Commons business papers

Contents

Published – Wednesday 16 October 2024

Early Day Motions tabled on Tuesday 15 October 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

253140th anniversary of Ballywillan Flute Band

Tabled: 15/10/24 Signatories: 1

Mr Gregory Campbell

That this House recognises that Ballywillan Flute Band, formed in 1884 in Portrush, Northern Ireland, is celebrating 140 years since its formation, and has ensured that thousands of young people down through that time have learned to play a variety of musical instruments demonstrating a high degree of excellence, having entertained tens of thousands of people over the years at parades, sporting events and other functions; commends all those associated with the Band; and expresses the hope that the good work will continue for many decades to come.

254Betty Rhodick, community activist and founder of Lochgilphead Armed Forces Day

Tabled: 15/10/24 Signatories: 1

Brendan O'Hara

That this House notes with great sadness the death of Betty Rhodick of Lochgilphead, a community volunteer and fundraiser, whose activities across more than four decades, impacted just about everyone in the Mid-Argyll area; is reminded that although originally from Huntly in Aberdeenshire, following her marriage to Geordie, a member of the Queen’s Guard in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, Betty settled in the village Kilmichael and immediately became an active member of Dunadd Community Council and the Women’s Rural Institute; acknowledges that Betty’s service to her community saw her volunteer for the local Health and Social Care service Integrated Joint Board, as well as the board of the Argyll Community Housing Association, where she championed many causes including giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament on behalf of travelling people in Argyll; recalls that through her work with the Mid Argyll hospital, the Richmond Fellowship and Enable Scotland, she supported and cared for people with learning disabilities living in her community; acknowledges however that Betty Rhodick will be best remembered for instigating and organising, along with husband Geordie and their family, the annual Lochgilphead Armed Forces Day, an event which has grown over the years to become one of the major events in Argyll and Bute; is delighted to know that shortly before she died, Betty’s contribution to her community was recognised when she was presented with the Argyll and Bute Council Provost’s Award by Provost Dougie Philand; and sends it deepest condolences to Geordie and the family.

255West Berkshire Volunteer Centre

Tabled: 15/10/24 Signatories: 1

Mr Lee Dillon

That this House recognises the efforts of the West Berkshire Volunteer Centre, which has provided advice and information on volunteering to 403 individuals; acknowledges their ongoing community car scheme, which completed nearly 1,500 journeys last year, helping elderly residents attend appointments across the county; further recognises their Shopmobility service, which provided 1,875 pieces of equipment, including manual wheelchairs and mobility scooters, for residents to hire; thanks the organisation for their promotion of the importance of Suicide Prevention First Aid within local communities; and commends their close work with Welfare Officers at the West Berkshire Council Response Hub in supporting Ukrainian families in the community.

256Ceasefire in Lebanon

Tabled: 15/10/24 Signatories: 1

Richard Foord

That this House expresses its alarm at the escalation of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah; supports steps taken at the UN, including by the UK, to secure a statement supporting an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah; urges all parties to de-escalate and uphold international law, including the protection of civilians; believes that it is important that all those displaced should be able to return home, but that an Israeli ground invasion risks further de-stabilising the entire region; further urges the Government to increase humanitarian aid to Lebanon in light of the humanitarian crisis there; further believes it is not in the UK’s interest for Lebanon to become a failed state; recognises that only a political and diplomatic solution will deliver security to either side of the blue line and enable hundreds of thousands of displaced people to return home; and calls on all parties to work towards that solution and a lasting peace.

257Infant head measurements

Tabled: 15/10/24 Signatories: 1

Alex Brewer

That this House believes in the urgent need for regularly measuring each infant's head circumference to effectively identify early signs of hydrocephalus, also known as water on the brain; notes that hydrocephalus is the most common reason for brain surgery in children, with an estimated 1 in 770 babies diagnosed annually; emphasises that early diagnosis is critical for treatments to be successful, and a rapidly increasing head circumference, specifically an increase of 2 or more centile lines on a growth chart, serves as a key indicator of the condition; highlights that the UK conducts fewer head circumference checks than many other developed countries; and recognises that infants are already checked by health workers on a regular basis and that these routine checks could be used to increase the frequency of head measurements in order to save lives.

258Socio-economic Duty

Tabled: 15/10/24 Signatories: 1

Neil Duncan-Jordan

That this House recognises the importance of equality in our society and the urgent need to commence the Socio-economic Duty (SED) as outlined in Section 1 of the Equality Act 2010; calls on the Government to establish a commission for the successful delivery, implementation and roll out of the SED; acknowledges that this commission should include trade unions, campaign organisations and community groups; believes a crucial role for the commission would be to secure the promotion and participation of ‘Equalities’ trade union representatives within the trade union and bargaining structures across our economy; encourages public participation and meaningful engagement with those closest to the issues as a key principle for SED implementation; establishes the appropriate funding of the Equality and Human Rights Commission to provide a regulatory framework for the SED and develop strong, clear and supportive training of policymakers throughout society to understand and utilise the SED.

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.

15950th anniversary of the Federation of Small Businesses

Tabled: 10/09/24 Signatories: 18

Matt Western

Adam Jogee

Jim Shannon

Ayoub Khan

Mr Toby Perkins

Sonia Kumar

That this House congratulates the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), formerly known as the National Federation of Self Employed (NFSE) on its 50th birthday; remembers that in 1974, one small business owner, Captain Norman Small, wrote to the press to begin a small business movement; recalls that Small invited small business owners to attend a meeting in his hometown of Lytham St Annes and, at that meeting, he put forward the idea of an organisation designed to promote the voice of the self-employed; further remembers that similar meetings in other parts of the country followed and that within nine months the NFSE had a membership of 25,000 with 200 new members joining every day; acknowledges that 50 years later FSB is the UK’s largest membership organisation for small businesses and the self-employed; and reflects on the range of day-to-day business tools, local support networks, and member-only savings provided today by FSB, and looks forward to the next 50 years of FSB.

169Pension credit threshold

Tabled: 11/09/24 Signatories: 33

Mike Amesbury

Kim Johnson

Andrew Cooper

Mrs Sarah Russell

Chris Webb

Connor Naismith

That this House notes that the current threshold of pension support to open the gate way of winter fuel allowance is too low; further notes the need to change the cliff-edge nature of the pension credit threshold; and calls upon the Government to capture the gateway support for those citizens with small occupational pensions that take them just above the threshold.

170Uber and private hire drivers

Tabled: 12/09/24 Signatories: 5

Ayoub Khan

Iqbal Mohamed [R]

Ellie Chowns

Shockat Adam

Carla Denyer

That this House expresses its unequivocal solidarity with Uber and other private hire drivers across the UK, recognising the vital role they play in the modern transportation network; notes with concern the ongoing challenges they face including precarious working conditions, potential algorithmic discrimination, insufficient pay, and lack of employment rights; acknowledges the findings of the Taylor Review of Modern Working Practices which highlights the urgent need for employment protections and fair treatment in the gig economy; calls on the Government to implement robust measures to protect these workers from exploitation, ensuring they receive fair pay, sick leave, and holiday entitlement; and urges Uber and other private hire companies to adhere to UK employment laws as ruled by the Supreme Court, end any algorithmic discrimination taking place, and treat their drivers with the dignity and respect they deserve.

171Supreme Court ruling on Tesco and fire and rehire practices

Tabled: 12/09/24 Signatories: 12

Tracy Gilbert [R]

Kim Johnson

John McDonnell

Mary Kelly Foy

Kate Osborne

Neil Duncan-Jordan

That this House welcomes the Supreme Court judgment yesterday in the case of Tesco Stores Ltd v Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers and others; notes that the outcome protects workers’ rights to retained pay and essential rules that fire and rehire cannot be used to undermine pay and conditions; congratulates USDAW for supporting their members through what has been a protracted legal process and is encouraged that the highest court in this land agrees that fire and rehire is not a lawful practise; and further welcomes the Government's New Deal for Workers which will ban this awful practise as well as increase workers pay, ban the use of exploitative zero-hour contracts and give workers employment protection from day one.

187Scientific hearing on animal experiments

Tabled: 7/10/24 Signatories: 6

John McDonnell

Brian Leishman

Mary Kelly Foy

Ellie Chowns

Jon Trickett

Carla Denyer

That this House applauds the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022, enshrining in law the ability of animals to experience joy and feel suffering and pain; notes the science-based campaign For Life On Earth, with its Beagle Ambassador, rescued laboratory dog Betsy; is shocked to see the continuing harrowing exposés that show thousands of laboratory dogs being intensively bred in the UK, underlining the consequences of that Act; notes that scientists in the wider scientific community, outside of the animal-based research sector, acknowledge the failure of animal testing in the search for human treatments and cures, and that those experts include pharmaceutical industry scientists, an Editor in Chief of the British Medical Journal, the US-based National Cancer Institute, which states cures for cancer have been lost because studies in rodents were believed, and the Food and Drug Administration, which states that nine out of ten new medicines fail to pass human trials because animals cannot predict responses in humans; further notes the Trans-Species Modelling Theory, founded upon the theory of evolution, which explains why animals fail as predictive models of humans; and calls on the Government to mandate a rigorous public scientific hearing, judged by independent experts from the relevant science fields, to cease the funding of the now-proven failed practice of animal experimentation and increase funding for state of the art human-based research, such as human-on-a-chip and gene-based medicine, to prioritise treatments and cures for human patients, and to stop the suffering of innocent laboratory dogs and other animals.

195Fundraising efforts of Jessica and Matt Parsons

Tabled: 7/10/24 Signatories: 4

Wera Hobhouse

Jim Shannon

Steve Darling

Christine Jardine

That this House recognises the fundraising efforts of Jessica and Matt Parsons, residents of Bath, who have raised over £3,000 in a single day during a 1,000-mile static bike ride organised by Matt and his colleagues at Avon Fire and Rescue in support of Cancer Research UK; notes that their ongoing fundraising work will include their upcoming challenge in October 2024, where Matt will cycle 874km from Bath to Lyon, followed by participating in the Lyon Marathon, to raise further funds for life-saving cancer research; further recognises the extraordinary resilience of Jessica, who, after being diagnosed with two separate forms of breast cancer and enduring extensive treatment, remains dedicated to raising awareness and funds to ensure a better future for others facing the disease; acknowledges the importance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October as a timely reminder for all, men and women, to regularly check themselves for early signs of cancer; and calls on the Government to continue supporting cancer research, awareness initiatives, and early diagnosis programmes to help improve survival rates and provide hope for all affected by cancer.

19975th anniversary of the Cheltenham Literature Festival

Tabled: 7/10/24 Signatories: 7

Max Wilkinson

Jim Shannon

Tristan Osborne

Mary Kelly Foy

Caroline Voaden

Dr Roz Savage

That this House celebrates the 75th anniversary of Cheltenham Literature Festival; recognises its role as a leading cultural event; and commends its schools programme, which engages 23,000 pupils annually in reading for pleasure, proven to be a key indicator of a child's future success.

206Grangemouth refinery

Tabled: 7/10/24 Signatories: 16

Brian Leishman

Jim Shannon

Ian Lavery

Tracy Gilbert

Euan Stainbank

Dave Doogan

That this House calls on the Government to take a transitional stake in the Grangemouth refinery to ensure its continued operation until a viable green energy alternative is in place; urges the Government to guarantee all jobs during the transition period; stresses that the Government must be ready to act as investor of first resort to secure the future of the site; believes such urgent action is necessary to safeguard workers, protect energy security and ensure a just transition to greener industries; understands that the proposed closure of the refinery in quarter-two 2025 would lead to high-skilled job losses, including 400 direct job losses and thousands of additional job losses through the wider supply chain; recognises the pivotal role of the Grangemouth site for Scotland’s economy and its energy infrastructure; and urges the Government to act without delay to ensure that the workers and community of Grangemouth are supported, and that the transition to new, sustainable industries occurs without loss of employment or industrial capacity.

207Conflict in the Middle East

Tabled: 7/10/24 Signatories: 36

Calum Miller

Monica Harding

James MacCleary

Helen Maguire

Jess Brown-Fuller

Andrew George

That this House expresses its deep concern at the escalation in the Middle East; recognises the role played by UK and US forces in response to Iran’s condemnable attacks; believes it is right that we have played our part in preventing escalation; expresses gratitude to our military personnel; calls on the UK Government now to urge Israel to act in the interest of the protection of civilians and the long-term security of the region; further believes that Israel, like any country, has a right to keep its people safe and secure, but that having neutralised Iran’s attack on 1 October 2024, the best way to do this is not to retaliate and risk a regional war; also believes that a regional war would be devastating to innocent civilians, be they Israeli, Iranian, Palestinian or Lebanese; urges firm action on Iran; notes that Iran continually arms its terrorist proxy groups, Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis; further urges the UK Government to proscribe the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation; further calls upon the Government, with a view to using its sanctions regime, to examine flows of illicit money into the UK from those linked to the Iranian regime; also calls on the UK Government to urge all parties to end the cycle of violence and put their energies to a diplomatic and political solution with immediate ceasefires in Lebanon and Gaza, humanitarian disasters resolved, hostages released and, ultimately, a lasting peace secured.

208Peace in the Middle East

Tabled: 7/10/24 Signatories: 43

Calum Miller

Monica Harding

James MacCleary

Helen Maguire

Brian Leishman

Jess Brown-Fuller

That this House notes its deep alarm at the escalation of violence in the Middle East amidst the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, 100 Israelis still being held hostage and a new humanitarian crisis in Lebanon; urges the Government to work to bring about immediate bilateral ceasefires in Lebanon and Gaza, including demanding the unconditional release of the hostages and pressing for more access for humanitarian aid; stresses the importance of upholding international law and the role of international courts including respecting in full the ICJ advisory opinion on the occupation and legislating to cease trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank as well as including connected entities in the scope of sanctions against extremist settlers; urges the Government to enact a presumption of denial for arms exports to governments listed by the Foreign Office as human rights priorities and accordingly immediate suspend arms exports to Israel; calls on the Government to recognise the existential threat of Iran including by proscribing the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps and conducting an audit of UK-based assets owned by Iranian officials; and further urges the Government to press for a two-state solution based on 1967 borders, including by immediately recognising the state of Palestine, working with peace-builders in Israel and Palestine who call for two-states, working with the international community to identify future democratic leaders of Palestine and investing in peace, such as the International Fund for Middle East Peace, as well as using trade as a tool for peace.

209Immediate ceasefire in Lebanon

Tabled: 7/10/24 Signatories: 37

Monica Harding

Brian Leishman

Jess Brown-Fuller

Susan Murray

Calum Miller

Andrew George

That this House expresses its alarm at the escalation of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah; supports steps taken at the UN, including by the UK, to secure a statement supporting an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah; urges all parties to de-escalate and uphold international law, including the protection of civilians; believes that it is important that all those displaced should be able to return home, but that an Israeli ground invasion risks further de-stabilising the entire region; urges the Government to increase humanitarian aid to Lebanon in light of the humanitarian crisis there; further believes it is not in the UK’s interest for Lebanon to become a failed state; also believes that only a political and diplomatic solution will deliver security to either side of the blue line and enable hundreds of thousands of displaced people to return home; and urges all parties to work towards that solution and a lasting peace.

210Transition to animal-free research and testing

Tabled: 7/10/24 Signatories: 18

Ruth Jones

John McDonnell

Rebecca Long Bailey

Ian Byrne

Euan Stainbank

Sammy Wilson

That this House notes 2.68 million scientific procedures were carried out on animals in British laboratories in 2023; further notes the urgent need to accelerate medical progress, with over 92 per cent of drugs that show promise in animal tests failing to reach the clinic and benefit patients; recognises the transformative potential of animal-free methods such as organ-on-a-chip and computer modelling, which provide results that are directly relevant to humans; supports Animal Free Research UK’s call for Herbie’s Law, which would set a target of replacing animal experiments in medical research by 2035, describing how progress will be maintained and scientists supported with the transition; and urges the Government to show global leadership by introducing this progressive legislation.

21120th anniversary of Parkrun

Tabled: 7/10/24 Signatories: 25

Tom Gordon

Jim Shannon

Mr Joshua Reynolds

Helen Morgan

John Milne

Mr Will Forster

That this House celebrates the 20th anniversary of Parkrun, which was founded in 2004 in Bushy Park, London, and now operates in 20 countries with millions of participants worldwide, encouraging physical activity, community spirit, and inclusivity, providing free, weekly, timed 5k events that are accessible to all regardless of age, ability, or background; commends the remarkable volunteers whose dedication makes Parkrun possible, acknowledges the health benefits it has brought to communities, and applauds the positive mental and physical wellbeing fostered by this initiative; and calls on the Government to support such grassroots physical activity initiatives that contribute to healthier, more connected communities across the UK.

213Value of grasslands

Tabled: 8/10/24 Signatories: 21

Wera Hobhouse

Jim Shannon

Ayoub Khan

Tom Gordon

Liz Jarvis

Andrew George

That this House acknowledges the value of nature-rich grasslands and the people who manage them, from meadows and pastures, to road verges and community grassland green spaces; and recognises that a strategic approach by Government is needed to make the most of this multifunctional national asset in order to support nature recovery alongside food production, climate action and public health, as part of a green economy.

216Bank of Scotland closures

Tabled: 8/10/24 Signatories: 6

Jamie Stone

Mr Alistair Carmichael

Wendy Chamberlain

Jim Shannon

Angus MacDonald

Christine Jardine

That this House recognises the impending closure of the Bank of Scotland branch in Golspie in February 2025; further recognises the planned closure of the Bank of Scotland branch in Wick by June 2025; understands that these services are vital to rural communities in the Highlands; highlights the importance of these banks for intercepting fraud; acknowledges that the demand for face to face banking services across the country is high; rebukes the fact that these closures will leave the counties of Caithness and Sutherland without any banks; and calls on the Government to intervene to prevent these closures and force Lloyds Banking Group to uphold this duty of service to their customers.

217Northern Ireland's first Tourism and Hospitality Week

Tabled: 8/10/24 Signatories: 2

Jim Shannon

Adam Jogee

That this House celebrates Northern Ireland's first ever Tourism and Hospitality Week, a joint initiative by all tourism and hospitality bodies to showcase the sector across Northern Ireland and the tremendous impact is has on the economy, celebrated from 26 September to 3 October; remembers the impact that the pandemic had on the hospitality sector, where the number of businesses in the UK fell by 6.5% between 2020 and 2021; notes the efforts made by industry to revive it and bring it back to what is was; highlights Northern Ireland's fantastic SMEs and the contribution they make to local communities; and wishes the hospitality sector many more years of continued success across Northern Ireland.

219School nurses

Tabled: 8/10/24 Signatories: 23

Neil Duncan-Jordan

Sojan Joseph

Jim Shannon

Dr Beccy Cooper

Mary Kelly Foy

Ayoub Khan

That this House recognises the tremendous work being done by public health school nurses; acknowledges they are the only health care professional who offer access to all school-aged children and young people in an evidenced-based programme of health promotion, prevention, protection and early intervention; notes that the number of school nurses has dropped by 31% since 2009; recognises that the average school nurse now cares for an average of 2850 pupils; believes the school nursing service is in crisis with 82% of staff saying there are not enough practitioners to deliver their important duties; and supports the call of the School and Public Health Nurses Association for a school nurse in every school.

221UN’s resolution on Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine and sanctions

Tabled: 8/10/24 Signatories: 51

Richard Burgon

Imran Hussain

Zarah Sultana

Andy McDonald

Ms Diane Abbott

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

That this House welcomes the UN General Assembly’s decision to overwhelmingly adopt a resolution on 18 September calling for Israel to rapidly end its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT); further welcomes that the UN resolution calls on states to comply with their obligations under international law and to take concrete steps to address Israel’s unlawful presence in the OPT; notes this includes calling on states not to act in ways that provide aid or assistance that help maintain Israel’s illegal presence in the OPT, to cease importing products originating from Israeli settlements, to halt arms transfers to Israel where there are reasonable grounds to suspect they may be used in the OPT, to implement sanctions including travel bans and asset freezes against those involved in maintaining Israel’s unlawful presence in the OPT, and to take steps to prevent all other trade that aids or assists the illegal occupation; further notes the UN General Assembly’s resolution follows an International Court of Justice (ICJ) advisory opinion that Israel’s decades-long occupation violates international law and which calls on states not to act in ways that maintain this unlawful situation; believes the adoption of this resolution places new obligations on the Government; and calls on the Government to act in support of the UN resolution and ICJ opinion including by ending all military exports to Israel, banning the import of goods from illegal Israeli settlements and revoking the 2030 Roadmap which deepens UK economic, trade and security ties with Israel.

225Business relief for pubs

Tabled: 9/10/24 Signatories: 24

Liz Jarvis

Jim Shannon

Ellie Chowns

Edward Morello

John Milne

Manuela Perteghella

That this House recognises the crucial role that pubs play in Eastleigh, as social hubs, cultural landmarks, and significant contributors to the local economy; notes with concern the growing number of nationwide pub closures, with 749 pub businesses entering insolvency in 2023; further notes that the current business rates system places a disproportionate financial burden on pubs compared to other sectors; and believes that reform of the business rates system is urgently needed to ensure the sustainability of pubs in Eastleigh and across the UK.

226World Mental Health Day and rural communities

Tabled: 9/10/24 Signatories: 51

Sarah Dyke

Wendy Chamberlain

Jim Shannon

Mary Kelly Foy

Sarah Gibson

Ellie Chowns

That this House recognises World Mental Health Day; is concerned about the mental wellbeing of the nation’s agricultural and rural communities; is worried by the findings of RABI’s Big Farming Survey that revealed 36% of respondents had mental wellbeing scores sufficiently low enough to cause concern; is aware that farmers are working in ever increasingly difficult circumstances; is alarmed by new research from the Farm Safety Foundation revealing that 44% of farmers aged between 41 and 60 are working more than 80 hours a week; notes the link between mental health and financial stability; is further alarmed by research from Riverford Organic that 61% of farmers feel that they will have to give up their farms in the next 18 months due to financial pressures; calls on the Government to ensure that the agricultural budget is not reduced; welcomes actions from groups such as Farmerados who provide spaces for farmers to talk and connect; further notes the impact of rural isolation; believes that there should be greater integration between Government departments in supporting rural communities to access mental health services; and supports the extended rollout of rural health hubs.

227120th anniversary of Friary Shoes

Tabled: 9/10/24 Signatories: 5

Dave Robertson

Jim Shannon

Mary Kelly Foy

Jacob Collier

Chris Bloore

That this House congratulates Friary Shoes of Lichfield on reaching the 120th anniversary of their first opening in Lombard Street in 1904; notes that Friary Shoes is the oldest independently owned retail outlet in Lichfield and has made a significant contribution to the local economy; and further congratulates the Smith and Lumb families for their resilience in sustaining the business through two world wars, two pandemics, and a host of economic crises during its 120-year history.

228Ban on prison officer industrial action

Tabled: 9/10/24 Signatories: 25

Grahame Morris

Mary Kelly Foy

Richard Burgon

Rachael Maskell

John McDonnell

Liz Saville Roberts

That this House notes it has been 30 years since prison officers in the UK were banned from taking industrial action under Section 127 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994; further notes that prison officers in Scotland have had the right to strike enshrined in law since 2015, yet there have been no strikes since then, only improved industrial relations; believes this draconian restriction, especially in the absence of an effective and impartial means of binding resolution of disputes in the course of collective bargaining, renders the UK in breach of its obligations under international laws that it has ratified and by which it is bound, including the European Social Charter and ILO Convention 87 on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise; further believes this lack of industrial muscle leaves prison officers unfairly and dangerously at the mercy of prison service management and without leverage to challenge Government policy with respect to pay, terms and conditions; expresses solidarity with the POA union, which has campaigned tirelessly over three decades for the return of these basic industrial rights; welcomes the Government’s commitment to repealing anti-trade-union legislation introduced by previous administrations; and calls on the Government to include Section 127 in the legislation to be repealed.

229World Homelessness Day 2024

Tabled: 9/10/24 Signatories: 62

Layla Moran

Calum Miller

Wendy Chamberlain

Anna Sabine

Tom Gordon

Steff Aquarone

That this House marks World Homelessness Day 2024; notes with concern that 3,898 people were found sleeping rough in England in the autumn snapshot 2023; further notes that 11,880 people were served no fault eviction notices in the year ending in March 2024 and one in 200 households were living in emergency temporary housing; expresses regret that the Vagrancy Act 1824, which criminalises rough sleepers, remains in operation despite the House voting to scrap it; further notes that 469 people have been arrested under the Act since the Government committed to scrap it in April 2022; and calls on the Government to urgently scrap the Vagrancy Act and commit to a compassionate approach to rough sleeping.

231Lothian Buses, Bus Operator of the Year award

Tabled: 10/10/24 Signatories: 6

Dr Scott Arthur

Blair McDougall

Jim Shannon

Kirsteen Sullivan

Mary Kelly Foy

Tracy Gilbert

That this House congratulates Edinburgh-based Lothian Buses on being awarded the much coveted status of Bus Operator of the Year at the National Transport Awards; agrees that this achievement is testament to the hard work of staff across Lothian Buses; notes that all trips within the service are only £2, that those under 22 or over 60 travel for free, and that there are daily and weekly caps on contactless ticketing limited to £4.80 and £22 respectively; further notes that, for 2023, Lothian Buses issued a £3.2m dividend to its municipal owners; highlights that, in 2023, the municipal operator carried 110 million customers within the Edinburgh City Region, an increase of 17% on 2022; also notes that this growth has been underpinned by training 450 drivers in 2023, and that they join a cohort of some of the best paid in the industry; respects that the Ministry of Defence has awarded Lothian Buses gold status as part of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, and won the silver award in the Employer of the Year category at the Scottish Veterans Awards; agrees that, not only does Lothian Buses provide millions of reliable journeys to passengers every week, it also supports efficient, sustainable public transport, and our net zero goals, the impacts of which will benefit the city and our country for generations to come; and thanks all at Lothian Buses for the work they do across the city region every day to connect us with work, study, leisure, friends and family.

232UN Special Rapporteur's report on atrocity crimes in Iran

Tabled: 10/10/24 Signatories: 4

Bob Blackman

Ellie Chowns

Jim Shannon

Martin Vickers

That this House welcomes the landmark Atrocity Crimes report by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Iran, published by the OHCHR in July 2024, which sheds light on grave human rights violations, including the 1988 massacre of political prisoners; notes that the report states that there is considerable evidence that mass killings, torture and other inhumane acts against members of the People's Mojahedin Organisation of Iran were conducted with genocidal intent; commends Professor Javaid Rehman for his six years of service as the Special Rapporteur; condemns the Iranian regime's subsequent smear campaign against Professor Rehman, including false and malicious allegations aimed at discrediting his integrity and impartiality; recognises that these attacks stem from his unwavering commitment to fulfilling his mandate and his refusal to be intimidated by the Iranian government; believes that the Special Rapporteur’s report opens a pathway to justice and an end to impunity in Iran; looks forward to working with Professor Rehman's successor, Dr. Mai Sato, in pursuing the quest for accountability; supports the No to Executions campaign; and calls on the Government to support initiatives aimed at holding the Iranian regime accountable for its human rights violations, including the 1988 massacre.

233Hospice funding

Tabled: 10/10/24 Signatories: 30

Mr Lee Dillon

Helen Morgan

Sarah Gibson

Iqbal Mohamed

Bob Blackman

Luke Taylor

That this House recognises the importance of hospices in the UK, which care for over 300,000 people each year; is deeply concerned about the current funding crisis facing hospices, due to rising costs over several years; acknowledges that the commissioning of hospice services by integrated care boards is currently not fit for purpose, putting at risk the value they provide to individuals and the wider health system; notes that Government funding, which accounts for one-third of hospice income, has not kept pace with inflation; understands that continued financial pressure could lead to cuts in services and staff redundancies; and urges the Government to review the current funding model for hospices.

234HMS Formidable steel-cutting

Tabled: 10/10/24 Signatories: 4

Graeme Downie

Mary Kelly Foy

Jim Shannon

Dr Scott Arthur

That this House congratulates the workforce at the Rosyth Dockyard in Fife on the occasion of the steel-cutting of the third Type 31 Frigate, HMS Formidable, which is being constructed at the site; welcomes the progress underway on HMS Venturer and HMS Active as the fastest undertaken from concept to build of any ship of this size in the world; believes the Type 31 programme will deliver a flexible, effective and efficient platform for the Royal Navy; recognises the economic contribution of Rosyth Dockyard to the economy of Dunfermline and Dollar constituency, Scotland and the rest of the UK, employing a total of 2,500 staff directly on site and providing a total of £390 million investment to the Scottish economy; and urges the Government to continue to take steps to secure orders for the export version of the ship, Arrowhead 140, to our allies to increase our own, and global, security.

236World Mental Health Day 2024

Tabled: 10/10/24 Signatories: 34

Dr Danny Chambers

Helen Morgan

Sarah Gibson

Iqbal Mohamed

Bob Blackman

Dr Beccy Cooper

That this House marks World Mental Health Day, which takes place each year on 10 October, and which raises awareness of mental health issues and promotes positive mental wellbeing globally; notes that the theme for 2024 is workplace mental health; expresses concern that, in 2024, Britain is facing increasing waiting lists for mental health diagnoses for both children and adults; emphasises the importance of talk-therapies, talking openly about mental health to allow individuals to express how they feel and access the support they need; and encourages anyone struggling with mental health issues to reach out for support.

23875th anniversary of Withiel Women's Institute

Tabled: 14/10/24 Signatories: 4

Ben Maguire

Jim Shannon

Jess Brown-Fuller

Christine Jardine

That this House congratulates the Women's Institute in Withiel on their 75th anniversary; recognises the incredible work that this Women's Institute does for the local community; celebrates 75 years of resilience and adaptability in addressing contemporary issues while preserving its core values of inclusivity and community spirit; and further congratulates all current and former members on reaching this remarkable milestone, encouraging continued success and engagement for many more years to come.

239John Briggs and Ripley Hospital League of Friends

Tabled: 14/10/24 Signatories: 2

Linsey Farnsworth

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates John Briggs on the occasion of 50 years of voluntary service with Ripley Hospital's League of Friends; thanks him for the service he has offered to the people of Ripley, his fundraising efforts which in the past 24 years have funded improvement projects totalling in excess of £2 million, and his careful stewardship as treasurer and custodian of donations; and looks forward to the continuing success of the Ripley Hospital League of Friends .

240Veterans and the Winter Fuel Payment

Tabled: 14/10/24 Signatories: 16

Helen Maguire

Mike Martin

Richard Foord

Jim Shannon

Steff Aquarone

Wendy Chamberlain

That this House expresses its concern that changes to Winter Fuel Payment eligibility rules will adversely impact veterans; notes that these changes have been introduced with little notice as the winter months approach, and have been made without a full impact assessment; further notes with concern that this approach fails to take into account those with high energy needs because of illness or disability, those who live in energy inefficient homes, and those on modest incomes just above the entitlement threshold for Pension Credit; and calls on the Government to protect veterans from losing this crucial support by reversing the cuts to the Winter Fuel Payment.

241180th anniversary of the Coleraine Chronicle

Tabled: 14/10/24 Signatories: 2

Mr Gregory Campbell

Jim Shannon

That this House notes that October 2024 marks 180 years since the first edition of the Coleraine Chronicle newspaper was produced; further notes that in the decades that have followed, it has provided to the local community of the Causeway Coastal region, coverage of major developments from Home Rule through to World Wars, more recent troubles and prestigious sporting and cultural events; recognises that the Coleraine Chronicle has been a source of information and commentary to local people, not just North Coast residents but the many thousands of visitors, tourists and people who may have left Northern Ireland's shores over the years but still return to visit family and friends and find the Chronicle a news source they want to read and enjoy; and offers heartiest congratulations to all those responsible for the continuing success of the newspaper.

24225th anniversary of Rainbow 88

Tabled: 14/10/24 Signatories: 2

Tom Morrison

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates Rainbow 88 on its 25th anniversary and for being a stalwart of the Cheadle Hulme community in that time; celebrates that in its 25 years the team at Rainbow 88, led by Linda Lam, has fundraised over £400,000 for local charities; and wishes Rainbow 88 a fantastic anniversary celebration.

243Death of Rt hon. Alex Salmond, former First Minister of Scotland

Tabled: 14/10/24 Signatories: 5

Stephen Flynn

Jim Shannon

Mohammad Yasin

Andrew George

Ayoub Khan

That this House expresses its profound sorrow at the death of former First Minister of Scotland, Rt hon. Alex Salmond; sends its sympathy and condolences to his family, friends and legions of followers; recognises his immense contribution to Scottish public life and Scotland's modern political story; and deeply appreciates his service over many decades as an MP, an MSP and as First Minister to the people of Scotland and the cause of Scottish independence.

244Organ donors and the Everyone Everyday Evermore sculpture

Tabled: 14/10/24 Signatories: 2

Brian Leishman

Jim Shannon

That this House pays tribute to the creators and supporters of the Everyone Everyday Evermore sculpture unveiled at Forth Valley Royal Hospital, an inspirational installation which honours the life-saving contributions of organ and tissue donors; acknowledges the critical role that organ donors play in saving lives; commends the courage and selflessness of all those who, in moments of great difficulty, make the decision to give others a second chance at life and good health; and calls on the Government to continue to support organ donation initiatives and promote the importance of having open conversations with loved ones about donation preferences.

245Aon Ghuth, Gaelic Makaton choir

Tabled: 14/10/24 Signatories: 3

Brendan O'Hara

Jim Shannon

Mary Kelly Foy

That this House congratulates everyone involved with Aon Ghuth, the world’s first Gaelic Makaton choir which made its debut performance at the Ar Cànan’s Ar Ceòl concert during the National Mod in Oban; recognises that Aon Ghuth, which translates into English as One Voice, is comprised of a majority of people with additional support needs, and combines singing in Gaelic with the Makaton communication system of signs and symbols; acknowledges the hugely important role played by Arlene McLeod and Katy Lironi of Down's Syndrome Scotland, choir leader Morven Gage, musical accompanist Sileas Sinclair, as well as Ciaran Bateman and all the staff of the Support Department at Oban High School, as well as all those who have contributed so much to establish, recruit, teach and support the members of Aon Ghuth choir ahead of their performance at the Corran Halls, Oban on 12 October 2024; and believes that Aon Ghuth gives people with additional support needs a unique opportunity to display the power and importance of inclusion as well as making the Gaelic language and culture more accessible for people of all ages and abilities.

246Celebrating the life of Holocaust survivor Lily Ebert MBE BEM

Tabled: 14/10/24 Signatories: 8

Jim Shannon

Tristan Osborne

Mr Gregory Campbell

Adam Jogee

Christine Jardine

Andrew George

That this House notes with deep sadness the passing of Holocaust survivor Lily Ebert MBE BEM at the age of 100; acknowledges her extraordinary life of resilience, courage, and dedication to Holocaust education and remembrance; recognises that with the passing of each Holocaust survivor, it feels as though another thread of connection to those silenced voices is lost, and that while books, recordings, and historical research continue to preserve these stories, the irreplaceable value of personal interaction and living memory diminishes; further notes that the death of a survivor is a solemn reminder that we are approaching the end of an era in which direct witnesses to the atrocities of the Holocaust still walk among us; expresses concern that as the Holocaust transitions from a living memory to a purely historical event, it risks becoming further removed from our collective consciousness, which is deeply unsettling; and calls on the Government and all educational institutions to redouble efforts to ensure that the lessons of the Holocaust are never forgotten, and that future generations remain vigilant against intolerance, hate, and genocide in all its forms, continuing the vital legacy left by survivors like Lily Ebert.

247100 Years of Ganaway Camp Site

Tabled: 14/10/24 Signatories: 2

Jim Shannon

Mr Gregory Campbell

That this House celebrates 100 years of the Boys Brigade Grounds, Ganaway Camp Site, situated at Ganaway Training and Activity Centre in Millisle County Down; notes its opening in 1924, to provide so many opportunities for young people wanting to grow and learn; highlights that the site offers tailored team building activities to suit organisations needs, along with engaging learning activities such as time management, delegation and communication; further notes the centenary event, held on 29 September to showcase the hard work and transformation of the site over the last 100 years; and wishes the Boys Brigade and Ganaway centre many more years of continued success and that its legacy from 1924 will always be remembered.

248Regional National Apprenticeship Skills Awards

Tabled: 14/10/24 Signatories: 3

Mary Kelly Foy

Jim Shannon

Ian Lavery

That this House congratulates New College Durham and the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust on their outstanding achievements at the Regional National Apprenticeship Skills Awards; notes that New College student, Layla Paige Marriott, was awarded Highly Commended T Level Student of the Year; further notes that the Trust received both Large Apprenticeship Employer of the Year and Gatsby Charitable T Level Employer of the Year; wishes the students of New College Durham and the Trust continued success in the forthcoming academic year; and commends their ongoing commitment to excellence in education and student support.

249World Food Day

Tabled: 14/10/24 Signatories: 14

Anna Sabine

Jim Shannon

Steff Aquarone

Steve Darling

Liz Jarvis

Jamie Stone

That this House marks World Food Day, a UN designated-day celebrated on 16 October every year; notes the approximately 733 million people facing hunger in the world; further notes that everyone should have the right to adequate food; acknowledges the role of farmers and rural communities in producing food to feed populations around the world; and recognises the pivotal role of farmers in securing the future of resilient food systems, climate mitigation, nature restoration and supporting a peaceful, resilient and inclusive livelihood for all.

250Home insulation measures and consumer protections

Tabled: 14/10/24 Signatories: 18

Imran Hussain

Jim Shannon

Mary Kelly Foy

Ian Lavery

Shockat Adam

Steve Witherden

That this House notes the importance of home insulation measures and their benefits in improving home efficiency; recognises the advantage they have in lowering energy bills and reducing the pressure on residents as fuel poverty continues to rise across the UK; supports the Government’s efforts to introduce a Warm Homes Plan as part of the goal of net zero by 2030; further notes that while much work was carried out successfully under previous initiatives, not all of it was, and that resulted in devastating consequences for residents; acknowledges that residents are living in damp and mouldy homes, and facing respiratory health issues as a result of this;

notes the previous lack of Government action on this issue; notes with concern that legal firms that took advantage of residents with nowhere else to go for redress and then went into administration due to mounting conditional fee agreement case debts; calls for an immediate investigation into these circumstances which have left residents living with crumbling homes and legal bills stretching into the tens of thousands; calls on the Government to commit to exploring measures for remedial works in homes that have been destroyed by defective insulation; further calls on the Government to establish a single trusted and transparent guarantee scheme for home retrofit works; and calls on the Government to investigate the role and conduct of legal firms involved and put in place legal enforcement measures to hold companies accountable for defective works.

251Private security and community policing

Tabled: 14/10/24 Signatories: 8

Sarah Olney

Jim Shannon

Jess Brown-Fuller

Calum Miller

Christine Jardine

Alex Brewer

That this House recognises the decimation of community police forces across the UK; highlights that since 2020 the private security industry has grown by 73,000 people; further highlights security guards are not a substitute for an effective police force; urges the Government to assess the damage shoplifting and spending on private security is doing to our high streets; and requests that the Home Office works with police forces to restore community policing across the UK.