Contents
Published: Wednesday 31 January 2024
Early Day Motions tabled on Tuesday 30 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
336NHS dental services in Northern Ireland
Tabled: 30/01/24 Signatories: 1
Paul Girvan
That this House expresses alarm that NHS dental services in Northern Ireland are changing how they operate, resulting in patients either remaining with the practice as a private patient or having to seek to register with a practice which will provide NHS treatment; and calls on the Government to ensure that adequate NHS provision is provided throughout local communities to meet the need.
337Childhood cancer
Tabled: 30/01/24 Signatories: 1
Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck
That this House notes that over 4,000 children and young people are diagnosed with cancer in the UK every year; further notes that cancer is still the biggest killer by disease of children and young people in the UK; recognises the unique medical and psychosocial impacts of cancer on children and young people as compared to cancer in adults; expresses concern that the Major Conditions Strategy is being driven by adult-focused conditions and will be insufficient to address these unique impacts; highlights the Children and Young People’s Cancer Plan proposed by the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group and Young Lives vs Cancer; and urges the Government to adopt the provisions of the Plan to comprehensively address the needs of children and young people with cancer.
338Woodland Trust MOREwoods scheme
Tabled: 30/01/24 Signatories: 1
Jim Shannon
That this House notes the Woodland Trust MOREwoods scheme, which is available to anyone wanting to plant woodland of at least 500 trees on at least half a hectare of land; highlights that the scheme includes saplings, advice and funding for new hedging projects and that all trees and shrubs supplied by the Woodland Trust in Northern Ireland are native broadleaved species that are UK-sourced and grown, which will help local landscapes become more diverse and, therefore, more resilient to future threats, such as pests and diseases; and encourages people with the necessary facilities to get in touch with the Woodland Trust to put forward an application and to do their bit to preserve nature and tackle nature emergencies.
339Rural Support for Farmers
Tabled: 30/01/24 Signatories: 1
Jim Shannon
That this House expresses concern that Rural Support says calls and referrals to its service have increased by 40% due to the current pressures being faced by the industry; notes the significant pressures that farmers have been under especially due to rising interest rates, input costs, long hours and market uncertainty; highlights the stellar contribution farmers offer to our local economy and that 70,001 people are employed within the sector in Northern Ireland, based on 49,575 farmers; encourages all those suffering with the stresses of the job to seek help and discuss these issues; thanks every farmer across the United Kingdom for their efforts to our local economy; and wishes them all the best for their futures in farming.
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.
284Journalists in Gaza
Tabled: 16/01/24 Signatories: 42
Grahame Morris
John McDonnell
Claire Hanna
Chris Stephens
Liz Saville Roberts
Jeremy Corbyn
Nadia Whittome
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.
288Deaths of journalists in Gaza
Tabled: 16/01/24 Signatories: 28
John McDonnell
Mary Kelly Foy
Jonathan Edwards
Claire Hanna
Tahir Ali
Jeremy Corbyn
Nadia Whittome
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.
30415th anniversary of Fairweather Drop-in Group
Tabled: 22/01/24 Signatories: 6
Kirsten Oswald
Jim Shannon
Chris Stephens
Stewart Malcolm McDonald
Chris Law
Allan Dorans
That this House congratulates all involved with the Fairweather Drop-in Group, who meet at Fairweather Hall, Newton Mearns, on the 15th anniversary of the foundation of the group; applauds the multi-cultural and multi-faith nature of the group, which welcomes over 50s from all sections of the local community to join their weekly drop-in sessions; understands that attendees come together in a spirit of cross-cultural friendship, which is central to the operation of the group; notes that the group meets every Thursday from 12.45pm to 3.30pm at Fairweather Hall, Barrhead Road, Newton Mearns; further applauds the wide variety of areas of interest facilitated by the group, which has included activities such as bingo, board games, cards, discussions, weekly yoga sessions, educational trips, art tuition and more; appreciates that the group incorporates a lunch club, which caters for both vegetarian and non vegetarian diets; further notes the important contribution that Fairweather Drop-in makes to preventing loneliness and fostering friendships, as well as the boost felt by members in their mental wellbeing; appreciates that the group received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2017 in recognition of the important contribution the group makes in the local community; applauds the tireless work of all involved in sustaining the club and keeping it relevant to those attending over the past 15 years; and wishes Fairweather Drop-in continued success.
314World Lewy Body Day
Tabled: 23/01/24 Signatories: 9
Conor McGinn
Jim Shannon
Jonathan Edwards
Kim Johnson
Patricia Gibson
Chris Stephens
Paul Girvan
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.
317Support for families of British Palestinians
Tabled: 24/01/24 Signatories: 17
Drew Hendry
Deidre Brock
Pete Wishart
Anne McLaughlin
Patrick Grady
Chris Law
Martyn DayAllan Dorans
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 Ghayyda’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.
320Holocaust Memorial Day 2024
Tabled: 25/01/24 Signatories: 11
Christine Jardine
Mary Kelly Foy
Wendy Chamberlain
Helen Morgan
Munira Wilson
Sarah Dyke
Allan DoransPaul Girvan
That this House marks Holocaust Memorial Day, occurring on 27th January 2024; acknowledges that the date coincides with the 79th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration camp; commemorates every victim of Nazi persecution, including the 6 million Jewish people who were murdered during the Holocaust; remembers the victims of the genocides which followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur; notes this year’s theme of the ‘Fragility of Freedom’, which brings into focus that our freedom should never be taken for granted; commends the work of organisations like the Holocaust Educational Trust and the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust in raising awareness of the horrors of genocide; further notes with concern the record highs of antisemitism in the UK and around the world; supports the Community Security Trust in their efforts to tackle antisemitism and to protect the Jewish community; welcomes the creation of a permanent National Holocaust Memorial in central London; acknowledges that prejudice and hatred persists in the UK today, including a disturbing rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia, and we all must work together to stamp it out; and calls on all Members of the House to work together to ensure that the horrors of the Holocaust are always understood and never repeated.
321Children's Mental Health Week 2024
Tabled: 25/01/24 Signatories: 12
Munira Wilson
Mary Kelly Foy
Wendy Chamberlain
Sarah Dyke
Gavin Robinson
Jamie Stone
Christine JardineDaisy CooperHelen MorganPaul Girvan
That this House commemorates Children's Mental Health Week 2024 which runs from 5 to 11 February; notes with concern that one in five children between the ages of seven and sixteen have a probable mental health disorder; acknowledges the negative impacts that poor mental health can have on children's present and future wellbeing; further acknowledges the impact poor mental health is having on persistent absence in schools; recognises that this year's theme is My Voice Matters reflecting the importance of listening to children and young people; and further recognises the urgent need to provide early intervention and universal mental health support to children and young people.
322City of Glasgow College, Queen’s Anniversary Prize
Tabled: 25/01/24 Signatories: 2
Carol Monaghan
Allan Dorans
That this House congratulates the City of Glasgow College on receiving a Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education; notes that this award was granted because of the College’s life-saving research into oxygen depletion in enclosed spaces on-board ships; highlights the highly prestigious nature of this honour, which is awarded biennially to colleges and universities for outstanding work and cutting-edge innovation significantly benefiting wider society; commends the College for receiving a 7-Diamond world ranking and an Outstanding Achievement Award for Driving Innovation at the European Foundation for Quality Management Awards; further notes that the College is the first organisation in Scotland to be awarded 7-Diamond status; recognises the commitment, hard work and expertise of the College’s lecturers and support staff who have created a purposeful learning environment, equipping students with vital skills which will enable them to prosper in the workforce; and wishes the College all the best for a very successful future.
323Armenian Quarter in Jerusalem
Tabled: 26/01/24 Signatories: 7
Chris Law
Jon Trickett
Dr Philippa Whitford
Chris Stephens
Allan Dorans
Stephen Farry
Deidre Brock
That this House is deeply alarmed by the attempted take-over of the Cows’ Garden in the Armenian Quarter of occupied Jerusalem by illegal Israeli settler organisations; notes that, despite the cancellation of a lease agreement, Israeli settlers have used violence, threats and bulldozers against the Armenians at this site; recognises that settlements in the Old City of Jerusalem are a method of permanent land acquisition and theft of territory, and needs the same robust international response as elsewhere in occupied Palestinian territory; acknowledges the severe and critical threat to the Armenian community of Jerusalem, which has had a presence in the Old City for almost two millennia; further recognises that the destruction within the Cows’ Garden in the Armenian Quarter wounds the local fabric and relations between communities; highlights the particular vulnerability of the small yet vibrant Armenian community of Jerusalem; and calls on the Government to take effective measures in response including supporting all legal and accountability mechanisms to resolve this crisis.
326Miners’ Strike 1984: The Battle For Britain documentary series
Tabled: 26/01/24 Signatories: 22
Owen Thompson
Jon Trickett
Drew Hendry
Alison Thewliss
Richard Thomson
Kirsten Oswald
Ms Anum QaisarAllan DoransAlan Brown
That this House applauds the Miners’ Strike 1984: The Battle For Britain documentary series for shining a much needed light on events that irrevocably changed our country; thanks Channel 4 and Swan Films for their continued commitment to hard-hitting factual programmes; commends the miners and their families for taking part in the programme to share their traumatic experiences; acknowledges the massive impact of the strikes and the repression of the time on the social fabric of Midlothian, Scotland and other communities across the UK; further acknowledges that this legacy continues to the present day, with former mining communities suffering unacceptable levels of deprivation including unemployment, ill health and social disadvantage; and calls for justice, a pardon and compensation for all miners and their families.
328Nicholas Allan and WordSkills UK Medal
Tabled: 26/01/24 Signatories: 4
Marion Fellows
Dr Philippa Whitford
Chris Stephens
Allan Dorans
That this House congratulates Nicholas Allan on his silver medal at the WorldSkills UK National Competition this past November in Manchester; recognises Nicholas’ impressive and innovative fire detection and alarm system; wishes Team UK great success at WorldSkills Lyon 2024; further recognises the value of benchmarking UK skills through international skills competitions; supports the work of WorldSkills UK to raise standards and participation in apprenticeships and technical education; and notes the importance of world-class skills to young people, employers and the UK economy.
32970th Anniversary of St Mirin's Primary School
Tabled: 26/01/24 Signatories: 5
Stewart Malcolm McDonald
Carol Monaghan
Dr Philippa Whitford
Chris Stephens
Allan Dorans
That this House congratulates St Mirin's Primary School on reaching its 70th anniversary; recognises the dedication and commitment of the school staff, past and present, for their tireless efforts in; acknowledges the pivotal role St Mirin's Primary School has played in fostering a strong sense of community and promoting educational excellence in Glasgow South over the past seven decades; celebrates the countless achievements and accomplishments of the school's students, both academically and in their contributions to society; wishes St Mirin's Primary School continued success and growth for the future.
330National Supported Internship Day 2024
Tabled: 26/01/24 Signatories: 4
Marion Fellows
Dr Philippa Whitford
Chris Stephens
Allan Dorans
That this House recognises 27 March 2024 as National Supported Internship Day, which is an initiative founded by charity DFN Project SEARCH to raise awareness and understanding of supported internships; acknowledges that supported internships are for those aged 16-24 and give young adults the opportunity to learn in a workplace setting; further acknowledges that these internships include continuous feedback and enable young adults with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to learn while gaining real employability and competitive work skills; further recognises the work of Wishaw General Hospital in providing excellent internship opportunities; applauds charities such as NDTI and Base for their efforts in strengthening high quality supported internship provision across the UK; and urges colleagues across to house to visit their local supported internship site and advocate for further provision in an effort to reduce the disability employment gap nationally.
332English National Opera
Tabled: 26/01/24 Signatories: 12
John McDonnell
Kim Johnson
Claire Hanna
Mary Kelly Foy
Caroline Lucas
Rachael Maskell
Jeremy Corbyn
That this House expresses its dismay at reports that the English National Opera management is proposing to cut the salaries of its opera workforce by as much as 40%; notes that the previous joint campaigning by the workforce, the trade union Equity, and the English National Opera had culminated in the opera company receiving an additional grant from Arts Council England of £24m in April 2023, to fund its new activity across London and Manchester; welcomes efforts to deliver opera in both cities; highlights the devastating impact that proposals to dramatically cut the terms and conditions of the workforce will have for the quality of opera provision, the workforce, audiences, and local economic benefit in both places; and urgently calls on the English National Opera and Arts Council England to withdraw these plans and work with the appropriate trade unions to ensure that the workforce does not suffer detriment as a result of the move.
333Retirement of Northern Ireland and Rangers footballer Steven Davis
Tabled: 29/01/24 Signatories: 2
Mr Gregory Campbell
Paul Girvan
That this House notes the announcement of Steven Davis to retire from playing professional football; acknowledges the outstanding achievements of Steven, who at 39 years old holds the UK men's international caps record with 140 appearances for Northern Ireland as well as 742 club appearances for top flight clubs in England and Scotland, having played for his beloved Glasgow Rangers in two separate spells using the term, it's such a special football club, in his retirement statement; and wishes him and his family every blessing and good wish as he decides on his post playing career.
334High Income Child Benefit Charge
Tabled: 29/01/24 Signatories: 5
Douglas Chapman
Jonathan Edwards
Allan Dorans
Dr Philippa Whitford
Paul Girvan
That this House expresses deep concern that the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) continues to create unfairness and anomalies such as discriminating against a family with one earner who earns in excess of £50,000 compared with a family whose joint earnings may exceed the £50,000 threshold; remains concerned that it has not been increased to reflect pay inflation from 2013 and discourages claims to child benefit through the need for higher earners to undertake a self-assessment tax return and potentially negatively impacts on National Insurance Contributions; and calls on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to review the HICBC at the first opportunity with a view to removing the anomalies or make arrangements to devolve responsibility and related funding for Child Benefit to the Scottish and Welsh governments and the Northern Ireland administration.
335Royal Welsh Agricultural Society's 120th anniversary
Tabled: 29/01/24 Signatories: 2
Liz Saville Roberts
Jonathan Edwards
That this House celebrates the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society’s 120th anniversary; further celebrates the Society’s work in showcasing and promoting Welsh farming and agriculture and highlighting the important contribution it makes economically, culturally and environmentally to both Wales and the rest of the UK; notes the Society’s work involves hosting various annual shows including the Royal Welsh Show which is Europe’s largest agricultural show; and looks forward to the upcoming calendar year of events to mark the Society’s 120th anniversary.