Contents

Published: Wednesday 4 November 2020

Early Day Motions tabled on Tuesday 3 November 2020

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

1088Mr Alun Wyn Jones - most capped international rugby player in the world

Tabled: 3/11/20 Signatories: 1

Jonathan Edwards

This House congratulates Welsh national Rugby Union captain Alun Wyn Jones on becoming the most capped international rugby union player in the world; notes that Alun Wyn Jones reached an incredible 149 International caps on October 31 2020 during Wales v Scotland, overtaking former New Zealand captain Richie McCaw; further notes that Alun Wyn Jones made his Welsh rugby union debut in 2006 and has since helped Wales win four Six Nations titles, three Grand Slams and two World Cup semi-finals; recognises that Alun Wyn Jones has been selected for three Lions tours and played nine test matches; and pays tribute to Alun Wyn Jones for his contribution to the game of rugby union and Welsh national life as a whole.

1089Places of worship

Tabled: 3/11/20 Signatories: 1

John Spellar

That this House recognises the considerable role played by places of worship of all faiths in providing support to communities and individuals; is deeply concerned at the impact on mental health and personal wellbeing, especially on the the elderly, of the closure of places of worship during the period of new national covid-19 lockdown restrictions; calls on the Government to publish the evidence that the banning of communal worship is an effective part of controlling the covid-19 rate of infection; and urges the Government to urgently engage with faith leaders to reach a better arrangement for the period of the new national covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

1090High Street Heroes Awards

Tabled: 3/11/20 Signatories: 1

Drew Hendry

That this house congratulates all those in the Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey constituency who have been honoured in the High Street Heroes Awards for the ways that they have helped their communities during the recent covid-19 outbreak; recognises that the Crafty Wee Birdie in Nairn, The Inverness Business Improvement District and The Dolphin Chip Shop in Nairn were Highly Commended for their efforts in the High Street Heroes Awards; further recognises that Kevin Waddington of the Post Office and Village Store in Kiltarlity, Martin MacDougall of Inverness and Swanson’s Food Wholesalers in Nairn were recognised as High Street Heroes; and pays tribute to all those who were not recognised in those awards but who have paid a vital part in helping the local community during the covid-19 crisis.

1091Celebrating Fifth Annual Ayurveda Day on Friday 13 November 2020

Tabled: 3/11/20 Signatories: 1

Mr Virendra Sharma

That this House celebrates the Fifth Annual Ayurveda Day on 13 November 2020, first celebrated by the Government of India in 2016; notes that in the midst of an international health crisis, Ayurveda, the science (Veda) of life (Ayus), offers a time-tested tradition of holistic and multi-faceted approaches to health and wellbeing; acknowledges Ayurveda as an ancient system of natural healthcare; recognises the World Health Organization’s recognition of Ayurveda’s ethos and value to humanity as preventative and curative for a wide range of health conditions, both physical and mental; notes ‘health’ means ‘wholeness’ and therefore a holistic approach to the promotion of health is needed, at the heart of which is a comprehensive health education programme to bring the individual and society to harmony; further notes that Ayurveda addresses well-being through personalised dietary and lifestyle management strategies that are specific to an individual's unique physical and psychological constitution in all stages of life; and urges the Government to ensure that its National Health Service Long Term Plan, with its stated commitment to prevention of ill-health and promotion of good health, is supported through considering Ayurveda at all levels of the National Health Service.

1092Universal Basic Income pilots

Tabled: 3/11/20 Signatories: 2

Beth Winter

Ronnie Cowan

That this House acknowledges that the current system of social security provision in the UK is not sufficient to provide financial security nor protect public health during the covid-19 outbreak; asserts that the provision of a Universal Basic Income (UBI) would establish a targeted system with no gaps and an income floor that nobody could fall below, with the effect of reducing poverty without reducing the incentive to work; notes that local authorities and devolved Governments across the four nations of the UK have called for pilots of UBI in their communities; and calls on the Government to provide co-operation through the Treasury and the Department for Work and Pensions, in addition to financial support, to enable those pilots to take place.

1093Elections for the Shura Advisory Council

Tabled: 3/11/20 Signatories: 3

Mr Alistair Carmichael

Sir David Amess

Mark Tami

That this House welcomes the announcement by His Highness Sheikh Tamin bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of Qatar, that the country will hold elections for its Shura Advisory Council next October; recognises that these elections are an important step, as they will allow Qatari citizens to elect Shura Council members for the first time; expresses the hope for the fair and free conduct of these elections; and looks forward to further democratic reform in Qatar as a result.

10942020 Great Taste Gold Fork award winners

Tabled: 3/11/20 Signatories: 1

Wendy Chamberlain

That this House congratulates Tayport Distillery on winning the 2020 Great Taste Golden Fork Scotland award for its 1992 Raspberry Liqueur; notes that this prestigious prize is awarded to the best tasting product in Scotland; highlights that this award was achieved after the liqueur demonstrated its "jammy and unctuous” flavour notes over 14 weeks of blind-tasting virtual judging sessions; congratulates Tayport Distillery for making such an excellent liqueur which beat over 12,000 competitors to win the prize; and further celebrates the fantastic high quality products which are produced by the distilleries in North East Fife.

1095Letham Primary School fundraising success

Tabled: 3/11/20 Signatories: 1

Wendy Chamberlain

That this House congratulates primary 1-4 class at Letham Primary School who raised £600 for Mountain Rescue Teams; praises the 18 pupils who took part in a fundraising hill walk; notes that the children ably succeeded in completing the very hilly walk; thanks the teachers and parents for assisting with the event; and offers its thanks to the important role that which Mountain Rescue Teams play to keep people safe while on hills or mountains.

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.

1038Minister for Travel

Tabled: 19/10/20 Signatories: 18

Lloyd Russell-Moyle

Rachel Hopkins

Ian Lavery

Claudia Webbe

Jim Shannon

John McDonnell

That this House recognises that the travel trade is a crucial sector of the British economy and furthermore an industry now facing an existential threat as a result of the coronavirus pandemic; regrets that many travel businesses have closed with many more on the brink of collapse due to the Covid-19 crisis with at least 90,000 jobs already lost or at risk across high street travel agents and the wider travel trade sector; welcomes the recent call by the TSSA transport and travel union and others for the creation of a Minister for Travel to arrest this trend and champion the industry; and calls on the Government to act without delay to save Britain's travel trade by providing bespoke sector-specific government support while reconsidering an extension of furlough for the industry.

1039Unionlearn

Tabled: 19/10/20 Signatories: 50

Grahame Morris

Mike Hill

Ian Mearns

Lloyd Russell-Moyle

Ian Byrne

Kate Osborne

That this House recognises the exemplary and invaluable role played by Unionlearn in helping people acquire skills and qualifications to boost their job prospects and make a valuable contribution to the economy; applauds Unionlearn for aiding hundreds of thousands of learners at all levels, from basic numeracy and literacy to degree level qualifications; notes that during the past 12 years more than 40,000 Union Learning Representatives have been trained, and over a quarter of a million people are being given training and learning opportunities through their union every year; is appalled that the Government intends to axe this vital resource at such a challenging time for education, employment and the economy; and calls upon the Government to reconsider and reverse this damaging decision.

1039A1 [Amendment]

Tabled: 20/10/20 Signatories: 1

At end add 'and urges the Secretary of State for Education to consider the value Unionlearn offers in promoting skills and opportunities and to reinstate the scheme.'

1040Support for tourism, leisure, hospitality and the arts

Tabled: 19/10/20 Signatories: 12

Liz Saville Roberts

Hywel Williams

Ben Lake

Jonathan Edwards

Jim Shannon

John McDonnell

That this House recognises the importance of the tourism, leisure, hospitality and arts sectors; further recognises the severe impact Covid-19 has had on their earnings; acknowledges that many of the businesses in these sectors had viable business models and were flourishing before the pandemic and must be supported so that they are ready to open as soon as restrictions can be lifted; notes that outdoor education centres are a specific example of a sector which has been forced to shut down during this crisis; further notes that outdoor education centres are reliant on school residential visits for significant amounts of their funding and so will continue to struggle whilst necessary precautions are in place; recognises the essential role of outdoor education centres in promoting children's health and the necessity of ensuring that such facilities survive the Covid-19 emergency in order to be able to improve young people's opportunities to experience the well-being and health benefits of outdoor activities in future; and calls on the UK Government to underpin health measures with economic support and urgently put packages of support in place to support these sectors, including a further targeted expansion of the furlough scheme.

1044Local Government Pension Scheme

Tabled: 20/10/20 Signatories: 20

John McDonnell

Paula Barker

Clive Lewis

Jonathan Edwards

Ian Lavery

Ian Byrne

That this House notes with concern that with the prospect of potentially significant further cuts in jobs in local government, the Government is seeking to drive through plans to cut the pension or severance payments to public sector members of the Local Government Pension Scheme aged 55 and above; and supports those trade unionists campaigning both to expose the implications of the Government’s plans and to oppose their imposition.

1055Protecting Avanti West Coast Customer Resolutions jobs

Tabled: 22/10/20 Signatories: 11

Tahir Ali

Ian Mearns

Rachel Hopkins

Grahame Morris

Patricia Gibson

Allan Dorans

That this House notes that the Train Operating Company Avanti West Coast is proposing to relocate staff from the Customer Resolutions Centre in Birmingham to the parent company, First Group’s contact centre in Sheffield, a distance of around 90 miles; understands that the distance between Birmingham and Sheffield makes it unlikely that staff will be able to transfer to the new location; is concerned that these proposals put 60 posts at risk of redundancy and could be damaging to the local economy in Birmingham; is aware that since March 2020, Avanti West Coast has been in receipt of public funding via an Emergency Measures Agreement and Emergency Recovery Measures Agreement; believes that Avanti West Coast should withdraw its proposals so that the jobs remain in Birmingham and all redundancies are avoided; and calls on the Government to ensure that future public funding for Avanti West Coast is dependent on it retaining all Customer Resolutions posts in Birmingham.

1058United Nations Day on 24 October 2020

Tabled: 22/10/20 Signatories: 35

Stephen Farry

Munira Wilson

Layla Moran

Clive Lewis

Andrew Gwynne

Gavin Robinson

That this House joins in celebrating United Nations Day on 24 October 2020, marking the 75th anniversary of the United Nations Charter coming into effect; acknowledges the significant contributions made by the United Nations Organisation and the other agencies of the United Nations System to international peace and security, humanitarian protection and assistance, the promotion of human rights, economic, social and cultural co-operation, the global environment and climate change, sustainable development and tackling poverty along with many other interventions; stresses the importance of a rules based international order and international co-operation around shared global challenges; and calls on the Government to ensure that the UK plays a proactive, leadership role in pursuing reform to ensure that the United Nations can have a more enhanced and effective role over the years ahead.

1059Cyprus 60th Independence Day and Famagusta

Tabled: 23/10/20 Signatories: 7

Geraint Davies

Mr Virendra Sharma

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

Sammy Wilson

Bob Blackman

Christine Jardine

That this House congratulates Cyprus on its 60th anniversary independence day and supports the comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, based on a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation with political equality, as set out in the relevant Security Council Resolutions and the High Level Agreements; endorses the Declaration of the European Parliament of 14 February 2012 on the return of Famagusta to its lawful inhabitants; notes that the city of Famagusta in the Republic of Cyprus was captured by the invading Turkish forces in August 1974, that a section of Famagusta was then sealed off and remains uninhabited, under the direct control of the Turkish military, and that the return of Famagusta to its lawful inhabitants would facilitate efforts toward a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem; further notes the 1979 High Level Agreement and UN Security Council Resolutions 550 (1984) and 789 (1992) and the 2008 Report of the Committee on Petitions of the European Parliament on Petition 733/2004; calls on the Government of Turkey to act according to those UN Security Council Resolutions and Report Recommendations and return Famagusta to its lawful inhabitants, who must resettle under conditions of security and peace; urges the UK Government, as a guarantor power of Cyprus, to promote Turkey’s cooperation and to forward this Resolution to President Nicos Anastasiades, Mr Ersin Tatar, the UN Secretary General and the Government of Turkey.

1060Digital exclusion of asylum seekers

Tabled: 23/10/20 Signatories: 12

Patrick Grady

Allan Dorans

John McDonnell

Alison Thewliss

Kenny MacAskill

Drew Hendry

That this House recognises that asylum seekers in the UK receive cash support of £37.75 per week in the form of cash loaded on to an ASPEN debit card; notes that the Home Office describes this cash support as helping asylum seekers pay for essentials such as food, clothing and toiletries; considers that the ability to get online is also an essential need in modern society; appreciates that the need for online connectivity is particularly acute for asylum seekers, many of whom are vulnerable, isolated, and have family and friends trapped in dangerous conditions elsewhere around the world; regrets that many asylum seekers find themselves digitally excluded due to their inability to access affordable, reliable internet access through the asylum support system; understands that the ASPEN card system prevents asylum seekers from paying for efficient, low-cost mobile internet contracts through direct debit, and instead forces many to choose between purchasing prohibitively expensive pay-as-you-go data packages or affording other essentials such as food and toiletries; believes that it is grossly unfair that those with the lowest amount to live on are forced to pay the highest price to get online; thanks the Scottish Asylum Seeker Residents Association and Maryhill Integration Network for their work highlighting this important issue; and calls on the Government to widen the scope of asylum support system to ensure that asylum seekers can access affordable, reliable internet service, and provide a commensurate increase in the asylum support to cover these costs.

1062Tao Geoghegan Hart winner of the 2020 Giro D'Italia

Tabled: 2/11/20 Signatories: 2

Jonathan Edwards

Hywel Williams

That this House warmly congratulates Tao Geoghegan Hart from London and Team Ineos Grenadier on winning the 2020 Giro D'Italia; notes that Mr Geoghegan Hart becomes only the fifth UK cyclist to win a Grand Tour following in the footsteps of Sir Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome, Simon Yates and Geraint Thomas.

1063Lewis Hamilton's 92 Formula 1 victories

Tabled: 2/11/20 Signatories: 2

Jonathan Edwards

Hywel Williams

That this House congratulates Lewis Hamilton on winning his 92nd F1 Grand Prix in Portugal on 25 October 2020, thereby overtaking Michael Schumacher as the most successful driver of all time.

1065Cancer Research UK Uniting Communities Award

Tabled: 2/11/20 Signatories: 2

Chris Law

Patrick Grady

That this House congratulates Auchterhouse’s Jo Williamson following his receipt of the Uniting Communities Award at Cancer Research UK’s Flame of Hope Awards; notes that Jo has been a campaign ambassador for Cancer Research UK since 2013, and has featured in adverts and met with Members of Parliament on behalf of the charity through this role; recognises that there is still more to be done in the campaign to raise funds and awareness of cancer; further recognises the hard work and dedication that campaigners like Jo are putting in across the country; and wishes Jo and everyone at Cancer Research UK the best for the future.

1068Nursing students placements during the covid-19 outbreak

Tabled: 2/11/20 Signatories: 11

Olivia Blake

Rachel Hopkins

Mick Whitley

Paula Barker

Grahame Morris

Ms Diane Abbott

That this House notes that in the first wave of the covid-19 outbreak, student nurses were rewarded with pay for their contribution to the response to the outbreak; further notes that throughout the covid-19 outbreak student healthcare workers have regularly worked 40 hour weeks, without pay, sick leave or death-in-service coverage, in high-risk areas and often having to find alternative accommodation at cost to themselves to ensure they do not put their families at risk; and calls on the Government to recognise and reward the efforts of healthcare students, alongside healthcare workers, to keep the country going throughout the covid-19 outbreak by paying them a fair wage for the hours they have worked.

1069WASPI women

Tabled: 2/11/20 Signatories: 6

Sir George Howarth

Andrew Gwynne

Jonathan Edwards

Claudia Webbe

Navendu Mishra

John McDonnell

That this House notes with great concern the continuing unfair treatment of WASPI women; further notes that many of the women concerned had no prior notice that their pensionable age and eligibility was to be pushed back; draws attention to the ongoing injustice of the situation which has placed many women into poverty, even though they had taken all reasonable steps to prepare for their retirement; and calls on the Government to put right this injustice.

1071Charity fundraiser Andrew Nicholson

Tabled: 2/11/20 Signatories: 2

David Linden

Patrick Grady

That this House commends Glasgow East constituent, Andrew Nicolson, on his fundraising for the Glasgow North East foodbank; congratulates Mr Nicolson on meeting his fundraising goal of £5,000; highlights the fantastic work of Glasgow North East foodbank in providing emergency food parcels to help feed people in crisis, particularly during the covid-19 outbreak; calls attention to the fact that a report from the Trussell Trust has predicted a 61 per cent increase in the distribution of food parcels across its UK network from October to December, working out to approximately six parcels given out every minute; and notes that the fundraiser is open until 30 October 2020 and encourages all to donate to a worthy cause

1072Entry into force of Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

Tabled: 2/11/20 Signatories: 8

Caroline Lucas

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

Kirsten Oswald

Hywel Williams

Tommy Sheppard

Jeremy Corbyn

That this House notes that the United Nations adopted the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in 2017; welcomes confirmation that 50 countries have now ratified this historic agreement which will enter into force in January 2021; further notes that upon entering into force the Treaty will ban nuclear weapons in participating states and generate international momentum towards global nuclear abolition; considers that the coming into force of this treaty offers the UK an opportunity to engage with an emerging global nuclear disarmament process; further considers that the Government’s stated commitment to global nuclear disarmament through its ratification of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, can be put into practice by also supporting this Treaty; and urges the Government to sign the Treaty and to bring forward a credible and timetabled plan for the disarmament of the UK's nuclear weapons.

1078British record breaking Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton

Tabled: 2/11/20 Signatories: 5

Sir Jeffrey M Donaldson

Jim Shannon

James Sunderland

Jonathan Edwards

Alec Shelbrooke

That this House congratulates Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton on winning his 92nd Grand Prix thus making him the most successful race winning F1 driver of all time in addition to the world record that he already holds for all-time career points; acknowledges that Lewis is a fantastic ambassador for British Motorsports and for our country generally; and looks forward to him receiving further national recognition for his terrific sporting achievements.

1079Peter Krykant and drug consumption van facility

Tabled: 2/11/20 Signatories: 4

Alison Thewliss

Grahame Morris

Patrick Grady

Ronnie Cowan

That this House is concerned to learn that Peter Krykant, who recently set-up a drug consumption van in Glasgow city centre, has been charged and cautioned by Police Scotland; understands that Mr Krykant set up the facility in an attempt to help and support people with addictions; firmly believes that the work he is doing helps to reduce harm and save lives; is grateful for the action taken by a volunteer of the service to save the life of an individual recently by administering Naloxone; is aware that individuals are being driven to these types of interventions as a result of Home Office opposition to the establishment of a Supervised Drug Consumption Facility (SDCF); urges Ministers to view this critical issue not as a criminal justice one, but through the lens of public health and in the context of increasing numbers of drug-related deaths across the UK, in order to properly support people with addictions; and demands that the Government amend the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 immediately to allow for SDCFs to operate legally.

1080Ethnicity pay gap reporting

Tabled: 2/11/20 Signatories: 2

Martyn Day

Patrick Grady

That this House notes the efforts of Business in the Community to help cross-sector employers better understand ways that ensure the UK workplace is a place that Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) employees, business owners, entrepreneurs and communities feel they belong; further notes the potential benefit to the UK economy is estimated at £24 billion annually if BAME individuals are fully represented across the labour market; notes its concern that racial disparities have been highlighted by the covid-19 pandemic; regrets that leadership and management roles across public and private sectors does not reflect equity of the BAME population; urges the Government to introduce mandatory ethnicity pay gap reporting alongside gender pay gap reporting; and further urges the Government to require employers to set and publish targets so that BAME individuals are better represented at senior levels.

1081Big Bang Competition 2020

Tabled: 2/11/20 Signatories: 4

Stephen Metcalfe

Alan Brown

Jonathan Edwards

Patrick Grady

That this House congratulates all the competitors who have taken part in the Big Bang UK Young Scientists and Engineers Competition 2020 on the day that they would have normally been attending the Big Bang in Parliament during Tomorrow’s Engineers Week and would have been given the opportunity to showcase their brilliant projects to the members of this House; notes how much time and effort these young people have put into their work; expresses its thanks to the teachers for supporting these students in putting these projects together; further expresses its thanks to the organisations and in particular GSK who make this competition possible; notes the importance of STEM activities and opportunities in inspiring young people to choose engineering and other STEM professions as a career; acknowledges that access to careers information, advice and guidance as well as outreach activities is more important than ever to young people who feel that their options have been limited as a result of the covid-19 outbreak; and calls on the Government to support efforts to inspire, engage and inform the next generation of scientists and engineers.

1082Future Social Care Coalition and support for care staff

Tabled: 2/11/20 Signatories: 9

Barbara Keeley

Ed Davey

Jim Shannon

Munira Wilson

Dr Lisa Cameron

Rosie Cooper

That this House welcomes the launch of the cross party and cross sector Future Social Care Coalition and believes now is time for Government to support a fair deal for the social care workforce; notes that since the covid-19 outbreak social care workers are now seen as essential and not unskilled; is concerned that half of the 1.6 million social care workforce on the forgotten frontline earn less than the real Living Wage of £9.30 an hour or £10.75 in London, and thousands are still not paid in full for all the hours they work; further notes that a third of care staff leave their roles each year, up to a quarter are on zero hours contracts and that currently there are 112,000 staff shortages resulting in at least 1.5 million elderly and vulnerable people having unmet care needs and only 15 minute time and task visits; observes that staff shortages and high turnover affect the quality and continuity of care for service users, as does the low level of training and low pay many staff receive; contends that if we value those who are in care then we must value their carers; supports the Future Social Care Coalition’s request for parity of esteem for the social care sector with the NHS and a long term social care funding solution; and urges the Government to establish an immediate £3.9 billion Emergency Support Fund to deliver greater skills training and a professional career structure as well as improved pay and conditions for social care workers.

1084Immediate return of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori to the UK

Tabled: 2/11/20 Signatories: 10

Layla Moran

Wendy Chamberlain

Sarah Olney

Mr Alistair Carmichael

Jamie Stone

Daisy Cooper

That this House condemns the unjust imprisonment of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori; notes the unfair sentencing of Anoosheh to 12 years imprisonment and summoning of Nazanin to court yet again; recognises the difficult and dangerous conditions that Nazanin is facing by being confined to remaining within 300 metres of her parents' house and Anoosheh in prison due to his vulnerability to covid-19; acknowledges the UK’s historic role in standing up for British citizens wrongfully detained abroad; and therefore calls on the Government to make representations to the Iranian authorities for the immediate return of both Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori to the UK.

1085Martin Donaldson's fundraising efforts

Tabled: 2/11/20 Signatories: 2

David Linden

Patrick Grady

That this House congratulates Glasgow East constituent Martin Donaldson on raising over £3,000 for the Celtic FC Foundation and British Heart Foundation; notes that Mr Donaldson cycled nine miles every day for nine weeks, completing a virtual cycle around all Scotland’s top flight football grounds from his shed in the East End of Glasgow, covering a distance of 920km; commends Mr Donaldson on undertaking such an intense physical challenge for two worthy causes; and looks forward to Mr Donaldson receiving further donations.

1086Delays to NHS fertility services as a result of the covid-19 outbreak

Tabled: 2/11/20 Signatories: 11

Steve McCabe

Ms Harriet Harman

Caroline Lucas

Siobhain McDonagh

Layla Moran

Christine Jardine

That this House acknowledges the delays to NHS fertility services caused by the covid-19 outbreak, and the distressing impact of these delays on fertility patients; further notes the imposition of strict female age limits for NHS-funded IVF by CCGs in England, which range from 34 to 42 years old; recognises that in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, commitments have been made to stop the clock for fertility patients to ensure they do not exceed age limits for NHS-funded IVF due to pandemic-related delays; shares concerns raised by BPAS Fertility, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Association of Reproductive and Clinical Scientists and others, that no such directive has been issued in England; further recognises that fertility patients in England are already subject to an unacceptable postcode lottery due to disparities between CCGs’ commissioning policies, which commonly diverge from NICE guidance; urges the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to issue guidance to CCGs on the issue of covid-19 delays, to promote a standardised approach across England and offer reassurance to all fertility patients during the pandemic, regardless of where they live; and finally urges the Secretary of State to confirm in said guidance that fertility patients affected by the delays should not be disadvantaged as a result of their age, and no patient who has crossed an age threshold since fertility clinics were instructed to close on 23 March 2020 should be considered ineligible for care on that basis.

1087Creating a welfare system that works for disabled people

Tabled: 2/11/20 Signatories: 3

Hywel Williams

Jonathan Edwards

John McDonnell

That this House recognises the serious challenges and barriers disabled people face within the welfare system; further recognises the impact that the covid-19 outbreak has had on people with disabilities; notes that research by Scope has found that, on average, disabled people face extra costs of £583 a month; calls on the Government to use the upcoming Welfare Green Paper and National Disability Strategy to ensure that the welfare system works for disabled people by removing conditionality and sanctions for disabled claimants, removing the need for face-to-face assessments and replacing the Work Capability Assessment with a new assessment for financial support and a new, separate and optional assessment of employment support needs; and further calls on the Government to build on the temporary changes made to the welfare system during the covid-19 outbreak to make permanent improvements to the system.