Published – Monday 20 January 2025

New EDMs

649First Step to Stand: women’s participation in local politics in Falkirk

Tabled: 17/01/25 Signatories: 1

Euan Stainbank

That this House commends Councillor Siobhan Paterson for organising the First Step to Stand workshop in Falkirk on Sunday 2 February at Falkirk Trinity Church between 1pm and 3pm, aimed at encouraging more women to engage in local democracy; recognises the importance of empowering women to stand for elected office and contribute to their communities; notes the workshop’s role in providing inspiration, practical advice, and a supportive network for aspiring female councillors; and applauds Falkirk Council’s commitment to fostering greater female representation in politics.

650Parks Police

Tabled: 17/01/25 Signatories: 1

Sarah Olney

That this House recognises the excellent work that the Parks Police undertakes to minimise levels of crime in parks across London; notes the important role they play in tackling anti-social behaviour in open spaces; acknowledges their expertise in their domain; understands park users’ appreciation of their presence in assisting with policing matters; and urges the Home Office to provide the Metropolitan Police with sufficient funding to ensure that cuts to the Parks Police division are not on the table.

651British companies and the transportation of Russian liquefied natural gas

Tabled: 17/01/25 Signatories: 1

Chris Law

That this House stands with the people of Ukraine against the illegal invasion and occupation of their country by Russia; believes that sanctions on Russian exports and, in particular, Russian-produced fossil fuels, are necessary to help reduce the ability of Russia to fund its ongoing invasion; welcomes that the UK Government has prohibited the importation of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) into the UK; notes with concern, however, that British companies continue to be involved in the transport and sale of Russian LNG from Russia to other countries; further notes with extreme concern that it has been reported that Glasgow-based corporation Seapeak Maritime Glasgow Ltd own and operate six tankers transporting Russian LNG and at least 12 tankers transporting Russian gas through the Arctic Ocean have protection and indemnity insurance provided by UK-based insurers, including North of England P&I Association, Standard P&I Club per Charles Taylor & Co, and UK P&I Club; believes that companies involved in the sale and exportation of Russian LNG should not be eligible for Government assistance, financial or otherwise; and calls on the UK Government to close current loop-holes that allow British-based companies to transport Russian LNG despite previous sanctions.

652Consultation on Work Capability Assessment

Tabled: 17/01/25 Signatories: 1

John McDonnell

That this House notes the High Court judgement ruling that the last Government's consultation on changes to the criteria for the Work Capability Assessment was unlawful; and calls upon the new Government to ensure that any proposals to reform the Work Capability Assessment are undertaken by a process of co-production with disabled people and the organisations, groups and campaigning bodies representing disabled people including Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) and on the basic principle advocated by disabled people of "nothing about us, without us."

653Blue Monday

Tabled: 17/01/25 Signatories: 1

Anna Sabine

That this House recognises Blue Monday and that January can be a particularly difficult month for those struggling with their mental health and wellbeing; commemorates the work of charities such as Samaritans for all their hard work around the year and around the clock in supporting vulnerable people and for their initiative ‘Brew Monday’ which encourages people to reach out to and speak to those they care about; laments that young people in the UK have higher mental health needs than ever; and acknowledges the need for a mental health professional in every primary and secondary school, mental health hubs in the community and regular mental health check-ups.

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.

604Housing

Tabled: 8/01/25 Signatories: 12

Gideon Amos

Calum Miller [R]

Jess Brown-Fuller

Dr Roz Savage

Susan Murray

Vikki Slade

Mr Joshua Reynolds

That this house notes with concern the ongoing housing crisis; recognises that the Empty Homes Network and Local Government Association has reported a 10% increase in long term empty homes; understands the detrimental impact these empty homes have on this crisis; notes that consenting the development of thousands of green fields will not solve the housing crisis; and instead calls for the Government to ensure that developers build genuinely affordable homes for local people in line with the Liberal Democrat commitment to create 150,000 new social homes a year; calls for second homes to be prevented from sitting empty through higher council taxes and planning controls; and urges the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government to support the provision of new homes by providing Local Authorities with the funding and powers required to bring residential housing back into use and invest in a new generation of rent to own homes for young and excluded renters to get into home ownership.

610Afghan women and girls

Tabled: 8/01/25 Signatories: 32

Wendy Chamberlain

Ayoub Khan

Claire Hanna

Dr Roz Savage

Susan Murray

Adam Dance

Munira Wilson

That this House deplores the systemic and violent subjugation of women and girls in Afghanistan by the Taliban, including extensive restrictions on speech, education, working, and unaccompanied travel or movement in the public sphere; notes that this is described by the United Nations special rapporteur as amounting to a gender apartheid; acknowledges the Tirana Declaration agreed by Afghan female leaders in September 2024; further acknowledges the critical need to hold Taliban leaders accountable for human rights violations; and calls on the Government to reaffirm its commitment to Afghan women and girls throughout its diplomatic, international development and defence policies.

621Possible sanctions on Bidzina Ivanishvili

Tabled: 13/01/25 Signatories: 18

James MacCleary

Jim Shannon

Wendy Chamberlain

Wera Hobhouse

Helen Maguire

David Chadwick

Max WilkinsonMr Lee Dillon

That this House expresses deep concern at the suspension of Georgia’s EU accession process and the increasing use of excessive force against peaceful protesters; condemns the role of Bidzina Ivanishvili in undermining democracy and facilitating Russian influence in Georgia; notes the United States has imposed sanctions on Ivanishvili and calls on the UK Government to do the same to demonstrate a firm stance against democratic backsliding; urges a review of the UK’s strategic partnership with Georgia and closer coordination with EU partners to counter Russian interference; and reaffirms support for the Georgian people’s democratic aspirations.

629Life and achievements of Bob Williams

Tabled: 13/01/25 Signatories: 10

Vikki Slade [R]

Anna Sabine

Brian Mathew

Jim Shannon

Sarah Dyke

Helen Maguire

Tim Farron

That this House celebrates the life and achievements of Bob Williams, former Dorset County Councillor, Deputy Leader of Borough of Poole and President of Mid Dorset & North Poole Lib Dems, who has sadly passed away; acknowledges Bob’s dedication and commitment to Broadstone and Poole, firstly through 28 years as an elected member and latterly as a much valued community volunteer; recognises his commitment to local authority service in particular supporting youth services, planning and setting up Pride in Poole; notes the key role that he played, alongside fellow Liberal Democrat Brian Clements, in securing and building the Twin Sails Bridge; commends his support for Broadstone after his political career ended being the voice of the Broadstone Christmas Parade and serving as secretary for the Broadstone Chamber of Trade and Commerce for many years; pays tribute to his dedication to his wife Shelagh, children Christian and Kerry and his wider family, and to the Liberal Democrats where he served first as Chair of the local party and then as President, and notes his qualities as a kind and gentle man who had a talent for singing and always offered his practical help putting up Christmas lights, fixing the community hall and setting out the fun day; and thanks him for the role he played in securing the election of many councillors in Dorset and to Parliament of Dame Annette Brooke MP and Vikki Slade MP both of whom consider him a cherished friend.

636Interstitial Lung Disease

Tabled: 14/01/25 Signatories: 7

Jim Shannon

Mr Gregory Campbell

Tristan Osborne

Gavin Robinson

John McDonnell

Ellie Chowns

Tim Farron

That this House recognises the urgent need to improve the experience of people with Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) and Pulmonary Fibrosis, a progressive and life-limiting lung disease affecting over 70,000 people in the UK; acknowledges the impact of the disease on patients, their families, and caregivers, including significant physical, emotional, and financial burdens; notes the current variation in access to timely diagnosis, specialist care, and support services, which can result in inequities in patient outcomes; welcomes the ILD Care Pathway developed by OneVoiceILD, supported by Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis, which is designed to free up overstretched capacity in specialist ILD centres to allow for faster expert diagnosis of ILD, and help ensure better quality care closer to patients’ homes; and calls on the Government to work with NHS England, devolved health services, healthcare professionals, and patient organisations to urgently implement the ILD Care Pathway.

63925th Anniversary of the reopening of the Forth & Clyde Canal

Tabled: 14/01/25 Signatories: 7

Euan Stainbank

Jim Shannon

Mary Kelly Foy

Patricia Ferguson

Richard Baker

Gregor Poynton

Tracy Gilbert

That this House congratulates Scottish Canals on the 25th anniversary of the reopening of the Forth & Clyde Canal in 2001 as part of the Millennium Link project; notes that this £83.4 million project was one of the largest canal restoration efforts in Britain, reconnecting the Forth & Clyde and Union canals; recognises the significant cultural and economic benefits brought by the construction of the Falkirk Wheel, the world’s first rotating boat lift, and The Kelpies, the world’s largest equine sculptures; further acknowledges the revitalisation of local communities and the creation of a marine hub; and commends Scottish Canals for their ongoing commitment to preserving Scotland’s waterways and heritage.

642Linda Norgrove Foundation wins Voluntary Sector Partnership Award

Tabled: 15/01/25 Signatories: 6

Wendy Chamberlain

Jim Shannon

Helen Maguire

Dr Roz Savage

Patricia Ferguson

Adam Dance

That this House congratulates the Linda Norgrove Foundation on winning the Voluntary Sector Partnership Award at the Scottish Public Service Awards; commends their collaboration with the UK and Scottish Governments in order to resettle 19 Afghan female medical students; notes that the students were forced to give up studying medicine after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan and forced women to leave universities; recognises the incredible hard work that the Linda Norgrove Foundation put in to helping the students come to Scotland to finish their studies; and wishes them all the best for their studies and futures ahead.

646US trade and impact assessments

Tabled: 16/01/25 Signatories: 3

Ed Davey

Helen Maguire

Adam Dance

That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, that he will be graciously pleased to give directions that there be deposited in the Library of the House of Commons all impact assessments which His Majesty’s Government has made regarding the impact of potential US tariffs on the UK economy.

648Highland hospital transport

Tabled: 16/01/25 Signatories: 3

Jamie Stone

Helen Maguire

Adam Dance

That this House recognises the inequality in access to healthcare faced by residents in the far north of Scotland; acknowledges that thousands of people are struggling to reach Raigmore Hospital in Inverness due to inadequate hospital transport schemes; notes that residents of Caithness have to travel up to 100 miles for necessary medical treatments; highlights that public transport is not always viable and taxis are not always affordable; further recognises that this is deterring people from settling in the Highlands; and calls on the Government to recognise this issue and raise it with the Scottish Government.