Commons business papers

Contents

Published: Friday 6 November 2020

Early Day Motions tabled on Thursday 5 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

1101Potential merits of a minimum wage floor in the furlough scheme

Tabled: 5/11/20 Signatories: 1

Richard Burgon

That this House notes with deep concern recent data from the Office for National Statistics showing that over 2 million workers have been paid less than the National Minimum Wage this year; further notes that this is a near five-fold increase on 2019; believes that it is unacceptable that anybody is ever paid less than the National Minimum Wage; notes that the ONS figures show that the vast majority of this increase in those paid below the minimum wage is the result of workers being put onto the furlough scheme; and calls on the Government to introduce a floor in the furlough scheme to ensure that no worker is paid less than the National Minimum Wage.

1102Sports chaplain Steve Nash

Tabled: 5/11/20 Signatories: 1

Owen Thompson

That this House commends sports chaplain Steve Nash on his sterling work to provide wellbeing and mental health support to his local football team, Newtongrange Star; notes that Steve, a volunteer with wellbeing charity Thistle, has been drawing on his own experiences as he looks to support players at the club who may be suffering and in need of someone to talk to; further notes that during lockdown he maintained contact with players and staff by creating a regular chatty email covering topics including pacing, planning your day and being kind to ourselves and has continued this after lockdown with regular articles published by the club; and recognises the vital role sports chaplains play, as by having a chaplain, players can talk to someone in complete confidence about how they’re feeling and any issues they are having and managers can focus on developing their players as a team.

1103Ageing Well Midlothian voluntary group

Tabled: 5/11/20 Signatories: 1

Owen Thompson

That this House congratulates Ageing Well Midlothian on winning the Health Walk Group of the Year at the 2020 Paths for All Volunteer Awards; understands that the group organises 15 walks each week and hosts an annual walk each year attracting people in the hundreds; further congratulates Ageing Well Midlothian on its 20th birthday recently; notes that the group was commended at the first ever Paths for All virtual awards ceremony hosted by BBC Scotland’s Fiona Stalker on 4 November; and further notes that the Paths for All Volunteer Award is set up as an opportunity to say thank you to local volunteer groups and the people that run them.

1104Disability Discrimination Act 1995

Tabled: 5/11/20 Signatories: 1

Kirsten Oswald

That this House notes that 25 years ago, on 8 November 1995, the Disability Discrimination Act received Royal Assent; recalls that this landmark piece of legislation was the result of a hard-fought campaign by disabled people, with up to 100,000 disabled activists taking part in direct action, campaigning for equal rights and an end to the kind of societal discrimination that saw wheelchair users regularly banned from bars, cinemas and theatres under the guise of health and safety; records that, under this Act, for the first time, it became unlawful to discriminate against disabled people, as employees, customers and citizens using public transport or getting an education; considers that the Act was an important milestone and a recognition of disability equality and disability rights, but notes that many felt it did not go far enough; recognises that, despite it now being against the law, disabled people are still discriminated against, in work, in public places, for example by assistance dog owners being refused access to restaurants and taxis, and with huge swathes of public transport still inaccessible; and joins disability campaign groups in calling for a fresh look at the future of disability equality and what needs to change in all aspects of society, including what steps are needed to ensure that anti-discrimination laws are backed up by meaningful enforcement.

1105Campaign for a real living wage

Tabled: 5/11/20 Signatories: 1

Chris Stephens

That this House welcomes Living Wage Week and the PCS Union campaign for a real living wage for their members working on outsourced Government facilities management contracts; applauds these front line key workers who have continued to work throughout the pandemic making workplaces safe and secure despite being some of the lowest paid workers across Government; is concerned that numerous Government Departments are yet to make the payment of the Living Wage a term of their facilities management framework agreements; is aware that the Cabinet Office Framework Schedule highlights social value and states that public authorities to have regard economic, social and environmental wellbeing in connection with public services contracts; notes that 75 per cent of businesses say the Living Wage has increased motivation and retention rates for employees; and 93 per cent of business have said that the Living Wage has benefited their business; and therefore calls on Government to meet their social value responsibilities and ensure that all Government workers on outsourced facilities management contracts are paid a real living wage.

1106Midlothian winners of Scotland Loves Local High Street Heroes awards

Tabled: 5/11/20 Signatories: 1

Owen Thompson

That this House congratulates those Midlothian businesses that have been awarded in this year’s Scotland Loves Local High Street Heroes Awards; notes that these awards seek to recognise and honour those local businesses who have supported their communities and provided essential services during the coronavirus pandemic; congratulates David Seez of Gravity Bottle Shop in Penicuik, Danielle Finland of Carr Gomm Visiting Service, Nikki Sives, Manager of Carr Gomm Midlothian Visiting Service and the staff of Carr Gomm Midlothian Visiting Service on their receipt of the High Street Heroes Award; congratulates Asim Iqbal of Premier Convenience Store, Roslin and June Horne of Penicuik Ambassadors for being Highly Commended, and congratulates Penicuik Alliance for being awarded as Regional Champion; thanks the Scottish Government for supporting these awards through funding for Scotland’s Towns Partnership; and notes that this year these awards received more than 1,200 nominations, which demonstrates how much people have appreciated those who have pulled together to help one another during these difficult times.

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.

1016Effect of sodium valproate and foetal valproate syndrome

Tabled: 15/10/20 Signatories: 10

Jon Trickett

Ian Lavery

Mick Whitley

Alison Thewliss

Paula Barker

Jim Shannon

That this House is concerned that 300 children every year are born with foetal valproate syndrome as a result of the drug sodium valproate being prescribed to women during pregnancy; expresses shock that between 1973 and 2016 no explanation of side effects linked to the drug, such as kidney and heart malformations in children, were provided to these pregnant women before they were prescribed sodium valproate; notes that despite the introduction of a Valproate Toolkit in 2016 to provide information about the drug to patients and healthcare professionals, the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review of July 2020 found that women are still becoming pregnant while on Sodium Valproate without any knowledge of the risks; pays tribute to the work of the Independent Foetal Anti-Convulsant Trust for its work raising awareness of this issue; and calls on the Government to apologise to the thousands of families affected and to immediately establish a task force in order to implement the recommendations of the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review 2020 in full.

1018Brass for Africa

Tabled: 15/10/20 Signatories: 8

Owen Thompson

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

Marion Fellows

Jim Shannon

Patrick Grady

That this House congratulates Brass for Africa on its inspiring work to transform the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in Uganda, Rwanda and Liberia through brass music and life-skills education; applauds the work of the charity's Composer in Residence Alan Fernie in composing and recording a special lockdown piece called As One in support of the charity; notes the inspiring video brings together young musicians from Brass for Africa with Loanhead Brass Roots and Newtongrange Junior Band, all playing from their own homes; and welcomes the ongoing efforts of musicians to use their talents to lift spirits in these difficult times and recognises the huge educational, community and personal benefits of music.

1022Drug deaths

Tabled: 15/10/20 Signatories: 18

Grahame Morris

Ian Lavery

Jeremy Corbyn

John McDonnell

Caroline Lucas

Apsana Begum

That this House is concerned that deaths related to drug poisoning registered in England and Wales rose to a record 4,393 in 2019; notes that two-thirds of drug poisonings are due to drug misuse; further notes that half of the deaths involved an opiate, although cocaine deaths are also rising at an alarming rate; recognises that the highest death rates are in areas suffering greatest deprivation; and calls on the Government to tackle the problem through immediate increased investment in treatment services, encouragement of harm reduction initiatives and expansion of opiate-overdose antidote Naloxone provision.

1029G20 Summit in Saudi Arabia and Human Rights

Tabled: 16/10/20 Signatories: 19

Kenny MacAskill

Stephen Farry

Marion Fellows

Alison Thewliss

Jonathan Edwards

Jim Shannon

That this House notes that Saudi Arabia currently holds the presidency of the G20 and will be hosting the G20 Summit virtually on 21-22 November 2020; is deeply

concerned about Saudi Arabia’s on-going serious and systematic violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, particularly the crackdown on non-violent activists and critics since Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman came to power in 2017, which includes the arbitrary detention and torture of women human rights defenders and the brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, as well as the apparently indiscriminate and disproportionate airstrikes on civilians and civilian infrastructure by the Saudi-led coalition in the conflict in Yemen which may amount to war crimes; and calls on the Government to publicly and privately urge Saudi Arabia to take concrete steps to improve its human rights record in the lead up to the G20 Summit, including immediately releasing all human rights defenders and prisoners of conscience, providing full accountability for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi and ending the war in Yemen, and to reconsider the level of its participation in the Summit if these steps are not taken.

1034Baby loss support

Tabled: 19/10/20 Signatories: 15

Jim Shannon

Paul Girvan

Sir Mike Penning

Gavin Robinson

Alison Thewliss

Paula Barker

That this House notes the end of baby loss awareness week UK; highlights that for so many the pain continues on; underlines the statistic that 1 in 4 suffering from loss does not include the wider pain and grief of loved ones and family; encourages women and partners to mourn as they need to and understands that their loss matters and is worthy of voicing and remembering; and further underlines that Government must enhance counselling services and other help available to families devastated by the loss of their little child and the promise of a future that will not happen.

1039Unionlearn

Tabled: 19/10/20 Signatories: 67

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: 3

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: 14

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.

1042Result of the Bolivian presidential election

Tabled: 20/10/20 Signatories: 18

Richard Burgon

Jeremy Corbyn

Grahame Morris

Paula Barker

Mick Whitley

Ms Diane Abbott

That this House congratulates Luis Arce and the Movement Towards Socialism party on their victory in the Bolivian Presidential election on 18 October; notes that in his previous role as Economy Minister, Luis Arce oversaw a surge in growth, a sharp reduction in poverty and substantial investment in health and education and wider public services; further notes that these elections were the first held since a military-led coup ousted legitimate President Evo Morales, Bolivia’s first indigenous president, last November and forced him into exile abroad; condemns the wave of human rights abuses under the regime imposed by the military-led coup which especially targeted trade unionists, indigenous activists and Movement Towards Socialism activists; hopes that justice is done for all those whose rights were violated by the regime imposed by the military-led coup including those who lost their lives; regrets the response of the UK and US governments to the military-led coup in 2019; and calls on the Government to engage constructively with the new Bolivian government.

1044Local Government Pension Scheme

Tabled: 20/10/20 Signatories: 23

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.

1045Eden Court Theatre and Cinema's transformation into a community hub

Tabled: 21/10/20 Signatories: 14

Drew Hendry

Chris Law

Deidre Brock

Ronnie Cowan

Hannah Bardell

Carol Monaghan

That this House commends Eden Court Theatre and Cinema in Inverness on transforming into a community hub to provide an emergency response to the ongoing covid-19 pandemic situation across the Highlands; notes that workers at that venue have been providing help and support to the covid-19 response since March 2020 when that venue was forced to close; further notes that those workers have been nominated for a prestigious humanitarian award, the Achates Philanthropy Prize, which celebrates cultural giving across the UK; and wishes those workers all the best for the future.

10461st Battalion The Highlanders' Guinness World Record

Tabled: 21/10/20 Signatories: 18

Drew Hendry

Chris Law

Deidre Brock

Dr Philippa Whitford

Hannah Bardell

Ronnie Cowan

That this House congratulates the 1st Battalion The Highlanders for setting a new Guinness World Record for most attendees to complete a mental health course in 24 hours to mark World Mental Health Day; recognises that a total of 45 members from the area took part in the course, alongside 1,622 members from across the UK; notes that the 30-minute course discussed how to recognise the signs of poor mental health and ways to help to end the stigma and discrimination around those struggling with difficulties; and further notes that all those participants will receive a medal and official Guinness certificate to honour their achievements.

1047Scottish Poppy Appeal 2020

Tabled: 21/10/20 Signatories: 27

Drew Hendry

Chris Law

Gavin Newlands

Deidre Brock

Dr Philippa Whitford

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

That this House recognises the excellent work of Poppy Scotland through the Scottish Poppy Appeal which runs annually from 26 October to 11 November; further recognises that the Scottish Poppy Appeal is Poppy Scotland’s largest fundraising campaign; acknowledges the importance of that appeal in paying tribute to the millions of people who lost their lives during conflict; and calls on the community to support the Scottish Poppy Appeal in recognition of the sacrifices made by service personnel.

1048National Mentoring Week

Tabled: 21/10/20 Signatories: 5

Dr Lisa Cameron

Allan Dorans

Sir Peter Bottomley

Jim Shannon

Lloyd Russell-Moyle

That this House recognises the importance of mentoring, as young people, like the rest of society are facing monumental changes in their lives during the covid-19 outbreak; celebrates National Mentoring Week and The Diana Award who are ensuring that physical distancing during this challenging time does not exacerbate disconnection and disorientation for our young people as they continue to provide support, advice, friendship and constructive role modelling for young people across the UK; applauds the efforts of the over 100 hon. Members and Peers who have signed up for National Mentoring Week with the Diana Award and the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Mentoring, which is indicative of the value of mentoring; and hopes that such efforts are sustained for years to come.

1049Psoriasis Awareness Week 2020

Tabled: 21/10/20 Signatories: 7

Sir Edward Leigh

Alison Thewliss

Jim Shannon

Marion Fellows

Paul Girvan

Ian Mearns

That this House notes that Psoriasis Awareness Week takes place between 29 October and 4 November 2020; recognises the vital work of the Psoriasis Association in continuing to provide information, support and help to all those affected by psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis during the covid-19 pandemic; further notes that this year’s Psoriasis Awareness Week will focus on types of psoriasis after identifying through the recent Priority Setting Partnership that there are many unrecognised knowns that have already been addressed by research but which are not familiar to patients and healthcare professionals; and calls on the Government to investigate ways to improve access to all relevant healthcare professionals for people with psoriasis whose essential treatment has been unfairly delayed by the impact of the recent covid-19 pandemic.

1051Closure of TSB Easterhouse branch

Tabled: 21/10/20 Signatories: 9

David Linden

Chris Law

Carol Monaghan

Allan Dorans

Alison Thewliss

Drew Hendry

That this House expresses disappointment in response to the news that TSB Bank will be closing its Easterhouse branch in Glasgow; notes that the closure of bank branches across the UK severely disadvantages the rural population, the elderly and people without access to appropriate technology; highlights that bank branches act as vital services for those unable to access online banking services; condemns the closing of that bank branch during a pandemic, which will undoubtedly cause people to travel further to access in person banking; and urges TSB to urgently reconsider its closure of the Easterhouse branch.

1055Protecting Avanti West Coast Customer Resolutions jobs

Tabled: 22/10/20 Signatories: 12

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.

1056Students' mental health during the covid-19 outbreak

Tabled: 22/10/20 Signatories: 8

Mr Barry Sheerman

Clive Lewis

John McDonnell

Jonathan Edwards

Andrew Gwynne

Sir Peter Bottomley

That this House recognises that immense strain that students are currently under with regard to covid-19 restrictions implemented across UK universities; recognises that the need for accessible and high-quality mental health provision is paramount for the welfare of students across the country; notes the profound impact that the current restrictions will have on the academic engagement for many students; urges the Government to consistently and deliberately review restrictions across all UK universities to determine their effectiveness in curtailing the spread of covid-19 and the impact that they are having on the welfare and academic performance of students; and further urges the Government to increase investment in high-quality mental health services across all universities, regions and countries of the United Kingdom.

1057Murrayfield Ice Rink

Tabled: 22/10/20 Signatories: 8

Christine Jardine

Daisy Cooper

Sarah Olney

Tim Farron

Wendy Chamberlain

Wera Hobhouse

That this House regrets the difficult decision to close Murrayfield Ice Rink for the foreseeable future; recognises its historical importance at the heart of local community life since it opened to the public in 1952; further recognises its necessity to the sporting and tourism industry as home to Scottish ice hockey champions, the Murrayfield Racers; applauds the achievement of Murrayfield to successfully provide training opportunities to athletes, including European Championship medallists; notes that it is the only permanent ice rink in Edinburgh; further notes the benefits of ice skating to both physical and mental health; expresses deep concern over potential job losses and the impact on affected individuals and their families; and calls for necessary funding to be made available to safeguard the ice rink for the employment and enjoyment of future generations.

1058United Nations Day on 24 October 2020

Tabled: 22/10/20 Signatories: 39

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.

1060Digital exclusion of asylum seekers

Tabled: 23/10/20 Signatories: 15

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.

1061Kurdistan region in Iraq

Tabled: 23/10/20 Signatories: 2

Robert Halfon

Lloyd Russell-Moyle

That this House notes reports from the APPG on the Kurdistan Region in Iraq on a virtual delegation to meet Kurdistani leaders; fully acknowledges the crucial role of the Peshmerga in resisting the so-called Islamic State, that Kurdistan’s model of peaceful co-existence and equality are vital in continuing efforts to eradicate extremism, and that this is a vital UK interest; stresses the profound impact of covid-19 on oil revenues, which have fallen dramatically and may fade further as a proportion of the region’s income; further notes Kurdistan’s need to reform its public services and increase income from agriculture, tourism, and light industry with a bigger private sector and tackling corruption; wishes the KRG and the Iraqi Government the best in resolving their long-standing differences through the full implementation of Iraq’s federal constitution; believes that the APPG’s recommendations to the UK Government accord with its policy of supporting a strong Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in a unified Iraq; further believes that the UK Government should organise an official trade mission to encourage investment by private companies and public institutions; recognises the central importance of universities to the new economy; commends the suggestion that the UK Government send experts to Kurdistan to assess higher education and make recommendations for reform; endorses the APPG’s recommendation for skills transfer to Kurdistani MPs; and urges the Foreign Secretary to visit Kurdistan as soon as possible and organise an official visit by the KRG leadership to London to advance bilateral relations.

1064Proposed closure of the Institute of Commonwealth Studies

Tabled: 2/11/20 Signatories: 6

Daisy Cooper

Sir Peter Bottomley

Jim Shannon

Jamie Stone

Lloyd Russell-Moyle

Kim Johnson

That this House regrets the abrupt and unexpected decision to close the Institute of Commonwealth Studies (ICwS); encourages relevant stakeholders to reconsider this decision; notes that the ICwS stands at the heart of Commonwealth and Post-Colonial Studies; notes that the ICwS is the only postgraduate academic institution in the UK devoted specifically to the study of the Commonwealth; commends the ICwS as a national and international centre of excellence for policy-relevant research; notes that the ICwS provides the editorial and administrative office for the Human Rights Consortium, and the Refugee Law Initiative; recognises the role the ICwS plays as host to numerous interdisciplinary academic events, workshops and conferences; further regrets that the closure of the ICwS alongside the Institute of Latin American studies would be a critical blow to the School of Advanced Study, its staff, fellows and alumni; fears that this decision will do untold harm to Commonwealth and Post-Colonial Studies throughout the UK and further afield; notes that the decision will contribute to job losses in higher education institutions across the country; and calls for the immediate reversal of this decision.

1065Cancer Research UK Uniting Communities Award

Tabled: 2/11/20 Signatories: 5

Chris Law

Patrick Grady

Jim Shannon

Paula Barker

Lloyd Russell-Moyle

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.

1066Thirteen year old Christian girl abducted, converted and married to a 43 year old man

Tabled: 2/11/20 Signatories: 6

Jim Shannon

Sir Peter Bottomley

Paula Barker

Gavin Robinson

Sir Jeffrey M Donaldson

Dr Julian Lewis

That this House notes with grave concern reports from Pakistan that on 13 October 2020, a 13-year-old Christian girl Arzoo Raja, was abducted from a street near her home in Karachi, forced to convert to Islam and marry the abductor, 43 year old Mr Ali Azhar; is further concerned that, despite her family producing a National Database and Registration Authority birth certificate showing Arzoo to be 13 years old, the authorities failed to stop the illegal marriage, and the Sindh Police has failed to rescue her so far; understands that Arzoo’s parents are being threatened by the abductor’s family and calls on the Government to lobby the Pakistani authorities to intervene and help Arzoo and other Pakistani Christian and Hindu girls who are kidnapped, forced to convert and marry their abductor every year.

1068Nursing students placements during the covid-19 outbreak

Tabled: 2/11/20 Signatories: 14

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: 11

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.

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

Tabled: 2/11/20 Signatories: 11

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.

1075Community Carrot Co-operative

Tabled: 2/11/20 Signatories: 3

Kenny MacAskill

Jim Shannon

Lloyd Russell-Moyle

That this House recognises the great work of the co-operative community run shop the Community Carrot in Dunbar; understands the shop has been recognised as part of a parliamentary report on resilience of co-operatives in Scotland and how this has helped communities during the covid-19 outbreak; notes the report was produced by the Scottish Parliament's cross party group on co-operatives called Revive and Thrive: Why Co-ops are pivotal to a fairer, stronger Scotland; understands the Community Carrot became community-run 12 months ago and has 600 members and produced around 350 vegetable boxes per week during lockdown when premises were closed; notes it worked in partnership with other local businesses and community organisations to supply and deliver to many across East Lothian; and wishes the Community Carrot all the best to come and a huge thank you for all they did during the pandemic and continue to do for the local community.

1079Peter Krykant and drug consumption van facility

Tabled: 2/11/20 Signatories: 6

Alison Thewliss

Grahame Morris

Patrick Grady

Ronnie Cowan

Jim Shannon

Lloyd Russell-Moyle

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: 5

Martyn Day

Patrick Grady

Sir Peter Bottomley

Jim Shannon

Lloyd Russell-Moyle

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: 8

Stephen Metcalfe

Alan Brown

Jonathan Edwards

Patrick Grady

Sir Peter Bottomley

Jim Shannon

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: 14

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: 13

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.

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

Tabled: 2/11/20 Signatories: 15

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: 6

Hywel Williams

Jonathan Edwards

John McDonnell

Jim Shannon

Liz Saville Roberts

Lloyd Russell-Moyle

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.

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

Tabled: 3/11/20 Signatories: 5

Jonathan Edwards

Jim Shannon

Liz Saville Roberts

Hywel Williams

Patrick Grady

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: 10

John Spellar

Sir Peter Bottomley

Jim Shannon

Paula Barker

Claudia Webbe

Ian Lavery

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.

1091Celebrating Fifth Annual Ayurveda Day on Friday 13 November 2020

Tabled: 3/11/20 Signatories: 3

Mr Virendra Sharma

Jim Shannon

Navendu Mishra

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: 34

Beth Winter

Ronnie Cowan

Jim Shannon

Kenny MacAskill

Jonathan Edwards

Claudia Webbe

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: 7

Mr Alistair Carmichael

Sir David Amess

Mark Tami

Jim Shannon

Christine Jardine

Margaret Ferrier

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.

1095Letham Primary School fundraising success

Tabled: 3/11/20 Signatories: 3

Wendy Chamberlain

Jim Shannon

Jamie Stone

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.

1096Free school meal vouchers during the covid-19 pandemic

Tabled: 4/11/20 Signatories: 5

Jon Trickett

Kim Johnson

Ms Diane Abbott

Navendu Mishra

Lloyd Russell-Moyle

That this House expresses dismay at the decision by the Government not to extend free school meals to eligible children during school holidays during the covid-19 outbreak; notes that the proposed second lockdown will plunge more families into poverty; notes that such a decision places over 11,000 children in Wakefield District and 1 million nationally at risk of going hungry during the school holidays; believes that such a decision highlights a lack of compassion and understanding of the challenges facing many working people across the country, who are increasingly struggling to make ends meet as a result of the covid-19 outbreak, forcing holiday hunger; applauds the actions of actions of Wakefield Council for committing to provide these children with food vouchers during the upcoming Christmas period and expresses gratitude to the vital role community organisations in Hemsworth constituency and elsewhere in the country have played during the October half-term break provide food to families and children who need it the most; and calls on the Government to provide funding to provide food vouchers for all children eligible for free school meals until the end of the Covid-19 pandemic and publish an action plan to end food poverty once and for all.

1097Robert Fisk

Tabled: 4/11/20 Signatories: 3

Jonathan Edwards

Ben Lake

Ms Diane Abbott

That this House pays tribute to the contribution of renowned foreign correspondent, Robert Fisk following his death on 30 October 2020; notes that Mr Fisk began his career with the Sunday Express before working for the Times and finishing his career with the Independent; further notes that Mr Fisk reported on conflict around the world, becoming one of the most respected commentators on the Middle East; recognises that during his career, Mr Fisk won the International Reporter of the year on several occasions as well as a host of other awards for his work, including the Orwell prize and the Amnesty International media award; further notes that Mr Fisk was fearless in his reporting, basing his stories on first-hand experience as opposed to what authorities wanted him to report; and notes that his forthright despatches and his willingness to hold power to account will be missed.

1098Falkland Islands mine-free declaration

Tabled: 4/11/20 Signatories: 4

Andrew Rosindell

Sir Mike Penning

Dr Julian Lewis

Lloyd Russell-Moyle

That this House recognises the Falkland Islands will officially be declared mine-free on November 14 2020, fulfilling the UK's commitment of its clearance obligation under the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention; notes that with this declaration the entire UK and her Overseas Territories will be mine-free; pays tribute to the members of the UK armed forces who contributed to mapping, fencing and clearing the minefields between 1982 and 2009 and the de-mining team from SafeLane Global Ltd who between 2009 and 2020 have destroyed over 10,000 mines and other items of unexploded ordnance; and understands that the project has released 23 million square meters of land allowing the access to large areas of ground which had been fenced off for 38 years.

1099Duty and tax-free shopping

Tabled: 4/11/20 Signatories: 24

Gavin Newlands

Alyn Smith

Alan Brown

Martyn Day

Kirsten Oswald

Allan Dorans

That this House notes the recent Government consultation on the continuation of duty and tax-free shopping for visitors from outside the EU, including the published summary of responses which indicated a majority of respondents supported the continuation of the VAT Retail Export Scheme (VAT RES) and the airside Extra Statutory Concession (ESC); expresses concern that despite those responses, HM Treasury has indicated that it plans to scrap the RES and ESC schemes at the beginning of 2021; further notes that those schemes support hundreds of jobs at Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen Airports and across the wider Scottish retail and aviation sectors at a time when the economy faces its biggest set of challenges since World War Two; understands the removal of RES and ECS will directly result in the loss of hundreds of jobs in Scotland and thousands around the UK; and calls on the Government to abandon its plans to end RES and ECS and engage in real dialogue with businesses and trade unions on how best to support retail and aviation employment in the future.

1100Support for hostels

Tabled: 4/11/20 Signatories: 6

Liz Saville Roberts

Hywel Williams

Patrick Grady

Ben Lake

John McDonnell

Lloyd Russell-Moyle

That this House notes that hostels have been hit particularly hard by the covid-19 outbreak; further notes that shared spaces, such as bathrooms and kitchens, are often part of a hostel's business model and that this has made operating at full capacity, and even reopening, difficult for many while operating within the necessary public health guidelines; acknowledges that many hostels had viable business models and were flourishing before the covid-19 outbreak; recognises that many hostels play a key part in the rural economy, bringing visitors who support other local businesses; further recognises that in rural areas, hostels are often used by people who intend to take part in outdoor activities and that ensuring that people can still access healthy outdoor holidays at accessible prices will be important after the covid-19 outbreak; stresses that hostels must be supported so that they are ready to open and return to full capacity as soon as restrictions can be lifted; and calls on the Government to underpin health measures with economic support and urgently put packages of support in place for the hostel sector.