Contents
Published: Friday 14 March 2025
Early Day Motions tabled on Thursday 13 March 2025
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
942Minister for Coastal Communities
Tabled: 13/03/25 Signatories: 1
Martin Wrigley
That this House calls on the Government to appoint a Minister for Coastal Communities to help tackle the unique set of issues that coastal communities face; and urges the Government to implement the recommendations of The Future of Seaside Towns: Follow-up Report to allocate a Ministerial portfolio within the Department specifically for seaside towns to create a clear point of contact and demonstrate the importance of these areas within the levelling up agenda, ensure the Minister with this portfolio attends all meetings of the Interministerial Group on Levelling Up to ensure coastal perspectives are considered, and develop a national coastal communities strategy in collaboration with the Local Government Association, coastal interest groups, and the private and third sectors.
943Three promotion places from the National League
Tabled: 13/03/25 Signatories: 1
Kate Osborne
That this House recognises the importance of the pyramid system in English football; welcomes efforts to distribute revenue more fairly across the system, and acknowledges the vital role of the 72 National League clubs as the top tier of non-League football in England; applauds the National League’s adoption of the Salary Cost Management Protocol next season to align with the English Football League (EFL), helping maintain the record of no National League club entering liquidation since 2013; supports the National League’s 3-Up campaign for three promotions into the EFL, welcoming the EFL’s willingness to discuss this, noting that it aligns with the Independent Football Regulator’s three objectives; and calls for the regulator to use its backstop to ensure both financial and promotional fairness within the National League system.
944Wellbeing benefits of outdoor education to young people
Tabled: 13/03/25 Signatories: 1
Tim Farron
That this House recognises the significant benefits of outdoor learning for children and young people; urges the Secretary of State to undertake a review of the value of those benefits; notes that more time learning outdoors provides an opportunity for children to learn skills and characteristics to cope with many of the societal problems of climate change, worsening child mental health, and high child obesity levels; further notes that there is significant evidence that outdoor learning and youth work enables better engagement with education, builds pro-environmental behaviours from a young age, and establishes team work and resilience in young people; and recognises that these practices build on a long heritage of outdoor learning in the UK.
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.
865Educationally subnormal schools in the 1960s and 1970s
Tabled: 27/02/25 Signatories: 26
Kim Johnson
Ellie Chowns
Rachael Maskell
Apsana Begum
Brian Leishman
Neil Duncan-Jordan
Cat Eccles
That this House acknowledges the historical injustice suffered by Black children who were wrongly classified as educationally subnormal and placed in schooling for those with severely physical and mental disabilities under racist policies; notes the findings of Subnormal: A British Scandal and the exceptional work of educational campaigners starting with Bernard Coard, who have highlighted the lifelong harm caused by this systemic discrimination; further recognises the generational impact on families and communities whose children were denied access to a fair and equal education; notes the fortieth anniversary of the Swann Report entitled Education for All and its recommendations to combat racism in education, and regrets the lack of full implementation of its conclusions and findings; calls on the Government to issue a formal apology to those affected and to ensure their experiences are properly acknowledged; and urges the Government to establish a full public inquiry into this historic educational injustice to ensure accountability, transparency and meaningful policy changes to prevent such discrimination from ever occurring again.
868Cap exemption under Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme
Tabled: 27/02/25 Signatories: 9
Bell Ribeiro-Addy
Ellie Chowns
Rachael Maskell
Richard Burgon
Jim Shannon
Sir Desmond Swayne
Sir Christopher Chope
That this House notes with concern that the new £25,000 cap on the Listed Places of Worship scheme has created significant financial difficulties for churches across the country that have building projects already in progress; believes that the sudden and unexpected introduction of the cap on January 22nd amounts to an unfair change of policy for places of worship that have already signed contracts; notes that the cap has put in jeopardy projects that are designed to restore important historic buildings and provide crucial community services, such as Holy Trinity Clapham which has raised £6.2m to expand its community services for the homeless and vulnerable, families and children but which now faces an extra £1m tax bill; recognises the scheme has received cross-party support across successive governments; and calls on the Government to ensure the introduction of an exemption for places of worship that already have signed contracts for projects set to conclude in the 2025-26 financial year, before the cap was introduced.
901Rail fare increase
Tabled: 5/03/25 Signatories: 26
Mr Paul Kohler
Mr Angus MacDonald
Helen Maguire
Wera Hobhouse
Olly Glover
Dr Al Pinkerton
Tom Gordon
That this House regrets the Government’s decision to increase rail fares by 4.6%; notes that this decision comes while cancellations, delays and overcrowding remain endemic; further notes that the hike will cost many commuters hundreds of pounds a year; further regrets that this decision follows years of rising transport costs under the former Conservative Government and amidst a cost of living crisis; also regrets that the Government’s decision will force people away from public transport, worsen air pollution and emissions; regrets that Great Britain’s railway has been reduced from the envy of the world to a network that is expensive, poorly integrated, dysfunctional and overwhelmed; and calls on the Government to make good on its promise to deliver better passenger standards, freeze rail fares, and deliver the first rate railway service that passengers and businesses so deserve and need.
902European Remembrance Day for victims of terrorism
Tabled: 5/03/25 Signatories: 6
Mr Gregory Campbell
Carla Lockhart
Luke Akehurst
Tristan Osborne
Jim Allister
Jim Shannon
That this House notes 11 March 2025 marks European Remembrance Day for Victims of Terrorism; acknowledges that many innocent victims across the UK and Europe must not be forgotten; also acknowledges the fact that a number of Hon. and Rt. Hon. Members of Parliament were murdered as a result of terrorism over many years; and resolves to ensure that the light of democracy must never by extinguished as a result of acts of violence carried out against the innocents.
905Ending the sale of tickets to captive orca and dolphin shows
Tabled: 5/03/25 Signatories: 24
Liz Jarvis
Tim Farron
Mr Angus MacDonald
Richard Foord
Helen Maguire
Neil Duncan-Jordan
Monica HardingTom Gordon
That this House believes that travel companies should stop selling tickets to shows featuring captive orcas and dolphins; notes with concern that despite mounting evidence of the harm caused to these animals in captivity, over 3,600 cetaceans worldwide remain confined for human entertainment; recognises that captivity severely restricts cetaceans’ natural behaviours, leads to physical and psychological distress, and shortens life expectancy; further notes that leading travel companies, including EasyJet Holidays and Jet2holidays, have already ceased the sale of such attractions in response to public and scientific concern; expresses disappointment that some travel companies continue to sell tickets to captive animal attractions; welcomes the Born Free Foundation’s Tank Free campaign calling on travel operators to end their support for the captive cetacean industry; and urges the Government to work with the travel industry to phase out the promotion and sale of tickets to captive orca and dolphin shows.
906Oversight of homelessness
Tabled: 6/03/25 Signatories: 8
Mr Richard Quigley
Dr Roz Savage
Lee Barron
Peter Lamb
Ellie Chowns
Jim Shannon
Carla Denyer
That this House notes recent research carried out by Centrepoint into the scale of youth homelessness; is deeply concerned that youth homelessness across the UK has risen by 10% over the past year, with 118,134 young people approaching their local authorities for support; and supports Centrepoint’s recommendations for increased Government oversight of local authority adherence to the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, a youth-focused chapter in the Government's homelessness strategy, and urgent protections in the Homelessness Code of Guidance to ensure all vulnerable young people receive the support to which they are entitled.
910Covid-19 Day of Reflection 2025
Tabled: 6/03/25 Signatories: 41
Liz Jarvis
Ian Roome
Adam Dance
Mr Angus MacDonald
Dr Roz Savage
Helen Maguire
Tom GordonCarla DenyerMaureen Burke
That this House recognises 9 March as the Covid-19 Day of Reflection, a time to remember the lives lost during the pandemic and to acknowledge the profound impact on families, communities, and frontline workers; pays tribute to those who worked tirelessly to protect public health and support those affected; regrets that insufficient action has been taken to learn from the mistakes of the pandemic response; urges the Government to fully implement the recommendations of public health experts and inquiries to strengthen preparedness for future health crises; and calls on the Government to take all necessary steps to ensure that any future pandemic does not result in preventable loss of life on such a devastating scale.
918Plastic pollution
Tabled: 10/03/25 Signatories: 18
Gideon Amos
Helen Maguire
Zöe Franklin
Dr Roz Savage
Wera Hobhouse
Jim Shannon
Jess Brown-FullerCarla DenyerEllie Chowns
That this House commends the pupils of West Monkton Primary School for their advocacy in highlighting the urgent issue of plastic pollution; recognises the importance of educating and empowering young people to take action in protecting the environment; acknowledges the detrimental impact of plastic waste on marine life, ecosystems, and communities; supports measures to ban single-use plastics, improve recycling infrastructure, and promote a circular economy; and calls on the Government to accelerate efforts to tackle plastic pollution to secure a cleaner and more sustainable future for the next generation.
919Illegal modification of e-bikes and e-scooters
Tabled: 10/03/25 Signatories: 17
Helen Maguire
Wera Hobhouse
Jim Shannon
Ian Roome
Tristan Osborne
Luke Akehurst
Jess Brown-FullerAyoub KhanCarla DenyerEllie Chowns
That this House notes with concern the rise in illegally modified e-bikes and e-scooters, which pose serious safety risks to riders and pedestrians; recognises that altering speed and power limits compromises road safety regulations; urges the Government to strengthen enforcement and public awareness; and calls for greater collaboration between authorities and manufacturers to prevent illegal modifications and promote responsible use.
920Community pharmacies
Tabled: 10/03/25 Signatories: 49
Helen Morgan
Jess Brown-Fuller
Dr Danny Chambers
Alison Bennett
Helen Maguire
Martin Wrigley
Ian SollomCalum MillerAyoub KhanTom GordonCarla DenyerCharlotte CaneEllie Chowns
That this House notes the perilous state of community pharmacies, which are struggling to survive across the country; recognises that pharmacies are at the heart of our communities, are an essential part of health and care services, and are relied upon by millions of people every day; further notes that since 2017, 1,200 pharmacies have closed their doors, with an additional 1,000 pharmacies set to close by 2027; regrets that the last Conservative Government failed to stem pharmacy closures and watched on as services deteriorated; further regrets the Government’s decision to hike employers’ National Insurance contributions (ENICs), which will force pharmacies to lay-off staff and cut services; expresses alarm that, after 11 months, the Government has still not announced a contract for pharmacies for the current financial year; also notes that no funding has been announced for Pharmacy First beyond March, and that this could threaten access to prescribing and primary care; believes that investing in the pharmacy sector and expanding pharmacy services is essential for easing pressure on the rest of the health service, and that an invest-to-save approach in healthcare must include pharmacies as a matter of priority; and calls on the Government to cancel the ENICs increase, deliver fairer funding for pharmacies, stop pharmacy closures, end pharmacy deserts, work with pharmacies to address medicine shortages, and support pharmacists to help save our NHS by being the strong, dynamic and innovative pillar of primary care they can and want to be.
924Staffing at Brunel University
Tabled: 10/03/25 Signatories: 6
John McDonnell
Jim Shannon
Brian Leishman
Apsana Begum
Jeremy Corbyn
Jon Trickett
That this House expresses its deep concern at the large scale cuts in staffing being imposed by Brunel University amongst academic and professional services staff with 125 academic staff at risk of losing their jobs by the end of March and 239 professional services staff at risk of losing their jobs by the end of June; notes that this massive programme of cuts threatens to undermine the long term viability of the university; and urges the management of the university to engage with the University College Union to give serious consideration to options to address the university's financial challenges other than redundancies.
925Overseas aid budget
Tabled: 10/03/25 Signatories: 11
Ms Diane Abbott
Jeremy Corbyn
Bell Ribeiro-Addy
Richard Burgon
Iqbal Mohamed
Apsana Begum
Ayoub Khan
That this House notes with concern the Government’s announcement to significantly increase military spending at the expense of vital overseas development assistance and public services; believes that these are the wrong priorities for public investment and will make the world less safe and disproportionately impact the poorest, both at home and abroad; notes the year-on-year increase for defence spending since 2016; further notes the 2023-24 Infrastructure and Projects Authority report which assesses as unachievable the Ministry of Defence programme to replace Britain’s nuclear weapons, due to sustained delays and cost overruns; further believes the billions of pounds allocated to this programme are a waste of public funds; and calls on the Government to reverse its plans to increase defence spending and instead redirect funding into public services, international development, and climate action to build a safer, fairer, and more sustainable future for all.
927World Kidney Day 2025
Tabled: 11/03/25 Signatories: 17
Daisy Cooper
Ian Roome
Jim Shannon
Helen Maguire
Mr Joshua Reynolds
Andrew George
Jess Brown-FullerLiz JarvisTom GordonCarla DenyerEllie Chowns
That this House acknowledges that World Kidney Day takes place on Thursday 13 March 2025; recognises that an estimated 3.5 million people are living with later stage, 3-5, chronic kidney disease (CKD), although many remain undiagnosed; further recognises the mental health impacts of severe CKD, evidenced through 67% of patients living with CKD reporting symptoms of depression; regrets the financial impacts on patients due to multiple trips to hospital per week for life sustaining treatment, the inability to work regular hours, and increased utility bills due to energy intensive medical equipment negatively impacting patients’ finances; understands that CKD cases are often preventable, and by detecting CKD early, it is possible to slow or stop the progression of the disease, and prevent it from reaching the stages at which it is most severe; commends charities, such as Kidney Care UK, and their work on the Bloody Amazing Kidneys campaign, which raises awareness of the disease and encourages people most at risk of chronic kidney disease to get tested; notes that half of the 135,000 people who took the Bloody Amazing Kidneys campaign kidney health check were at risk of kidney disease, mainly because of high blood pressure; and calls on the Government to prioritise the early detection of kidney disease, and develop guidelines so that other services and support vital for kidney patients, including transport, social care, and mental health support, are uniformly available, with no postcode lotteries.
928Tackling the climate and nature crisis
Tabled: 11/03/25 Signatories: 25
Edward Morello
Pippa Heylings
Ian Roome
Wera Hobhouse
Jim Shannon
Helen Maguire
Jess Brown-FullerDr Roz SavageLiz JarvisTom GordonEllie Chowns
That this House recognises the urgent need for the UK to take world-leading action on climate change and environmental protection; notes that climate change poses the greatest threat to global stability, public health, and ecological preservation; further notes that the UK has an opportunity to lead in the transition to a net-zero economy, with renewable energy now significantly cheaper than fossil fuels, and calls on the Government to ensure these savings are reflected in energy bills for consumers; expresses deep concern over the UK’s ongoing nature crisis, and calls on the Government to double the size of the Protected Area Network and commit to planting at least 60 million trees annually; urges this Government to strengthen protections, including by passing a Clean Air Act, enhancing the powers of the Office for Environmental Protection, and tackling air pollution; further notes that Dorset’s National Landscape covers 40% of the county, underscoring the need for strong national policies to protect natural landscapes; condemns the ongoing sewage scandal, which has led to devastating pollution of UK rivers and coastal waters, and calls on the Government to impose stricter penalties on water companies that fail to prevent sewage dumping; acknowledges that while other nations contribute heavily to environmental destruction, the UK must take a leadership role in developing solutions and setting high standards for climate and environmental policy; and further urges the Government to take bold, immediate steps to halt the decline of Britain’s natural environment for the benefit of future generations.
929Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Tabled: 11/03/25 Signatories: 6
Jim Shannon
Andrew George
Tom Morrison
Ayoub Khan
Carla Denyer
Ellie Chowns
That this House notes that March is Prostate Cancer awareness month; highlights that prostate cancer has become the most common cancer in England, with a massive 25% increase in cases between 2019 and 2023 and a further 1,100 men being diagnosed each year in Northern Ireland; underlines the importance of awareness campaigns and the difference they have, leading to thousands more men getting an early and lifechanging diagnosis; further notes that despite the huge increase in prostate cancer cases, there is still no national screening programme and as the disease often has no symptoms in its earlier stages, this situation means too many men find out they have cancer only after it’s spread and become harder to treat; and calls upon the Government to update NHS guidelines so that more can be done to increase early diagnosis and save more lives.
931Adult education
Tabled: 11/03/25 Signatories: 16
Anna Sabine
Ian Roome
Wera Hobhouse
Jim Shannon
Helen Maguire
Andrew George
Jess Brown-FullerLiz JarvisSteve DarlingTom GordonCarla DenyerEllie Chowns
That this House recognises the importance of adult education; thinks that access to adult education should be free or affordable and across a wide range of subjects, skills and topics; praises the work of Frome Community Education, a non-for-profit which offers free adult classes in IT, literacy and numeracy as well as wider classes in history and culture, art and craft, and exercise and wellbeing; further recognises that these services often rely on the third sector and calls for more Government funding for adult education for local authorities; and encourages adults to access adult education services to build and expand skills to help broaden careers, hobbies and interests.
932Fisher and Donaldson win Scotland's Best Flavoured Shortbread Award
Tabled: 12/03/25 Signatories: 3
Wendy Chamberlain
Helen Maguire
Jim Shannon
That this House congratulates Fisher and Donaldson on winning Scotland’s Best Flavoured Shortbread and Best Stall at the Highland Shortbread Showdown 2025; recognises that Fisher and Donaldson have seven bakeries across Fife; notes that the bakery is family-run and that Chloe and Jade, who were at the awards, alongside their brother Ben, are fifth generation bakers in their family business; and celebrates these awards and wishes Fisher and Donaldson all the best for the future.
933Peter Cura
Tabled: 12/03/25 Signatories: 3
Wendy Chamberlain
Helen Maguire
Jim Shannon
That this House expresses its deepest condolences following the death of Peter Cura; acknowledges that he was a much loved, well-known figure in the local area and that he served on Cupar Community Council for 30 years; notes that Peter’s father had a chip shop in Cupar which Peter took over, as well as opening a children’s clothing and toy shop, two bookmaker’s shops and an art gallery to promote young artists; recognises that Peter also played an instrumental role in advocating for the preservation of Stratheden Hospital and the renovation of Cupar’s Adamson Hospital; celebrates that in recognition of dedication, Peter was named Cupar’s Citizen of the Year in 2020; and understands this loss is felt widely and expresses sympathy to his friends and family following the sad news of his passing.
934Workplace disabilities and sickle cell disease
Tabled: 12/03/25 Signatories: 6
Bell Ribeiro-Addy
Jim Shannon
Jon Trickett
Ayoub Khan
Carla Denyer
Ellie Chowns
That this House regrets that despite being a serious lifelong condition, sickle cell disease is not consistently recognised in workplaces; notes that many employers still lack awareness of how the condition affects daily life, resulting in individuals living with sickle cell disease finding it difficult to secure flexible working, reasonable adjustments or medical leave without penalty; calls on the Government to take steps to protect the workplace rights of people living with sickle cell disease by recognising it as a workplace disability requiring clearer guidance under the Equality Act 2010; encourages the Department for Work and Pensions to promote a programme of sickle cell disease awareness training for employers, HR teams, and occupational health providers so employees are not subjected to misunderstanding or mistreatment; and further calls on the Government to expand Access to Work support so that employees with sickle cell disease can receive financial assistance for transport, workplace adjustments, and flexible working options.
935Friends of Factory Row volunteers
Tabled: 12/03/25 Signatories: 4
Steve Darling
Helen Maguire
Jim Shannon
Mr Joshua Reynolds
That this House celebrates the outstanding work of Friends of Factory Row since its founding in 1991 in supporting some of the most vulnerable members of the community; commends the tireless dedication of its volunteers, including Viv Westmoreland, Heather Reed, and Grace Hakeson, who together have contributed an extraordinary 70 years of service; recognises their unwavering commitment to providing care, advocacy, and practical support to those experiencing homelessness; further acknowledges the invaluable role of grassroots organisations like Friends of Factory Row in fostering dignity, stability, and social inclusion; and urges the Government to continue supporting and funding community-led initiatives that make a real difference in tackling homelessness and social disadvantage.
936Future of the adoption and special guardianship support fund
Tabled: 12/03/25 Signatories: 22
Jess Brown-Fuller
Wera Hobhouse
Adam Dance
Steve Darling
Cameron Thomas
Dr Al Pinkerton
Brian MathewAlex BrewerHelen MaguireDr Roz SavageLiz JarvisJim ShannonCalum MillerLuke TaylorPippa HeylingsCaroline VoadenJohn MilneTom GordonMr Joshua ReynoldsCarla DenyerSteff Aquarone [R] Ellie Chowns
That this House expresses deep concern over the future of the adoption and special guardianship support fund (ASGSF), which is set to expire on 31 March 2025; recognises the vital role the fund plays in providing essential mental health services to adopted children and those under special guardianship orders, supporting nearly half of the work undertaken by organisations such as Beacon House in Chichester; notes with alarm the uncertainty surrounding its continuation, which is causing significant anxiety among families and service providers who rely on this critical support; acknowledges the importance of stable, long-term funding for these vulnerable children to ensure they receive the therapeutic and mental health services they need to thrive; and calls on the Government to provide urgent clarification on the future of the ASGSF and commit to securing its continuation beyond March 2025.
937Keeping transport workers safe
Tabled: 12/03/25 Signatories: 24
Steve Witherden
Andy McDonald
John McDonnell
Richard Burgon
Jon Trickett
Grahame Morris
Bell Ribeiro-AddyMs Diane AbbottImran HussainMary Kelly FoyNeil Duncan-JordanMargaret MullaneCharlotte NicholsJim ShannonShockat AdamCarla DenyerEllie Chowns
That this House notes with concern the findings of the TSSA union’s latest report entitled Keep transport workers safe – no to abuse and harassment on the transport network; further notes that the report suggests violence and abuse directed at transport workers is endemic and that these workers regularly face racial and sexual harassment and abuse, threats, assault, including assault with weapons; believes that this is unacceptable and that all workers have a right to work in dignity, free from abuse and harassment; further believes that this behaviour is not inevitable, it can be tackled, and that the Government’s public transport reforms are a key opportunity for doing that; and supports the recommendations in the report, including legislative measures to increase the protection of transport workers, an enhanced funding settlement for British Transport Police that allows it to carry out its functions without service cuts or recruitment freezes, stricter penalties for offenders, mandatory reporting of violent and abusive incidents alongside the creation of regulatory bodies to oversee workplace safety specifically in relation to violence and abuse, and guidance for employers on implementing support systems, reporting, training, and a zero-tolerance culture for abuse and harassment on the transport network.
938Provision of essential humanitarian supplies, electricity and water sanitation in Gaza
Tabled: 12/03/25 Signatories: 8
Ellie Chowns
Carla Denyer
Siân Berry
Ayoub Khan
Adrian Ramsay
John McDonnell
Jeremy CorbynShockat Adam
That this House condemns the Israeli Government’s decision of 3 March 2025 to halt the entry of all humanitarian aid and commercial supplies, including fuel and food, to Gaza, and its decision of 9 March 2025 to cut off electricity to Gaza’s main desalination plant; recognises that these actions violate international humanitarian law and amount to collective punishment of 2.2 million people in Gaza for the terrible crimes committed against Israeli and other citizens by Hamas; records that Gaza was already experiencing a water and sanitation catastrophe following overwhelming damage and destruction of water and sanitation infrastructure due to the Israeli Defence Force’s military operations and the ongoing unlawful blockade; further recognises that Amnesty International has described these actions as inhumane and unlawful; considers these actions to be evidence that the Israeli Government is deliberately imposing conditions of life calculated to bring about the physical destruction of Palestinians in Gaza, an act prohibited under the Genocide Convention; and calls on the UK Government to take steps to prevent genocide, as it is obligated to do, including through implementing a full arms embargo on Israel, working to secure comprehensive sanctions against Israel and other actions to hold Israel accountable for grave breaches of international law.
939Building consensus on a pathway to spending 3% of GDP on defence
Tabled: 12/03/25 Signatories: 19
Helen Maguire
Calum Miller
Ian Roome
Adam Dance
Jess Brown-Fuller
Claire Young
James MacClearyMartin WrigleyPippa HeylingsDr Roz SavageLiz JarvisJim ShannonManuela PerteghellaEdward MorelloSteve DarlingBrian MathewWera HobhouseTom GordonMr Joshua Reynolds
That this House recognises the growing security challenges and threats facing the UK and its allies; believes that an increase in UK defence spending to 2.5% of GDP as soon as possible is necessary to maintain the UK's military readiness, bolster its deterrence, and support its commitments to global security; and urges the Government to boost defence spending to 2.5% of GDP at the earliest opportunity and to hold cross-party talks to agree a consensus on how to reach 3% GDP spend on defence.
940Illegal EU meat imports and biosecurity
Tabled: 12/03/25 Signatories: 2
Carla Lockhart
Jim Shannon
That this House expresses deep concern over the growing threat posed by illegal EU meat imports, including at the Port of Larne; notes that nearly 100 tonnes of illegal meat were seized at Dover in 2023, some originating from regions affected by African Swine Fever; further notes that current border security measures are inadequate, with the majority of checks at Dover taking place 20 miles inland at Sevington rather than at the point of entry; recognises that this system allows illegal imports to evade detection and poses a severe risk to the UK’s biosecurity, public health, and agriculture sector; and calls on the Government to urgently review the Border Target Operating Model, strengthen enforcement against illegal meat smuggling, increase funding for on-site inspections at ports, and ensure robust measures are in place to protect the UK’s disease-free status.
941Sustainable Farming Incentive
Tabled: 12/03/25 Signatories: 3
Ellie Chowns
Jim Shannon
Carla Denyer
That this House expresses deep concern over the abrupt cancellation of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), which has left thousands of farmers without vital support and clear guidance; notes that the scheme was withdrawn without the promised six weeks’ notice, causing significant uncertainty for those in the final stages of application; further notes that even prior to its cancellation, many farmers faced barriers to accessing the SFI; recognises the critical role of the SFI in supporting sustainable farming, food security, and climate action; calls on the Government to immediately reinstate the SFI to prevent further disruption and provide urgent support to affected farmers while conducting a comprehensive review to improve its accessibility and effectiveness; urges the Government to provide a full and transparent explanation for the cancellation decision and commit to a clear, consultative process for any future changes to farming support schemes; and stresses the need for long-term policy stability to enable farmers to invest confidently in sustainable agricultural practices that protect both the environment and the future of UK food production.