Published: Thursday 25 January 2024

New EDMs

315Youth services

Tabled: 24/01/24 Signatories: 1

Jon Trickett

That this House recognises the deep impact that the last decade of austerity has had on local youth services; notes the YMCA's findings that youth services have been cut by £1.1bn nationally since 2010/11, which is a real-terms fall of 74 per cent, and that the annual spend per head for 5-to-17-year-olds in England plummeted from £158 in the 2010-11 financial year to just £37 in 2020-21; further notes the cuts to local councils and that local authorities such as Wakefield have had real-term funding cuts of 40.4% since 2015-16, which have added further pressure to services which support young people; expresses its alarm that Hemsworth constituency in the Wakefield District has had nearly £400 per pupil cut from school budgets; praises the comments on this issue made by local people such as Codie Smith, a pro-boxer in Hemsworth, who has called on Parliament and local councillors to do more for young people; believes that the lack of opportunities and low social mobility for young people fuels anti-social behaviour; and urges the Government to rethink its strategy for funding youth services.

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316Poverty in the UK

Tabled: 24/01/24 Signatories: 1

Jon Trickett

That this House notes with utter dismay the recent increase in poverty across Britain and the findings of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation report entitled UK Poverty 2024 that 22% or 14.4 million people in the UK were in poverty in 2021-22, of which 4.2 million were children and 2.1 million were pensioners; further notes the findings of that report that 64% of working-age adults in poverty lived in a household where at least one adult was in work; highlights the regional dimension to poverty with the highest rate of 27% in the West Midlands, followed by 25% in the North East and London and 23% in Yorkshire and the Humber, the East Midlands and the North West; raises concerns that children are most at risk of poverty, especially those in larger families; notes that it has been 20 years since poverty in the UK fell; urgently calls on the Government to make tackling poverty a priority; and demands transformative economic change.

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317Support for families of British Palestinians

Tabled: 24/01/24 Signatories: 1

Drew Hendry

That this House absolutely condemns the ongoing conflict in Gaza; further condemns the futile and tragic loss of life and the impact on all Palestinians; notes with specific concern the situation of Salim Ghayyada’s 40 immediate family members who have been forced to abandon their homes in Gaza City and move to a tent city in Rafah with limited access to basic necessities including food, water and sanitation; and urges the UK Government to take immediate action and create safe, viable routes for the family of British Palestinians to evacuate and seek safety in the UK.

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318Postural Tachycardia Syndrome awareness

Tabled: 24/01/24 Signatories: 1

Cat Smith

That this House notes that Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS) is an autonomic nervous system abnormality where sitting, standing and exercise can cause symptoms including shortness of breath, chest pain, brain fog, dizziness, pain, fainting, vomiting and fatigue; recognises that many people suffer a combination of symptoms, which can be chronic and debilitating, in some cases, leaving people bed ridden; further notes that while there is currently no cure for PoTS, studies indicate that 90% of people with a diagnosis of PoTS have improved or managed symptoms due to medically guided treatments and lifestyle changes but awareness of the condition is still low which may explain why the average time from first presentation of symptoms to diagnosis is seven years; and recognises the need to both raise awareness of the condition amongst medical professionals, and increase the support offered to those who suffer from PoTS.

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319Ending offshore drilling licences

Tabled: 24/01/24 Signatories: 1

Claudia Webbe

That this House considers that the awarding of new offshore drilling licences is at odds with the UK’s national and international net zero commitments; notes the warnings of climate scientists and the United Nations Secretary General that the window for limiting global warming to 1.5C will close in five to six years; further notes that existing offshore drilling licences are estimated to cover almost one billion barrels of undiscovered reserves and that more than 80% of existing North Sea oil production is exported; recognises that 2023 was calculated to be the hottest year since records began, with July setting a new global temperature record that was immediately surpassed by August; accepts the UN’s judgment that the Global South will suffer worst from the disastrous consequences of exceeding 1.5C of global warming but has contributed least to it; calls on the Government to end new offshore drilling and exploration immediately; and further calls on the Government to commit to the termination of existing licences within the next five years.

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.

269Holocaust Memorial Day

Tabled: 11/01/24 Signatories: 23

Bob Blackman

Sir Mike Penning

Alison Thewliss

Jonathan Edwards

Dr Lisa Cameron

Jim Shannon

Lloyd Russell-Moyle Stuart C McDonald Patricia Gibson

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.

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

Tabled: 11/01/24 Signatories: 21

Hywel Williams

Liz Saville Roberts

Ben Lake

Dr Philippa Whitford

Claire Hanna

Caroline Lucas

Lloyd Russell-Moyle

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.

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279150th Anniversary of St. Ninian's High School, Kirkintilloch

Tabled: 15/01/24 Signatories: 6

Amy Callaghan

Jim Shannon

Chris Law

Allan Dorans

Chris Stephens

Patricia Gibson

That this House warmly congratulates St. Ninian’s High School Kirkintilloch on reaching its remarkable milestone of 150 years of excellence in education and service to the community; notes that, founded in 1974, St. Ninian’s High School has been a beacon of education, enlightenment and community service in East Dunbartonshire; celebrates the school’s rich history, unwavering commitment to academic excellence and integral role in shaping the lives of generations of students in East Dunbartonshire; recognises St. Ninian’s High School’s outstanding achievement in being honoured with the Scottish Education Award in 2017 which underscores the school’s dedication to innovation, inclusivity, and high standards; also notes that St. Ninian’s High School demonstrated exemplary commitment to creating a positive learning environment, fostering community engagement, and achieving excellence in education; commends St Ninian’s High School and wishes staff and pupils well on its next chapter; expresses optimism for its continued success; and hopes that the school community continues to thrive and inspire for many more years to come.

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284Journalists in Gaza

Tabled: 16/01/24 Signatories: 35

Grahame Morris

John McDonnell

Claire Hanna

Chris Stephens

Liz Saville Roberts

Jeremy Corbyn

Drew Hendry

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.

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

Tabled: 17/01/24 Signatories: 14

Claudia Webbe

Jeremy Corbyn

John McDonnell

Mohammad Yasin

Richard Thomson

Kate Osborne

Mick Whitley Liz Saville Roberts Ben Lake Hywel Williams Mr Nicholas Brown

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.

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293Angus gin

Tabled: 17/01/24 Signatories: 12

Dave Doogan

Kirsten Oswald

Richard Thomson

Dr Philippa Whitford

Drew Hendry

Chris Law

Patricia Gibson

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.

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299Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 2024

Tabled: 18/01/24 Signatories: 30

Dr Philippa Whitford

Rachael Maskell

Sir Mike Penning

Richard Thomson

Drew Hendry

Ronnie Cowan

Christine Jardine

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.

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308Right to Buy (No. 2)

Tabled: 22/01/24 Signatories: 11

Caroline Lucas

Jonathan Edwards

Rachael Maskell

Beth Winter

Chris Stephens

Lloyd Russell-Moyle

Rebecca Long Bailey

That this House notes that around 2 million council homes in England have been sold off to private individuals well below market value since the inception of the Right to Buy in 1980; further notes these homes were built using public money to create an essential collective asset fundamental to the post World War Two settlement; believes Right to Buy has been abused by property speculators and has decimated precious social housing stock as successive governments failed to replace the social homes being lost; supports the 2022 UK Housing Review conclusion that Right to Buy was a strategic failure; is concerned that the state is now giving billions in housing benefit to private landlords that should be invested in building new council housing; recognises the link between Right to Buy and the harmful commodification of housing, housing inequality and shortages for people on low incomes, the current homelessness crisis and record rates of children living in temporary accommodation; further believes that council housing needs to be provided and safeguarded for the housing needs and wellbeing of current and future generations; welcomes the abolition of Right to Buy in Scotland and Wales; and calls on the Government to protect and strengthen social housing by following suit in England, starting with an immediate suspension of all discounts, at the same time as investing in an ambitious programme to build new council homes.

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312Dr Ofer Cassif

Tabled: 22/01/24 Signatories: 7

Jeremy Corbyn

Apsana Begum

Tommy Sheppard

Crispin Blunt

Chris Stephens

Claudia Webbe

Jonathan Edwards

That this House acknowledges the plight of Dr Ofer Cassif, Member of Israeli Knesset of the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality (Hadash) who currently faces unconstitutional expulsion from the Israeli Knesset on the grounds of supporting armed struggle against the state following his signature on a petition supporting South Africa’s appeal to the International Court of Justice (ICJ); recognises that Dr Cassif simply insists upon an end to the bloodshed, death and destruction in Gaza and calls for the release of all hostages, as well as for a lasting just peace in the interest of both Israelis and Palestinians; applauds the courage it takes for Israelis to express sympathy and solidarity with innocent Palestinian victims and speak out against their Government’s actions particularly at this time amidst repression and harassment; and furthermore supports all calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

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313Former broadband customers of Broadway Partners and Voneus

Tabled: 23/01/24 Signatories: 3

Jonathan Edwards

Jim Shannon

Chris Stephens

That this House notes that Broadway Partners and Voneus are companies that build and operate alternative internet network infrastructure in communities that have been neglected by policy to date; further notes that Broadway Partners entered administration on 31 May 2023; notes that Broadway Partners was acquired as an ongoing concern by Voneus on 25 September 2023; further notes that Broadway Partners was committed to building internet infrastructure in communities in Carmarthenshire such as Dyffryn Cennen and Ffairfach, Llanegwad, Llanfihangel Aberbythych, Pontargothi, Laugharne, Meidrim and Abergwili; pays tribute to those community stakeholders who have contributed time and effort in the hope of securing modern broadband speeds and who have been failed; notes with regret that Voneus have decided not to continue with these projects and that these communities will now fall into the Government's Building Digital UK (BDUK) Project Gigabit; understands that BDUK is currently considering procurement options for those communities in Wales that have poor broadband provision; and calls on the Government to ensure that those communities affected by the collapse of Broadway Partners and disregarded by Voneus are timetabled for immediate delivery by future Project Gigabit procurement plans for Wales.

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314World Lewy Body Day

Tabled: 23/01/24 Signatories: 6

Conor McGinn

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

Kim Johnson

Patricia Gibson

Chris Stephens

That this House notes that Lewy body dementia is the second most common type of neurodegenerative dementia in older people and at least 10 to 15% of all people who live with dementia have Lewy body dementia; acknowledges that The Lewy Body Society is the only charity in the UK, and was the first in Europe, dedicated exclusively to Lewy body dementia; further notes that 28 January 2024 marks the first ever World Lewy Body Day; and congratulates those from across the globe on this achievement and the efforts of the co-ordinators to promote research and raise awareness of the condition.