Contents

Published: Wednesday 13 March 2024

Early Day Motions tabled on Tuesday 12 March 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

499Rosslyn Chapel and the Midlothian and East Lothian Chamber of Commerce Awards

Tabled: 12/03/24 Signatories: 1

Owen Thompson

That this House congratulates Rosslyn Chapel of Roslin, Midlothian, for their recent success at the Midlothian and East Lothian Chamber of Commerce Awards; recognises their award for Best Tourism Business 2024; acknowledges how this is a wonderful accomplishment and a testament to the dedication and hard work put into the upkeep and preservation of Rosslyn Chapel; further acknowledges how this award is a well-deserved recognition of the Rosslyn Chapel’s team’s efforts and the wonderful experiences they provide to visitors; and wishes Rosslyn Chapel Trust continued success and acclaim in the future.

500Flowcopter

Tabled: 12/03/24 Signatories: 1

Owen Thompson

That this House congratulates Flowcopter of Loanhead, Midlothian, for their recent success at the Midlothian and East Lothian Chamber of Commerce Awards; recognises their award for High Growth Business of the Year 2024; acknowledges how this is a wonderful accomplishment and a testament to the dedication and hard work put into the business; further acknowledges how this award is a well-deserved recognition of the Flowcopters team’s efforts and the growth the business has made in the past year; and wishes Flowcopter continued success and acclaim in the future.

501Tanks, vehicles and aircraft for Ukraine

Tabled: 12/03/24 Signatories: 1

Clive Lewis

That this House applauds the Ukrainian resistance to the all-out Russian invasion; condemns delays and obstruction of aid, which contributed to the fall of the city of Adviivka; notes the danger to Ukraine posed by populists and the far right in Europe and the USA; recognises that the UK must play a part in organising an urgent increase in aid to enable Ukrainians to free their entire country; further condemns the fact that 1044 vehicles and 48 fixed-wing aircraft have been disposed of via sale or auction by the Ministry of Defence since the invasion; calls for all such equipment to be gifted to Ukraine; suggests that the 65 Challenger 2 Tanks not due for upgrade be donated to Ukraine and that all the FV107 Scimitar vehicles be gifted to Ukraine; further notes that the 625 Warrior vehicles will be retired by the end of 2030 and suggests that the fleet be gifted to Ukraine in each tranche set for disposal, that the 26 Typhoon Tranche 1 aircraft due to leave service be gifted to Ukraine with training of Ukrainian pilots and that those Chinook airframes due to be retired be gifted to Ukraine; and further calls for the gifting of Python Minefield Breaching Systems, of remotely operated systems, and of Trojan Armoured Engineer Vehicle to Ukraine, recognising in this difficult time this package of aid will greatly assist the morale and resistance of Ukraine and encourage international partners to unlock greater aid.

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.

446Serco contracts

Tabled: 29/02/24 Signatories: 18

Kate Osborne

Jon Trickett

Rachael Maskell

Ms Diane Abbott

Lloyd Russell-Moyle

Kim Johnson

That this House condemns the Ministry of Justice's plans to hand a further £200m of public money to Serco; notes Serco's extensive record of failures, monitoring people with GPS technology; further notes that this contract replaces a prior contract with Capita; notes that since 2020 the Home Office has been dramatically expanding the number of people without British citizenship including people seeking asylum, and people born or raised in the UK who are forced into wearing electronic tags; notes the wide range of physical and mental harms caused by this practice; is concerned about dangers that targeting groups for sweeping surveillance powers poses; notes the complete lack of evidence of surveillance effectiveness as acknowledged in the Home Office's own documents; and demands that resources go to assisting people in need rather than paying profiteers to run mass surveillance programmes under the hostile environment immigration policy.

447Withdrawal from the Energy Charter Treaty (No. 2)

Tabled: 29/02/24 Signatories: 9

Wera Hobhouse

Sarah Dyke

Jonathan Edwards

Rachael Maskell

Dr Philippa Whitford

Liz Saville Roberts

That this House welcomes the UK’s withdrawal from the Energy Charter Treaty; regrets that the UK has lagged behind nine EU member states including France, Germany, Spain and Italy in withdrawing; recognises the need for a new global framework to incentivise global investment in the renewable energy sector to meet global targets to reduce emissions and reach net zero; and calls on the Government to back a new framework replacement Renewables Treaty to drive innovation, cooperation and the greater adoption of renewable energy.

451Funding for children's hospices

Tabled: 1/03/24 Signatories: 7

Sir George Howarth

Rachael Maskell

Jim Shannon

Kim Johnson

Cat Smith

Jonathan Edwards

That this House is concerned that children’s hospices are yet to receive written confirmation of how and when they will receive their NHS England Children’s Hospice Grant in the 2024-25 financial year, nor how much they are likely to receive; is concerned about the impact that this is having on children’s hospices’ ability to budget and plan their lifeline care and support to seriously ill children and families in 2024-25; is also concerned by the variation in integrated care board spending on children’s hospices across England, which varied by as much as £483 per child or young person in 2022-23, according to responses to freedom of information requests made by the charity Together for Short Lives; calls on the Government to urgently confirm how and when the £25 million NHS England Children’s Hospice Grant will be distributed in 2024-25; and further calls on the Government to direct NHS England to hold integrated care boards to greater account for the way in which they commission children and young people’s palliative and end of life care.

457Brent Centre Highlands

Tabled: 4/03/24 Signatories: 9

Drew Hendry

Jim Shannon

Dr Philippa Whitford

Hannah Bardell

Dave Doogan

Amy Callaghan

That this House congratulates Brent Centre Highlands on the recent opening of their clinic in Inverness; recognises that they provide accessible mental health support, through psychotherapy and practical support, to young people aged 14 to 21 in the Scottish Highlands free of charge; pays thanks to all those involved in successfully setting up this initiative; and wishes them continued success for the future.

46340th anniversary of the 1984-85 Miners' Strike (No. 2)

Tabled: 4/03/24 Signatories: 29

Ian Lavery

Jon Trickett

Grahame Morris

Ian Mearns

Mary Kelly Foy

Andy McDonald

That this House notes the 40th anniversary of the start of the Miners’ Strike of 1984-1985 on 5 March 2024; further notes that, four decades on, many mining communities are still struggling as a result of the industrial vandalism and are still awaiting a just transition to the industries of the future; highlights the weaponisation of the state, including the police, judiciary and civil service, orchestrated by those at the highest level against ordinary men and women in mining communities; demands a full inquiry into the policing of the strike; also notes the working class solidarity of the trade union movement nationally and internationally, of the LGBTQ+ community and of people of colour throughout Britain, who all knew the only hope of success was to be united; and pays tribute to the men and women across the coalfield who were thrust to the fore by circumstance to become some of the finest orators, organisers and activists anyone could care to meet.

469YMCA campaign

Tabled: 5/03/24 Signatories: 5

Sir George Howarth

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

Caroline Lucas

Rachael Maskell

That this House welcomes the YMCA’s Now’s Our Chance campaign; notes with approval its manifesto for affordable, good quality, safe and secure housing and for young people’s access to youth services all year round in their area, financial support to allow them to meet their essential needs, help to build resilience and positive wellbeing, and good quality education and training to give them the best possible start in life; and thanks YMCA for the long-standing work to support young people.

476Pay transparency

Tabled: 6/03/24 Signatories: 17

Rebecca Long Bailey

Kate Osborne

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

Grahame Morris

John McDonnell

Apsana Begum

That this House considers that the lack of pay transparency is one of the causes of gender, disability and ethnic pay gaps; notes that 75 per cent of job applicants would be more likely to apply for a role that included a salary range and 62 per cent of candidates believe they should not be asked about their current or past salary in an interview, with this figure increasing to 73 per cent amongst Asian workers and 75 per cent for black workers; and therefore calls on the Government to support calls from the National Union of Journalists and recruitment company Liberty Hive for the outlawing of employers asking for salary history during recruitment, and guidance to be provided on publishing salary ranges on job adverts.

477Supermarket listing for Perth restaurant owner

Tabled: 6/03/24 Signatories: 5

Pete Wishart

Richard Thomson

Patrick Grady

Allan Dorans

Anne McLaughlin

That this House congratulates Praveen Kumar, owner of Tabla restaurant in Perth, on securing his first ever supermarket listing to supply 11 new lines of authentic Indian ready meals into 56 Asda stores across Scotland; recognises Praveen’s esteemed career in hospitality, which has seen him work in some of the world’s most prestigious five-star establishments such as Gleaneagles and Turnberry, before opening Tabla Restaurant in 2009, which became the first Indian restaurant in Scotland to receive an AA Rosette; and further recognises Praveen’s outstanding commitment to helping the local community in Perth, which included handing out 600 free meals on Christmas Day.

478Public Accounts Committee report entitled Reducing the harm from illegal drugs

Tabled: 6/03/24 Signatories: 6

Grahame Morris

Ian Mearns

Dan Carden

Kate Hollern

Liz Saville Roberts

Rachael Maskell

That this House welcomes the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report, Reducing the harm from illegal drugs, published in February 2024; notes that this acknowledges recent progress in workforce recruitment and countering county lines; heeds and highlights the PAC’s warning that, should the Joint Combating Drugs Unit, the Department of Health and Social Care and other Government departments fail to develop a compelling case for the sustained investment needed to reduce the growing harms from illegal drugs, then such progress will be wasted; endorses its recognition that, if the aims of Dame Carol Black’s independent review and the Government’s subsequent drugs strategy are to be realised and drug deaths can be reduced significantly, then further action is required urgently; further notes that, given the context of a significant erosion of councils’ capacity and capability to deliver, the report urges the Government to provide local authorities with more confidence over long-term funding to enable long-term planning; and calls upon the Government adopt the six recommendations of the PAC report and reaffirm its commitment to long-term funding of treatment services.

479Razor attacks in prisons

Tabled: 6/03/24 Signatories: 28

Grahame Morris

Gordon Henderson

Liz Saville Roberts

Chris Stephens

Jim Shannon

Mary Kelly Foy

That this House condemns the horrific and cowardly unprovoked razor attack on a prison officer at HMP Humber on 9 February 2024, which resulted in 53 stitches for a facial wound; notes with alarm the rising tide of prison violence since the end of pandemic lockdowns, with assaults against staff up 16% and the total number of assaults up 21% over the past 12 months; further notes with alarm the rise in weapon attacks, with knife and blade assault incidents up 16% in the most recent year reported compared with a 2% rise in assaults involving all types of weapons, which made up 25% of all prison assaults in 2022 compared with 10% in 2010; agrees with the Government’s 2021 Prison Strategy White Paper’s assessment that traditional wet-shave razors can be used by prisoners both as a weapon for assaults and to self-harm; expresses concern that, despite seven pilot projects on alternatives to wet-shave razors since the White Paper, no decision has yet been made about future shaving provision in prisons; agrees with the POA union that it is reckless and irrational to give prisoners access to wet-shave razors, especially in the current prison-violence crisis; further agrees with the POA that no more trials are needed to conclude that wet-shave razors are far more dangerous than electric razors; and calls on the Government to remove wet-shave razors from prisons immediately and to introduce electric-razor provision as a matter of urgency.

482Cost of living payment at National Museums Liverpool

Tabled: 6/03/24 Signatories: 19

Kim Johnson

Mick Whitley

Dan Carden

Ian Byrne

Mary Kelly Foy

Allan Dorans

That this House fully supports the staff at National Museums Liverpool (NML) engaging in strike action in an ongoing dispute over pay; notes that last year 206 employers in the public sector agreed to pay each worker a one-off £1,500 payment to part-compensate for inflation rises and hardship caused by Covid yet shockingly, National Museums Liverpool is the only employer which has so far refused to pay its staff the additional money; regrets that across the seven museums in Liverpool, NML staff are grappling with financial hardship due to low wages; and calls on the Government to step in, engage with PCS Union members, seek to resolve any perceived funding issues at NML and ensure the outstanding cost of living payment is paid.

483City and Guilds Award for College Engagement with Employers

Tabled: 7/03/24 Signatories: 3

Mary Kelly Foy

Jim Shannon

Ian Mearns

That this House congratulates New College Durham on winning the City and Guilds Award for College Engagement with Employers at this year’s AoC Beacon Awards; notes New College Durham’s dedication to supporting students and employers in our region; further notes New College Durham’s creation of an innovative skills led curriculum; and commends the exceptional contribution of New College Durham and its staff to communities across County Durham.

484Pre-1997 non-indexed company pensions

Tabled: 7/03/24 Signatories: 5

Geraint Davies

Jonathan Edwards

Dr Philippa Whitford

Jim Shannon

Rachael Maskell

This House notes that over 500,000 former employees of 3M and other businesses including American Express, Hewlett-Packard, Chevron and Wood Group face massively-reduced pensions from their pre-1997 contributions, as current legislation only index-links contributions from 1997; further notes that, according to the Bank of England, between 2008 and 2023, former employees’ pensions have reduced in real terms by 56%; and calls on the Government to put pressure on the companies concerned to make good the indexation of former employees’ pensions for their pension contributions prior to 1997 and to consider retrospective legislation to encourage those companies who have not provided a significant discretionary uplift to former employee pensions, to help to mitigate value erosion from inflation to their company pensions.

489World Kidney Day 2024

Tabled: 11/03/24 Signatories: 6

Daisy Cooper

Jim Shannon

Dr Philippa Whitford

Mohammad Yasin

Rachael Maskell

Martin Docherty-Hughes

That his House notes that World Kidney Day takes place on Thursday 14 March 2024; recognises that an estimated 7.2 million people in the UK are living with early- and late-stage chronic kidney disease; acknowledges that some patients are being told about their risk or their diagnosis too late, when their lives are under threat and treatment options are extreme and life-altering, rather than at the early stages when there are options to delay or stop the disease getting worse; commends charities, such as Kidney Care UK, for their work in advocating for an earlier diagnosis, testing for those at higher risk, improved primary and secondary care and greater support for kidney patients; and calls on the Government to ensure everyone who is at risk of chronic kidney disease is provided with information on how to reduce that risk, tested annually, monitored, and if diagnosed early, provided with support to prevent or slow down their condition getting worse.

490Glasgow Saints FC 24-hour charity football match

Tabled: 11/03/24 Signatories: 6

Anne McLaughlin

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Deidre Brock

Dr Philippa Whitford

Stuart C McDonald

That this House extends its heartfelt congratulations to Glasgow Saints FC on their outstanding 24-hour charity football match, having already raised nearly £5,000 for three causes close to their hearts; applauds their remarkable work and achievement in raising significant funds that will be split between the football club, Beatson Cancer Charity and MS treatment for Spartans captain Alana Marshall; recognises the hard work and determination from volunteers and players; and pays tribute to organiser and manager at the club, Laurie Keith.

491World Water Day 2024

Tabled: 11/03/24 Signatories: 8

Mr Virendra Sharma

Jonathan Edwards

Jim Shannon

Dr Philippa Whitford

Mohammad Yasin

Rachael Maskell

That this House recognises that 22 March is World Water Day; acknowledges that 2.2 billion people in the world do not have safe water and 3.5 billion people in the world do not have a decent toilet of their own; notes that two-thirds of healthcare facilities in the 46 least developed countries do not have access to basic handwashing facilities; further recognises that women and girls are disproportionately affected by inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH); further notes that that WASH is an essential component in work on addressing global challenges such as antimicrobial resistance; further acknowledges that the climate crisis is a water crisis and that investment in WASH provides a cost-effective adaptation measure to support communities on the front lines of climate change; notes that the UK’s budget for WASH has been cut by approximately 77% since 2018, damaging the UK’s ability to reach communities with life-saving clean water; is concerned that with just six years to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) deadline, progress on SDG6 is alarmingly off-track, and so and calls on the Government to increase investment in WASH and champion WASH on a global stage.

492Ordination of the Bishop of Galloway

Tabled: 11/03/24 Signatories: 4

Patricia Gibson

Jim Shannon

Dr Philippa Whitford

Martin Docherty-Hughes

That this House congratulates the Right Reverend Francis Dougan as Bishop of Galloway on his ordination to the Episcopate in a very moving and joyful ceremony at the Church of Saint Peter-in-Chains, Ardrossan, on 9 March 2024; is aware that Bishop Dougan, originally from Lanark, received his priestly ordination on 27 June 2001 and was incardinated in the diocese of Motherwell; understands that Bishop Dougan will succeed Archbishop William Nolan who served as the Bishop of Galloway from 2015 to 2022 before assuming the position of Archbishop of Glasgow; recognises that Bishop Dougan was ordained by the Most Reverend Leo Cushley, Metropolitan Archbishop of Saint Andrews & Edinburgh; notes that the role will see Bishop Dougan become the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of Galloway which covers the local authority areas of Dumfries and Galloway, South Ayrshire, East Ayrshire and mainland North Ayrshire and Cumbrae; acknowledges that upon his ordination Bishop Dougan proclaimed the need for a Church where everyone can feel at home and welcomed and expressed his commitment to continue to build on the solid foundations left by those who have come before us, stretching back to St Ninian who first planted the seeds of the Christian faith in Galloway; and wishes Bishop Dougan all the best in his endeavours in his new role which he will tackle with gusto and good humour.

493The Radhuni and Best Eatery in Midlothian 2024 award

Tabled: 11/03/24 Signatories: 3

Owen Thompson

Jonathan Edwards

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates the Radhuni restaurant in Loanhead, Midlothian, for their recent success at the Midlothian and East Lothian Chamber of Commerce Awards; recognises their award for Best Eatery 2024; acknowledges how this is a wonderful accomplishment and a testament to the dedication and hard work put into their restaurant; further acknowledges how this award is a well-deserved recognition of the Radhuni’s team’s efforts and the extraordinary experiences they provide to customers; and wishes the Radhuni continued success and acclaim in the future.

494Vitamin B12 deficiency

Tabled: 11/03/24 Signatories: 4

Grahame Morris

Jim Shannon

Rachael Maskell

Kim Johnson

That this House welcomes the benefits of vitamin B12 therapy; believes that greater emphasis must be placed on recognising and treating B12 deficiency which can be a major cause of ill health and unemployment; recognises that the replacement of the missing nutrient can restore quality of life, enthusiasm and energy to the individual; notes that many of the drugs used to treat misdiagnosis are expensive and can have lasting adverse effects; and calls on the health community to recognise and research vitamin B12 deficiency to ensure the needs and symptom patterns of patients can be treated in a way that is cost-effective, without side-effects and completely safe.

495Alleged comments by Frank Hester

Tabled: 11/03/24 Signatories: 44

Dawn Butler

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

Layla Moran

Anne McLaughlin

Carol Monaghan

Mrs Helen Grant

That this House expresses its shock regarding the alleged comments made by Frank Hester reported by The Guardian about the hon. Member for Hackney North and Stoke Newington and all Black women; believes these alleged comments to be both racist and violent in nature; notes that Mr Hester is a regular and substantial donor to the Conservative Party; and calls on all leaders including the Prime Minister to condemn these remarks.

496Centenary of Eric Liddell's Olympic Gold medal

Tabled: 11/03/24 Signatories: 3

Mr Gregory Campbell

Jim Shannon

Rachael Maskell

That this House notes that 2024 marks 100 years since Eric Liddell qualified for the Olympic 100 metres heats, despite being widely regarded as best placed to win, he declined to take part due to their being held on a Sunday, choosing instead to compete in the 400 metres final, before that 400 metre race began he received a note which read In the old book it says: He that honours me I will honour, he won gold to become Olympic Champion even though it was not his preferred distance, after winning Liddell went to China where he served his Lord in missionary endeavours and his exploits featured in the film Chariots of Fire thus ensuring the name Eric Liddell will be remembered for generations to come for both his sporting exploits as well as his Christian faith.

497World Glaucoma Day 2024

Tabled: 11/03/24 Signatories: 4

Jim Shannon

Dr Philippa Whitford

Rachael Maskell

Stuart C McDonald

That this House notes World Glaucoma Day, celebrated on 12 March with this years theme of Uniting for a Glaucoma-Free World, focusing on bringing communities worldwide to fight together against glaucoma blindness; highlights that over 700,000 people in the UK have glaucoma and around 18,000 of these cases are in Northern Ireland; further notes that over half of these do not know they have it; underlines the aim to raise awareness and foster a better understanding of the condition so that it will spark conversations and discussions; thanks those charities such as Glaucoma UK for reminding people to attend regular eye tests and prioritise their eye health; and urges Government to raise more awareness on the importance of supporting those living with glaucoma.