Contents

Published: Friday 19 January 2024

Early Day Motions tabled on Thursday 18 January 2024

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

298Celebration of the birth and legacy of Robert (Rabbie) Burns

Tabled: 18/01/24 Signatories: 44

Allan Dorans

Dr Philippa Whitford

Alan Brown

Patricia Gibson

Stephen Flynn

Mhairi Black

That this House notes and celebrates the 265th anniversary of the birth of Robert (Rabbie) Burns, Scotland’s national bard, in Alloway on the 25 January 1759, regarded as a pioneer of the Romantic literacy movement, and after his death became a great source of inspiration to the founders of both liberalism and socialism, a cultural icon in Scotland and among the Scottish diaspora, a poet and lyricist who penned the words of Auld Lang Syne, which is sung across the globe on New Year’s Eve, and wrote other poems and songs including Tam O’Shanter, Ae Fond Kiss, To a Mouse, Scots Wa Hae, A Red, Red Rose and A Man’s a Man for A’ That, and whose work has been translated into more than 40 languages and his memory honoured by more than over 50 official statues including in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Russia and Estonia, has had his image portrayed on postage stamps, banknotes and coins in a number of countries and whose life, works and immortal memory are celebrated at Burn’s Suppers across the world by millions of people on 25 January every year.

299Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 2024

Tabled: 18/01/24 Signatories: 1

Dr Philippa Whitford

That this House notes that 22 January marks the start of Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 2024, which is an opportunity to highlight the vital importance of HPV vaccines and cervical screening in the prevention of cervical cancer and their potential to thereby contribute to the elimination of cervical cancer; acknowledges that there are significant inequalities in the uptake of cervical screening and HPV vaccines; recognises the work of Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust in providing public information and individual support; and encourages hon. Members to support Cervical Cancer Prevention Week by raising awareness and sharing campaign resources with their constituents.

300Public sector pay 2024-25

Tabled: 18/01/24 Signatories: 7

Beth Winter

Ian Byrne

Dawn Butler

Richard Burgon

Chris Stephens

John McDonnell

That this House notes the Government's public sector pay remit letters to the Chairs of the Pay Review Bodies published on 20 December 2023; further notes that their publication date and request for a report by May 2024 is a month later than the previous pay round; notes the Government request that Pay Review Bodies consider the historic nature of the 2023 to 2024 awards and the Government's affordability position in concluding their settlement; recognises that public sector workers have suffered significant real terms pay reductions since 2010 including through a period of pay freeze from 2011 to 2013, a one per cent pay cap from 2013 to 2017 and record inflation from 2022 to 2024; welcomes comments from the Institute for Fiscal Studies, the Institute for Public Policy Research and the Institute for Government which counter assertions that public sector pay awards drive inflation; urges the Government to make an inflation-proofed pay rise in 2024-25; and calls on the Government to implement a series of above-inflation pay rises over five years to deliver pay restoration.

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.

242Compensation for Equitable Life policyholders

Tabled: 8/01/24 Signatories: 36

Dr Philippa Whitford

Ronnie Cowan

Patricia Gibson

Kirsten Oswald

Deidre Brock

Martyn Day

That this House recognises the financial, personal and social impact on policy holders following the collapse of Equitable Life Assurance Society; calls on the Treasury to ensure that all of the 1.5 billion pounds set aside for the Equitable Life Payments Scheme, is distributed to Equitable Life policyholders who suffered financial loss due to regulatory maladministration; and further calls on the Treasury to establish a fair distribution of payments following detailed consultation with policyholders and their representatives.

243Pension restitution for women born in the 1950s

Tabled: 8/01/24 Signatories: 52

Kim Johnson

Claudia Webbe

Sir Jeffrey M Donaldson

Claire Hanna

Jim Shannon

Mick Whitley

That this House welcomes the positive interventions from so many hon. Members from across the House on behalf of women born in the 1950s who have suffered pensions loss through the targeting of their pension rights; pays tribute to constituents and campaigners in their ongoing fight for justice; recalls that women born in the 1950s were subject to discriminatory laws; and encourages the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to join mediation, noting there are no impediments to doing so.

254Short-term medical evacuation of children from Gaza

Tabled: 8/01/24 Signatories: 34

John McDonnell

Claudia Webbe

Claire Hanna

Jonathan Edwards

Mick Whitley

Cat Smith

That this House welcomes the work of Saving Gaza's Children, an NGO dedicated to supporting the children of Gaza to receive life-saving and time-critical, emergency medical care required as a result of the Israel-Gaza conflict by identifying children in dire need of medical evacuation and securing their evacuation to host states which are currently better equipped to manage their complex and often life-threatening medical needs, liaising directly with Gazan medical teams and the Palestinian Ministry of Health, and working closely with the child's legal guardian to monitor his or her diagnosis, progress, and prognosis whilst remaining sensitive to the fact that Palestinians feel strongly that their children should return to Palestine and paying special attention to ensuring that children are evacuated through documented safe passages and that all necessary protocols are followed to ensure a child's safe return with a focus on supporting injured children back into Palestinian society ensuring that they receive all the support they need to live as normal a life as possible; and urges the Government urgently to liaise with the Egyptian and Palestinian Health Ministries to assist NGOs such as Saving Gaza’s Children to create a short-term medical evacuation programme from Gaza to the UK much like the scheme that worked effectively to support Ukrainian children.

259JPR Williams

Tabled: 9/01/24 Signatories: 6

Jonathan Edwards

Jim Shannon

Sir Mike Penning

Ben Lake

Liz Saville Roberts

Hywel Williams

This House mourns the passing of Welsh Rugby Union great John Peter Rhys (JPR) Williams at the age of 74; notes that JPR played at full back for Wales and the successful touring British Lions teams of 1971 and 1974; recognises that JPR won 55 caps for Wales between 1969 and 1981, captained his nation on five occasions and helped his country to win three Grand Slams; further recognises that he was capped by the British and Irish Lions on eight occasions; further notes that JPR was a talented tennis player in his youth and worked as a surgeon in his professional career; and sends its condolences to the family and friends of this great Welshman.

267Flood resilience

Tabled: 11/01/24 Signatories: 3

Sarah Dyke

Tim Farron

Wendy Chamberlain

That this House is concerned by the impact of flooding caused by the recent Storm Henk following a year of frequent flooding in many parts of the UK; supports calls for extreme weather resilience plans to be in place for all communities in identified catchment areas; notes the significant impact flooding has on people’s mental health and the anxiety it can cause; recognises that some of the most vulnerable people in society are unequally affected by flooding; understands that the increased cost burden on homeowners damaged by flood damage through increased insurance or uninsurable homes is significant; and calls on the Government to increase Environmental Agency funding in order to increase the flood resilience of communities across the UK.

269Holocaust Memorial Day

Tabled: 11/01/24 Signatories: 12

Bob Blackman

Sir Mike Penning

Alison Thewliss

Jonathan Edwards

Dr Lisa Cameron

Jim Shannon

That this House notes that on 27 January 2024 the UK will observe Holocaust Memorial Day on the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration and death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau; further notes that the UK will come together to remember the 6 million Jewish men, women and children who were murdered and the millions of other victims of Nazi persecution; pays tribute to the Holocaust survivors, including many who share their testimony day in, day out, to ensure the horrors of the past are never forgotten; thanks the Holocaust Educational Trust for its work to educate every person from every background in the UK about the Holocaust and its contemporary relevance; pays tribute to the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust for organising the national Holocaust Memorial Day event; and urges all Right hon. and hon. Members to observe this day and to pledge to speak out against antisemitism, which in recent months has risen exponentially and which needs to be tackled head on.

271Proceedings instituted by South Africa against the State of Israel at the International Court of Justice

Tabled: 11/01/24 Signatories: 17

Hywel Williams

Liz Saville Roberts

Ben Lake

Dr Philippa Whitford

Claire Hanna

Caroline Lucas

That this House recognises the continuing violence in Gaza which has resulted in over 23,000 deaths; welcomes South Africa’s request for provisional measures by the International Court of Justice to prevent acts of genocide; urges the Government to carefully consider the application as it upholds its duty to prevent genocide under the 1948 Genocide Convention and actively avoid complicity; continues to support those in the UK calling for an immediate ceasefire, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners and an end to the siege; and calls upon Israel to observe any resulting binding provisional measures aimed at protecting the human rights of Palestinians, including the cessation of fire.

27634th anniversary of the genocide of Kashmiri Pandits from Jammu and Kashmir in India

Tabled: 15/01/24 Signatories: 3

Bob Blackman

Jim Shannon

Mr Virendra Sharma

That this House commemorates with deep sadness and disappointment the 34th anniversary of the co-ordinated attacks in January 1990 by cross-border Islamic terrorists and their supporters on the innocent population of Jammu and Kashmir; expresses its condolences to the families and friends of all those killed, raped, injured and displaced by force in this planned massacre; condemns the desecration of holy sites in Jammu and Kashmir; is concerned that Kashmiris who fled persecution have still not seen justice or recognition of the atrocities committed against them; deplores those sponsoring such cross-border terrorist attacks and demands that such attacks cease immediately; condemns the continued targeted killings of Hindus in Jammu and Kashmir; further notes that the international principle of responsibility to protect obliges individual States and the international community to take effective measures to prevent the commission of genocide and crimes against humanity as suffered by Kashmiri Hindus; highlights that properties belonging to minority Hindu community continue to be occupied; urges the Government of India to fulfil its long-standing international commitment to recognise and acknowledge the worst form of genocide of Hindus in Jammu and Kashmir and enact the proposed Panun Kashmir Genocide Crime Punishment and Atrocities Prevention Bill in the Indian Parliament, thereby delivering much-awaited justice to the Kashmiri Pandit community; and further urges the UK Government to extend the UK’s longstanding commitment to protect and demand justice for the victims of this genocide.

284Journalists in Gaza

Tabled: 16/01/24 Signatories: 24

Grahame Morris

John McDonnell

Claire Hanna

Chris Stephens

Liz Saville Roberts

Jeremy Corbyn

That this House is profoundly shocked and saddened by the deaths of over 85 journalists and other media workers in Gaza since the Hamas attacks of October 7, with many more critically injured, missing or in detention without trial; believes that journalists in Gaza are the only ones standing between the truth and a total media blackout and that, without their work, the world would not bear witness to these atrocities; is alarmed by reports from the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate and the International Federation of Journalists that a further 80 press and media institutions were targeted by Israeli bombing, being totally or partially destroyed in Gaza; calls on the Government to urge the Israeli authorities to desist from targeting journalists or media organisations in these deadly attacks and accept the need to help de-escalate the cycle of violence which has resulted in the mass slaughter of civilians and a humanitarian catastrophe.

285Big Garden Bird Watch 2024

Tabled: 16/01/24 Signatories: 2

Jim Shannon

Mohammad Yasin

That this House notes the 2024 Big Garden Bird Watch, the world's largest garden survey, in which thousands of nature lovers take part to help build a picture of how garden birds are faring every year; highlights that across the UK over half a million people took part in the Garden Watch 2023, counting 9.1 million birds with house sparrows taking the top spot followed in second place by blue tits; further notes that in the last 60 years we have lost 38 million birds from UK skies and that song thrush numbers are down by 80% since the survey first started in 1979; and thanks the RSPCA for organising this survey and for encouraging people across the whole of the UK to do our part to learn more about the environment we live in.

286Burns celebrations 2024

Tabled: 16/01/24 Signatories: 2

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

That this House notes the upcoming Burns Celebrations run in partnership with the Ulster Scots Agency throughout Ulster; highlights the range of events being hosted including the evening in Portavogie on 27 January, hosted by Portavogie Culture and Heritage Society during which Portavogie Primary School children will sing, the Kirkistown Pipe Band will play well-known and loved Ulster Scots songs and the obligatory haggis tasting will take place; thanks the Ulster Scots Agency and all partners for being involved in providing avenues for people to enjoy a great event and celebrate their wonderful links and ties to the rich culture of Scotland; and encourages all those participating in Burns Celebrations to ‘hae a braw nicht’

287Water quality in Sri Lanka

Tabled: 16/01/24 Signatories: 4

Munira Wilson

Sarah Dyke

Claudia Webbe

Wendy Chamberlain

That this House expresses concern regarding water quality in northern Sri Lanka; is concerned by reports stating that the Sri Lankan Government refused to allow independent assessments of water quality in the region; notes that the consumption or use of water contaminated by waste oil has been linked to many diseases and birth defects; calls for steps to be taken to allow all citizens in northern Sri Lanka, the majority of whom are Tamils, to have access to clean drinking water; calls for the area around the Chunnakam power plant complex to be subjected to a full independent investigation; believes that organisations responsible for pollution of ground water in Chunnakam should have a duty to carry out remedial works; and further believes that all citizens affected by water contamination should be provided with competent medical follow-up and be compensated adequately by the Sri Lankan Government.

288Deaths of journalists in Gaza

Tabled: 16/01/24 Signatories: 13

John McDonnell

Mary Kelly Foy

Jonathan Edwards

Claire Hanna

Tahir Ali

Jeremy Corbyn

That this House expressers its extreme concern at the mounting and unprecedented death toll of journalists in Gaza; notes that the independent Committee to Protect Journalists has recorded the death of 82 journalists in this conflict since October 2023; welcomes the support provided by the National Union of Journalists for the efforts of the International Federation of Journalists to promote the safety of journalists; and urges the International Criminal Court to expedite its investigation into the evidence submitted of the systematic targeted attacks on journalists by Israeli forces.

291Classification and regulation of NHS medical associate roles and patient safety

Tabled: 17/01/24 Signatories: 5

Claudia Webbe

Jeremy Corbyn

John McDonnell

Mohammad Yasin

Richard Thomson

That this House believes that the renaming of NHS medical assistant roles to physician associate and anaesthesia associate is confusing the public by blurring the clear distinction between doctors and other professionals who do not have medical qualifications and training; believes that this misleads the public and notes with regret the case of Emily Chesterton, whom the coroner ruled should have been sent to hospital for emergency admission but was misdiagnosed by the same physician associate on both occasions and treated for a calf sprain; agrees that the planned regulation of these non-medical roles by the General Medical Council adds to this potentially dangerous confusion; notes that nine out of 10 doctors in a recent survey believe that the increased scope and number of these roles is dangerous to patients and highly misleading; further notes that the Royal College of GPs has opposed the Government’s planned expansion of these associate roles; calls on the Government to revert the titles of these roles immediately to their previous titles of Physician Assistant and Anaesthesia Assistant to ensure the safety of patients and the proper functioning of the NHS and to regulate them through the Health and Care Professions Council, as the British Medical Association has recommended; and further calls on the Government to ensure that the NHS Workforce Plan must fill physician roles with fully-qualified physicians, maintaining a clear distinction between medically-qualified roles and other roles.

292Young Lives vs Cancer

Tabled: 17/01/24 Signatories: 3

Paul Girvan

Mr Gregory Campbell

Jonathan Edwards

That this House notes the Young Lives vs Cancer report entitled Running on Empty which explores the costs that young cancer patients and their families face when travelling for treatment; expresses concern at the finding in the report that it costs young cancer patients and their families on average £250 per month and, depending on their location, can be far higher in some cases; expresses strong concern that, consequently, 27 per cent are having to cut back on food, 20 per cent are falling behind in paying bills, 20 per cent are having to sell their possessions, 10 per cent are having to delay or miss treatment and, in some cases, are having to give up their homes as they are unable to meet housing costs; further notes the report's conclusion that the current support available is inadequate with only 12 per cent of families receiving any support to cover travel costs; and supports Young Lives vs Cancer's call for the establishment of a Government-funded young cancer patient travel fund to address this unfairness.

293Angus gin

Tabled: 17/01/24 Signatories: 4

Dave Doogan

Kirsten Oswald

Richard Thomson

Dr Philippa Whitford

That this House congratulates the Gin Bothy on their gin being selected for this year’s Oscars nominee gift bags; commends the growth of this multi-award-winning business trading from Glamis in the heart of Angus and propelled by its founder Kim Cameron’s leadership and vision; welcomes Gin Bothy’s use of locally-sourced ingredients; celebrates their expansion to larger production premises in Forfar; highlights their growing order book and international success in markets in Europe and the US; and values their contribution to the immensely important food and drink economy in Angus and Scotland.

294Minimum salary threshold for skilled worker visa

Tabled: 17/01/24 Signatories: 5

Tim Farron

Sarah Dyke

Christine Jardine

Wendy Chamberlain

Jonathan Edwards

That this House notes with concern that increasing the skilled worker visa salary thresholds for chefs to £38,700 will have a detrimental impact on the hospitality industry and local economy of rural tourist destinations on top of the lasting effects of covid-19; and calls on the Government to ensure that any salary threshold increase for chefs reflects the needs of the rural tourism economy.

295Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency

Tabled: 17/01/24 Signatories: 4

Grahame Morris

Jon Trickett

Mick Whitley

Mohammad Yasin

That this House is dismayed at the complacency and obstinacy of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) management in its implementation of the flawed Driver Services Recovery Programme; notes concerns raised by the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union that the programme poses significant safety risks to examiners and candidates; further notes the strength of feeling demonstrated by PCS members working for the DVSA across England, Wales and Scotland in voting overwhelmingly for industrial action to protect the integrity of the driving test and their existing terms and conditions; recognises the need to reduce the backlog of tests but insists that this must not be at the expense of safety standards or the erosion of existing staff terms and conditions; and urges Government intervention to bring the intransigent DVSA management back to the negotiating table to address the union’s concerns and to seek a resolution to the dispute.

296Presidential election in Taiwan

Tabled: 17/01/24 Signatories: 4

Layla Moran

Sarah Dyke

Wendy Chamberlain

Tim Farron

That this House congratulates president-elect, William Lai, on his recent emphatic victory in the Taiwanese Presidential Election; further congratulates former Liberal International vice-president and current vice-president-elect, Hsiao Bi-khim, on her success; thanks outgoing President, Tsai Ing-wen, for her wonderful service; commends the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), the Liberal Democrat sister party in Taiwan, on its ongoing success in the region; and recognises the vital work that the DPP continues to undertake in the Indo-Pacific as a British and liberal ally.