of a Province in this country; notes that the vision and mission of their founder St Ignatius of Loyola is still flourishing today through the Jesuits' pastoral, intellectual, educational, spiritual and social activities through parishes, schools, universities, retreat centres, outreach and the Jesuit Refugee Service-UK and Jesuit Missions; and commends the Jesuits as they continue to inspire people to work for the good of others.

24150th anniversary of St Helens RFC

Tabled: 8/11/23 Signatories: 4

Conor McGinn

Alison Thewliss

Jonathan Edwards

Jim Shannon

This House congratulates St Helens RFC on its 150th anniversary; notes that Saints has a long and glorious history in rugby that dates back to its formation in 1873; salutes its success on the field including recent Super League, Challenge Cup and World Club Challenge triumphs; recognises the enormous and continuing contribution the club has made to the town; and shares the pride of everyone in St Helens at the club reaching this significant milestone.

25Scientific hearing on animal experiments

Tabled: 8/11/23 Signatories: 12

Martyn Day

Allan Dorans

Caroline Lucas

Alison Thewliss

Jonathan Edwards

Claudia Webbe

That this House applauds the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022, enshrining in law the ability of animals to experience joy and feel suffering and pain; notes the science-based campaign For Life On Earth, with its Beagle Ambassador, rescued laboratory dog Betsy; is shocked to see the continuing harrowing exposés that show thousands of laboratory dogs being intensively bred in the UK, underlining the consequences of the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022; notes that scientists in the wider scientific community, outside of the animal-based research sector, acknowledge the failure of animal testing in the search for human treatments and cures, and that those experts include pharmaceutical industry scientists, an Editor in Chief of the British Medical Journal, the US-based National Cancer Institute, which states cures for cancer have been lost because studies in rodents were believed, and the Food and Drug Administration, which states that nine-out-of-ten new medicines fail to pass human trials because animals cannot predict responses in humans; further notes Doctors Greek and Shanks' Trans-Species Modelling Theory, founded upon the theory of evolution, which explains why animals fail as predictive models of humans; and calls on the Government to mandate a rigorous public scientific hearing, judged by independent experts from the relevant science fields, to cease the funding of the now-proven failed practice of animal experimentation and increase funding for state-of-the-art human-based research, such as human-on-a-chip and gene-based medicine, to prioritise treatments and cures for human patients, and stop the suffering of innocent laboratory dogs and other animals.

26Islamophobia Awareness Month

Tabled: 8/11/23 Signatories: 19

Christine Jardine

Jamie Stone

Tahir Ali

Caroline Lucas

Wendy Chamberlain

Richard Foord

That this House supports Islamophobia Awareness Month, which is taking place this November; recognises the incredible contributions that British Muslims make to our country; acknowledges that anti-Muslim sentiment is far too prevalent in our society; notes with concern that the horrifying Israel-Gaza conflict has led to a rise in Islamophobia in the UK, with Tell MAMA reporting a sevenfold increase of anti-Muslim incidents between 7 and 29 October compared to the same period last year; emphasises the importance of standing up to religious hatred in all its forms; and calls on the Government to ensure that public bodies have the resources and training they need to identify and prevent hate crimes.

2760th anniversary of the 184th Loughbrickland Girls Brigade

Tabled: 8/11/23 Signatories: 3

Carla Lockhart

Patrick Grady

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates 184th Loughbrickland Girls Brigade on reaching their 60th anniversary year; recognises the positive influence of the Girls Brigade on the lives of many young girls and women throughout those 60 years until the present day; thanks all those who have held positions of responsibility and leadership; and wishes all those current members of 184th Loughbrickland Girls Brigade a very enjoyable and successful anniversary year.

28Section 21 evictions

Tabled: 8/11/23 Signatories: 7

Jon Trickett

Caroline Lucas

John McDonnell

Jonathan Edwards

Claudia Webbe

Cat Smith

That this House urgently calls on the Government to proceed with their 2019 manifesto promise to abolish section 21 of the Housing Act 1988, otherwise known as no fault evictions; condemns the number of delays in bringing forward a proper legislative ban in the last parliamentary session; urges the government to strengthen the Renters (Reform) Bill in regard to 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.

29Community Land Trust Organisations

Tabled: 8/11/23 Signatories: 3

Layla Moran

Caroline Lucas

Jim Shannon

That this House recognises the outstanding work done by the Community Land Trust Organisations and their invaluable role in creating affordable housing in perpetuity; notes their role in addressing the housing crisis, particularly in high cost housing areas such as Oxfordshire; congratulates Oxfordshire Community Land Trust on Crofts Court, its first development of eight affordable homes completed in June 2023 after more than 10 years of dedicated work and determination by volunteers; acknowledges that this housing will provide much needed affordable, secure housing in one of the most expensive counties in the country for those on the local council’s housing register; applauds the efforts of Oxfordshire Community Land Trust in raising over £500,000 in Community Shares; celebrates that this housing will make the cost of housing affordable for those with local links to Cumnor for their lifetime and beyond; calls upon the Government to include a requirement for local authorities to support community led housing in the National Planning Policy Framework, to urgently re-instate the Community Housing Fund to fund the work of Community Land Trusts, and to include the re-instating of funding for the local Collaborative Housing Hubs that provide support and expertise to Community Land Trusts; and asks for the creation of a Revolving Loan Fund.

30Jobs at news publisher Reach

Tabled: 9/11/23 Signatories: 5

Owen Thompson

Allan Dorans

David Linden

Jim Shannon

John McNally

That this House recognises the hard work and dedication of Reach journalists in Scotland at local and national news brands such as the Daily Record and Edinburgh Live; notes with dismay that Reach, the UK’s largest commercial news publisher, will cut 450 jobs - about a tenth of its workforce - across its national and regional newspapers; urges the publisher to work with unions such as the NUJ to minimise the upset and disruption to an already hard pressed workforce; further notes the central importance of journalism in a democratic society; regrets that these cuts will risk the loss of more talented staff providing our communities with accessible, relevant news through public interest journalism; and urges Reach management to immediately make a realistic substantive commitment to the future of journalism in Scotland.

31Myalgic encephalomyelitis research and treatment

Tabled: 9/11/23 Signatories: 9

Clive Lewis

John McDonnell

Jonathan Edwards

Claudia Webbe

Ben Lake

Liz Saville Roberts

This House commends current research being conducted by the Quadram Institute on the Norwich Research Park that builds on recent evidence that conditions like myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), and Long Covid, have a basis in the immune system; notes that ME (sometimes known as ME/CFS) is a severely debilitating condition thought to affect up to 250,000 people in the UK and that symptoms include widespread pain, extreme tiredness and an inability to concentrate and that the causes of ME are not known and there are no effective treatments; commends the funding provided by the charity Invest in ME Research to the Quadram Institute to run the only current clinical trial in the UK for ME; believes it is necessary to establish a Centre for ME Research, building on excellent biomedical research, to act as a hub for research and treatment of ME; and calls on the Government to support and promote such a specialist Centre to help develop effective treatments.

3215th anniversary of Future Choices, Aberdeen

Tabled: 9/11/23 Signatories: 4

Stephen Flynn

Allan Dorans

David Linden

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates the Aberdeen-based charity, Future Choices, on reaching its 15th anniversary; notes that the charity, founded in 2008, provides much-needed social inclusion and recreational activities for the disabled community in Aberdeen and beyond; recognises and commends the tireless efforts of its volunteers and Chairperson, David Forbes, on the work they do to support disabled people within communities across the city; and wishes the charity every success in its future endeavours.

3385th anniversary of Kristallnacht and antisemitism

Tabled: 9/11/23 Signatories: 8

Patricia Gibson

Patrick Grady

Ben Lake

Liz Saville Roberts

Hywel Williams

Allan Dorans

That this House commemorates the victims of Kristallnacht (Night of Broken Glass), a destructive campaign of violence against Jewish people, on its 85th anniversary; understands that, throughout the night of 9-10 November 1938, the Nazi Party targeted synagogues and Jewish prayer rooms across Germany, with over 1,400 burned or badly damaged, 7,500 Jewish businesses across Germany and Austria vandalised, and at least 91 people murdered, with a further 30,000 Jewish men being arrested and taken to concentration camps, where many more died; further understands that this was followed by hundreds of suicides in the Jewish community and mass emigration; recognises the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany’s relaunched campaign, ItStartedWithWords, highlighting that the Holocaust did not start with camps, ghettos and deportations, but with words of hate; understands this campaign’s importance in view of the growing prevalence of Holocaust denial and hate speech towards Jews; notes concerning reports that more than 1,000 anti-Semitic incidents have taken place across the UK since Hama’s terrorist attacks on 7 October 2023, the highest 28-day total recorded since the Community Security Trust began tracking attacks in 1984, and a 537% increase over the same period in 2022; recognises the resilience of Holocaust survivors who continue to highlight the barbaric actions that took place during the Second World War, particularly following the unacceptable rise in antisemitism recently; and continues to remember the 6 million Jewish people and others targeted due to ethnicity, religion, political beliefs and sexual orientation who were victims of Nazi persecution.

3415th anniversary of the opening of the Food Stop, Glasgow

Tabled: 9/11/23 Signatories: 5

Alison Thewliss

Patrick Grady

Allan Dorans

David Linden

Jim Shannon

That this House recognises the 15th anniversary of the opening of the Food Stop takeaway in Merchant City, Glasgow, on 2 November 2023; acknowledges the efforts of Andy and his team in providing local residents, commuters and visitors with high-quality sweet and savoury lunch and breakfast food for all these years; congratulates them on this significant milestone; and wishes them all the best for the future.

35Pakistani Street Food and the Scottish Takeaway Awards 2023

Tabled: 9/11/23 Signatories: 4

Alison Thewliss

Allan Dorans

David Linden

Jim Shannon

That this House recognises the success of Pakistani Street Food of Govanhill, Glasgow, at the Scottish Takeaway Awards 2023; notes their success in the Outstanding Takeaway of the Year category; acknowledges the hard work of the staff and owners of Pakistani Street Food in providing a unique experience to the residents and visitors of Govanhill and the surrounding area; congratulates them on this significant achievement; and wishes them all the best in all future endeavours.

36The Roll Shop and the Scottish Takeaway Awards 2023

Tabled: 9/11/23 Signatories: 3

Alison Thewliss

Allan Dorans

Jim Shannon

That this House recognises the success of the Roll Shop of Polmadie Road, Glasgow, at the Scottish Takeaway Awards 2023; notes their success in the Deli of the Year Central category; acknowledges the hard work of Sandra and her team in providing delicious food to the residents and visitors of Polmadie, Govanhill and the surrounding area; congratulates them on this achievement; and wishes them all the best for the future.

37MacTassos and the Scottish Takeaway Awards 2023

Tabled: 9/11/23 Signatories: 4

Alison Thewliss

Patrick Grady

Allan Dorans

Jim Shannon

That this House recognises the success of MacTassos of Kelvin Way, Glasgow, at the Scottish Takeaway Awards 2023; notes their success in the Street Food Trailer of the Year category; acknowledges the hard work of the owners and staff of MacTassos in providing Glaswegians and visitors to the city with authentic Greek food since 2017; congratulates them on this significant achievement; and wishes them all the best in all future endeavours.

38Bite Me Sandwich Bar and the Scottish Takeaway Awards 2023

Tabled: 9/11/23 Signatories: 3

Alison Thewliss

Allan Dorans

Jim Shannon

That this House recognises the success of Bite Me Sandwich Bar of Paisley Road West, Glasgow, at the Scottish Takeaway Awards 2023; notes their success in the Sandwich Shop of the Year and Breakfast Takeaway of the Year categories; acknowledges the hard work of the owners and staff of Bite Me Sandwich Bar in providing delicious sweet and savoury food to the residents and visitors of Cessnock and Ibrox since their opening in 2004; congratulates them on this significant achievement; and wishes them all the best in all future endeavours.

39Living Wage employers in Glasgow Central constituency

Tabled: 9/11/23 Signatories: 5

Alison Thewliss

John McDonnell

Jonathan Edwards

Allan Dorans

David Linden

That this House recognises that with 372 Living Wage accredited employers, Glasgow Central constituency has the highest numbers of Living Wage employers in the UK; acknowledges the importance of the work of the Living Wage Foundation in promoting and securing a real living wage for hundreds of thousands of low-paid workers across the four nations of the UK; affirms its support for the principle that every working person deserves to earn enough to live and prosper; expresses its concern that the Government continues to misuse the term living wage, applying it to the UK minimum wage rate for all staff over 25 years of age; notes that the UK minimum wage rate for staff over 25 years of age does not reflect the actual cost of living in the UK, unlike the real Living Wage calculated by the Living Wage Foundation; urges the Government to raise minimum wage in line with the real needs of employees and their families during this cost of living crisis; and applauds Living Wage-accredited employers in Glasgow Central constituency and across the nations of the UK for their commitment to fair work.

40PEEK project ball 2023

Tabled: 9/11/23 Signatories: 5

Alison Thewliss

Patrick Grady

Allan Dorans

David Linden

Jim Shannon

That this House recognises the success of the Possibilities for Each and Every Kid (PEEK) project's Haunted Hollywood fundraising ball on 27 October 2023; notes that with the support of PEEK Project's main sponsor, Speirs Gumley, and over 20 local companies and organisations, PEEK raised £38,158 to support their work; acknowledges the importance of PEEK's work to provide opportunities for children aged 0 to 18 and their families through play projects, creative arts projects, youth work, leadership, volunteering, peer training, education and internship projects across Glasgow; notes that over 1,500 children and 180 young people take part in PEEK activities in a typical week, that attendance has seen a 38% increase in the last 12 months, and that PEEK has provided 1820 hours of family wellbeing support to 509 individual families over the coronavirus pandemic and cost of living crisis; congratulates them on a successful fundraising event; and wishes them the best of luck in all future endeavours.

41Indepen-dance Bridgeton studio opening

Tabled: 9/11/23 Signatories: 5

Alison Thewliss

Patrick Grady

Allan Dorans

David Linden

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates Glasgow-based inclusive dance company Indepen-dance on the September 2023 opening of their new studio and office space in Bridgeton; recognises the work of Indepen-dance in widening access to both the professional and non-professional dance sectors for disabled people, their carers, children, young people, and their families; understands that the Bridgeton venue includes a studio, office space, and the Coffee Hut, a volunteer-led cafe; appreciates the generous support for the cafe from Tin Donkey Coffee Roasters; thanks the Artistic Director, Karen Anderson, the Chair of the Board, Mairi Breckenridge, and everyone involved in the operation of Indepen-dance for all their hard work; and wishes them all the best in all future endeavours.