Commons business papers

Contents

Published – Thursday 31 October 2024

Early Day Motions tabled on Wednesday 30 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

3402% wealth tax

Tabled: 30/10/24 Signatories: 1

Iqbal Mohamed

That this House notes the growing disparity in wealth distribution within the UK; recognises the need for a fairer tax system that ensures the wealthiest individuals contribute their fair share to society; calls on the Government to introduce a 2% annual wealth tax on individuals with assets exceeding £10 million; believes that such a tax would generate significant revenue that could be used to fund essential public services, reduce inequality, and support economic recovery; and urges the Government to consider the implementation of this policy as a step towards a more equitable and just society.

341Release of fire appliance and life-saving equipment to Palestine

Tabled: 30/10/24 Signatories: 1

Brian Leishman

That this House expresses deep concern over the seizure of a fire appliance and life-saving equipment, donated by the Fire Brigades Union in Scotland, which has been held at the Israeli port of Ashdod since 21 July despite having documented clearance; notes that the appliance, packed with firefighting kit, personal protective equipment, breathing apparatus, cutting tools, and medical supplies from Ninewells Hospital, was intended to support the Palestinian fire and rescue service in Nablus; acknowledges the importance of humanitarian aid and the international bonds among firefighting communities; calls on the Israeli authorities to immediately release this critical equipment to allow its use for life-saving operations in Palestinian territories; and urges the UK Government, including the Foreign Secretary, to press the Israeli Government to expedite the release of this essential aid to those communities currently experiencing severe humanitarian and safety challenges.

342Work of Fishing 4 Mental Health

Tabled: 30/10/24 Signatories: 1

Sarah Gibson

That this House recognises the work of Fishing 4 Mental Health in showing how angling can help to promote wellbeing; acknowledges that Fishing 4 Mental Health is supporting people suffering with mental health challenges by providing a safe, friendly and supportive environment that encourages individuals to enjoy the beauty of the natural world; celebrates their work to tackle stigmas about mental health amongst men; and commends their campaign for a Fishing 4 Mental Health day to be commemorated each year on 16 August.

343100th anniversary of J. Wright & Son butchers in Donaghadee

Tabled: 30/10/24 Signatories: 1

Alex Easton

That this House congratulates J. Wright & Son, a family-run butcher’s shop established in Donaghadee in 1924, on reaching its 100th anniversary; acknowledges the significant contribution of three generations of the Wright family to the local community, preserving traditional butchery skills, offering high-quality meats, and providing outstanding customer service; recognises the resilience and dedication required to sustain and grow a local business over a century, particularly in the face of evolving consumer preferences and economic challenges; notes the strong relationships J. Wright & Son has built with local suppliers and the wider community, as evidenced through their involvement in community events, local employment, and support for charitable initiatives; commends their commitment to quality and innovation in meeting the needs of their customers; and wishes the Wright family and their dedicated team continued success for many more years to come.

344Access to banking hubs

Tabled: 30/10/24 Signatories: 1

Adam Dance

That this House is concerned about the lack of banking services in rural towns such as Ilminster, which has yet to receive a banking hub; recognises the importance of maintaining access to in-person banking and cash services; notes that banking hubs are a key alternative for communities that have lost access to bank and building society branches; and acknowledges that rural constituencies in particular (due to their local geography, availability of public transport, and lack of support for utilising digital services) urgently need more banking hubs.

345Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) medication shortages

Tabled: 30/10/24 Signatories: 1

Adam Dance

That this House expresses deep concern over the shortage and intermittent availability of ADHD medications such as concerta XL; notes the symptoms those with ADHD exhibit, such as difficulty focusing and acting without thinking, as well as the impacts of these on the daily functioning of individuals; further notes the disproportionate impact these symptoms have on children who, as a result of the disorder, face barriers in their education and general development; recognises the barriers faced by individuals suffering from ADHD in accessing employment opportunities; further recognises the potential stress and anxiety these medication shortages can have on individuals suffering from ADHD; sympathises with the experiences of those individuals, who often feel they are being overlooked and dismissed; and calls on the Government to do more to mitigate the issue of ADHD medication shortages.

346Islamophobia Awareness Month 2024

Tabled: 30/10/24 Signatories: 1

Christine Jardine

That this House supports Islamophobia Awareness Month, which is taking place this November; recognises the valuable contributions that British Muslims make to our country; acknowledges that anti-Muslim sentiment is still far too prevalent in our society, and has sadly been on the rise in light of the conflict in the Middle East; notes with concern that Tell MAMA recorded nearly 5,00 incidents of anti-Muslim hatred and Islamophobia in the past year, an unprecedented volume of cases; further notes with concern that religious-based hate crimes recorded by police in England and Wales has increased by 25% over the past year; emphasises the importance of standing up to religious hatred in all its forms; and calls on the Government to take urgent action to address Islamophobia, including by immediately appointing an independent adviser on Islamophobia and adopting a working definition of Islamophobia.

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.

259Death of Lord Leitch of Oakley

Tabled: 16/10/24 Signatories: 10

Graeme Downie

Mary Kelly Foy

Katrina Murray

Richard Baker

Jim Shannon

Dr Scott Arthur

That this House notes with sadness the death of the Lord Leitch of Oakley; remembers that he grew up in a council house in Oakley in West Fife; recalls his success in setting up successful technology businesses employing thousands; believes he leaves a lasting legacy of public service and business success including his chairing of the Leitch Skills Review in 2006 which recommended policies to maximise economic growth, productivity and social justice; also believes that he never forgot his roots and connections in the mining villages of West Fife; and passes on its condolences to his family and friends on their sad loss.

265Establishment of the Women’s Caucus in Westminster

Tabled: 17/10/24 Signatories: 52

Kirsty Blackman

Ellie Chowns

Dame Siobhain McDonagh

Christine Jardine

Liz Saville Roberts

Rachel Blake

That this House agrees to establish a Women’s Caucus in the UK Parliament, which is the women Members of Parliament working together to advance issues that disproportionately affect women; notes that there are women’s caucuses in the devolved nations of Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland; further notes that now is the time to establish a Women’s Caucus which focuses on issues affecting women across the UK and within Parliament, and aims to find cross party solutions to these problems; and notes that this Parliament has the biggest cohort of women MPs in its history and marks a significant moment to drive forward gender equality not just within the UK Parliament but across the entire country.

271Life Insurance and diagnosis of terminal illness clause

Tabled: 21/10/24 Signatories: 9

Rebecca Long Bailey

Jim Shannon

Ayoub Khan

Mary Kelly Foy

Ian Lavery

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

That this House expresses concern following reports of those with life insurance premiums with Aviva being denied early pay outs on diagnosis of terminal illness due to a pernicious small print in their policy wording which requires diagnosis of a terminal illness to take place some years before the policy actually expires; notes the case of Salford resident Shaun Pinkney who was diagnosed with terminal cancer two months before his policy was due to expire but was refused his claim as his policy stated that terminal illness diagnosis must take place at least 18 months prior to the policy expiration date; further notes with concern that Aviva would not renew his policy because he had terminal cancer; recognises that Aviva has now ceased selling policies where there was a discrepancy between the end of the major benefit and the termination of the rest of the policy; further recognises that this would indicate that Aviva knows these policies are not fair, practical or fit for purpose; and calls on the Government to speak to the insurance industry and carry out a form of inquiry to see how widespread this practice was.

273Rural Crime Action Week 2024

Tabled: 21/10/24 Signatories: 24

Helen Morgan

Steff Aquarone

Christine Jardine

Wendy Chamberlain

Dr Roz Savage

Claire Young

That this House recognises Rural Crime Action Week which runs between 21 and 25 October 2024 to highlight the impact of rural crime on communities; is concerned by the NFU's 2024 Rural Crime Report which states that the cost of rural crime increased by 4.3% across the UK in 2023; further notes that the highest regional cost of crime in 2023 was in the Midlands at £11.7 billion; acknowledges that Shropshire has been rated the third worst affected county for rural crime for two consecutive years; recognises that the impacts of rural crime are felt by business and across communities from large-scale fly-tipping to theft of farm machinery, tools and livestock; and calls on the Government to recognise the serious and organised nature of rural crime and urgently to take steps to tackle crime and disorder in the countryside.

274Wixford village hall

Tabled: 21/10/24 Signatories: 5

Manuela Perteghella

Wendy Chamberlain

Jim Shannon

Andrew George

Helen Maguire

That this House congratulates the Wixford Village Hall committee, volunteers, and residents of Wixford on the successful completion of their impressive rebuilding project, which has revitalised the historic hall into a modern, sustainable space for the benefit of the local community; recognises the significant efforts made by all involved in fundraising and securing grants for the ambitious project, including their commitment to making the hall a highly energy efficient building; celebrates the hall’s continued role as a hub for local events, activities, and social cohesion; commends the dedication of the Wixford Village Hall team for their vision and resilience in overcoming challenges posed by the pandemic; and calls on the Government to acknowledge the vital role village halls and other community spaces play in supporting rural life and enhancing social wellbeing across the UK.

277FareShare’s 30th anniversary

Tabled: 21/10/24 Signatories: 21

Wera Hobhouse

Christine Jardine

Wendy Chamberlain

Claire Young

Ian Sollom

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates FareShare, the UK’s leading food redistribution charity, on its 30th anniversary; applauds FareShare for redistributing the equivalent of 135 million meals last year, equating to four meals per second, to over 8,000 frontline charities and community groups in almost every constituency across the UK; recognises the charity’s significant social return on investment, delivering £13 in savings for every £1 spent through benefits to individuals and the state; and urges the Government to work with the charitable food redistribution sector to implement effective measures that further reduce food waste, increase surplus food redistribution to those in need, and strengthen communities throughout the United Kingdom, as the need for such collaboration is more pressing than ever.

278Zoe’s Place and funding for children’s hospices

Tabled: 21/10/24 Signatories: 33

Ian Byrne

John McDonnell

Richard Burgon

Kim Johnson

Rebecca Long Bailey

Zarah Sultana

That this House notes its deep concern at the announcement that children’s hospice Zoe’s Place in Liverpool is at risk of imminent closure; applauds the phenomenal response to this shocking news in the city and thanks the huge charitable drive to raise £5 million by 9 November to save Zoe’s Place; notes its alarm that children’s hospices across the country are facing huge funding challenges; therefore calls on the Government to urgently put funding into children’s hospices, allowing Zoe’s Place and children’s hospices across the country to continue to care for seriously ill children and their families into the future; specifically calls on the Government to maintain and increase the £25 million Children’s Hospice Grant into the future and return it to being a centrally-distributed funding stream; and more broadly calls on the Government to review the funding of children’s hospices to ensure all seriously ill children and their families receive high quality care when and where they need it.

279Oscar Mayer strikes

Tabled: 21/10/24 Signatories: 33

Steve Witherden

Andrew Ranger

John McDonnell

Jeremy Corbyn

Richard Burgon

Jon Trickett

That this House acknowledges the strike by hundreds of Oscar Mayer workers in Wrexham, protesting the company’s intention to alter contracts by removing fully paid breaks, eliminating enhanced payments, and ending days off in lieu for working bank holidays, changes which could cost workers up to £3,000 annually, whilst under the threat of fire and rehire tactics; commends the efforts of Unite the Union in advocating for its members and launching a multi-million-pound legal case regarding potential breaches of the Employment Agencies Act 1973; and urges the Government to expedite the implementation of promised legislation banning fire and rehire practices.

282Prevention of cyber-crime

Tabled: 21/10/24 Signatories: 13

Christine Jardine

Wendy Chamberlain

Dr Roz Savage

Ian Sollom

Jim Shannon

Ayoub Khan

That this House acknowledges the growth of cybercrime with the advent of new technologies; recognises the need for the UK Parliament to ensure that legislation keeps pace with evolving cyber threats, including the Computer Misuse Act 1990; notes the restrictions the Act places on the work of UK cyber security professionals by prohibiting all unauthorised access to computer systems, regardless of intent or motive; believes this inadvertently criminalises essential research into cyber threats; believes that modernising the Act could enhance the UK's national security, strengthen the criminal justice system, and unlock significant benefits to the UK economy with new opportunities in the cyber security industry; and calls on the Government to introduce an amendment to the Computer Misuse Act 1990 to better protect the public from emerging threats.

283Frozen pensions for UK citizens overseas

Tabled: 21/10/24 Signatories: 23

Christine Jardine

Dr Roz Savage

Ian Sollom

Jim Shannon

Claire Hanna

Ayoub Khan

That this House notes the so-called frozen pensions policy; further notes this sees British overseas state pensioners living in certain countries denied access to index-linked uprating of the UK state pension; believes the level of the UK state pension paid should not be dependent on the pensioner’s country of residence in later life; acknowledges the scale of the injustice which sees 453,000 British state pensioners impacted by the policy, many of whom reside in Commonwealth countries such as Canada and Australia; notes that the cost of indexing all overseas state pensions without a retrospective uprating is estimated at approximately £50 million in the first year; calls on the Government to index all overseas state pensions equally on a going-forward basis; and further calls on the Prime Minister to meet with affected pensioner and World War Two veteran Anne Puckridge, who is planning to travel from Canada to the UK this December, requesting a meeting on behalf of all those impacted by the policy.

284Impact of austerity on the Fire and Rescue Service

Tabled: 21/10/24 Signatories: 15

Adam Dance

Dr Roz Savage

Jim Shannon

Claire Young

Tom Morrison

Andrew George

That this House expresses deep concern over the detrimental effects of austerity on the UK’s fire and rescue services, particularly in rural areas like Yeovil, where funding, training, and recruitment have been significantly impacted; acknowledges that in recent years, one in five firefighter jobs has been lost and central government funding to fire services has been slashed by 30% resulting in fire services becoming increasingly reliant on the contributions of on-call officers who juggle other occupations; notes that due to severe staff shortages, around 4,000 firefighters are now working both full-time and part-time contracts, often within the same brigade or across different services; commends the tireless work of firefighters in engaging with their communities, supporting the fire safety of homes and businesses, and responding to emergencies under increasingly difficult conditions; further acknowledges the loss of essential control staff, fire engines, pumps, and other critical equipment due to funding cuts, which have hampered the ability of firefighters to carry out their vital roles effectively; recognises the immense pressure firefighters face in responding to the growing frequency of storms, flooding, and wildfires, challenges exacerbated by the climate emergency; underscores the essential role of a well-funded fire service in tackling these climate-related disasters, which are expected to become even more frequent; and calls on the Government to urgently provide adequate funding for fire services to rebuild staffing levels, equipment, and resources.

293Avanti West Coast disruptions

Tabled: 22/10/24 Signatories: 5

Tim Farron

Christine Jardine

Ayoub Khan

Cat Smith

Angus MacDonald

That this House notes the ongoing disruption of train services operated by Avanti West Coast, particularly the frequent cancellation of services on the mainline north of Preston when there is disruption on the line in Scotland, even when it would be perfectly possible to run services to stations between Preston and the Scottish border; regrets the subsequent impact on train operations in Cumbria, north Lancashire and south west Scotland; notes that these disruptions have led to significant inconvenience for commuters, tourists, students and businesses relying on reliable transport links; urges the Secretary of State for Transport to work closely with Avanti West Coast to improve service reliability in Northern England; calls for compensation for affected passengers; and believes that Avanti should lose their franchise if they do not end the practice of unnecessarily cancelling services north of Preston.

294Outdoor education

Tabled: 22/10/24 Signatories: 17

Tim Farron

Christine Jardine

Jim Shannon

Andrew George

Sarah Dyke

Charlotte Cane

That this House notes the profound benefits of outdoor education for children's physical, mental, and emotional well-being; highlights the value of residential outdoor learning in developing essential life skills; urges the Government to make it a statutory part of the school curriculum; calls for inclusivity, ensuring all children can access outdoor learning regardless of background; further highlights the success of centres like Outward Bound at Ullswater, the Bendrigg Trust, the Brathay Trust, and Patterdale Hall in providing an unparalleled backdrop for educational development; and urges the Government to prioritise investment in outdoor learning for the benefit of future generations.

295Reductions in jobs and services at the BBC

Tabled: 23/10/24 Signatories: 17

Rebecca Long Bailey

Grahame Morris

John McDonnell

Kim Johnson

Andy McDonald

Claire Hanna

That this House greatly regrets the announcement of further new cuts to news and current affairs programming, resulting in a net loss of 130 employed posts; notes that, whilst the World Service itself is a valuable international service which needs secured funding, using it to replace domestic UK BBC radio listeners' overnight news risks displacing important domestic news from the cycle for minimal savings; further notes the loss of night shifts in the London newsroom, again impacting domestic news coverage; fears the impact of the BBC’s decision to cut frontline journalistic posts at a time when impartial news and information from our trusted public service broadcaster is vital; recognises that harm arising from these proposals will see a reduction in relevant, creative and accessible content offering audiences choice; further regrets the plan to axe the popular Hard Talk news interview slot; supports the calls from the National Union of Journalists that are urging the Government to commit to restore the direct financing of the vital work of the BBC World Service through the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office budget; and calls on the Government to further ensure that future BBC licence fee settlements provide sufficient revenues to maintain high quality services without frequent rounds of cuts.

296Disarmament Week

Tabled: 23/10/24 Signatories: 5

Ayoub Khan

Andrew George

Carla Denyer

Shockat Adam

Adrian Ramsay

That this House notes the commencement of the United Nations' Disarmament Week, created to promote measures that ensure the prevention and cessation of armed conflict; expresses regret over the staggering human, social, economic, and ecological costs of armed conflict; observes the critical importance of pursuing multilateral disarmament as a means of building a safer, more secure world that will protect humanity from harm; is alarmed by the continued threat and increased proliferation of interstate conflict, which fundamentally undermines the objectives of sustained peace and development; recognises that the goal of complete disarmament is enshrined in international law and should guide the Government's security and foreign policy conduct; calls upon the Government to utilise its diplomatic influence to achieve absolute disarmament; urges the Government to condemn all unjust acts and threats involving the use of nuclear, chemical, biological, cyber and conventional weapons; endorses the UN Secretary General's Agenda for Disarmament, which underscores the pivotal role of disarmament in advancing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals; welcomes all efforts by the Government to regulate the excessive trade of arms and limit the weaponisation of dual-use technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence; and values the necessity of preserving order and stability within the international system, such that the prosperity of future generations may be assured.

301SEND provision at Kingsbury High

Tabled: 23/10/24 Signatories: 5

Dawn Butler

Mary Kelly Foy

Kim Johnson

Jim Shannon

Shockat Adam

That this House commends the extraordinary education that Kingsbury High school provides for SEND children and young people; expresses concern about young people with special educational needs and disabilities; acknowledges these children have behaviour issues and struggle to socialise; further expresses concern that SEND children struggle with reading and writing, due to dyslexia, and that their concentration levels can be impacted by attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; recognises physical disability affects their ability to take part in traditional schooling; urges the Government to ensure all schools receive increased funding to help SEND students get access to the public school system; further acknowledges that around 40% of all home educated children in UK are children with SEND; and calls on the Government to ensure they get the same exposure to education in a safe space adapted to their needs.

302Drug deaths

Tabled: 23/10/24 Signatories: 11

Grahame Morris

Mary Kelly Foy

Andrew George

Ayoub Khan

Charlotte Nichols

Steve Witherden

That this House notes with alarm data released by the Office for National Statistics on 23 October 2024 showing that a record 5,448 deaths related to drug poisoning were registered in England and Wales in 2023; further notes that the highest death rates are again in areas suffering greatest deprivation; recognises that the influx of highly potent synthetic opioids such as Nitazenes risks a rapid rise in drug deaths; and calls on the Government to tackle the crisis by committing to long-term sustainable funding for drug treatment in the autumn budget and future spring spending review, continuing to implement the recommendations of Dame Carol Black’s independent review of drugs, and accelerating the availability of naloxone, the lifesaving antidote to opioid overdose.

307Glasgow’s 850th birthday

Tabled: 23/10/24 Signatories: 11

Patricia Ferguson

Mary Kelly Foy

Dr Scott Arthur

Jim Shannon

Kirsteen Sullivan

John Grady

That this House notes that Glasgow will celebrate the city’s 850th birthday in 2025; recognises that this is a significant milestone for the city which will mark the anniversary of Glasgow becoming a burgh; acknowledges the preparations that are underway to mark this special year and harness the opportunities it provides; welcomes plans to develop a year-long programme of inclusive events and activities across Glasgow to mark this anniversary, delivering memorable moments for all the city’s communities and enhancing Glasgow’s reputation across the country and world; encourages communities, individuals and businesses across the city to take the opportunity to participate in this important year for the city, whether through organising or participating in a community event, helping to deliver a successful programme of events as a Glasgow 850 volunteer, or using the anniversary year to showcase the products and services offered by local businesses; notes that the glasgow850.com website has been launched to provide more information on the celebrations and how people can get involved; and looks forward to an anniversary year that celebrates the city’s rich history and success, particularly in the last fifty years, and inspires a better, sustainable future, for the next fifty years.

308Hazel Irvine and BAFTA Scotland's Lifetime Achievement Award

Tabled: 24/10/24 Signatories: 3

Christine Jardine

Jamie Stone

Angus MacDonald

That this House congratulates Hazel Irvine on receiving the BAFTA Scotland Lifetime Achievement Award; notes her extensive career in journalism began at Radio Clyde and STV, before moving to the BBC; further notes she became the youngest ever presenter of the BBC’s sports programme, Grandstand in 1993; commends her range of experience as a prolific sporting presenter including coverage of golf, snooker and several Olympic and Commonwealth Games; celebrates her receiving an MBE in the 2024 New Year Honours for services to sport and charity; and wishes her further success in her career.

311150 years of Heart of Midlothian Football Club

Tabled: 28/10/24 Signatories: 7

Dr Scott Arthur

Ian Roome

Jim Shannon

Graeme Downie

Kirsteen Sullivan

Richard Baker

That this House notes that Heart of Midlothian Football Club, Hearts, celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2024; recognises the club's rich history, including its many successes in Scottish football, its passionate fanbase of Jambos, and its contribution to the local community via the Big Hearts Community Trust; notes its status as the UK’s largest fan-owned football club; commends the club's commitment to youth development; respects that the club cherishes its links with McCrae's Battalion, with many fans making the pilgrimage to Contalmaison on the Somme each year; and wishes Heart of Midlothian Football Club continued success in the years to come.

31275th anniversary of NATO

Tabled: 28/10/24 Signatories: 10

Luke Myer

Luke Akehurst

Tim Roca

Jim Shannon

Graham Leadbitter

Sir Julian Lewis

That this House marks the formation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (in 1949; recognises NATO as the cornerstone of global security and of the collective defence of democracy, liberty and the rule of law; reaffirms its unshakeable commitment to the alliance in an increasingly volatile world; and calls on the Government to ensure major defence programmes meet Britain’s NATO obligations.

313Supporting business growth in Leicestershire

Tabled: 28/10/24 Signatories: 3

Shivani Raja

Jim Shannon

Shockat Adam

That this House commends Leicester for being recognised as the UK’s most entrepreneurial city, with one of the highest rates of new business creation in the country; acknowledges the essential role that entrepreneurs across Leicester and Leicestershire play in strengthening the UK economy through job creation, innovation, and community development; celebrates the diverse and resilient business communities across the region, reflecting the drive and creativity of local residents; and calls on the Government to support Leicester’s entrepreneurial spirit and encourage business growth throughout Leicestershire by investing in initiatives that foster sustainable development, support young entrepreneurs, and position the region as a model of economic vitality nationwide.

314360th anniversary of the Royal Marines

Tabled: 28/10/24 Signatories: 16

Luke Myer

Luke Akehurst

Mr Jonathan Brash

Tim Roca

Ian Roome

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates the Corps of Royal Marines on the 360th anniversary since its formation on 28 October 1664; recognises its continued vital operations as an elite amphibious fighting force; thanks all Royal Marines officers, commandos and reservists who have risked their lives to defend our values; and pays tribute to all who have served our country by sea and by land.

316Shaqayeq Nejah, Moray College UHI Student of the Year 2024

Tabled: 28/10/24 Signatories: 5

Graham Leadbitter

Jim Shannon

Kirsteen Sullivan

Stephen Gethins

Chris Law

That this House commends the remarkable achievements of Shaqayeq Nejah, who was named the University of the Highlands and Islands, Moray, Student of the Year 2024; notes that her award comes in spite of the efforts of the Taliban Regime in Shaqayeq’s native Afghanistan, who have overseen extreme moves to implement the prohibition of education for women and girls; praises her efforts, not just in securing her own degree, but in assisting other refugees while in the UK and becoming a powerful advocate for equality; and wishes her all the best in her continued academic journey toward becoming a radiographer.

31730th anniversary of West Lothian 50+ Network

Tabled: 28/10/24 Signatories: 6

Kirsteen Sullivan

Jim Shannon

Patricia Ferguson

Elaine Stewart

Mary Kelly Foy

Richard Baker

That this House celebrates the 30th anniversary of the West Lothian 50+ Network; notes their goal to make the rest of life, the best of life; thanks the volunteers who have achieved 30 years of community activities and events; commends the efforts of the current committee in arranging activities and celebrations during the 30th anniversary year; applauds the Network in attracting around 700 members through social and charity events; welcomes the variety of activities supporting 70 hobbies and interests groups; further welcomes the opportunities offered by the Network to visit cultural epicentres such as the birthplace of Robert Burns, Edinburgh’s Usher Hall, and the Kelpies; further applauds the Network’s frequent charity events and educational sessions with local services; acknowledges the importance of social activities in strengthening community bonds in difficult times; recognises the importance of creating a dedicated hub of activities for those over fifty; believes the West Lothian 50+ Network is a role model for fostering community; and wishes the West Lothian 50+ Network every success in the coming years.

318Prize-winning Bennie Museum Weavers

Tabled: 28/10/24 Signatories: 6

Kirsteen Sullivan

Jim Shannon

Patricia Ferguson

Elaine Stewart

Mary Kelly Foy

Richard Baker

That this House congratulates the Bennie Museum Weavers on winning first place at the Royal Highland Show 2024; congratulates the efforts of the Bennie Museum Weavers producing their own high-quality tweed and mastering their craft; recognises the skilled technical knowledge involved in their craft; thanks the Bennie Museum Weavers for keeping alive an innately Scottish and fond tradition; and wishes the Bennie Museum Weavers the very best in the future.

319120th anniversary of Balbardie Primary School

Tabled: 28/10/24 Signatories: 6

Kirsteen Sullivan

Jim Shannon

Patricia Ferguson

Elaine Stewart

Mary Kelly Foy

Richard Baker

That this House recognises the 120th anniversary of the primary school’s central role in educational, social and cultural life in Bathgate; further recognises Balbardie Primary School as a great source of history, pride, success and inspiration for the town of Bathgate; notes the impressive architectural prominence of the Balbardie Primary School building which has seen thousands of students pass through its halls; commends the continued high-quality and wide-ranging learning opportunities offered to pupils; welcomes the longstanding role of Balbardie Primary School in wider Bathgate community life, including its impressive float over the years in the annual Bathgate Procession, fundraising efforts and commitment to parent engagement in how the school is run; applauds the efforts of the pupils, staff, parents and carers in organising a celebration of education in Bathgate, organising whole-community celebrations including a float procession, multimedia exhibition of memories, and creative opportunities for children; and wishes the very best to the future doctors, nurses, teachers, fire-fighters, police officers, entrepreneurs and politicians who will pass through the doors of Balbardie Primary School.

320Deputy Lieutenant Eunice Simpson and West Lothian African Women’s Network

Tabled: 28/10/24 Signatories: 7

Kirsteen Sullivan

Jim Shannon

Graeme Downie

Patricia Ferguson

Elaine Stewart

Mary Kelly Foy

That this House recognises the hard work and vision of Eunice Simpson and the West Lothian African Women’s Network; congratulates Eunice Simpson on her appointment as Deputy Lieutenant of West Lothian; recognises the appointment as ground-breaking with Eunice Simpson as the first black person to hold this title; congratulates the West Lothian African Women’s Network on their recent Bathgate Africa-Scottish EXPO sharing culture, food, music, and dance; supports the continued efforts of the Network to promote business opportunities, support families and education, combat loneliness, and foster community cohesion; welcomes the work of the network promoting Black History education in schools and creating opportunities for cultural exchange; recognises the contribution of black women across West Lothian in helping vulnerable people, organising of community events, running local businesses, and working in public service; and wishes Eunice Simpson and the West Lothian African Women’s Network the very best in all their future endeavours.

32130th anniversary of Drugs, Alcohol and Psychotherapies Limited

Tabled: 28/10/24 Signatories: 5

Richard Baker

Jim Shannon

Mary Kelly Foy

Chris Law

Stephen Gethins

That this House congratulates Drugs, Alcohol and Psychotherapies Limited (DAPL) on its 30th anniversary; notes that having originated in Buckhaven in 1994, the charity is now a Fife-wide service; recognises that the organisation’s counselling service was recently re-accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, evidencing the high quality of work undertaken by the charity; further notes that DAPL offers free and confidential one-to-one counselling to school pupils in the region, and also to adults affected by substance use; celebrates the charity’s history of innovative and ground breaking work which has been sector leading; praises the organisation’s professionalism while ensuring that the organisation is very much rooted in the community; and thanks their board, staff and volunteers for their continued dedication and excellent work.

322Retirement of Johnnie Walker

Tabled: 28/10/24 Signatories: 3

Jim Shannon

Dr Scott Arthur

Chris Law

That this House notes the retirement of Johnnie Walker, after 58 years of radio; highlights his show on BBC Radio 2, Sounds of the 70s, a much loved programme enjoyed by so many across Northern Ireland; further notes that his final show contained messages from his wife Tiggy and Sir Rod Stewart, before Walker ended by telling listeners: may we walk into the future with our heads held high and happiness in our hearts; underlines his significant career in British radio which has spanned almost six decades and that he has been host of the BBC Radio 2 show from 2009 and before that from 1999, co-hosted BBC Drivetime; thanks him for his dedication to UK radio over the last 58 years; and sends him best wishes for his retirement.

32380th anniversary of the Northern Ireland Cadet Force

Tabled: 28/10/24 Signatories: 3

Jim Shannon

Jim Allister

Mr Gregory Campbell

That this House celebrates the 80th anniversary of the Northern Ireland Cadet Force; notes that over 200 cadets and 50 adult volunteers from Northern Ireland gathered last week in Ballyclare to acknowledge the occasion; further notes that Ballyclare was the first location in Northern Ireland to establish an Army Cadet detachment in late 1943; highlights that the Cadets Organisation has grown to around 3,000 cadets across two battalions in Northern Ireland and at least 400 volunteers; underlines the Cadets Organisation encourage young people to be better citizens and go on to have careers in the armed forces, police or fire service; further highlights the skills and knowledge that young people will pick up in the cadets and carry through with them for the rest of their lives; thanks all Cadets leaders for their dedication to supporting young people be the best they can be; and wishes the Cadets Force across Northern Ireland all the best for the future.

324Ticket offices and station staff

Tabled: 28/10/24 Signatories: 19

Cat Eccles

Grahame Morris

John McDonnell

Rachael Maskell

Cat Smith

Mary Kelly Foy

That this House notes that 31 October 2024 marks one year since the Conservative Government scrapped plans to close nearly 1,000 ticket offices and cut around 2,300 station staff jobs; commends the campaign led by the RMT union, alongside many groups including those representing disabled and older people, which resulted in an unprecedented response to the public consultation; notes with concern that research, which was commissioned by the previous Government and undertaken in early 2023, was suppressed despite showing clear support for ticket offices and station staff; welcomes the current Government’s release of the research, which found that more than half of respondents said having a ticket office at the station they travel from is important and that 81% of respondents said staff presence was important for ensuring their safety; further notes that older respondents, who were also more likely to have no smartphone internet access, use only cash or have a health condition affecting their mobility, hearing or dexterity, had the highest preferences for buying tickets at ticket offices; understands that the rail industry’s Passenger Demand Forecasting Handbook identifies staffed ticket offices as having a positive impact on passenger demand over Ticket Vending Machines alone; is concerned at reports that new stations already in development, including those with significant projected passenger footfall, are being built without ticket offices; and therefore calls on the Government to ensure that new stations are built with ticket offices and are staffed.

325Scrutiny of Gulf Cooperation Council trade with Russia

Tabled: 28/10/24 Signatories: 6

Clive Jones

Jim Shannon

Charlotte Cane

Mr Gregory Campbell

Chris Law

Mr Lee Dillon

That this House welcomes the negotiation of new free trade agreements; is concerned that the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council have failed to support UK-led sanctions against Russia since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine; is further concerned that some of these countries have in fact increased trade with Russia during this period; notes that in the absence of a comprehensive trade policy it is unclear the extent to which the Government plans to factor this into the UK's trade relations with these countries; and urges the Government to offer assurances that companies and entities from these countries involved in the circumvention of sanctions on Russia will not be given preferential access to UK market.

327Thrums Vets

Tabled: 29/10/24 Signatories: 4

Dave Doogan

Jim Shannon

Chris Law

Stephen Gethins

That this House commends Thrums Veterinary Group on winning Animal Health Provider of the Year at the Scottish Agriculture Awards 2024; acknowledges the importance of this event in recognising achievements across the agricultural sector; notes that Thrums Vets have provided farm animal veterinary services across Angus and Perthshire for over 75 years; recognises the hard work and dedication of the Thrums Vets team in offering a full range of services to farming clients including state of the art equipment and technologies; recognises their ambition to ensure a steady stream of vets coming into the profession and notes their various programmes to this end, including the Vet School Preparation programme for young people interested in applying to vet school and the Foundations of Mixed Practice programme helping newly qualified vets transition away from studying to become independent, confident clinical vets; notes the excellent work of the Thrums Vets team in the Angus and Perthshire community; and wishes them every success.

328Love NUL Business Awards 2024

Tabled: 29/10/24 Signatories: 2

Adam Jogee

Jim Shannon

That this House notes that the Newcastle-under-Lyme business community came together to celebrate business excellence at the Love NUL Business Awards held on Thursday 24 October 2024; congratulates all the winners at the Love NUL Awards Ceremony; acknowledges that the Hair House won the Beauty & Personal Care Business of the Year Award, Cappello Lounge won the Bar/Night Time Venue Award, Piccoloco won the Cafe of the Year Award, the Little Vic won the Classic Pub of the Year Award, Hollie’s Haberdashery won the Independent Business of the Year Award; San’s Funky Kitchen won the Market Trader of the Year Award, the Hair House won the New Business of the Year Award, Saferhand Care Solutions Ltd won the Professional Services Award, Dougie Mac won the Retailer of the Year Award, STOCK by FEASTED won Restaurant of the Year, Brampton Museum won the Visitor Attraction of the Year, Community Junction Cafe won the Love NUL Community Champion of the Year Award; recognises all the local residents from May Bank to Madeley and from Audley to Westbury Park who took part in the competition and voted; celebrates all the local businesses shortlisted for an Award; and recommits to supporting and championing the business community in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

329Carlo Carini, Arbroath's Partisan

Tabled: 29/10/24 Signatories: 3

Stephen Gethins

Jim Shannon

Chris Law

That this House remembers the life of Carlo Carini, Arbroath-born Italian partisan, on the anniversary of his murder by German Occupation forces in Piacenza, Italy, in October 1944; notes Carlo's significant contribution to Italy's liberation, his heroism against fascism which was recognised by the Commander of Allied Forces in Italy, General Alexander, and by the Italian Government who posthumously awarded Carlo the Silver Medal of Italy; highlights that Carlo and his family were very much part of the community in Arbroath; further highlights that Carlo was a skilled footballer in Arbroath and that he also played professionally in Italy; commends the work of the Carlo Carini memorial group and the ANPI (Associazone Nationale Partigiani d'Italia), in remembering and recognising the importance of Carlo's life and the cause for which he fought; thanks the ANPI for their ongoing and successful campaign to establish a youth football competition between teams in Arbroath and Piacenza; and gives thanks for the group's efforts to inspire a new generation thanks to Carlo's example.

330Support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency

Tabled: 29/10/24 Signatories: 28

Andy McDonald

Brian Leishman

Debbie Abrahams

Abtisam Mohamed

Richard Burgon

John McDonnell

That this House expresses its regret at the passing of laws in Israel's Knesset which in effect denies the protections and means essential for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the largest humanitarian agency in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, to operate; believes there is no viable alternative to UNRWA to deliver aid necessary to Palestinian refugees; further believes such action by Israel will compound the suffering of Palestinians; and calls on the UK Government to take all necessary steps with the United Nations to ensure UNRWA can continue its work in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

331Dame Caroline Haslett and the 100th anniversary of the Electrical Association for Women

Tabled: 29/10/24 Signatories: 2

Peter Lamb

Jim Shannon

That this House recognises, on the centenary of her founding of the Electrical Association for Women, the significance of Dame Caroline Haslett's contributions to the field of electrical engineering and the emancipation of women; notes that Dame Caroline was born in 1895, in Crawley in the county of West Sussex, and that she was a trailblazer in the emerging field of electrical engineering, believing that through harnessing the power of electricity women might be freed from the drudgery of domestic chores and enabled to take on new pursuits outside of the home; further recognises that she helped to set up the Women's Engineering Society in 1919 and was the first editor of the Woman Engineer magazine; further notes that, in the 1920s, before the formation of the National Grid, she wired her St John’s Wood home and designed a square kettle and saucepan that could be used on an electrical hotplate; also recognises that, as electricity gained wider usage, Dame Caroline became a safety expert for the Government and, in 1947, she was the only female member of the Institution of Electrical Engineers committee that designed the BS1363 safety standard which three-pin plugs and sockets continue to use to this day; and also notes that, in later life, she took on a wide range of public appointments, including as a member of the Crawley New Town Development Corporation, and passionately campaigned for the improvement of science education for girls.

332Oliver Campbell wrongful conviction

Tabled: 29/10/24 Signatories: 14

Kim Johnson

Apsana Begum

John McDonnell

Mrs Lorraine Beavers

Clive Lewis

Andy McDonald

That this House welcomes the recent decision of the Court of Appeal to overturn the wrongful conviction of Oliver Campbell, who was convicted in 1991 and served over 11 years in prison; pays tribute to the tenacity and dedication of Oliver, his loved ones and his lawyers Michael Birnbaum KC and Glyn Maddocks KC, who have worked tirelessly for more than two decades to clear his name; notes that the Criminal Cases Review Commission was prepared to take a second look at this conviction and, on this occasion, decided correctly to refer this conviction to the Court of Appeal; regrets that the Court of Appeal did not carry out a thorough investigation of the activities and actions of the Metropolitan Police officers in 1990 who were instrumental in obtaining a false confession from Oliver Campbell, which led directly to his conviction; calls on the Government to launch an independent inquiry into the failings that led to this conviction and to publish its findings; and further calls on the Government to review the iniquitous rules governing the payment of compensation to those who have suffered a miscarriage of justice, which were introduced by the coalition Government in 2014, the effect of which is that only those who can prove beyond reasonable doubt that they are not guilty of the crime for which they were convicted can successfully claim compensation following a decision of the Court of Appeal to overturn their conviction.

333360 years of the Royal Marines in the South West

Tabled: 29/10/24 Signatories: 18

Ian Roome

Angus MacDonald

Edward Morello

Caroline Voaden

Jess Brown-Fuller

Dr Danny Chambers

That this House congratulates the Corps of Royal Marines on their 360th anniversary; recognises their contribution to the rich maritime heritage of the entire South West region, including at RM Chivenor, RM Stonehouse, RM Norton Manor, and CTCRM Lympstone among others; acknowledges the essential role that the Royal Marines have played in the defence of the UK during countless military operations around the world; and thanks serving and former Royal Marines for their dedication to duty.

33430th anniversary of the Phoenix Cup

Tabled: 29/10/24 Signatories: 7

Wendy Chamberlain

Angus MacDonald

Charlotte Cane

Brian Leishman

Jim Shannon

Stephen Gethins

That this House celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Phoenix Cup, and that it is being hosted in the Home of Golf, St Andrews; recognises the fact that this is the world’s first fully inclusive international team event for disabled golfers; welcomes the over 30 male and female golfers from around Europe and the United States who are currently in St Andrews competing in the Phoenix Cup; acknowledges that an impressive 888 players of all ages with physical, sensory, or intellectual disabilities across 18 countries worldwide have participated in the event over the past three decades; and looks forward to the many years to come of the Cup.

335Ann Veitch, 20 years’ service as a foster carer

Tabled: 29/10/24 Signatories: 4

Alex Easton

Jim Shannon

Chris Law

Stephen Gethins

That this House notes with admiration and appreciation the remarkable dedication shown by Ann Veitch from Bangor, Northern Ireland, who, in her 80s, is now in her 20th year as a foster carer; recognises that during these two decades, Ann has provided a loving home to over 30 children, helping them thrive and grow; commends her for continuing to care for children even after her own children had grown up, and for being honoured for her outstanding contribution to fostering; acknowledges the significant role that foster carers like Ann play in improving the lives of vulnerable young people; and calls on the Government to provide greater support and recognition to foster carers across the UK to ensure that their vital work is sustained for future generations.

336RAF Fauld explosion

Tabled: 29/10/24 Signatories: 4

Jacob Collier

Jim Shannon

Stephen Gethins

Chris Law

That this House remembers the lives tragically lost in the RAF Fauld explosion on its 80th anniversary, noting that this was the largest non-nuclear explosion in history and the largest explosion on British soil; recognises the enduring courage shown on that fateful day, which remains one of the most devastating events in the nation’s history; acknowledges the 70 individuals who lost their lives on 27 November 1944, and the catastrophic damage near Hanbury, Staffordshire; expresses gratitude to the men and women whose service and sacrifices embody the highest ideals of bravery and resilience; and further remembers their commitment and recognises the profound pain and immense loss that continues to be felt by their families and the local community decades later.

337Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

Tabled: 29/10/24 Signatories: 6

Patricia Ferguson

Andrew Rosindell

Brian Leishman

Jim Shannon

Chris Law

Stephen Gethins

That this House commends the City of Glasgow for stepping in to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games following the withdrawal of the Australian state of Victoria and following the successful hosting of the 2014 Commonwealth Games; acknowledges that the Games play an important role in highlighting the benefits of the Commonwealth, bringing people from across the world together around an exciting and popular sporting event, welcoming athletes from across the Commonwealth to the City, including to Glasgow West constituency which will host the athletics events in the Scotstoun Stadium; recognises that the Commonwealth Games not only bring benefits to the sports community, but provides economic benefits both to the host city, and to the surrounding region and marks an exciting opportunity for Glasgow to showcase its vibrant culture, rich history, and welcoming spirit on the global stage; notes the efforts that are already being made by Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Life, businesses and citizens as the city begins its preparations to host the Games; and further recognises that this endeavour will require all sectors of Government and society to lend their support, to ensure that Glasgow is able to deliver an event that continues the magnificent tradition of the Games.

338Israeli Knesset decision to ban UNRWA

Tabled: 29/10/24 Signatories: 19

Calum Miller

Luke Taylor

Steve Darling

Mr Alistair Carmichael

Anna Sabine

Munira Wilson

That this House expresses its deep concern at the Israeli Knesset’s vote to ban UNRWA; notes that this comes at a desperate moment in Gaza with a senior UN humanitarian official warning that the entire population of north Gaza is at risk of dying; further notes that, given the critical role played by UNRWA in distributing humanitarian aid within Gaza, this decision risks catastrophic consequences; urges the UK Government to accompany words of condemnation with consequences for breaches of international law; according urges the Government to implement sanctions against far-right Ministers Ben-Gvir and Smotrich for their incitement of violence against Palestinians by illegal settlers; further urges the Government to press for immediate access for humanitarian aid into Gaza; and calls on the Government to provide all necessary assistance, including aid, to UNRWA to alleviate the humanitarian crisis and ensure that the recommendations of the independent Colonna report are implemented as quickly as possible.

339Scotland Beyond Net Zero

Tabled: 29/10/24 Signatories: 3

Martin Rhodes

Jim Shannon

Chris Law

That this House celebrates the launch of Scotland Beyond Net Zero’s (SBNZ) inaugural phase of seed funding for projects tackling climate change; further celebrates the effort of Scotland’s higher education Institutions in collaborating to use their research and development strengths to accelerate net zero targets; recognises the unique role of universities as vehicles for innovation in tackling the climate crisis; acknowledges that the seed funding has been awarded to eight innovative projects across six themes: food, finance, built environment, natural systems, energy and transport; commends SBNZ for allocating up to £15,000 to research projects, which will explore interdisciplinary solutions to complex climate issues; and looks forward to seeing SBNZ, and all projects awarded funding, continue to create positive change around Scotland’s beyond net zero future.