Contents

Published: Tuesday 24 May 2022

Early Day Motions tabled on Monday 23 May 2022

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

8750th Anniversary of Age UK Gateshead

Tabled: 23/05/22 Signatories: 6

Liz Twist

Catherine McKinnell

Ian Mearns

Mr Nicholas Brown

Kate Osborne

Mary Kelly Foy

That this House congratulates all involved with Age UK Gateshead celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year; notes that the services, which were first established in 1972, have grown and evolved and now include advisers helping older people to claim benefits they are entitled to, offering befriending services to lonely older people in the community and providing daily activities across the borough of Gateshead; acknowledges that this is just a small example of the amazing work Age UK Gateshead undertake on a daily basis; recognises the difference Age UK Gateshead has made to many people's lives during the last half century; and wishes Age UK Gateshead all the best for the next 50 years.

88Detention of Tamil refugees in the British Indian Ocean Territory

Tabled: 23/05/22 Signatories: 1

Ed Davey

That this House acknowledges that at least 89 Eelam Tamils, including 20 children, are being detained indefinitely on the British Indian Ocean Territory Diego Garcia after their boat was intercepted by British military; recognises that these refugees cannot return to Sri Lanka, where they have faced persecution as Tamils and in some cases even torture; is aware that 42 of the refugees have gone on a hunger strike to protest their situation, which is having a catastrophic impact on their mental health; notes with concern that British authorities are not offering legal counsel or assessing asylum claims on Diego Garcia, despite reports the group has made clear they are seeking international protection; emphasises the UK’s international legal commitments to allow anyone to apply for asylum; and calls on the Government to provide enabling support to allow the Tamil refugees on Diego Garcia to claim asylum in a safe country of their choosing.

89Laurie Ross Insurance Rutherglen’s Glasgow Kiltwalk

Tabled: 23/05/22 Signatories: 1

Margaret Ferrier

That this House congratulates members of Laurie Ross’s Rutherglen branch for their fundraising efforts for the Rutherglen and Cambuslang foodbank by participating in the Glasgow Kiltwalk; notes that the foodbank was chosen by the branch’s customers as the receiving charity with an overwhelming majority; recognises the foodbank’s essential public service as the cost of living crisis deepens; celebrates the excellent collection of over £2,000 through this fundraising effort; commends the efforts of all employees involved in the fundraising, and looks forward to hearing about their future fundraising work.

90Reducing levels of PM2.5 pollution

Tabled: 23/05/22 Signatories: 9

Dame Angela Eagle

Rushanara Ali

Rosie Duffield

Neil Coyle

Clive Lewis

Grahame Morris

That this House recognises the danger that high levels of air pollution pose to human health; acknowledges the importance of reducing air pollution as quickly as possible; and urges the Government to commit to reaching annual levels of fine particulate matter in line with the World Health Organization’s interim target of 10ug/m3 by no later than 2030.

91Queens Park FC promotion to the Scottish Championship

Tabled: 23/05/22 Signatories: 1

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

That this House congratulates Queens Park Football Club, Scotland's oldest team, the players, staff and supporters on the club's promotion to the Scottish Championship as play-off winners; applauds the club in extending its own and the city of Glasgow's proud history of footballing success; and wishes Queens Park the very best of luck in the games to come.

9215th anniversary of Black Diamond FM's first broadcast

Tabled: 23/05/22 Signatories: 1

Owen Thompson

That this House sends warm wishes and congratulations to Black Diamond F.M. (B.D.F.M.) on the 15th anniversary of its first broadcast; commends the Newtongrange-based community radio station as an integral part of Midlothian’s public life and major contributor to various educational and social inclusion programmes over the years; notes that the station is managed and staffed entirely by a dedicated team of volunteers and is operated by Midlothian Community Media Association, a small steering group made up of enthusiastic members of the local community aiming to advance education, promote social inclusion, and work with the community and voluntary sectors to enhance community media in Midlothian; congratulates B.D.F.M. on launching a second transmitter to celebrate its 15th birthday, with it now broadcasting on 100.7 FM as well as its original frequency of 107.7 FM; understands that B.D.F.M.’s first live transmission on 107.8 FM went out at 7am on the morning of the 21 May 2007, with the first song played being ‘I’m on my Way’ by the Proclaimers; recognises that from that moment B.D.F.M. truly was on its way to becoming an established and deeply valued Midlothian institution; recognises the immense value of community radio stations such as B.D.F.M. across Scotland and the United Kingdom in fostering a sense of community and inclusion, as well as in bringing joy and music to thousands of homes; and wishes all the team at B.D.F.M. the very best of wishes for even more success in the years to come.

93Cape Holdings and asbestos research

Tabled: 23/05/22 Signatories: 1

Ian Lavery

That this House notes the court case which resulted in Cape International Holdings, one of the world’s largest asbestos manufacturers, being forced to publish documentation revealing their cover up of the dangers of asbestos, and activity lobbying the Government to water down exposure limits and warnings; is concerned that Cape is a major contributor to the mesothelioma epidemic in the UK, where rates are the worst in the world, and must be held accountable for the many lives affected; and supports the call by the Asbestos Victims Support Groups Forum and the Trades Union Congress for Cape Holdings PLC to make a £10 million donation towards the funding of mesothelioma research.

94Baha’i community in Qatar

Tabled: 23/05/22 Signatories: 1

Jim Shannon

That this House notes the increasingly precarious situation of the Baha’i community in Qatar; expresses concern over reports that several Baha’is have been subject to administrative deportation and blacklisting from employment; notes the annex to the March 2022 report of the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief and the alarming findings of the report as regards the treatment of the Baha’i community in Qatar; recalls the strong ties between the UK and Qatar, and the recent visit to this country of His Excellency, the Emir of Qatar; and calls on the Government to encourage the Qatari authorities to review Section D of the Special Rapporteur’s Annex, containing recommendations, and urge the Qataris to resolve the legal status of both Baha’i citizens and residents living in the Emirate.

95Christian woman stoned in Sokoto, northern Nigeria

Tabled: 23/05/22 Signatories: 1

Jim Shannon

That this House notes the horrific stoning of Deborah Yakubu, a young Christian woman in Sokoto, Northern Nigeria; further notes that the stoning took place after Ms Yakubu had expressed concern that a student What's App Group was being used inappropriately and she was subsequently accused of blasphemy; highlights that the body and school building were then torched in a further act of hatred and violence; and encourages the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to make contact with counterparts in Nigeria and urge them to ensure that justice is done and those responsible for her death are held accountable.

96Papers, minutes and correspondence relating to Sue Gray Report

Tabled: 23/05/22 Signatories: 1

Wendy Chamberlain

That there be laid before this House the minutes from or any notes of any meeting or meetings or any written or electronic correspondence between the Prime Minister and Sue Gray since the start of her investigation into alleged gatherings on government premises during Covid restrictions.

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.

16Refuse disposal workers' pay and conditions

Tabled: 10/05/22 Signatories: 12

Zarah Sultana

Dan Carden

Jonathan Edwards

Beth Winter

Ian Lavery

Claudia Webbe

That this House notes the recent wave of industrial action from refuse disposal workers, including in Coventry, Rugby, Wealdon, and Brighton; further notes improved pay agreements have been reached to avoid further refuse disposal workers strikes at locations including Northampton and Manchester; notes that refuse disposal workers were rightly recognised as key workers during the pandemic; notes the cost-of-living crisis and the soaring costs of basic necessities such as energy bills, food, and fuel; further notes the significant central government cuts to local authorities over the past 12 years; believes that refuse disposal workers deserve decent wages and terms and conditions; calls on the government to properly fund local authorities, reversing more than a decade of cuts; calls on local authorities to treat trade union reps with dignity and respect; and calls on local authorities to engage constructively with striking refusal disposal workers, bringing forward new deals to meet workers’ concerns.

32ME Awareness Day 2022

Tabled: 11/05/22 Signatories: 40

Carol Monaghan

Rachael Maskell

Jonathan Edwards

Cat Smith

Margaret Ferrier

Stephen Metcalfe

That this House recognises 12 May 2022 as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) Awareness Day, which aims to highlight the impact this condition has on approximately 250,000 people across the UK; commends the endless dedication of campaigners and charities working to raise awareness of ME as a serious and debilitating neurological condition; welcomes the publication of the new National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines on ME/CFS which has removed the recommendation of graded exercise therapy; looks forward to the full implementation of these guidelines as part of a complete overhaul of how ME services are planned and delivered; and calls on the Government to take urgent and significant steps to improve health and social care provision for people with ME.

34Killing of Shireen Abu Akleh

Tabled: 11/05/22 Signatories: 41

Grahame Morris

John McDonnell

Kim Johnson

Tommy Sheppard

Liz Saville Roberts

Caroline Lucas

That this House is shocked by the killing of Al-Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh by Israeli forces whilst reporting on raids in Jenin; extends its sincere condolences to her family and colleagues who are devastated by her death; is appalled that this widely-respected, brave and committed journalist was hit by a bullet whilst wearing a press vest, with gunfire having started without prior instruction to stop filming; notes that fellow journalist Shatha Hanaysha who was present at the time believes that the group was targeted for attack by the Israeli army; considers that this shocking incident must be in the wider context of Israeli forces systematically targeting journalists working in Palestine and the failure to properly investigate killings of media workers; notes that the International Federation of Journalists, the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate and the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians previously submitted a formal complaint to the International Criminal Court last month regarding such treatment; calls for a full independent investigation of this case, with swift action to bring those responsible for Shireen’s death to account; and joins the National Union of Journalists and the International Federation of Journalists in demanding an end to, and justice for, the wider targeting and killings of Palestinian journalists by Israeli forces.

41Hunting on Ministry of Defence land

Tabled: 16/05/22 Signatories: 15

Dave Doogan

Douglas Chapman

Rachael Maskell

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

John McDonnell

Angela Crawley

That this House notes with concern that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) continues to grant licences for trail and drag hunts on MoD land, including 248 hunts over 13 MoD sites in a single year; notes that leaked footage shows the Hunting Office and the Masters of Fox Hounds Association describing trail and drag hunts as a smokescreen; notes that trail and drag hunts can be, and are used to disguise the illegal and barbaric practice of fox hunting; welcomes the National Trust and Natural Resources Wales’s decisions to ban trail and drag hunting; and calls on the Government to end the licencing of trail and drag hunts on MoD land.

44Ownership of Channel 4

Tabled: 16/05/22 Signatories: 32

Jamie Stone

Mr Barry Sheerman

Kim Johnson

Jonathan Edwards

Douglas Chapman

Rachael Maskell

That this House is concerned about the Government's plans to privatise Channel 4, a publicly owned company that does not cost the taxpayer a penny; notes that Channel 4 is not run for profit and is therefore free from the need to create return for shareholders; acknowledges that Channel 4's remit to demonstrate innovation, experiment and creativity makes a significant contribution to creating educational and distinctive programming; further acknowledges the substantial contribution Channel 4 makes towards the UK's creative economy and the levelling up agenda; considers that any step towards privatisation would inevitably replace Channel 4's characteristic public service ethos in favour of the narrow interests of shareholder profit; recalls the House of Lords Select Committee on Communications report entitled A Privatised Future for Channel Four? (July 2016), which warned that Channel 4 could be adversely affected by privatisation; further recalls that 96 per cent of people who responded to the Government's consultation on the ownership of Channel 4 disagreed with privatisation; and calls on the Government to end plans to privatise Channel 4.

47Fur, foie gras and trophy hunting imports

Tabled: 16/05/22 Signatories: 19

Jon Trickett

Mohammad Yasin

Jonathan Edwards

Rachael Maskell

John McDonnell

Angela Crawley

That this House expresses concern and dismay at the Government reneging on its promise to strengthen animal rights through legislation by omitting this important matter from the Queen’s Speech; stands with the many people who have written to their hon Member sharing their worry at the lack of action on a potential ban on fur, foie gras and trophy hunting imports; seeks to remind the Government of their 2019 manifesto promise to ban trophy hunting imports and their statement in that manifesto that high standards of animal welfare are one of the hallmarks of a civilised society; notes that 79 per cent of the British public supports the foie gras sales ban and 72 per cent supports the fur sales ban; further notes that the Government’s failure to act is tantamount to propping up animal cruelty; and urges the Government to not go back on its promise and should instead take tough action against animal cruelty.

48Paid miscarriage leave

Tabled: 16/05/22 Signatories: 20

Angela Crawley

Kim Johnson

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

Chris Law

Rachael Maskell

That this House calls on the Government to introduce paid miscarriage leave; notes that, in the UK, two weeks parental bereavement leave and pay is in place after stillbirth, however there is no such support for anyone who has experienced a miscarriage before 24 weeks of pregnancy; understands that miscarriage is an extremely traumatic experience and that more support should be provided to families that experience such a loss; considers unacceptable the Government’s position that Statutory Sick Pay or annual leave are adequate compromises for a specific miscarriage leave provision; congratulates private businesses which have implemented policies for paid miscarriage leave including John Lewis, ASOS and Monzo; and believes the UK Government should bring this industry standard into statute to provide paid leave for people who experience miscarriage and allow families to grieve for their profound loss.

54The Sporting Aces award at the Non-Profit Organisation Awards 2022

Tabled: 16/05/22 Signatories: 8

Amy Callaghan

Jim Shannon

Chris Law

Chris Stephens

Allan Dorans

Patrick Grady

That this House celebrates local East Dunbartonshire charity organisation The Sporting Aces on winning the Best Sport Based Community Charity at the Non-Profit Organisation Awards 2022; understands The Sporting Aces to be the first and only charity in East Dunbartonshire aimed at promoting inclusion for multi-sport activity; notes the group work with adults, young people and children who have a range of physical, learning and communication difficulties to advance public participation in sport through provision of multi-sports coaching programmes; further notes their efforts enable participants to be successful learners, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens; recognises that this award comes after a challenging period for the organisation in the wake of covid-19 restrictions; congratulates everyone involved at The Sporting Aces on this tremendously well deserved achievement; and looks forward to seeing what more they will continue to achieve in the community in future.

57Eritrea's involvement in conflict in Ethiopia

Tabled: 16/05/22 Signatories: 14

Brendan O'Hara

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

Stuart C McDonald

John McDonnell

Angela Crawley

That this House strongly condemns Eritrea’s continued involvement in the conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray region; welcomes the tentative humanitarian truce between the Ethiopian forces and Tigray People’s Liberation Front, which makes it the ideal time for a full withdrawal of Eritrean troops from Ethiopia; is alarmed by the on-going humanitarian crisis in the region, with an urgent need for aid to reach those facing food insecurity or even famine; fully supports efforts towards justice and accountability for egregious human rights abuses during the conflict, including reported large scale massacres, summary executions, widespread sexual violence and forcible repatriation of Eritrean refugees by Eritrean troops; calls on the Government to seek clarification about how Eritrean troop withdrawal from Ethiopia will be secured and monitored; further calls the Government to consider the imposition of targeted sanctions against Eritrean individuals and entities, in line with designations already made in the United States, aimed at providing accountability for, and deterring the commission of further, serious human rights violations by Eritrean troops in Ethiopia, securing their full and prompt withdrawal, and encouraging Ethiopian combatants towards a negotiated political settlement; and urges the Government to review other punitive tools and diplomatic capabilities which could be exercised to further these goals.

58Jake Daniels

Tabled: 16/05/22 Signatories: 25

Mr Clive Betts

Tracey Crouch

Kim Johnson

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

Ian Lavery

That this House congratulates Jake Daniels on his courageous decision to be open about his sexuality; welcomes the support he has received from Blackpool FC; and calls on the Football Association, the English Football League, and the Professional Footballers’ Association to provide any support Mr Daniels needs and to act in the strongest possible way against any unacceptable comments or actions which he may subjected to.

60Reduction in civil service employment

Tabled: 16/05/22 Signatories: 43

Chris Stephens [R]

John McDonnell

Liz Saville Roberts

Caroline Lucas

Mr Alistair Carmichael

Grahame Morris

That this House condemns Government plans to cut 91,000 jobs from the civil service over the next three years; notes that departmental spending levels for the next three years have only recently been issued, following a process of assessing future staffing requirements; is angered to have learnt of these plans from tabloid newspapers rather than a statement to Members of Parliament, and considers this rushed announcement as a desperate attempt to deflect from their own failure to address the cost of living crisis; regards as spurious the claim that this would represent a return to 2016 levels, since at that time there were already serious issues of understaffing in Departments such as the Home Office and that, since then, withdrawal from the EU has increased the volume of work required; further notes that the lengthy backlogs currently experienced in HM Passport Office have resulted from a failure to plan, recruit and resource operations sufficiently to meet the upsurge in demand; believes the further loss of jobs in that department and others will only compound the present crisis; and therefore calls on the Government to withdraw these ill-considered proposals.

61Aberfeldy Initiative Feldy-Roo on Scottish Charity Awards shortlist

Tabled: 17/05/22 Signatories: 7

Pete Wishart

Allan Dorans

Chris Stephens

Jim Shannon

Chris Law

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

That this House commends Feldy-Roo on being shortlisted in the community action category in the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) 2022 Scottish Charity Awards; understands that the community action award commemorates community-led groups and organisations who are making a big difference to a small community; notes that SCVO, the national membership organisation for the voluntary sector, aims to support, promote and develop a confident, sustainable voluntary sector in Scotland; recognises that Feldy-Roo is an Aberfeldy-based initiative founded by Gavin Price to feed elderly and isolating people by preparing and delivering meals seven days a week; believes that the contributions by Feldy-Roo have been invaluable to people across Perth and North Perthshire; and congratulates the team at Feldy-Roo on their achievement in being shortlisted.

62Ukraine debt cancellation

Tabled: 17/05/22 Signatories: 21

Richard Burgon

Liz Saville Roberts

Caroline Lucas

Layla Moran

Chris Law

Hywel Williams

That this House recognises the devastating impact of the Russian invasion on the economy of Ukraine; notes the need for all the country’s resources to be mobilised to support the humanitarian response and military defence; notes that the total external debt of Ukraine is $54 billion and that Ukraine is due to make debt payments of $7.3 billion in 2022 alone; notes with concern that the IMF has assessed Ukraine will need $5bn a month for the next three months to address the impact of the invasion on the country’s finances; calls on the Government to use its influence with G7 partners, the IMF and World Bank to suspend all external debt payments for as long as the war lasts and make it clear that a restructuring of debts involving all creditors will take place after the war that will make the debt sustainable; and further calls on the Government to work with partners to establish a fund to provide grants for emergency support and subsequent reconstruction of the country.

63University of Dundee's Research Excellence Framework performance

Tabled: 17/05/22 Signatories: 6

Chris Law

Allan Dorans

Douglas Chapman

Chris Stephens

Jim Shannon

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

That this House congratulates the University of Dundee on its recent performance in the national Research Excellence Framework assessment; notes that 84 per cent of research carried out by the University of Dundee was deemed to be world leading or internationally excellent, an increase from 75 per cent in the previous assessment; further notes that the University of Dundee was rated top in the UK for biological sciences and top in Scotland for art and design; celebrates the University of Dundee’s performance in a number of other areas, including but not limited to mathematical sciences, computer science and informatics, engineering and clinical medicine and allied health professions; and wishes all staff and students at the University of Dundee all the best for the year ahead.

67Highland Council elections team

Tabled: 17/05/22 Signatories: 10

Drew Hendry

Ian Blackford

Allan Dorans

Douglas Chapman

Hannah Bardell

Chris Stephens

That this House commends the Highland Council elections team on their excellent management of the recent local government election; recognises the entire team's professionalism and dedication which ensured the smooth-running election process from candidate selection to declaration of results; also notes that the successful live streaming of the count meant that thousands of viewers witnessed the election count process; furthermore recognises the significant contribution of others, including Highlife Highland Staff and Police Scotland, and in doing so commends their contributions to the local government election process.

68Plastic Free Pint campaign

Tabled: 17/05/22 Signatories: 9

Martyn Day

Allan Dorans

Wera Hobhouse

Ronnie Cowan

Chris Stephens

Apsana Begum

That this House supports the international campaign Plastic Free Pint by A Plastic Planet, which seeks an outright ban on plastic pint cups without delay; notes that globally 500 billion plastic cups are used each year and lined up end to end they would span 50 MILLION kilometres – the same distance as 130 trips from Earth to the moon; acknowledges that those pint cups are almost exclusively made of plastic and are single-use items that will end up in landfill, in incinerators or directly in our natural environments; highlights that plastic cups are the sixth-most commonly found plastic item in Britain’s rivers, and the eighth on the nation’s beaches; and calls on the Government as well as hon. Members to work together to end the scourge of the plastic pint cups and help build a more sustainable planet.

69Employment bill

Tabled: 17/05/22 Signatories: 16

Angela Crawley

Jonathan Edwards

Allan Dorans

Wera Hobhouse

Deidre Brock

Patricia Gibson

That this House expresses its disappointment that the Government has not introduced an Employment Bill in the 2022 Queen’s Speech; notes that an Employment Bill was announced in the 2019 Queen’s Speech but is yet to reach the statute books; deplores the Government’s missed opportunity to bring forth policies on flexible working by default, carer’s leave, paid leave for neonatal care, paid miscarriage leave, leave for menopause and fertility treatments, prevention of workplace sexual harassment, the right to keep gratuities in full, and to extend redundancy protections to prevent maternity and pregnancy discrimination; condemns the Government’s tacit acceptance of rogue employers who abuse outdated employment regulations; recalls the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy's remarks in 2021 that an Employment Bill would be brought forward when the time is right; suggests the Government must act immediately to counter insecure work and exploitative practices such as fire and rehire and zero-hours contracts; recognises the coronavirus pandemic and the cost of living crisis has intensified the need for updated workplace protections; and urges the Government to make parliamentary time to bring forward an Employment Bill in order to keep its promises to protect and enhance workers’ rights.

71Stockport County Football Club

Tabled: 17/05/22 Signatories: 10

Navendu Mishra

Angela Rayner

Tony Lloyd

Kim Johnson

Mick Whitley

Mr William Wragg

That this House congratulates Stockport County Football Club on their promotion back to the Football League after an 11-year absence; pays tribute to manager Dave Challinor and his players for their role in helping the club win the National League title; recognises the efforts of all staff at the club and their contribution towards helping Stockport County FC secure promotion; acknowledges the legacy of former manager Danny Bergara, who was the first manager born outside the British Isles and whose first language wasn’t English to lead an English club out at Wembley; notes the club’s history since their formation as Heaton Norris Rovers in 1883; thanks the fans for their loyal support; and congratulates owner Mark Stott and Stockport Council for recently agreeing a 250-year lease of Edgeley Park which has secured the club’s long-term future at their historic ground ahead of their return to the Football League.

72Specialist Huntington’s Disease Services

Tabled: 17/05/22 Signatories: 26

Hilary Benn

Jonathan Edwards

Wera Hobhouse

Hywel Williams

Liz Saville Roberts

Ben Lake

That this House notes that Huntington’s Disease is a rare, hereditary and incurable neurological condition that slowly robs patients of their ability to walk, talk, eat, drink, make decisions and care for themselves; notes that a University of Aberdeen study, published in the Journal of Neurology, highlights that the number of Huntington’s Disease cases in northern Scotland has increased by almost 50 per cent over the last 30 years and understands that there are likely to have been similar increases throughout the rest of the United Kingdom; further notes that the Scottish Huntington’s Association, the Huntington’s Disease Association of Northern Ireland and the Huntington’s Disease Association England and Wales have confirmed that Huntington’s Disease specialist staff are stretched to the limit, having had to deal with a rising number of cases without a commensurate increase in resources, with some areas having no specialist services at all; notes the often intolerable burden placed upon those caring for loved ones with Huntington’s Disease; and calls on health and social care providers throughout the UK to expand specialist Huntington’s Disease services and access to mental health and other essential support in order to help those living with Huntington’s Disease and their families in the community.

75Changes to Universal Credit

Tabled: 18/05/22 Signatories: 14

Chris Stephens

Jonathan Edwards

Apsana Begum

Allan Dorans

Jim Shannon

Hywel Williams

This House notes that Universal Credit payments are not keeping pace with rising living costs; notes that deductions taken from those payments, for example to repay advances, leave households on low incomes struggling to afford food and other essentials; recognises the action taken by the Department for Work and Pensions in 2021 to extend the repayment period for Advances from 12 to 24 months and to reduce the maximum rate of deductions from 30% of the standard allowance to 25%; and calls on the Department to immediately take further action by reducing the maximum rate to 10% again, in recognition of the fact that deductions are taken from benefits already set at subsistence levels.

77Killing of Palestinian-American reporter Shireen Abu Aqla

Tabled: 18/05/22 Signatories: 8

Mr Alistair Carmichael

Caroline Lucas

Jonathan Edwards

Hywel Williams

Ben Lake

Liz Saville Roberts

That this House condemns unreservedly the killing of Palestinian-American Al Jazeera reporter Shireen Abu Aqla in the Jenin refugee camp while reporting on a raid by Israeli forces; notes that last year UNESCO recorded fifty-five deaths of journalists while working; recognises that Shireen was an experienced and popular journalist across the Middle East and in Palestine in particular and that her loss will be deeply felt by colleagues and others across the region; notes that Al Jazeera producer Ali Samoudi was also injured in the shooting; calls on the UK Government to make representations to the Government of Israel to allow an independent investigation into the shooting so that those responsible can be held to account; and condemns further the violence inflicted on mourners at the funeral of Shireen Abu Aqla, described by the leaders of fifteen Christian denominations as a violent intrusion by Israeli police.

78Implementation of the Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review recommendations

Tabled: 18/05/22 Signatories: 14

Cat Smith

Ben Lake

Apsana Begum

David Linden

Claire Hanna

Tim Farron

That this House notes that sodium valproate can cause serious problems in a developing baby; further notes that 10 percent of babies whose mothers take sodium valproate during pregnancy are at risk of having a birth defect, and up to 40 percent have problems with development and learning as they grow; welcomes the July 2020 Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review; and calls on the Government to implement its recommendations in full, including paying compensation to people disabled by sodium valproate.

80Rangers in the UEFA Europa League

Tabled: 19/05/22 Signatories: 4

Chris Stephens

Allan Dorans

Christine Jardine

Mr Gregory Campbell

That this House honours the success of Rangers Football Club in the UEFA Europa League this season reaching the final in Seville; pays tribute to the efforts of the team despite their narrow loss on penalties to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Final; acknowledges the incredible leadership of Manager Giovanni Van Bronckhorst and his coaching staff; pays tribute to Rangers’ club captain James Tavernier whose guidance, leadership and goals played a vital part in the club's success in the competition this season; extends tributes to the rest of the playing squad who have repeatedly shown true grit and desire to win en route to the final; commends the Ranger’s fans for the passionate support they have given the club throughout the competition; and wishes the club further success in Europe in the coming years.

81Bonnyrigg Rose promotion to the SPFL

Tabled: 19/05/22 Signatories: 5

Owen Thompson

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

Chris Stephens

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

That this House congratulates Bonnyrigg Rose FC on their historic promotion to the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) following last week's victory over Cowdenbeath; notes that the 141 year-old, Midlothian-based club will now be playing SPFL League 2 football next season for the first time after a 1-0 win at Central Park sealed a 4-0 aggregate victory over Cowdenbeath in the pyramid play-off final; commends the club's players, management and supporters for this historic promotion; and wishes Bonnyrigg Rose the very best of luck in the games to come.

82Penicuik Athletic places second in the East of Scotland Premier Division

Tabled: 19/05/22 Signatories: 5

Owen Thompson

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

Chris Stephens

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

That this House congratulates Penicuik Athletic FC on placing second in the East of Scotland Premier Division; notes that the Midlothian-based club, founded in 1888, placed second following their 2-1 match against Sauchie Juniors last month; commends the club's players, management and supporters for their impressive achievement; and wishes Penicuik Athletic the very best for all the games to come.

83Play Therapy Base Ltd National Lottery Funding

Tabled: 19/05/22 Signatories: 5

Owen Thompson

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

Chris Stephens

Anne McLaughlin

That this House congratulates Play Therapy Base Ltd on receiving a £119,382 grant from Medium Grants Scotland: Improving Lives as part of the National Lottery Community Fund; notes that the group will use the funding to support 50 children and families primarily from Midlothian by providing one to one play therapy sessions and filial therapy sessions; applauds Play Therapy Based Ltd for their work to provide child-centred therapeutic resources close to local Midlothian communities, including specific support for parents and children with anxiety and depression; recognises the sterling work done by the National Lottery Community Fund to distribute funding on behalf of National Lottery players who raise more than £30 million each week for good causes throughout the UK; welcomes the awarding of £588.2 million of funding last year alone; and encourages projects and organisations to apply for grants whether large or small.

84SNP election result in North Ayrshire Council

Tabled: 19/05/22 Signatories: 6

Patricia Gibson

Allan Dorans

Jonathan Edwards

Chris Law

Chris Stephens

Anne McLaughlin

That this House congratulates the SNP North Ayrshire Council group on their victory in being elected the largest party on Thursday 6 May’s local elections, securing more seats and more first preference votes than any other party, thereby securing a mandate to form North Ayrshire Council’s new administration; recognises that the SNP’s success in North Ayrshire Council reflects the people of North Ayrshire’s desire for a new administration; wishes newly elected SNP Council leader Marie Burns and Depute Leader Shaun Macaulay all the best for their leadership of this administration; welcomes the election of well-respected Councillor Anthea Dickson to the role of Provost of North Ayrshire; sincerely thanks voters in North Ayrshire for putting their faith in the SNP to take on the mantle of running North Ayrshire Council on their behalf; and wishes the new SNP administration every success as it works to deliver on the people of North Ayrshire’s priorities.

85Iain MacNeil's global voyage

Tabled: 19/05/22 Signatories: 13

Angus Brendan MacNeil

Ms Anum Qaisar

Carol Monaghan

Jamie Stone

Drew Hendry

Mark Menzies

That this House notes that from the time of the great Magellan Expedition of 1518-1521, the first to circumnavigate the world, that mankind has always been fascinated with nautical circumnavigations of the world; warmly congratulates Iain MacNeil from the Hebridean Island of Barra, following in those footsteps by completing the first circumnavigation in the world in a sub-24 metre motor yacht class vessel, MV Astra, with151 days at sea, crossing all 360 degrees of latitude and the equator twice, with a total covering 27,000 nautical miles; further notes that Iain MacNeil, and his four crew, follow in the proud tradition of the Clan MacNeil who according to legendary repute among the Scottish Highland Clans, were the only other people, other than Noah, to have a Galley boat at the time of the biblical flood.

86Mobility support for terminally ill children under three

Tabled: 19/05/22 Signatories: 11

Ed Davey

Hywel Williams

Ben Lake

Liz Saville Roberts

Wendy Chamberlain

Layla Moran

That this House notes that children under three are currently excluded from receiving the mobility component of the DLA; recognises that mobility is about more than just the ability to walk, in line with the mobility condition for children with visual impairments or autism that states they require substantially more guidance or supervision than a nondisabled child of the same age; acknowledges that children under three can still face significant challenges to their mobility, like relying on big and heavy equipment that is difficult to move; commends the great work of the Family Fund Mobility Support scheme in supporting families with disabled or seriously ill child under three to meet their mobility needs; and calls on the Government to extend the special rules DLA mobility to cover terminally ill infants under the age of three.