Commons business papers

Contents

Published: Wednesday 3 March 2021

Early Day Motions tabled on Tuesday 2 March 2021

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

1569Anti-Irish discrimination

Tabled: 2/03/21 Signatories: 1

Colum Eastwood

That this House condemns anti-Irish racism in all its forms; notes that recent reports of anti-Irish and anti-Irish Traveller sentiments are disturbing; further notes the immeasurable contribution to public life of Irish people and recognises the important role Irish culture through language, dance, music and the arts plays in the lives of many people across the UK; recognises that Irish people have made an immensely positive contribution to society on the island of Britain; and urges the Government to do more to protect Irish people from discrimination and to consider bringing forward legislation to enshrine in law those protections.

1570Access to cash and banking services in communities

Tabled: 2/03/21 Signatories: 1

Patricia Gibson

That this House recognises the UK's obligation to maintain access to cash for all people that need or want to use it; is aware of recent analysis from Which? showing that 10 million people are not ready or able to stop using cash, with over two million dependent on it for every transaction, and that it is disproportionately relied upon by vulnerable people, notably those who are elderly, disabled or on low incomes; believes that banks should be mandated to work with post offices, which already provide an unofficial support network for over 300,000 vulnerable people, to provide banking services to all communities across the UK when they close a branch; and calls on the Government to legislate to ensure that local communities have access to the banking services they need to function.

1571Access to cash

Tabled: 2/03/21 Signatories: 1

Patricia Gibson

That this House calls on the Government to set out a timeline for introducing legislation to protect access to cash for people who depend on it, as well as publishing its vision for the long-term future of cash in order to support a managed transition towards digital payments; recognises that the UK’s already fragile cash system has been put under unprecedented strain as a result of the covid-19 outbreak, is convinced that the ability to access and spend cash is not only important for the many vulnerable people who rely on it, but will also play a critical role in the recovery of local economies, particularly as lockdown measures are relaxed and high-streets begin to re-open; is concerned that covid-19 and successive national lockdowns has resulted in a wave of ATM and bank branch closures across the country adding to the urgency of ensuring cash-dependent consumers are not cut off from accessing their only payment method; appreciates that the Government has an important role to play in ensuring that regulators and industry work together to develop a solution for the cash system that meets consumers’ needs and responds to changes in consumer behaviour; recognises that the slow rate of progress and lack of clarity around the scope and timings of legislation on this matter is a cause of concern; and accepts that while industry and regulators will undoubtedly play a critical role in designing a framework to guarantee cash access, HM Treasury must urgently provide much-needed vision to support this.

157220th Anniversary of the Wales Air Ambulance Charity

Tabled: 2/03/21 Signatories: 1

Liz Saville Roberts

That this House notes that 1 March 2021 marked 20 years since the launch of the Welsh Air Ambulance Charity; further notes that they rely on financial support from the public to help keep the helicopters flying; recognises that over the last 20 years, they have run approximately 38,000 missions; congratulates them on becoming one of the most medically advanced air ambulance operations in Europe, running 24 hours a day with the aim of being able to reach anyone in Wales within 20 minutes; and wishes them well with their My20 fundraising challenge.

1573Union Vinyl Inverness Oxfam donation

Tabled: 2/03/21 Signatories: 1

Drew Hendry

That this House commends Union Vinyl in Inverness on their generous donation to Oxfam; notes that Union Vinyl donate any vinyl records which they are unable to resell and that the total raised by Oxfam through their donations has reached over £3,400; further notes that that money will provide 300 displaced families access to safe drinking water and sanitation; and finally pays thanks to the owner Nigel Graham for his ongoing support to Oxfam.

1574District Nurse Moira Westland and Staff Nurse Cara Donnelly of NHS Highland

Tabled: 2/03/21 Signatories: 1

Brendan O'Hara

That this House recognises the outstanding commitment of District Nurse Moira Westland and Staff Nurse Cara Donnelly of NHS Highland who have been administering covid-19 vaccinations to vulnerable residents living in the most remote parts of the Isle of Mull in Argyll and Bute; notes that during the recent bad winter weather, while delivering the coronavirus vaccines to those patients living in the most inaccessible part of the island, Moira and Cara were often required to make the journey on foot to reach the homes of their patients; and sends our sincere thanks to Moira and Cara and all of their NHS Highland colleagues for their remarkably efficient roll out of the covid-19 vaccine across our rural and island communities and for their determination to ensure that no one living in the highlands and islands of Scotland misses out on being vaccinated against covid-19.

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.

1512Milnathort's Laura Muir breaking the UK 1500m record

Tabled: 22/02/21 Signatories: 9

John Nicolson

Hannah Bardell

Chris Law

Allan Dorans

Alison Thewliss

Jim Shannon

That this House commends Laura Muir for running the 1500 metre race at the World Indoor Tour meet in under four minutes; further recognises that this time breaks the UK record; and wishes her good luck in representing Scotland and the UK in future competitions.

1520Tony Collins: the first Black football league manager

Tabled: 22/02/21 Signatories: 12

Tony Lloyd

Jonathan Edwards

Apsana Begum

Margaret Ferrier

Mike Hill

Jim Shannon

That this House is saddened by the recent death of Tony Collins, a footballer whose role as the first black manager of an English football league club has gone largely unrecognised; is aware that Tony played for a number of league clubs, finishing at Rochdale; notes that he went on to become player manager at Rochdale; recognises his achievement in taking Rochdale to their only final in the 1962 League Cup Final, where they became the first 4th division club to reach that milestone; and salutes this stalwart and pioneer of English football.

1523Real Bread week campaign

Tabled: 22/02/21 Signatories: 23

Ian Mearns

Jonathan Edwards

Alison Thewliss

Apsana Begum

Rebecca Long Bailey

Mike Hill

That this House celebrates Real Bread Week and the recent upsurge in interest in traditional baking methods; welcomes the role of many small and medium sized bakeries across the UK in providing quality and choice for their customers; regrets that commercial pressures have too often led to the inclusion of so-called processing aids and other additives in mass-produced baked goods; further regrets that pressure exerted by retailers on suppliers has seen a general deskilling of the workforce and race to the bottom in the pay and conditions of those employed in the baking industry; is concerned about the implications of automation in further limiting the volume and quality of jobs in the sector; believes that consumers and workers alike benefit from the production methods in the baking of Real Bread, made with healthy, natural ingredients; and therefore calls on the UK government to introduce a new Honest Crust Act to ensure clear and accurate labelling of baked products, and to invest in the ability of businesses of all sizes to further develop skills and well-paid employment opportunities in the sector.

1536Investment in prison education technology

Tabled: 23/02/21 Signatories: 19

Zarah Sultana

Liz Saville Roberts

Paula Barker

Apsana Begum

Mary Kelly Foy

Grahame Morris

That this House notes that the covid-19 outbreak has highlighted the importance of access to remote learning, especially in prisons; further notes that almost 90% of respondents to a survey of University and College Union members working in prisons reported that IT resources were not sufficient for the needs of staff or students and that poor technological infrastructure was having a negative impact on student learning; recognises that years of underinvestment in prison education and in-cell technology has meant that remote learning is currently impossible for the vast majority of prisoners; believes that the pandemic has also exposed numerous issues undermining the wider delivery of prison education, including underfunding, understaffing and other consequences of a commissioning system run for profit; and calls on the Government to invest urgently in prison education technology and professional training, developed and run by the public sector, to maximise learning opportunities for prisoners, both during this pandemic and beyond.

1542Family Fund

Tabled: 23/02/21 Signatories: 21

Marion Fellows

Carla Lockhart

Jim Shannon

Patrick Grady

Kirsten Oswald

Owen Thompson

That this House commends Family Fund for their work across the country over the last 48 years; recognises that they have provided over 90,000 grants to families with disabled or seriously ill children over the last year; notes that Family Fund’s aim is to work toward a vision that all families raising disabled or seriously ill children have the same choices, quality of life, opportunities and aspirations as other families; and congratulates all their staff on their excellent work especially during this difficult year.

1544London Capital & Finance Plc bondholder compensation

Tabled: 24/02/21 Signatories: 10

Neale Hanvey

Marion Fellows

Andrew Rosindell

Gavin Newlands

Allan Dorans

John McDonnell

That this House recognises the significant losses of the 11,625 London Capital & Finance Plc (LC&F) bondholders who invested about £237 million and may only get 20 per cent of their investment back following the scheme’s failure; notes that the Financial Services Compensation Scheme has paid £56.3 million in compensation to 2,878 LC&F bondholders to date; welcomes the publication of the independent investigation report by Dame Elizabeth Gloster in December 2020; notes that the report was strongly critical of the Financial Conduct Authority’s approach, contending that the regulator had failed to fulfil its statutory objectives; further notes that the FCA and the Government have accepted all 13 recommendations from the report; welcomes the announcement from the Government that it will establish its own compensation scheme for LC&F bondholders; and urges the Government to set out the terms of the scheme at the earliest opportunity.

1545Political and security situation in Myanmar

Tabled: 24/02/21 Signatories: 44

Rushanara Ali

Jeremy Hunt

Ms Harriet Harman

Dame Margaret Hodge

Layla Moran

Caroline Lucas

That this House condemns the military coup in Myanmar (Burma); demands the immediate release of all political prisoners; extends solidarity to fellow Members of Parliament who have been denied the right to exercise their democratically elected mandate; welcomes the establishment by Parliamentarians of representative committees from national, regional and state parliaments; further welcomes the condemnation of the coup by the British government; calls on the British Government not to impose generalised sanctions such as withdrawing trade privileges, which will disproportionately impact workers, and instead focus on sanctioning military companies; further calls on the British Government to build a global coalition of countries imposing arms embargoes; and calls on the British Government to join the genocide case at the International Court of Justice and to publicly support the referral of the situation in Burma to the International Criminal Court.

1546Proposed changes to the London weighting to London universities teaching grant

Tabled: 24/02/21 Signatories: 6

Munira Wilson

John McDonnell

Jim Shannon

Ed Davey

Sarah Olney

Andrew Rosindell

That this House is deeply concerned by the Department for Education’s guidance letter issued to the Office for Students on the teaching grant for 2021-22 that pledges to remove weightings for London providers; notes that the costs of removing London weighting to the T-grant will most likely be shouldered by students; further notes that the costs of the cuts will have a disproportionate impact on those from widening participation backgrounds; considers that half of the boroughs in London are in the most deprived third of English local authorities and therefore appreciates that the cuts would hit the economies of the poorest boroughs the hardest; further appreciates that such cuts could result in the rollback of student mental health and wellbeing services; urges the Government to take into account that London is already the UK’s most expensive city in which to live and study; further asks the Government to consider the substantial output of London university research, as the proposals risk the loss of more than 1000 academics and calls on the Government to reconsider the proposals so that the financial burden is not carried by students who choose to study in London.

1548Women prisoner leavers and homelessness

Tabled: 25/02/21 Signatories: 21

Wera Hobhouse

Tim Farron

Layla Moran

Daisy Cooper

Jamie Stone

Sarah Olney

That this House notes official statistics showing that 42 per cent of women released from prison in 2019-20 were discharged into unsettled accommodation; further notes that the Safe Homes for Women Leaving Prison initiative estimates that as many as six in ten women leave prison with nowhere safe to go; highlights that women released into homelessness are more likely to offend and are at increased risk of returning to harmful behaviours, possibly including having to return to abusive relationships; welcomes the recent announcement of government funding to house prison leavers in temporary accommodation, but expresses concern that people will only be housed for a maximum of 12 weeks; expresses further concern that the initiative is only being launched in five of the 12 probation regions in England and Wales, seemingly with no specific measures to address the particular needs of women; and urges the Government to expand this initiative nationwide and introduce specific measures to end completely the practice of releasing women from prison into homelessness.

1549World Hearing Day

Tabled: 25/02/21 Signatories: 11

Dr Lisa Cameron

Jonathan Edwards

Claudia Webbe

John McDonnell

Navendu Mishra

Paula Barker

That this House commemorates World Hearing Day on 3 March 2021 by supporting the National Association of Deafened People (NADP) and the Hearing Loss and Deafness Alliance to ensure people with hearing loss have prompt and equal access to life-long learning, employment and health services as echoed by the upcoming WHO World Report on Hearing with annual aims of improve screening, person–centred hearing care, rehabilitation and improved access to communication; commits to aiding accessibility for people with hearing loss in constituencies as well as broader society; recognises the escalated frustration and alienation many people with hearing loss face due to increased difficulty of lipreading caused by commonplace mask-wearing; and acknowledges improvements including transparent face mask use which can be implemented in a cost-effective way relieving some of the estimated £25 billion loss to the economy each year due to lost productivity as a result of hearing loss.

1551Breakfast at Haghill

Tabled: 1/03/21 Signatories: 3

Anne McLaughlin

Steven Bonnar

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates Haghill Park Primary School on being shortlisted for the Kellogg’s Breakfast Club of the Year Award; recognises the vital role that Breakfast Clubs play in ensuring that children have the fuel they require to learn throughout the day; commends the dedication of teachers and staff to the wellbeing of the children of Haghill and Dennistoun; welcomes the support provided for such programmes; and wishes Haghill Park Primary School every success in the fantastic work that they continue to do in the community.

1552Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2021

Tabled: 1/03/21 Signatories: 19

Wera Hobhouse

Sir George Howarth

Dr Lisa Cameron

Tim Farron

Olivia Blake

Layla Moran

That this House notes the commencement of Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2021, which runs from 1 to 7 March 2021 and focuses this year on binge eating disorder; recognises that eating disorders are serious illnesses experienced by at least 1.25 million people in the UK; notes with concern that, while binge eating disorder is the most common type of eating disorder and affects 1 in 50 people in their lifetimes, only 1 in 4 who have had that condition ever receives treatment; believes that everyone affected by an eating disorder should have access to the treatment they need; and calls on the Government to ensure that all eating disorder services are commissioned to provide NICE-recommended treatments for people with binge eating disorder, without exceptions based on geography, age or severity.

1553Inverness full fibre network

Tabled: 1/03/21 Signatories: 3

Drew Hendry

Jim Shannon

Hannah Bardell

That this House welcomes the news that Inverness has become the latest city to join the full fibre revolution as the first homes across that city have been connected to next generation full fibre network; notes that CityFibre is investing around £20 million to bring this future-proof digital connectivity to the city; further notes that those services are being made available by BrawBand, a broadband offering launched recently by award-winning Inverness-based internet services provider HighNet; and further notes that, when complete, that crucial investment will reach almost every home and business in Inverness, ensuring that broadband users will be able to enjoy consistently fast and reliable connectivity services.

1554NHS Highland's covid-19 vaccination programme

Tabled: 1/03/21 Signatories: 3

Brendan O'Hara

Jim Shannon

Hannah Bardell

That this House praises NHS Highland’s covid-19 vaccination programme which has administered 27,000 first dose vaccinations in Argyll and Bute constituency as of 24 February 2021 and 100, 216 in the Health Board area overall; commends the high uptake of covid-19 vaccines among high-risk groups, particularly in care homes and for the over-80s; and thanks dedicated NHS staff for administrating covid-19 vaccines across Scotland, particularly thanking NHS staff for continuing to run an efficient covid-19 vaccine program despite inclement winter weather, alongside the remote and rural geography.

1555Jimmy Robertson's retirement

Tabled: 1/03/21 Signatories: 2

Brendan O'Hara

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates Jimmy Robertson on a 30-year long career with the Argyll and Bute Council, which came to an end this week; praises Jimmy for his tireless public service working in various roles across that Council, where he formed a close relationship with the local community; notes his particular dedication to the community throughout the covid-19 pandemic; wishes Jimmy a well-deserved retirement; and thanks Jimmy for his service to Argyll and Bute.

1556CalMac fundraising

Tabled: 1/03/21 Signatories: 2

Brendan O'Hara

Jim Shannon

That this House highlights the fundraising efforts of Caledonian MacBrayne staff based in Argyll and Bute constituency; notes that CalMac are raising money for the Scottish Association for Mental Health, with 40 employees taking part in Megan’s Miles fundraising challenge; acknowledges that each employee is undertaking 126 miles of exercise each to represent the distance between the Oban ferry terminal and the Astley Ainslie Hospital, Edinburgh; praises the dedication of all those staff taking part in that fundraising challenge; and wishes those staff well with their fundraising.

1557Cared For At Home Network

Tabled: 1/03/21 Signatories: 4

Brendan O'Hara

Steven Bonnar

Jim Shannon

Hannah Bardell

That this House commends the Cared for at Home Network set up by Dunoon-based Police Constable Laura Evans, which aims to tackle cases of fraud and attempted fraud across Argyll and Bute; notes that throughout the pandemic cases of attempted fraud have risen, particularly during the covid-19 lockdowns when many elderly people are home alone and criminals have targeted vulnerable residents through telephone and email scams; and highlights that that Network aims to raise awareness of fraud to elderly people and to encourage people to report all forms of fraud.

1558Campbeltown and the 2020 SURF Awards

Tabled: 1/03/21 Signatories: 3

Brendan O'Hara

Jim Shannon

Hannah Bardell

That this House congratulates the people of Campbeltown on the town’s recent success at being named Scotland’s Most Improved Place at the prestigious 2020 SURF Awards; particularly recognises the enormous contribution made by James Lafferty and Cara Browning of Argyll and Bute Council who have overseen and managed the £13 million project which has been used to refurbish more than 40 buildings in that town, including the full repair of 11 tenement buildings containing 58 flats, making significant improvements to numerous shopfronts in that town, the transformation of a derelict building into a community backpackers hostel and the restoration of Campbeltown Cross; notes that that award recognises years of dedicated hard work by so many in the local community who have been determined to make Campbeltown an attractive place to live and work with a thriving town centre; and is confident that Campbeltown and the surrounding area has a very bright, positive future as Scotland’s Most Improved Place.

1559Wales triple crown

Tabled: 1/03/21 Signatories: 2

Jonathan Edwards

Jim Shannon

This House congratulates the Welsh men's national rugby team for winning the Triple Crown following their victories over Ireland, Scotland and England in the Six Nations Championship; and wishes that team well in their remaining two games against Italy and France.

1560Stockport Fairtrade Group

Tabled: 1/03/21 Signatories: 12

Navendu Mishra

Chris Law

Rebecca Long Bailey

Mr William Wragg

Andrew Gwynne

Rachel Hopkins

That this House celebrates the current Fairtrade Fortnight and acknowledges Stockport’s position as a Fairtrade borough since 2003; recognises the contribution of Stockport Fairtrade Group and its volunteers in raising awareness of the importance of purchasing Fairtrade products and supporting disadvantaged farmers and workers in countries to help prevent exploitation and poverty and to become more resilient to climate change and improve sustainability; further recognises the work of Stockport Fairtrade Group alongside Unison Stockport branch in delivering the annual Stockport Fairtrade Christmas Fair; notes that Group's educational efforts in Fairtrade Schools across Greater Manchester; further notes that Group's achievement of being made the Fairtrade Foundation’s community group of the month in 2019; and pays tribute to all volunteers at Stockport Fairtrade Group who have worked so hard in the past 18 years to raise awareness of ethical products.

1562National Essential Tremor Awareness Month

Tabled: 1/03/21 Signatories: 2

Sir Mike Penning

Jim Shannon

That this House acknowledges that March 2021 is National Essential Tremor Awareness Month, an important opportunity to acknowledge the impact of Essential Tremor (ET) which affects approximately 4 per cent of those aged 40 years or over and results in involuntary shaking or trembling of part of the body; notes that ET it is one of the most common neurological movement disorders, estimated to be eight to 10 times more prevalent than Parkinson’s disease; further acknowledges the work of the National Tremor Foundation (NTF) to provide advice and support for people and their families who live with ET and the impact it has on opportunities for employment and mental health and well -being; further welcomes the implementation from the 1 April 2021 of a new commissioning policy by NHS England for transcranial Magnetic Resonance Guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) for the treatment of medication refractory ET; further acknowledges that MRgFUS is a life-changing and innovative new treatment, which offers effective non-surgical treatment as a day-case procedure and avoids permanently implanted electrodes and a programmer; and looks forward to seeing many patients benefit from that procedure over the months and years ahead, as they begin to rebuild their lives and enhance the overall quality of their lives and participate in new opportunities.

1563Extension of driving theory test certificates

Tabled: 1/03/21 Signatories: 5

Dave Doogan

Steven Bonnar

Jonathan Edwards

Jim Shannon

Marion Fellows

That this House considers that reasonable extensions should be granted to driving theory tests for learner drivers, tests taken by trainee driving instructors, Certificates for BAsic Training for moped drivers and over seventies’ licences; believes that were it not for the covid-19 pandemic learner drivers who had already passed their driving theory test would have, in many instances, by now have passed a practical driving test and supports the extension of their driving theory test certificate in order to avoid a logjam of new driving theory test applicants; considers that significant personal expenses have been borne by learner drivers and trainee driving instructors and that it would be unfair to ask them to pay additional costs due to events outwith their control; understands that the Government extended MoT certificates in 2020 and believes that a similar mechanism could be used to provide extensions for those who have undertaken driving theory tests, tests taken by trainee driving instructors, Certificates for BAsic Training for moped drivers and over seventies’ licences.

1564Worldwide right to education for girls

Tabled: 1/03/21 Signatories: 4

Mr Barry Sheerman

Jim Shannon

Andrew Gwynne

Paula Barker

That this House is concerned that, globally, 132 million girls are not in school; believes that all girls should have the right to education; acknowledges that conflict, gender-based violence and child marriage all present barriers to girls’ education worldwide; notes that the Covid-19 pandemic has increased the disparities in education globally, especially in areas of conflict; further notes the economic and social benefits of increasing the proportion of girls in education; supports international efforts to reduce the gender disparity in education and improve educational outcomes for girls worldwide; and urges the Government to undertake a review of international aid spending on girls’ education, in light of the additional pressures caused by Covid-19 and the recent merger of the Department for International Development with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

1565Government's commitment to global polio eradication

Tabled: 1/03/21 Signatories: 4

Jim Shannon

Sir Jeffrey M Donaldson

Paul Girvan

Jonathan Edwards

That this House affirms the Government's commitment to the priority of global polio eradication; recognizes the vital and valuable contribution played by the global polio eradication infrastructure toward health systems strengthening, global health security, global public health infrastructure and pandemic preparedness; and encourages the Government to remain fully committed to collaborating with Global Polio Eradication Initiative partners and with the global community including through key multinational fora such as the G7, the G20, the Commonwealth and with national governments globally to ensure that there is sufficient political and financial support to achieve and sustain the goal of a polio free world.

1566Endo warriors West Lothian

Tabled: 1/03/21 Signatories: 2

Hannah Bardell

Jim Shannon

That this House commends Candice McKenzie and Claire Beattie for their passionate and persistent campaigning work to raise awareness and understanding of endometriosis; praises Endo Warriors West Lothian (EWWL) for its success in introducing menstrual wellbeing into the school curriculum in West Lothian; congratulates West Lothian Council on becoming the first council in Scotland to introduce menstrual wellbeing into the school curriculum; recognises the efforts of teachers and pupils in the 11 high schools in West Lothian that will take part in that education drive; and wishes EWWL good luck with the activities it has planned for Endometriosis Awareness Month in March 2021.

1567Political prisoners on hunger strike in Ethiopia

Tabled: 1/03/21 Signatories: 6

Patrick Grady

Anne McLaughlin

Jonathan Edwards

Jim Shannon

Marion Fellows

Hannah Bardell

That this House notes with concerns reports about the deteriorating health of Jawar Mohammed, Bekele Gerba, Hamza Adane and Dejene Tafa, who are on hunger-strike in prison in Ethopia; notes that these men and sixteen others were arrested after unrest that broke out in the Oromo region following the killing of musician Hachalu Hundessa in June 2020; notes that former US Ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Powell has said that the treatment of these prisoners by the Ethiopian government is exacerbating a serious crisis, especially as their health deteriorates; further notes findings by Amnesty International in 2020 that Ethiopian security forces committed grave human rights violations between December 2018 and December 2019 in the region, including burning homes to the ground, extrajudicial executions, rape, arbitrary arrests and detentions; and calls on the UK Government to make representations to counterparts in the United Nations, African Union and Government of Ethopia to secure appropriate medical treatment for the hunger strikers, the release of any prisoners detained arbitrarily on politcally-motivated charges, an end to political violence, steps to negotiate peaceful settlements of the conflicts affecting the country, and respect for freedom of speech, human rights and the rule of law.

1568Report on an alternative vision for the UK defence sector

Tabled: 1/03/21 Signatories: 5

Chris Stephens [R]

John McDonnell

Grahame Morris

Rachel Hopkins

Paula Barker

That this House notes the publication of a report by Professor Roger Seifert entitled Alternative Vision for the UK Defence Sector on behalf of the Public and Commerical Services union, and welcomes its findings; acknowledges the vital and necessary work carried out by civilian staff in the Ministry of Defence across the UK; further notes that the report highlights the Department's concerning reliance on outsourcing work to the private sector; is alarmed by the report's findings of bullying and harassment of civilian staff as well as low pay and poor industrial relations leading to a culture of denial and poor accountability by MoD management; supports the report's call for appropriate investment across the Department to ensure retention of jobs and skills in the civilian sector linked to improved pay and training opportunities; and urges Ministers and senior officials at the Ministry of Defence to meet with civilian staff representatives to discuss the concerns raised within this report, and to work towards a more united Department that respects and rewards its civil servants for their continued dedication.