Contents

Published – Thursday 5 September 2024

Early Day Motions tabled on Wednesday 4 September 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

135Recognising Robert Smith’s contribution to LINKES

Tabled: 4/09/24 Signatories: 1

Patricia Ferguson

That this House notes the retirement of Robert Smith from the board of the community organisation, LINKES; understands that Robert has been the longest standing founder member of LINKES, dedicating more than three decades of his life to the community; celebrates Robert’s dedication and commitment to the organisation and to his community throughout this period; recognises the important role played by LINKES in the Glasgow West constituency, supporting residents living in the Lincoln Avenue/Kestrel Road community; further recognises the many opportunities for learning and wellbeing, and community integration and development, that have been made possible by Robert, his fellow LINKES Board Members, and volunteers over the decades; offers Robert all the very best for the future; and wishes LINKES continued success as it carries on supporting and developing the local community.

136Scottish athletes at the Paris Olympic Games

Tabled: 4/09/24 Signatories: 1

Christine Jardine

That this House notes the outstanding achievements of the 34 Scottish athletes at the Paris Olympic Games; celebrates the 13 medals won by Scottish athletes including gold medallists Scott Brash, Duncan Scott and Sholto Carnegie, silver medallists Jack Carlin, Neah Evans and Josh Kerr and bronze medallists Rowan McKellar, Beth Potter and Nicole Yeargin; highlights the importance of sustained funding for a wide range of sports to build upon these achievements and support future generations; and wishes all representatives of Team GB success in their future sporting careers.

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.

65Tax on private jets

Tabled: 24/07/24 Signatories: 19

Neil Duncan-Jordan

Jon Trickett

Mary Kelly Foy

Andy McDonald

Carla Denyer

Siân Berry

That this House is concerned that private jets release 10 times more carbon per passenger than commercial flights, pay no VAT or fuel duty and most passengers pay the same low rate of air passenger duty as ordinary commercial flyers; recognises that the UK has more private flights and more pollution from private jets than any other country in Europe; and calls on the Government to tackle this issue by levying VAT, tax fuel and increase air passenger duty on private jets which would raise £700m a year.

71Recognition of the state of Palestine

Tabled: 25/07/24 Signatories: 16

Shockat Adam

Ayoub Khan

Jeremy Corbyn

Mr Adnan Hussain

Iqbal Mohamed

Carla Denyer

That this House notes the UN General Assembly resolution of 9 May 2024 which recommended that the Security Council reconsider the matter of the recognition of the state of Palestine following the use of their veto by the United States on 18 April 2024; recognises the international community’s growing consensus, noting that as of May 2024 Ireland, Spain, and Norway joined 145 UN member states in recognising the state of Palestine; condemns the vote of Israel's Knesset on 18 July 2024 to reject the establishment of an independent Palestinian state; and calls on HM Government to immediately recognise the state of Palestine in accordance with the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion of 2024, which recognised that the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza strip constitute a single territorial unit the integrity of which is to be respected.

73Community Ownership Fund

Tabled: 26/07/24 Signatories: 7

Claire Hanna

John McDonnell

Jim Shannon

Jon Trickett

Mary Kelly Foy

Ellie Chowns

That this House notes that the Community Ownership Fund was introduced by the last Government to support voluntary and community groups; further notes that current Community Ownership funding will come to an end in March 2025; acknowledges that many organisations and projects are reliant on this funding due to the withdrawal of EU structural funds and face uncertainty about what comes next; and calls on the new Government to provide reassurance and to outline plans for the continuation or replacement of the fund as soon as possible to allow organisations to plan ahead.

76NHS staff car parking charges

Tabled: 26/07/24 Signatories: 18

Jon Trickett

John McDonnell

Iqbal Mohamed

Jim Shannon

Neil Duncan-Jordan

Andrew George

That this House supports free car parking for all NHS staff; notes that driving to work is the only viable option for some NHS staff; further notes that some NHS Trusts have introduced complicated invoicing systems through which staff are billed for parking, which has contributed to low morale in the workforce; recognises that during the pandemic NHS staff did not have to pay for parking but charges were subsequently reinstated; believes that NHS staff do an incredible job looking after us and the Government should look after them in return; and calls on the Government to examine the possibility of permanently scrapping car parking charges for NHS staff.

78Treatment of female activists in Iran

Tabled: 29/07/24 Signatories: 10

John McDonnell

Jim Shannon

Kim Johnson

Mary Kelly Foy

Graham Leadbitter

Ellie Chowns

That this House is alarmed by the breaches of International Humanitarian Law by the Iranian government; notes that the Islamic Republic’s violent repression of women and the activists defending their rights has intensified across the country since the death of President Ebrahim Raisi on 19 May 2024; highlights that women are in danger of being executed and that four women face the death penalty, Sharifa Mohammadi, a labour activist, Pakhshan Azizi, a social researcher and women's activist, Nasim Gholami, a protester of the 2022 protests, and Vari Moradi, a women's rights activist; notes that at least 12 women activists have been sentenced to prison terms, some as long as 21 years, in prosecutions lacking due process or fair trial rights, including the denial of chosen counsel; further notes that at least six women prisoners of conscience with serious medical conditions have been denied medical treatment by prison authorities, including an ailing elderly woman prisoner and one pregnant prisoner, that at least five have gone on hunger strike in protest, and that many of these women prisoners have also been denied contact with their families or lawyers; and condemns the Islamic Republic’s intensified assault on women activists and its oppression of women.

81Andy Murray's legacy

Tabled: 29/07/24 Signatories: 20

Gordon McKee

Jim Shannon

Tonia Antoniazzi

David Mundell

Chris Kane

Graeme Downie

That this House celebrates the remarkable tennis career of Andy Murray as he plays his last professional tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympics, including winning three Grand Slam singles titles, two Olympic Gold medals, leading his country to Davis Cup success and achieving the world No 1 ranking; recognises that tennis in Scotland and across Britain is far healthier as a result of Andy’s inspirational achievements, with over 5.6 million adults and 3.6 million children playing tennis in Britain last year alone; and calls on the Government to continue investing in grassroots and community tennis to embed the Murray legacy in Scotland and across Britain.

93Voter identification

Tabled: 30/07/24 Signatories: 26

Calum Miller

Richard Foord

Jess Brown-Fuller

Lisa Smart

Tom Gordon

Graham Leadbitter

That this House believes democracy is best served when eligible voters are encouraged to participate in elections; does not believe there was evidence of widespread voter fraud prior to 2022; notes with concern evidence that the requirement to provide voter identification in order to vote in the 2024 local and general elections suppressed voter turnout, particularly from specific demographic groups within the population; further notes that the forms of identification permitted discriminated against younger people; and therefore calls on the Government, at the earliest opportunity, to repeal the relevant sections of the Elections Act 2022 so as to remove the requirement for voter identification in order to cast a vote in UK elections.

97Ban trophy hunting imports

Tabled: 2/09/24 Signatories: 29

Grahame Morris

Mary Glindon

Jon Trickett

Mary Kelly Foy

Christine Jardine

Graham Leadbitter

That this House notes CITES data and investigations by the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting published in the national media showing British trophy hunters are killing and bringing home trophies of threatened species including African elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, hippopotamuses, zebras, wolves, monkeys, wild cats, lynxes, cougars, bears, and African civets; further notes that several parties made election pledges to ban hunting trophies in their manifestos, including the Government; acknowledges that a Private Members Bill drafted by the previous Government enjoyed strong cross-party support and passed unanimously in the House; recognises that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs conducted an extensive public consultation exercise involving 44,000 stakeholders, 86% of whom back a trophy import ban, that opinion polls show overwhelming voter support for an immediate and comprehensive ban; and strongly urges the Government to now bring forward a Bill in Government time which implements a world-leading ban without any further delay.

98Jools' Law petition

Tabled: 2/09/24 Signatories: 5

Max Wilkinson

Jim Shannon

Andrew George

Ayoub Khan

Lisa Smart

That this House notes the 126,033 signatures on the petition for Jools’ Law, relating to parental rights of access to children's social media accounts; further notes that current legislation lags behind the progress of social media, leading to concern for many parents seeking protection of their children; notes that the Petitions Committee will not automatically consider the aforementioned petition for debate when the Committee is reconvened; and appeals to the new Petitions Committee to consider the petition for debate.

99High streets

Tabled: 2/09/24 Signatories: 9

Sarah Gibson

Vikki Slade

Christine Jardine

Jim Shannon

Andrew George

Claire Young

That this House welcomes the new report by the Federation of Small Businesses entitled The Future of the High Street; recognises that local communities and local businesses working together on the high street lies at the heart of economic prosperity; and acknowledges that, from local business support to specialised funds, reforming business rates and improving infrastructure, we must work together to transform high streets into places that meet future needs and support the next generation of entrepreneurs, which is essential for a thriving economy.

102Levenmouth Treasure Trails winners

Tabled: 2/09/24 Signatories: 3

Wendy Chamberlain

Jim Shannon

Chris Law

That this House congratulates the six families who won the Levenmouth Treasure Trails competition; celebrates that each family won a free family rail pass to any location in Scotland; acknowledges that the Treasure Trail encouraged people to explore Leven, Kennoway, Methil/Buckhaven and the Wemyss Villages; welcomes this great way to get to know the area; and thanks Fife Council’s roads and transportation service for organising the competition and to everyone who took part.

103Levenmouth Picture Perfect competition winners

Tabled: 2/09/24 Signatories: 3

Wendy Chamberlain

Jim Shannon

Chris Law

That this House congratulates Ruth Vance from Auchtermuchty for winning the competition, and Lynne Muir from Anstruther who was runner up; celebrates that the Fife-based photography competition brought the community together at the Together Levenmouth Hub; recognises the 60 incredible entrants who all received framed editions of their photos; thanks Jim Hamilton for working with Network Rail to organise the competition and for all his wonderful photos on the Levenmouth Building A Railway Facebook page; welcomes that 10 of the photographs are on display for visitors in the Leven and Cameron Bridge stations; and acknowledges the generosity of the winners who have donated their winnings to Castle Hill Centre in Cupar, Cellardyke Tidal Pool and Jim Mathew Camera Collection in St Monans.

104St Andrews named best Scottish seaside town

Tabled: 2/09/24 Signatories: 4

Wendy Chamberlain

Christine Jardine

Jim Shannon

Chris Law

That this House congratulates St Andrews being named best Scottish seaside town by Which?; recognises all the successful local restaurants and shops which attract tourists to boost the local economy while providing wonderful places to eat and shop for locals; celebrates having the oldest golf course in the world and a 15th century university which students from all over the world attend; welcomes St Andrews being home to the country’s first dog-friendly chippy, Cromars Fish & Chips.

105Gambling regulations

Tabled: 2/09/24 Signatories: 7

Dr Beccy Cooper

Jim Shannon

Peter Lamb

John McDonnell

Ellie Chowns

Kate Osborne

That this House notes with concern that the most recent regulations on gambling are from the Gambling Act 2005; considers the need for further affordability checks, levies and advertising limits following the rise of online gambling since 2005; and calls on the Government to act swiftly to implement the recommendations of the Gambling Reform White Paper 2023.

107Bullying in parish and town councils

Tabled: 2/09/24 Signatories: 5

Jon Trickett

Mary Kelly Foy

John McDonnell

Ayoub Khan

Shockat Adam

That this House believes that local parish and town councils play a vital role in our democracy and are central to community life in many parts of our country; expresses its concern that in some councils there are significant issues of bullying, with poor behaviour from councillors towards their fellow representatives and staff; notes that council staff are entitled to protections under employment law but in many cases this does not adequately protect staff from bullying by elected councillors; further believes that more must be done to ensure that parish and town councillors and council staff are able to go about their jobs without feeling unsafe; and calls on the Government to examine what can be done to clamp down on bullying in parish and town councils so that this important part of our democracy can flourish.

111Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty

Tabled: 2/09/24 Signatories: 6

Rachael Maskell

Clive Lewis

John McDonnell

Jim Shannon

Ellie Chowns

Chris Law

That this House supports the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative; notes that the treaty initiative is a global effort to foster international cooperation to accelerate a transition to renewable energy, end the expansion of coal, oil and gas, and support an equitable phase out of existing production; believes that the treaty initiative is in keeping with scientific research, which highlights the urgency of the climate crisis; highlights that, through the phasing out of fossil fuels and the acceleration of a fair energy transition, the treaty seeks to ensure that governments adhere to the Paris Agreement targets; is concerned that the world is currently on a trajectory that could result in seven times more emissions than what is compatible with keeping warming below 1.5ºC; further believes that this treaty promotes international cooperation by explicitly stopping the expansion of fossil fuels and managing a global just transition away from coal, oil and gas in a manner that is both fast and fair, so that no worker, community or country is left behind; further notes that the treaty has been backed by a growing global network of governments, civil society organisations, academics, scientists, youth activists, health professionals, faith institutions, Indigenous peoples and hundreds of thousands of other citizens globally; recognises the importance of this treaty; and calls on the Government to put its full support behind the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative.

114Northern Ireland Olympians 2024

Tabled: 2/09/24 Signatories: 4

Mr Gregory Campbell

Jim Shannon

Shockat Adam

Tonia Antoniazzi

That this House notes the outstanding success at the Paris Olympic Games of athletes from Northern Ireland, with many achieving personal bests and six athletes winning medals including Hannah Scott and Jack McMillan with gold, Rebecca Shorten with silver for Team GB, Daniel Wiffin with gold and bronze, Rhys McClenaghan with gold, and Philip Doyle with silver for Team Ireland; expresses the hope that funding can continue to be made available so that these successes can be built upon for the future; and draws attention to the remarkable success of the Bann Rowing Club with Hannah Scott joining the Chambers brothers and Alan Campbell in the 2012 Games providing four Olympic medals from a small club in Coleraine.

115Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Regulations 2024

Tabled: 2/09/24 Signatories: 22

Neil Duncan-Jordan

Zarah Sultana

Rachael Maskell

Jon Trickett

Clive Lewis

Nadia Whittome

That this House expresses its concern that The Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Regulations 2024 are being introduced without prior consultation or an impact assessment, nor with sufficient time to put in place a proper and effective take-up campaign for Pension Credit; notes this approach fails to take account for those people with modest incomes that are just above the entitlement threshold for Pension Credit; further notes the worrying annual excess winter death figures among pensioners; recognises the impact a sharp rise in the energy price cap of 10% from 1 October will have on pensioners which will not be helped by introducing a bureaucratic and unpopular means test which undermines the benefits of universalism when older people have higher energy costs due to comorbidities and poor housing insulation; further recognises that colder homes make older people more susceptible to poor health, including hyperthermia, respiratory and circulatory disease; and calls on the Government to postpone the ending of Winter Fuel Payments and establish a comprehensive strategy to tackle fuel poverty, health inequality and low incomes among older people.

122Overseas constituencies

Tabled: 2/09/24 Signatories: 7

Christine Jardine

Vikki Slade

Claire Young

Ian Roome

Jim Shannon

Wendy Chamberlain

That this House notes that the Elections Act 2022 increased the number of UK citizens living abroad that are eligible to vote in UK elections to approximately 3.5 million; further notes that UK citizens residing abroad are represented by the hon. Member from their last place of residence in the UK, which may be distant from their current place of residence; notes that the establishment of overseas constituencies would allow UK citizens living abroad to be represented by an MP who is experienced in dealing with the range of problems overseas residents face; notes that parliaments in 17 countries have overseas constituency MPs; and calls on the Government to work with the Boundary Commission to implement overseas constituencies for the House of Commons and with the Electoral Commission and groups representing UK citizens abroad to run a registration drive for eligible citizens to explain how they can register to vote.

124Retirement of John Cater

Tabled: 2/09/24 Signatories: 5

Luke Myer

Bill Esterson

Jim Shannon

Ayoub Khan

Mary Kelly Foy

That this House congratulates John Cater on fifty years of service to the higher education sector, including thirty years leading Edge Hill University, making him the longest-serving vice chancellor in UK higher education; thanks him for his dedication to higher education, widening access to education, and the student experience; recognises his achievements over the last five decades, notably his stewardship of Edge Hill’s institutional development from a medium-sized college into a University with a student population of more than 14,000 and a range of disciplines and fields of research; notes the significant development in the physical infrastructure of the institution’s campus during his tenure, with over £350m invested in facilities; recognises the economic impact of the University under John’s leadership, with an estimated £175.9m contributed in a given year principally in the north of England; pays tribute to John for his values-driven approach to leadership, which has been reflected in the mission and work of the institution; and wishes John a relaxing and very well-deserved retirement.

12510th International Yoga Day

Tabled: 2/09/24 Signatories: 4

Bob Blackman

John McDonnell

Jim Shannon

Chris Law

That this House, whilst celebrating the 10th International Day of Yoga this year, notes that modern-day Yoga techniques have been developed by vested commercial interests, taking Indian classical Yoga away from its roots and value system and limited to certain selective practices and processes; calls on the Yoga fraternity, in its core curriculum, to restore its Vedic roots and core values and principles to create a disease-free society; urges the widespread application of Yoga in prevention and well-being initiatives within the National Health Service for both patients and staff, along with the other natural, prevention-oriented and cost-effective modalities from India’s traditional sciences, such as Ayurveda; is aware that there may be as many as approximately 5.5 million people in the UK suffering from Long Covid and that the All Party Parliamentary Group Indian Traditional Sciences has taken a lead for many years in encouraging a pluralistic approach to health through the NHS and has sought opportunities to bring parties together to further research in Yoga and Ayurveda, an example of which is the current study at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, into the effect of Ashwaganda in the treatment of Long Covid; and encourages all sectors of business and industry to make Yoga learning widely available and provide facilities for its practice in all workplaces to enhance the well-being and productivity of all employees.

126Accelerating construction work and lower carbon construction vehicles

Tabled: 2/09/24 Signatories: 11

Mr Alistair Carmichael

Ian Roome

Christine Jardine

Jim Shannon

Andrew George

Wendy Chamberlain

That this House recognises the benefits of the production of concrete with zero waste, fewer lorry movements and minimal water waste by greener volumetric mobile concrete plants (VCMs); acknowledges that since their invention in 1975 and following regulations in 2918, VCMs have operated safely in the UK at 38.4 tonnes on 4 axles and 44 tonnes on 5 axles, with on-board concrete pumps that eliminate the need for separate pump lorries; welcomes the Government’s commitment when in Opposition to reverse the damaging decision of the previous Government to impose a universal weight cut to 32 tonnes on VCMs at the same time as permitting higher weights for electric HGVs; notes this reversal also has the support of former Conservative Transport Ministers and Hon Members from across all the major political parties; further notes that unless action is taken, the sole UK manufacturer of 44T VCMs in Sheffield will cease trading; also notes Denmark raised the weight limit for VCMs from 32 tonnes to 38 tonnes and in Italy and Scandinavia 44 tonne VCMs are road-legal; and urges the Government act swiftly to bring in a Statutory Instrument or other measure to make permanent instead of temporary the current 38.4T and 44T weight limits to safeguard 15,000 skilled jobs, contributing £380 million to the UK economy each year.

129Conduct of Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill CBE

Tabled: 3/09/24 Signatories: 2

Shockat Adam

Iqbal Mohamed

That this House notes that award-winning railway engineer, Gareth Dennis, was sacked from his role at SYSTRA UK following an intervention by Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill CBE, then Network Rail Chair and now Minister for Rail, over comments Mr Dennis made about overcrowding at Euston Station; further notes that the intervention included threatening to withhold public contracts from SYSTRA unless they took disciplinary action against Mr Dennis; believes this may constitute misconduct in a public office; and calls on the Prime Minister to instruct the Independent Adviser on Ministers’ Interests to launch an immediate inquiry into the conduct of Lord Hendy.

130Period product scheme for schools and colleges (No. 2)

Tabled: 3/09/24 Signatories: 2

Mr Lee Dillon

Jim Shannon

That this House welcomes the period product scheme for schools and colleges; notes that that current scheme was in April of this year extended until July 2025; further notes that a longer duration of support would provide schools and pupils and students who menstruate, or may later start menstruating, who may not identify as female but, instead, identify as transgender or non-binary, with the knowledge that this scheme won’t be removed during their school lives; recognises that the scheme only allows for tights to be purchased during winter and autumn terms and that young women who wear tights all year round aren’t able to benefit from this scheme in the summer term; calls upon the Department of Education to declare a longer term commitment to this scheme and to include the purchasing of tights all year round; and encourages hon. Members to make their schools aware of the scheme.

131Home-to-school transport

Tabled: 3/09/24 Signatories: 4

Ayoub Khan

Jeremy Corbyn

Jim Shannon

Shockat Adam

That this House expresses concern and regret that ever more extreme cuts to local government are causing local authorities to cut post-16 home-to-school transport for those in receipt of an EHCP who require it; calls upon the Government to make post-16 home-to-school transport a statutory service for those who require it; and further calls upon the Government to support councils in fully funding this vital lifeline for SEND children.

132Asda equal pay

Tabled: 3/09/24 Signatories: 6

Ayoub Khan

Jeremy Corbyn

Jim Shannon

Shockat Adam

Graham Leadbitter

Grahame Morris

That this House condemns pay discrimination in all its forms; expresses its full solidarity with the over 50,000 current and former Asda retail workers who have lodged an equal pay claim against the firm; further condemns pay discrimination at Asda which has seen women workers on the shop floor earn up to £2.84 less per hour than their male counterparts in warehouses; and calls upon Asda to commence settlement negotiations with unions regarding pay discrimination in its stores.

134Spot Leukaemia campaign

Tabled: 3/09/24 Signatories: 4

Sorcha Eastwood

Mary Kelly Foy

Christine Jardine

Shockat Adam

That this House supports the Spot Leukaemia campaign held during Blood Cancer Awareness Month; recognises that September is Blood Cancer Awareness Month; highlights that Spot Leukaemia is a campaign with a focus on earlier diagnosis of leukaemia; further highlights that Leukaemia UK and Leukaemia Care work together each year to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of leukaemia among the public and improve clinical practices so that people presenting with symptoms can access vital diagnostic tests within 48 hours of referral; notes that an inexpensive full blood count is all that is needed to detect leukaemia; expresses strong concern that only a third of patients presenting with leukaemia symptoms receive an urgent full blood count within 48 hours of presenting with symptoms as recommended by the NICE NG12 guidelines; further notes that of 1,000 UK general practitioners surveyed 30% cited reasons for not meeting the recommendations of the NICE NG12 guidelines, including the lack of capacity within phlebotomy services; understands the need for increased GP and phlebotomy capacity within the NHS, in order to diagnose leukaemia earlier and adhere to the NICE guidelines; and acknowledges that phlebotomy services should be part of community diagnostic centres, as recommended in the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Diagnostics report.