Published: Friday 8 July 2022

New EDMs

259Alcohol addiction within the South Asian community

Tabled: 7/07/22 Signatories: 1

Claudia Webbe

That this House is concerned by the prevalence of alcohol addiction within the South Asian community; is alarmed by the fact that, according to the British Medical Journal, for every 100 white men dying from alcohol-related causes, there are 160 Asian men dying; laments that the UK’s most recent alcohol strategy was published in 2012 and although the Government announced plans for a new strategy in May 2018, this has not been forthcoming; calls on the Government to publish a new Alcohol Strategy that improves the outreach for public health initiatives and ensure that addiction services are designed to reach all communities within the UK; applauds the purpose of the documentary film entitled I’m Jit and I’m an alcoholic by the Leicester-based Community Interest Company 7events and its founder Jit Chauhan, to raise awareness of addiction in the South Asian Community, provide information for addicts to recover and for their families to get help and support; further commends the film’s intention to break the taboo and stigma associated with alcohol in the South Asian community; congratulates everyone involved in this worthwhile project and wishes them further success in their plans to take the film to temples and community centres in Leicester and throughout the UK with the aim of sharing a personal story and forcing people to have conversations so the taboo and stigma around getting help for addiction is broken and people do not fear getting help; and further calls on the Government to ensure such initiatives are supported.

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260Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service public speaking champions

Tabled: 7/07/22 Signatories: 1

Alison Thewliss

That this House congratulates Mairin Campbell-Thow and Rose Usher of Holyrood Secondary School on becoming the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) School Public Speaking Competition champions for 2022; commends efforts by the COPFS to improve school pupils’ confidence in public speaking; notes that the competition involved 104 pupils from 38 schools across Scotland; and stresses the importance of young people’s involvement in public discourse and welcomes all initiatives to encourage this.

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261Access to bank accounts for charitable organisations

Tabled: 7/07/22 Signatories: 1

Mr Barry Sheerman

That this House notes the brilliant work of the charitable sector and the positive impact charities have on communities across the country; recognises that charities must be supported to thrive and the unique role Government plays in creating the conditions by which the third-sector can flourish; further notes that charities require access to finance and bank accounts so they can operate in the public interest; is therefore concerned about reports that charities are finding it increasingly difficult to access banking services; believes that if these difficulties are left unresolved the delivery of charity services will be at risk; and calls on the Government to work with banks, UK Finance and third-sector groups to solve the issues experienced by charities and ensure they have access to financial services that are crucial for their running.

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262Caradog and Y Côr Mawr's 150th anniversary

Tabled: 7/07/22 Signatories: 1

Beth Winter

That this House celebrates the 150th anniversary of the victory of Griffith Rhys Jones, or Caradog, and Y Côr Mawr, at the Crystal Palace Choral Competition in 1872; notes the significance of the success in bringing national attention to Welsh choral singing and launching Aberdare's reputation as the 'Town of Song'; congratulates the organisers of Caradog Fest 2022 in Aberdare for their commitment to an enduring understanding of the event's significance, through inviting Welsh People's History Society, Llafur, to discuss the impact of the event on Welsh culture; and d further celebrates the organisers commitment to ensuring Welsh choral singing going from strength to strength, with the presence of choirs from Abercynon, Cwmbach, Cwmdare, Glynneath, Pelenna and Treharris at this year's festival.

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263All Stars Netball Club, East Renfrewshire

Tabled: 7/07/22 Signatories: 1

Kirsten Oswald

That this House welcomes the success of East Renfrewshire’s All Stars Netball Club, which, pre-pandemic, was the biggest junior netball club in Scotland with over 150 players aged from 5 to 17; notes that over the pandemic the club continued outdoor training, overcoming difficulties in accessing premises to do so, and secured four newly qualified level one coaches from their under 17 members to help coach younger players, with the training for this award being done on line; congratulates the club on winning the Under 15 Scottish Youth Club competition at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, after being undefeated all season and on reaching the final of the Under 13 Scottish Youth Club tournament; further congratulates the club’s Marissa Carlin on being shortlisted for Volunteer Coach of the Year and Alex Wittmann who won Young Volunteer Coach of the Year in East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure Awards, and the club on winning Club of the Year; recognises the club’s growing influence locally and nationally, with East Renfrewshire District Under 15s winning Scotland’s national netball league, also undefeated all season, the Under 17 team coming 4th in Scotland, and two players involved in the Scottish Under 17 squad, and congratulates Anna Beattie and the many volunteers, including volunteer coaches and managers, whose time, energy, and commitment contribute to the club’s triumphs and the fun and joy shared by the club’s members every week at training.

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.

239Lancet study on privatisation in the NHS and treatable deaths

Tabled: 30/06/22 Signatories: 17

Jon Trickett

Jonathan Edwards

Jeremy Corbyn

Charlotte Nichols

Kim Johnson

Tony Lloyd

Caroline Lucas

That this House expresses its concern at analysis published in The Lancet public health journal by the University of Oxford, which finds that the increase in outsourcing to the private for-profit sector in England has corresponded with an increase in the number of patients dying of treatable causes; notes that the analysis shows that an annual increase in outsource spending of 1 per cent is associated with a rise in the number of people dying of treatable causes of 0.38 per cent and that 557 additional deaths between 2014 and 2020 might be attributed to the rise in outsourcing; further notes that the Health and Social Care Act 2012 requires local health bodies to tender services to private health companies; believes that such privatisation and outsourcing has been a disaster for the NHS, which has resulted in falling standards of care for patients, unnecessary deaths and worse working conditions for healthcare staff; calls on the Government to examine the aforementioned analysis; recommends that the Government reverses the outsourcing and privatisation of the NHS in England that has taken place since 2012; and calls on the Government to commit to halting further privatisation in the NHS.

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248Transition to electric vehicles in Norway

Tabled: 4/07/22 Signatories: 5

Jonathan Edwards

Jim Shannon

Douglas Chapman

Christine Jardine

Claire Hanna

That this House congratulates Norway for being the first country to see the sale of EV vehicles overtake those powered by petrol and diesel; notes that 64.5 per cent of all car sales in 2021 were fully electric, whilst a further 22 per cent were plug-in hybrids; further notes that a fiscal policy based on zero per cent VAT for EVs and 25 per cent tax on petrol and diesel vehicles has incentivised the transition to greener vehicles; recognises the importance of further incentives in promoting the uptake of EVs such as no fuel tax, the ability to use bus lanes, no registration tax on the sale of used cars, free public charging and no annual ownership tax; further recognises that Norway are now looking to move to the next phase which is to promote moving from private transport to public transport and active travel; acknowledges the importance of a consistent package of incentives to boost consumer confidence; commends Norway for its EV public charging infrastructure of 17,000 charging points including 3,000 rapid chargers which means that motorists can drive to a rapid charger within 30 miles despite the mountainous and rural nature of the country with a widespread population; celebrates that Norway’s strength in renewable energy production provides cheap electricity; and calls on the Department of Transport to consider policies implemented in Norway as a means of supporting the EV transition in the UK.

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251Draft Mental Health Bill

Tabled: 5/07/22 Signatories: 6

Tony Lloyd

Jim Shannon

Hywel Williams

Ben Lake

Liz Saville Roberts

Caroline Lucas

That this House welcomes the publication of the Draft Mental Health Bill; applauds the aim to ensure appropriate care for people with serious mental illness within the criminal justice system, better meet the needs of people with a learning disability to include those with autistic spectrum condition, give people greater control over their treatment, especially those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are disproportionately detained under the provisions of the current Act and to provide funding to enable local communities to explore alternatives to hospital admission for people experiencing a mental health crisis; further understands that despite the Government’s public call for evidence to support the development of a new cross-Government 10-year plan for mental health, including supporting children and young people’s mental health, there are no current plans to bring forward specific legislative proposals to require early intervention and preventative measures to help address children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing issues at the first possible opportunity; and urges the Government to amend the Draft Mental Health Bill in accordance or give a commitment to introduce a stand-alone Bill to provide a Framework for the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Children and Young People to include fully-funded early intervention and preventive strategies within schools and in the community.

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252Social tariffs for broadband

Tabled: 5/07/22 Signatories: 11

Jamie Stone

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

Ben Lake

Hywel Williams

Liz Saville Roberts

Layla MoranTim FarronWera HobhouseEd DaveyClaire Hanna

That this House recognises positive impact of discounted broadband tariffs for consumers on low incomes or with special social needs, especially during a cost-of-living crisis; acknowledges that there is currently no mandatory requirement for broadband or mobile providers to offer social tariffs; notes that with the amendments to the Communications Act 2003 that came in force in December 2020, Ofcom has the power to consider the need for industry-wide social tariffs for disadvantaged groups of customers, with direction from the Government; further notes that if social tariffs were made mandatory, over 7 million households could potentially benefit from having the cost of bills reduced; acknowledges that just 1 per cent of potentially eligible households are taking advantage of social tariffs, which is often a result of lack of awareness around discounted offers; calls on the Government to direct Ofcom to instate mandatory and universal broadband and mobile social tariffs for vulnerable consumers and to take steps to improve the advertisement of current social tariffs on offer.

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254Srebrenica Memorial Week 2022

Tabled: 5/07/22 Signatories: 9

Margaret Ferrier

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

Ben Lake

Carla Lockhart

Hywel Williams

Caroline LucasMr Clive Betts

That this House recognises the 11th July as the annual day of commemoration of the Srebrenica genocide; commits to supporting the work of communities and schools across the country to tackle hatred and intolerance by raising awareness and educating people about the genocide that took place in Srebrenica; pledges to use the lessons from Srebrenica to combat all forms of prejudice and discrimination that targets anyone because of their religion, ethnicity, gender, sexuality or any other characteristic; commends the dignity and determination of the survivors of genocide and ethnic cleansing who have rebuilt their lives as refugees in the UK; expresses its gratitude for the hugely invaluable work of the local organisation Remembering Srebrenica, who have united people from different backgrounds through organising activities to commemorate the victims and educate them on the tragic consequences of unchecked hatred, helping to build a more cohesive society whilst celebrating the diversity which enriches our country.

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255The contribution of the co-operative movement in the UK economy

Tabled: 5/07/22 Signatories: 12

Sir Mark Hendrick

Gareth Thomas

Mark Menzies

Angus Brendan MacNeil

Alex Norris

Tim Farron

Caroline Lucas

That this House recognises the vital contribution of the UK co-operative movement to the economy; further notes that co-operatives in the UK operate across a wide range of sectors, all guided by the values and principles of co-operation that include concern for community and member economic participation; recognises the importance of the co-operative sector in democratising the UK economy and empowering people to take control of their own lives; notes Co-operatives Fortnight taking place from 20 June to 3 July 2022; considers it in the interest of the UK as a whole to ensure the co-operative movement continues to grow; believes that it can play an important role in community-led economic development and levelling-up; and urges the Government to take steps to encourage the expansion of the co-operative sector.

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256Scottish Café Awards

Tabled: 6/07/22 Signatories: 2

Kirsten Oswald

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates the over 200 Scotland’s elite café professionals who gathered at the Marriott Hotel Glasgow on Monday 27 June 2022 on the occasion of the Scottish Café Awards; recognises the breadth of talent and entrepreneurial spirit demonstrated by these specialists whose efforts and dedication ensure their grateful customers receive high-quality food and drink; notes that the café sector plays a vital part in the vibrancy of local communities and high streets, delivers welcome opportunities to combat loneliness and showcases excellent customer service as well as first-class fare; further notes the diverse range of businesses operating in this sector and applauds the industry and hard work involved in making these small businesses a success; and commends the sterling efforts of the teams involved in two East Renfrewshire businesses, Rouken Glen Garden Centre Café in Giffnock, winners of the award for Garden Centre Café of the Year and Ian’s Kitchen in Eaglesham for their success in being named Café Kitchen of the Year.

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258Death of Andy Goram

Tabled: 6/07/22 Signatories: 9

Chris Stephens

Alison Thewliss

David Linden

Anne McLaughlin

Kirsten Oswald

Richard Thomson

Jim Shannon

That this House notes with deep sadness the passing of former Rangers, Hibernian, Motherwell, Manchester United, Oldham and Scottish International footballer Andy Goram at the age of 58; recognises he was one of the most talented goalkeepers in Scottish and British football in the '80s and '90s; applauds his achievements for Rangers Football Club, winning the league on five occasions, winning three Scottish Cups, two League Cups and winning the Scottish Writers and Players’ Player of the Year awards in the 92/93 season; notes that his footballing achievements were recognised in 2010 when he was inducted into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame; further notes he was selected for Scotland at the 1986 and 1990 World Cups and the 1992 and 1996 European Championships; recognises that Andy was the only man to represent Scotland internationally both in football and cricket; commends Andy Goram for his bravery in speaking out about his diagnosis and raising awareness of oesophageal cancer and the importance of early diagnosis and getting checked if you have any symptoms you are worried about; and sends its deepest condolences to Andy’s family, friends and the whole football world who are mourning his passing.