Published – Monday 27 January 2025

New EDMs

69280th anniversary of Grosvenor Grammar School

Tabled: 24/01/25 Signatories: 1

Gavin Robinson

That this House congratulates Grosvenor Grammar School, Belfast, on celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2025; recognises the significant contribution the school has made to education and community life since its founding in 1945 as Grosvenor High School; commends its ethos of relationships, respect and responsibility, which inspires pupils to become lifelong learners and confident, tolerant adults; celebrates the school’s state-of-the-art facilities; acknowledges the school’s commitment to promoting all-round excellence in academics, the arts and extracurricular activities; highlights the success of its distinguished alumni, including George Best, Ivan Little, Nathan Connolly and Academy Award-winning director Ross White; and applauds the efforts of pupils, staff, parents and carers in organising events and activities to celebrate this momentous milestone, ensuring that Grosvenor Grammar School’s 80th anniversary is a fitting tribute to its legacy of educational excellence and holistic development.

693Mobile phone theft

Tabled: 24/01/25 Signatories: 1

Dawn Butler

That this House notes with concern that an estimated 78,000 people had phones or bags snatched from them in Britain in the year to March 2024; further notes that this represented a 153% rise when compared to the year to March 2023; acknowledges that 70% of all thefts in London are specifically related to mobile phones; recognises concerns that it is currently too easy to re-register mobile devices to new individuals; and calls on leading phone companies to do more to work with the police to design methods to discourage phone theft.

694Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 2025

Tabled: 24/01/25 Signatories: 1

Anna Sabine

That this House commemorates Cervical Cancer Prevention Week which has just passed; celebrates the progress the UK has made in routine cervical screening, known as smear tests, for women and HPV vaccinations for young girls and boys; remains committed to increasing the uptake of cervical screening as well as HPV vaccinations across society, as 80% of people will contract a high risk HPV infection in their lifetime; and praises the work of nurses, doctors and healthcare professionals in the screening and treatment of cervical cancer as well as the work of charities such as Macmillan and Cancer Research UK in their support for patients, families and the bereaved.

695Attempted removal of Ayman Odeh from the Israeli Knesset

Tabled: 24/01/25 Signatories: 1

Ayoub Khan

That this House expresses deep concern regarding the efforts of Israeli coalition and opposition politicians to oust MK Ayman Odeh from the Knesset; joins Odeh in welcoming the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal which enabled the exchange of Israeli and Palestinian hostages and abductees; supports the sentiment of Palestinians and Israelis being freed from the burden of occupation and building a shared future; notes that, of the 90 Palestinians hostages most recently released by Israel, 69 were women, 21 were children, and most had been held without charge or trial; acknowledges the existence of myriad political mechanisms that enable the targeting, exclusion, and marginalisation of Palestinian-Israeli members of the Knesset, including the conflation of one’s support for Palestinian rights with support for terrorism or incitement to violence; further notes the similar employment of the impeachment process against MK Ofer Cassif, as a result of his signing a petition in support of the South Africa’s case forwarded in the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinians in Gaza; believes in the value of maintaining a representative democracy that encompasses a broad array of political, social, and ethnic creeds; and calls on the Government to vehemently oppose any efforts by Israeli parliamentarians to further solidify an ethnocratic, apartheid state, and deny the Palestinian population’s right to self-determination through the rooting out of democratically elected officials that represent their cause.

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.

660Support for SMEs in coastal and farming constituencies

Tabled: 20/01/25 Signatories: 17

Edward Morello

Ian Roome

Helen Maguire

Liz Jarvis

Steff Aquarone

Ben Maguire

Martin Wrigley

That this House acknowledges the detrimental impact of National Insurance contribution rises and higher business rates on small and medium enterprises (SMEs), particularly in coastal and farming constituencies like West Dorset; notes that these sectors are essential for tourism and seasonal employment but are disproportionately affected by these financial pressures; calls for fundamental reform of the business rates system to support small businesses and high streets while stopping the penalisation of productive investment; and further calls on the Government to take immediate action to alleviate the financial burden on SMEs before it forces closures that will devastate local economies.

670Benefits of outdoor education to children’s wellbeing

Tabled: 21/01/25 Signatories: 29

Tim Farron

Jess Brown-Fuller

Shockat Adam

Mr Angus MacDonald

Helen Maguire

Steve Darling

Martin Wrigley

That this House recognises the significant benefits of outdoor education to children’s physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing; calls on the Secretary of State for Education to undertake a review into these benefits within six months of the passing of the Children’s Wellbeing Bill; further urges the Secretary of State to publish a report on the review’s findings within six months of the passing of this Act; and believes that the inclusion of outdoor education within a child’s learning experience is essential for promoting resilience, physical health, and social development.

671Provision of residential outdoor education for children in kinship care

Tabled: 21/01/25 Signatories: 27

Tim Farron

Jess Brown-Fuller

Shockat Adam

Mr Angus MacDonald

Helen Maguire

Steve Darling

Martin Wrigley

That this House recognises the unique challenges faced by children in kinship care and the vital role outdoor education plays in fostering self-esteem and developing essential life skills; calls on local authorities to take such steps as are reasonably practicable to ensure that children living in kinship care receive at least one residential outdoor education experience; and urges the Government to prioritise access to outdoor education opportunities for children in kinship care as part of their broader commitment to child welfare and development.

675Flood preparedness

Tabled: 21/01/25 Signatories: 24

Freddie van Mierlo

Edward Morello

Jess Brown-Fuller

Mr Angus MacDonald

Helen Maguire

Wendy Chamberlain

Martin Wrigley

That this House is deeply concerned by the recent flooding across the UK and the devastating impact this has had on communities, businesses and transport routes; recognises the particular tragedy of instances where members of the public have lost their lives as a result of flooding and severe weather; notes its gratitude for the efforts of emergency services, utilities company staff and communities who have responded to flooded events with bravery and efficiently; understands that issues in current eligibility criteria for flooding support schemes mean that many in rural communities miss out on vital support; further notes with concern that the Flood Recovery Framework has not been activated following the devastating floods this winter despite over 1,000 homes experiencing flooding following flooding in September 2024; calls on the Government to reassess the eligibility criteria for flooding support schemes to ensure all flooded properties are supported; urges the Government to tailor the qualifying criteria for the Farming Recovery Fund to reflect the realities of flooding for rural communities and farmers and to raise the Environmental Land Management budget by £1 billion a year to recognise farmers’ key role in managing flood water; further calls on the Government to commit to funding for flood defences past 2026, to allow local authorities to commit to long-term flood preparedness plans; and asks the Government to ringfence funding allocations for natural flood risk management.

680Harrogate Theatre's 125th anniversary

Tabled: 22/01/25 Signatories: 7

Tom Gordon

Max Wilkinson

Jim Shannon

Adam Dance

Richard Burgon

Helen Maguire

Jess Brown-Fuller

That this House congratulates Harrogate Theatre on reaching its 125th anniversary this year; recognises the organisation’s work since it was founded in 1900, with programmes including live events such as theatre, comedy, music and dance, hosting touring productions, producing its own award winning pantomime, hosting community companies, supporting emerging artists through its Artist Development Hub and last, but by no means least, running its own youth theatre providing young people with the opportunity to try out different theatre skills and explore their own creativity; and further recognises its place as a much loved cultural centre in the heart of Harrogate.

681Road safety in rural areas

Tabled: 22/01/25 Signatories: 13

Edward Morello

Adam Jogee

Ian Roome

Jess Brown-Fuller

Dr Roz Savage

Jim Shannon

Anna SabineHelen MaguireRachel GilmourCaroline VoadenMartin Wrigley

That this House acknowledges the persistent road safety challenges in rural areas such as West Dorset, including large potholes, poor visibility, and narrow, winding roads shared by cars, lorries, buses, cyclists, and horse riders; calls on the Government to prioritise community-based road safety improvements and implement safety measures in new road infrastructure from the outset; highlights the importance of utilising advanced safety technologies in modern vehicles and ensuring road designs are compatible with these technologies; and urges investment in rural road networks to protect all road users and support the needs of local communities.

686Rural rail services

Tabled: 23/01/25 Signatories: 11

Edward Morello

Adam Dance

Dr Roz Savage

Jim Shannon

Helen Maguire

Rachel Gilmour

Jess Brown-FullerIan RoomeCaroline VoadenMartin WrigleyRichard Foord

That this House acknowledges the inadequate rail services in rural areas such as those on the Salisbury to Exeter railway line, which serves West Dorset constituency; calls on the Government to act on the analysis and recommendations of the Connecting South West England Report from Greengauge 21 on much-needed electrification and the upgrade of single-line tracks with passing points to double lines to reduce delays and improve service reliability for passengers and operators; expresses concern over the lack of alignment between the timeline for the nationalisation of South Western Rail and the establishment of Great British Railways, and the risk this poses for achieving a cohesive and integrated rail strategy; further highlights the potential for missed opportunities in delivering a unified vision for the rail network, risking fragmenting the long term approach to reform the rail network; and calls for targeted investment in rural rail infrastructure to address the underrepresentation of these areas in public transport planning.

688Scottish Golf Awards 2025 - North East Fife finalists

Tabled: 23/01/25 Signatories: 4

Wendy Chamberlain

Dr Roz Savage

Jim Shannon

Helen Maguire

That this House congratulates Ian Muir, Abigail May and the Fife Golf Trust on making the finalists list for the 2025 Scottish Golf Awards; recognises Ian Muir has been nominated for Coach of the Year for his work as a performance coach at the University of St Andrews; notes Abigail May has been nominated for Female Amateur Golfer of the Year for reaching the semi-finals at the Scottish Girls’ Amateur and representing Scotland with distinction at home and abroad; celebrates Fife Golf Trust, which includes Scoonie Golf Course in Leven, being nominated for the Impact and Innovation award for their ‘Seven Golf Courses for Nature’ project which aims to boost biodiversity and underlines the Trust’s wider commitment to sustainability; wishes everyone the best of luck; and looks forward to the winners being announced on 14 March.

689Publication of fuel court prices

Tabled: 23/01/25 Signatories: 10

Martin Wrigley

Adam Dance

Jim Shannon

Helen Maguire

Tom Gordon

Jess Brown-Fuller

Ian RoomeCaroline VoadenRichard FoordAyoub Khan

That this House calls on the Government to commit to the pump watch petrol price comparison platform, as recommended by the Competition and Markets Authority.

690Independent parking regulator

Tabled: 23/01/25 Signatories: 12

Martin Wrigley

Adam Dance

Helen Maguire

Jess Brown-Fuller

Vikki Slade

Andrew George

Alison BennettCaroline VoadenSorcha EastwoodRichard FoordAyoub KhanPete Wishart

That this House believes there needs to be a proper independent parking regulator, with appropriate powers to regulate fees, enforcement and appeals.

69195th Anniversary of Young Farmers' Clubs of Ulster

Tabled: 23/01/25 Signatories: 2

Robin Swann [R]

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates the Young Farmers Clubs of Ulster on their 95th Anniversary; acknowledges the positive contribution they have made to the rural fabric and society in Northern Ireland, educating and supporting young people from all walks of life over numerous generations; appreciates and thanks all those who have held positions within the organisation, at club, county, national, international level and staff, by shaping our industry and community leaders; and further acknowledges the key role it has had in shaping Northern Ireland’s farming future.