Contents

Published: Thursday 26 May 2022

Early Day Motions tabled on Wednesday 25 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

101Effect of standing charges on vulnerable consumers

Tabled: 25/05/22 Signatories: 1

Patricia Gibson

That this House acknowledges the increase in the energy price cap, has seen household energy costs rising exponentially from 1 April 2022; notes the standing charges applied daily to consumers is also rising, by at least 80 per cent in most cases; understands that this charge is applied regardless of the amount of power used, meaning that consumers have no control over this aspect of their increasing energy bills; believes that much of the increase in standing charges is as a result of the failure of 30 energy suppliers in 2020, with the cost of guaranteeing customers’ balances being added to the bills of all households; condemns the negligent policymaking and bad practice within the industry which has resulted in many energy suppliers going out of business; recognises that these increases will impact the poorest and most vulnerable the most, with prepayment customers facing the biggest increases; further notes the discriminatory regional variations in standing charges, with consumers in Scotland paying among the highest charges despite being an exporter of energy to the rest of the UK; and urges the UK Government to either cap or scrap these charges to ensure the poorest customers are not paying the most for the mistakes made in regulating the energy market.

102Artificial Intelligence in the entertainment industry

Tabled: 25/05/22 Signatories: 1

Claire Hanna

That this House supports Equity’s campaign, Stop AI Stealing the Show, which seeks to strengthen the rights of performers and other creative workers in response to the rapid development of artificial intelligence across the entertainment industry; acknowledges that whilst there are benefits to the use of artificial intelligence for those working in the audio and audio-visual sector if it is used ethically and responsibly, employment opportunities for those in the sector are being negatively affected; further notes that the UK’s outdated intellectual property framework has left performers vulnerable to abuse and exploitation; calls on the UK Government to ensure that protecting and enhancing the rights for creative workers is a key component of the National AI Strategy in order to make the UK a global AI and creative superpower; and further urges the Government to update the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 so that intellectual property rights for performers includes AI-made performance synthetisation.

103Access to cash

Tabled: 25/05/22 Signatories: 1

Jon Trickett

That this House notes with concern the latest figures which show that the number of bank branches in the Wakefield District has declined by a third since 2015 and that the number of free ATM machines has been cut by 18 since 2018 to March this year; notes that recent research by Which? shows this problem is also increasing across the country with 4,685 high street branches having closed since 2015 and 12,178 free-to-use cash machines having closed since 2018; and calls on the Government to tackle this problem which makes life difficult for people across the country, especially those more isolated or vulnerable and to do more to support those who are becoming more socially excluded by such closures.

104Protecting the Green Belt

Tabled: 25/05/22 Signatories: 1

Jon Trickett

That this House notes with concern that the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill does not mention the safeguarding of Green Belt land; highlights the fact that many Local Plans contain proposals to build on Green Belt land by bringing it under the greenfield designation, including in two areas proposed in the Wakefield District; notes that access to green spaces not only enhances quality of life, but also helps with mental health, tackling obesity and improving general health; further notes with interest calls by charities and campaign organisations to make provision for a “wild belt” where wildlife can thrive and be protected; and calls on the Government to bring forward robust rules regarding the protection and extension of the green belt and, whilst acknowledging the need for housing, to invest in greener new builds by increasing insulation and energy efficiency in new homes.

105The imprisonment of Alaa Abd el-Fattah

Tabled: 25/05/22 Signatories: 1

Layla Moran

That this House condemns the imprisonment of Alaa Abd el-Fattah for eight of the last nine years in Egypt; notes that as of 26 May, Alaa is on his 55th day of hunger strike; recalls that Alaa is a human rights activist and has been identified by Amnesty International as a prisoner of conscience; expresses its concern at the conditions in which Alaa is being held, which includes having no access to exercise, no windows and no sense of time of day; notes that Alaa is a British citizen; reaffirms that Alaa therefore has a right to full consular support from the UK government; that the Egyptian authorities have denied such access; expresses its deep concern that Alaa's family have not yet been offered a meeting with the Foreign Secretary despite the high profile nature of his case and requests that they meet with her; notes with concern that the UK Government have not publicly called for Alaa’s immediate and unconditional release; recalls that given Alaa's British citizenship, a diplomatic deal to bring him to the UK is possible; and therefore urges the Government to meet with Alaa's family and make representations to the Egyptian government so Alaa's immediate and unconditional release is secured.

106UN adopts World Seagrass Day

Tabled: 25/05/22 Signatories: 1

Douglas Chapman

That this House notes the recent decision of the UN General Assembly to adopt a resolution from the government of Sri Lanka to recognise March 1st as World Seagrass Day; welcomes this initiative as an opportunity to raise awareness of seagrass restoration and to highlight the importance of promoting action to protect and enhance vital habitats across the world; further welcomes community seagrass projects such as Restoration Forth which has engaged with academics, charities such as WWF, and local coastal communities to create a colloboratory blueprint for restoration of our blue ecosystems.

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.

29Energy price rises and the price cap

Tabled: 11/05/22 Signatories: 16

Ms Diane Abbott

Rachael Maskell

Neale Hanvey

Margaret Ferrier

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

Caroline Lucas

That this House notes the recent rise in energy prices and that these price rises have intensified a cost of living crisis; also notes that the price cap is projected to rise again in October 2022 and that this, in combination with the seasonal increase in demand for energy in winter, will impoverish millions of the poorest in Britain; further notes that Ofgem is a government agency which determines the energy price cap and that energy companies have made record profits this year; and calls on the Government to direct Ofgem to rule out any increase in the energy price cap in October.

32ME Awareness Day 2022

Tabled: 11/05/22 Signatories: 43

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.

33Moratorium on fracking

Tabled: 11/05/22 Signatories: 14

Wera Hobhouse

Rachael Maskell

Jonathan Edwards

Cat Smith

Dan Carden

Neale Hanvey

That this House expresses concern at reports that Cuadrilla have been given another year to explore options for its wells; regrets that fracking for shale gas is still being considered despite the renewable alternatives that are available; urges the Government to ensure the moratorium on fracking is made both statutory and permanent; and calls on the Prime Minister to step in to ensure all fracking wells are decommissioned as soon as possible.

34Killing of Shireen Abu Akleh

Tabled: 11/05/22 Signatories: 45

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.

47Fur, foie gras and trophy hunting imports

Tabled: 16/05/22 Signatories: 20

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: 21

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.

68Plastic Free Pint campaign

Tabled: 17/05/22 Signatories: 11

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: 18

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: 11

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: 33

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.

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

Tabled: 18/05/22 Signatories: 24

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.

90Reducing levels of PM2.5 pollution

Tabled: 23/05/22 Signatories: 12

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: 5

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

Douglas Chapman

Christine Jardine

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

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: 3

Owen Thompson

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

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: 7

Ian Lavery

Jon Trickett

Christine Jardine

Jonathan Edwards

Jim Shannon

Neale Hanvey

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.

95Christian woman stoned in Sokoto, northern Nigeria

Tabled: 23/05/22 Signatories: 4

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

Sir Jeffrey M Donaldson

Paul Girvan

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.

97Busmen's Mission

Tabled: 24/05/22 Signatories: 3

Carla Lockhart

Jim Shannon

Paul Girvan

That this House notes the positive impact of the Busmen’s Mission on the community in Lurgan for the last 70 years; marks with thanks and sorrow that the last meeting of the Mission will be held on Wednesday 25th May, and thanks all those who helped the Mission in their transformative work in the local community.

98Storage of US nuclear weapons in the UK

Tabled: 24/05/22 Signatories: 6

Kirsten Oswald

Caroline Lucas

Douglas Chapman

Jonathan Edwards

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

Allan Dorans

That this House is deeply concerned that the United Kingdom has been added to the United States’ list of nuclear weapons storage site locations in Europe and that, according to information released by the United States' government, these storage sites are being upgraded; is concerned that this signals a change in the nuclear status of RAF Lakenheath, and that, having been removed in 2008, US nuclear weapons may have already been returned to the base or that the base will receive nuclear weapons in the future; condemns the refusal of the Ministry of Defence to comment on this information to members of this House; notes that RAF Lakenheath, whilst owned by the Ministry of Defence, is run by the United States Air Force; further notes that storage of another country’s nuclear weapons on UK soil puts UK citizens at greater risk of nuclear attack; and calls on the Government to decline to host US nuclear weapons at RAF Lakenheath and to use all possible diplomatic efforts to de-escalate current nuclear tensions.

99Cost of living

Tabled: 24/05/22 Signatories: 6

Jon Trickett

Jonathan Edwards

Kim Johnson

Jon Cruddas

Ms Diane Abbott

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

That this House expresses its deepest concerns about the explosion in the cost of living and its impact on millions of working people across the country, with inflation now at nine per cent, wages stagnating or declining and the cost of energy, food, transport, childcare and many other essentials rising at an alarmingly rapid rate; notes that the situation has become so desperate for millions of people that we are now facing a social emergency; acknowledges this has been compounded by global forces such as the war in Ukraine and the pandemic, but reminds the Government that failure to help people with the cost of living totally undermines any serious attempt to level up our country; and calls on the Government to take radical action in the form of a Marshall Plan style investment scheme to invest in decent jobs and pay, public services, research and development, infrastructure and energy, particularly in held back areas, which could be paid for by taxing wealth, levelling up taxes on capital gains, dividends and other forms of wealth so as to be in line with at least the basic rate of income tax, and taking action on offshore loopholes and clamping down on tax avoidance.

100GP Surgery Closures in Yorkshire

Tabled: 24/05/22 Signatories: 2

Jon Trickett

Jim Shannon

That this House expresses its gratitude and thanks to the hard-working and dedicated staff that work in our health services, particularly during the trying period of the covid-19 outbreak; notes that there has been a significant increase in pressure on GP surgeries in the last five years, with rising workloads, a lack of funding to meet demand and a difficulty in recruiting and retaining staff, as highlighted by the Kings Fund; expresses the deep concern that in the past year a further 6 GP surgeries have closed in Yorkshire and the Humber, further to nearly 200 closures between 2010-2020; and calls on the Government to reverse these cuts, relieve the pressure, increase smart and strategic funding, put an end to outsourcing services and build an NHS fit for the 21st century.