Contents

Published: Friday 14 October 2022

Early Day Motions tabled on Thursday 13 October 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

453Dumbarton FC 150th Anniversary

Tabled: 13/10/22 Signatories: 1

Martin Docherty-Hughes

That this House congratulates Dumbarton Football Club as it marks its 150th anniversary; acknowledges that it is the fourth oldest club in Scotland and, one of the oldest in the world with the Club’s rich history outlined in an exhibit at the Scottish Football Museum at Scotland's National Stadium Hampden Park; notes the valuable and important role it plays in the community with many successful initiatives including the "More Choices, more chances programme" as well as more recent outreaches across the community; highlights that the club plays its matches in the shadow of the iconic Dumbarton Castle, at the Dumbarton Football Stadium, commonly known as The Rock; wishes the club all the best in its anniversary year and hopes for a successful season in the SPFL cinch League Two.

454Cold homes, energy efficiency and tenants rights in the private rented sector

Tabled: 13/10/22 Signatories: 6

Caroline Lucas

Charlotte Nichols

Marsha De Cordova

Rachael Maskell

Claudia Webbe

Apsana Begum

That this House notes the highest energy price crisis in a generation whilst British homes are amongst the worst insulated in Europe; further notes 4.4 million private rented sector households in England have the coldest, leakiest, lowest quality homes, and worst levels of damp, condensation or mould of any other form of tenure; is concerned that renters who push for maintenance and energy efficiency improvements risk eviction; further notes the Government's 2020 proposals requiring new tenancies to reach Energy Efficiency C rating from 1 April 2025 and all tenancies by 1 April 2028 should be made binding without further delay; considers Ministers should properly fund local authorities to exercise their powers so homes that are too cold to be legal can be made fit for habitation; calls both for an immediate moratorium on evictions and a rent freeze for tenants at least until May 2023 with a funded debt support plan thereafter; further calls for Ministers to unfreeze Local Housing Allowance rates so that housing support keeps up with rents; notes the urgent need to end fixed term tenancies and no fault Section 21 evictions, and to control rents within and between tenancies, as well as for longer term measures to allow the managed reduction of rents that are unaffordable relative to local incomes, as part of a wholesale package of protections for renters; and urges the Government to immediately bring forward the promised Renters Reform Bill to provide a fair legal framework to protect tenants and keep them warm.

455Continued operations of Western businesses in Russia

Tabled: 13/10/22 Signatories: 1

Charlotte Nichols

That this House expresses its concern for the continued operations of non-essential Western businesses in Russia following that country’s invasion of Ukraine; further condemns non-essential businesses seeking to profit from the exit of major competitors in-market by evading sanctions; notes the investigation by the Guardian and Billboard into the continued operations in Russia of listed music company, Believe Music; notes the finding of this investigation that whilst claiming to have suspended operations, Believe Music is employing new staff, signing new contracts and releasing new music; condemns the finding that the company is advising partners on how to evade sanctions, including offering solutions to legally circumvent the banking ban; notes the contrast with other Western businesses including all three major record labels that have suspended operations entirely in Russia, or have exited entirely; and urges businesses like Believe Music to do the right thing by exiting Russia.

456Portrayal of IRA terrorism

Tabled: 13/10/22 Signatories: 1

Carla Lockhart

That this House expresses its dismay and disgust at the increasing prevalence of the glorification of IRA terrorism; recognises the hurt and traumatisation of the victims of IRA terrorism caused by such displays of hate; expresses revulsion at the pro-IRA chanting by the Republic of Ireland Women’s Football Team after their match against Scotland on 11 October 2022; and calls on UEFA to take appropriate disciplinary action that reflects the severity of this display of glorification of terrorism.

457Mr Gay England, Mr Gay Europe and MX Drag competitions

Tabled: 13/10/22 Signatories: 1

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck

That this House celebrates the organisers and competitors of the Mr Gay England, Mr Gay Europe and MX Drag competitions, with particular congratulations to David Allwood, Paul Dennison and Lavender Love, winners of Mr Gay England, Mr Gay Europe and MX Drag respectively; and further recognise the efforts of Stuart Hatton Jr., CEO of Mr Gay England, who is instrumental in organising this event each year; and notes that that Gayday 2022, held at Alnwick Gardens in Northumbria, helped raise funds for the Charlie and Carter foundation, a charity in South Shields providing financial support for parents of seriously ill children; and further notes funds raised for Pride Radio, a community station broadcasting to 150 countries around the world, and in some countries where it is illegal to be LGBTIQ+; and further recognises the role of the competitions’ participants and organisers in ensuring global LGBTIQ+ recognition, as it remains illegal to be LGBTIQ+ in over 70 countries worldwide, 13 of which carry the death penalty as punishment.

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.

416MS Society report entitled Reduced to breaking point

Tabled: 11/10/22 Signatories: 11

Martyn Day

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

Allan Dorans

Beth Winter

Alison Thewliss

That this House welcomes Reduced to breaking point, the MS Society report on the cost of living for people with MS; is alarmed by the findings that 33 per cent. of people with MS are either struggling or really struggling on their current income; is concerned that three in ten of those suffering with MS who were surveyed have necessarily reduced their spending by reducing or stopping treatments and therapies; notes the need to provide an appropriate cost of living package which supports disabled people on means-tested income replacement benefits and non-means tested extra costs benefits; and supports the suggestion that the UK Government commits to raising benefits at least in line with inflation.

420Death of Brother Andrew

Tabled: 11/10/22 Signatories: 5

Mr Gregory Campbell

Jim Shannon

Gavin Robinson

Sir Jeffrey M Donaldson

Carla Lockhart

That this House notes the passing of Anne van der Bijl, known as Brother Andrew, at the age of 94; further notes that he was born in the Netherlands and became famous for establishing a Christian Ministry smuggling millions of bibles to Christians across the globe in Countries where there was religious persecution; highlights that he helped to found the Open Doors Ministry which continues today, some 67 years from its inception, to help those suffering for their Christian beliefs; and recognises Brother Andrew's massively significant contribution to the Christian Church worldwide as worthy of the utmost respect.

424Shirley Bartynek at the Hamilton Advertiser

Tabled: 11/10/22 Signatories: 6

Angela Crawley

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Marion Fellows

Chris Stephens

Anne McLaughlin

That this House notes journalist Shirley Bartynek is leaving the Hamilton Advertiser after more than twenty years having most recently served as deputy editor; understands that Shirley joined the Hamilton Advertiser in 2001 and has reported on the Hamilton area diligently since that time; commends the unstinting support the Hamilton Advertiser has given the local community over the years by standing up for its readers and holding those in power to account; further understands that Shirley will be a huge loss to local journalism; and wishes her well in her future endeavours.

425World Osteoporosis Day

Tabled: 11/10/22 Signatories: 6

Judith Cummins

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

Marion Fellows

Chris Stephens

Carla Lockhart

That this House supports World Osteoporosis Day on Thursday 20th October 2022; notes its purpose to increase awareness of this common and serious condition where bones become porous and more likely to break; is concerned that 3 million people in the UK are affected by Osteoporosis with more than 500,000 receiving hospital treatment as a result of the condition; acknowledges that one in three women and one in five men over 50 will have an Osteoporosis-related fracture; understands that women are at greater risk of Osteoporosis due to oestrogen production at the menopause; recognises that women over 45 spend more days in hospital because of osteoporosis than diabetes, heart attack or breast cancer; is disturbed that twenty-five per cent. of women have to endure more than three fractures before diagnosis; congratulates the Royal Osteoporosis Society for its ongoing efforts to prevent fractures throughout the UK; further notes their campaign to end the postcode lottery for fracture liaison services in England and Wales, which leaves an estimated 90,000 people without the treatment they need; supports the goal of increasing world-standard model of care for FLS; believes that increasing understanding of Osteoporosis risk factors and symptoms is essential to reducing suffering; recognises good osteoporosis and fracture care as essential to ageing well in the UK; and therefore supports World Osteoporosis Day and its goals.

4262022 report of the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief

Tabled: 11/10/22 Signatories: 6

Jim Shannon

Alison Thewliss

Patrick Grady

Chris Stephens

Sir Jeffrey M Donaldson

Carla Lockhart

That this House notes the 2022 report of the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief; and further notes the Annex to this report which details reports of increasing insecurity facing members of the Baha’i religion in Iran, Yemen and Qatar; observes that Members of this House are receiving increasing expressions of concern by their Baha’i constituents on the growing repression of members of this peaceful faith; and urges the UK government to make specific mention of the plight of Baha’is in written and oral statements wherever possible across the human rights machinery of the United Nations and other international organisations.

427Ugandan Asians at Tonfanau 50th anniversary exhibition

Tabled: 11/10/22 Signatories: 6

Liz Saville Roberts

Jim Shannon

Alison Thewliss

Chris Stephens

Ben Lake

Patrick Grady

That this House notes it is 50 years since President Idi Amin ordered the expulsion of 70,000 Asians from Uganda against a backdrop of rising anti-Indian sentiment, violence and killings in the country; further notes that 28,200 came to the UK in the autumn of 1972, around 1,500 of whom were accommodated for up to six months at the old army base at Tonfanau, Tywyn; recognises the welcome they were given by the local community who rallied around to provide the refugees with warm clothes, books, toys and activities; acknowledges the work involved in researching, collating material and organising the Ugandan Asians at Tonfanau special 50th Anniversary exhibition and event; pays tribute to the national programme British Ugandan Asians at 50, an initiative of The India Overseas Trust, to Praful Patel, the Trust’s Chair and the only surviving member of the 1972 Uganda Resettlement Board, and to all those taking part in the project, including project coordinator Warwick Hawkins and former Tonfanau residents Chandrika Joshi, Praful Purohit and Karim Meghji; and wishes all the best for the tree planting ceremony and plaque unveiling at Tonfanau and other former resettlement camps.

428Sheila Bailey

Tabled: 11/10/22 Signatories: 12

Navendu Mishra

Andrew Gwynne

Angela Rayner

Tony Lloyd

Mike Amesbury

Paula Barker

That this House pays tribute to the life and career of Councillor Sheila Bailey of Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council after she sadly passed away at the age of 74; acknowledges the 32 years of service that Councillor Bailey gave to her community since first being elected in 1990; recognises that her tireless work meant that she was much-loved by the Stockport Labour family, and highly respected by her peers on Stockport Council; holds in high regard the example Councillor Bailey set as a long-standing housing campaigner, in particular her role in establishing Viaduct Housing Partnership to deliver more affordable housing across the borough; acknowledges her work alongside her council activity as an Office Manager for former MP Andrew Bennett and current MP Andrew Gwynne; puts on record its condolences for her family, friends and colleagues; and notes that Cllr Bailey will be greatly missed by all who knew her in Stockport.

429150 year anniversary of the birth of Dr Ralph Vaughan Williams OM

Tabled: 11/10/22 Signatories: 6

Valerie Vaz

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

Alison Thewliss

Chris Stephens

Patrick Grady

That this House commemorates the life and work of composer Ralph Vaughan Williams, 12 October 1872 – 26 August 1958; celebrates his outstanding contribution to music; recognises his work was innovative and daring whilst respecting of English musical tradition; acknowledges that he enriched most musical forms, including symphonies, choral works, film scores, chamber music, opera and ballet including his Nine symphonies, and other celebrated works ‘Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis’ and ‘The Lark Ascending’, which is consistently rated one of the top ten greatest pieces of Music; recognises his travels across the English countryside to collect and catalogue over 800 folk songs; notes that for his contributions to music he received the Order of Merit; further recognises his work teaching and supporting young composers during his 20 years as a Professor of Composition at the Royal College of Music, and specifically his work mentoring a significant number of female musicians; notes that his composition ‘O taste and see’, originally written for HM the late Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation was also played during her funeral; notes that he became the first conductor of the Leith Hill Musical Festival in 1905, which he continued until 1953; commends the Ralph Vaughan Williams Society for continuing his legacy, educating and informing the public on his life and work; and calls on the Government to recognise his role as one of the greatest English composers to ensure his work is taught in schools.

430Financial restitution to women born in the 1950s

Tabled: 11/10/22 Signatories: 38

Ian Byrne

Jon Trickett

Kate Osborne

Mary Kelly Foy

Beth Winter

Olivia Blake

That this House welcomes the positive interventions from many Members across the House on behalf of women born in the 1950s who have lost their pensions; pays tribute to constituents and campaigners in their ongoing fight for justice; notes that at least 3.8 million women have been impacted by the loss of their pensions from the age of 60 in three separate age hikes; recalls that 1950s born women were subject to discriminatory employment and pension laws; recognises that this included being excluded from some pensions schemes; further recognises that this had the negative effect for them of losing the opportunity to have the same level of pension as their partner or spouse; recognises that this has had the consequence of women in this position never being able to have equal pensions to men; puts on record that, combined, these measures have had a negative and profound impact for millions of women; recognises that this loss of income, coupled with the current dramatic rise in inflation and cost of fuel, food, essentials and bills, has exasperated already increased levels of poverty, deteriorating health and homelessness; further notes that pension age hikes mean that many are excluded from winter fuel and cost-of-living payments; and calls on the Government to enact a temporary special measure as permitted by international law to provide full restitution to all women born in the 1950s who have lost their pensions from the age of 60 because of the impact of the rise in retirement age.

431Strangford College 25th Anniversary

Tabled: 11/10/22 Signatories: 5

Jim Shannon

Gavin Robinson

Patrick Grady

Sir Jeffrey M Donaldson

Carla Lockhart

That this House celebrates the 25th anniversary of Strangford Integrated College in Carrowdore, Strangford; notes the hard work and consistent efforts of all students and teachers; highlights its ethos of encouraging students on the importance of working hard and striving for the best; further notes the official opening of the school on 1 September 1997 and their continued success thus far; understands the importance of the proper functioning of the school for the rural community of which it lies, where many families choose to send their children for education; thanks the teachers for their efforts in ensuring that all pupils are given equal opportunities and pushed to be their very best; and wishes the school all the best for the next 25 years.

432Irish Baptist College 130 Years Anniversary

Tabled: 11/10/22 Signatories: 5

Jim Shannon

Gavin Robinson

Patrick Grady

Sir Jeffrey M Donaldson

Carla Lockhart

That this House celebrates that the Irish Baptist College, established in Dublin, has been serving Irish Baptists for 130 years and has dedicated its existence to showing the United Kingdom God's faithfulness; praises the Gospel for constituently training men and women for gospel service in a variety of spheres; further notes the gospel as a training ministry and recognises the multiple positions filled over the summer by new graduates; underlines the dedication to faith highlighted through the multiple gospel positions offered by the Baptist College; and thanks the College for the invaluable teaching it provides to people in regards to faith and our Lord and wishes them well for the future.

433Investment zones

Tabled: 11/10/22 Signatories: 4

Jon Trickett

Jonathan Edwards

Beth Winter

Apsana Begum

That this House expresses its deep alarm at the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s announcement that the Government will implement investment zones in certain areas of the UK, including West Yorkshire; highlights the history of similar policies around the globe, particularly in former British colonies, which have often resulted in the suspension of full democratic rights in favour of the freedom of capital; notes that many areas which the Government wants to target with these zones are already held back communities; agrees with the concerns of many campaign groups, including environmental organisations, who are very worried about the future protection of the environment under these investment zones which could suspend planning rules, lead to more green belt being built upon and put the freedom of capital before the urgent need to protect our natural world as well as settled communities; recognises the argument by planning experts that suspending planning rules could create slums of the future and could mean developers scrap affordable housing, flood defences and environmental protections; and believes these zones will not promote investment in communities because what is needed is a Marshal Aid-style investment plan to level up all held back areas.

434Yorkshire economy

Tabled: 11/10/22 Signatories: 3

Jon Trickett

Beth Winter

Apsana Begum

That this House expresses its deep concerns about the regional economic imbalances in the UK and its impact on people on lower and middle incomes; notes that Yorkshire is one region that has been repeatedly held back economically due to the concentration of power in Westminster and the City of London; further notes that 263,507 children are living in poverty in Yorkshire, even though they often have at least one parent in work; highlights that 23 per cent of children in Yorkshire were on free school meals in 2021, 156,120 food parcels were distributed in that year and that now 3 in 5 Yorkshire parents think their children will be worse off than them; further highlights that median annual wages are nearly £10,000 a year less in Yorkshire than in London; believes that the future for many children in Yorkshire looks to be very difficult unless the Government takes real action now; further believes that regions not only require economic solutions but also need major political reform; calls on the Government to pursue large-scale investment in held back regions and to level up in a meaningful way, where decisions are made in Yorkshire, for Yorkshire by the people of Yorkshire.

435School Uniform Banks

Tabled: 11/10/22 Signatories: 7

Jon Trickett

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

Beth Winter

Chris Stephens

Kim Johnson

That this House is deeply concerned by the rates of poverty and deprivation in the United Kingdom; notes Legatum’s estimate that 1.5 million more people will be pushed into poverty this year bringing the total number of people living in poverty to 15.5 million; highlights the extreme strain on family finances and the detrimental impact this is having on school children; commends the work being done by volunteers at School Uniform Banks in the constituency of Hemsworth who are helping to provide clothes to families who otherwise cannot afford them; and thanks all the people in Hemsworth constituency who have shown solidarity with others in their community by donating items of clothing to School Uniform Banks.

436Immediate publication of the Office for Budget Responsibility draft forecast

Tabled: 11/10/22 Signatories: 4

Sarah Olney

Chris Stephens

Jonathan Edwards

Apsana Begum

That there be laid before this House a Return of any draft of the updated forecast produced by the Office for Budget Responsibility given to the Chancellor between 3 October 2022 and 10 October 2022, not later than 11.00am on 12 October 2022.

438Cerebral Palsy and Transition to Adulthood report

Tabled: 11/10/22 Signatories: 13

Mary Kelly Foy

John McDonnell

Jeremy Corbyn

Mick Whitley

Grahame Morris

Rachael Maskell

That this House welcomes the recommendations from the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Cerebral Palsy's report: Transition to Adulthood; urges the Government to implement an Access to Education, Employment Rights and Training Opportunities (AEERT) Bill Speech to open education, employment, and training opportunities to all of those living with cerebral palsy and other lifelong, chronic, fluctuating conditions; believes that each child and young person with cerebral palsy and their family must have a dedicated lead care professional to act as an advocate, coordinator and support from the point of diagnosis through to the completion of their transition to adulthood; further believes that each integrated care system must enhance the empowerment of young people living with cerebral palsy by creating dedicated budgets for the individual to access the necessary resources and services from the public, independent and voluntary sectors to prevent the deterioration of their health and wellbeing in adulthood; is grateful for the contributions of those who submitted evidence for that report; and supports the recommendations contained within that report and calls on the Government to implement the recommendations in that report at the earliest opportunity.

440Ian Hamilton KC

Tabled: 11/10/22 Signatories: 14

Gavin Newlands

Mhairi Black

Ian Blackford

Kirsten Oswald

Brendan O'Hara

Dave Doogan

That this House mourns the passing of Ian Hamilton, KC, who has passed away at the age of 97; salutes his long and distinguished career as a member of the Faculty of Advocates and as one of Scotland pre-eminent criminal lawyers; notes his upbringing in Paisley as a the son of a tailor who went on to attend the John Neilson Institution in the town, before being called up for National Service and then to study at the University of Glasgow; celebrates his role in the liberation of the Stone of Scone, also known as the Stone of Destiny, on Christmas Eve 1950; welcomes his landmark achievement alongside Gavin Vernon, Kay Matheson, and Alan Stuart in securing the Stone and returning it to Scotland following its theft by Edward I of England in 1296; notes the work undertaken by monumental mason Bertie Gray of Glasgow following the Stone’s liberation in making repairs to the Stone and making a number of copies of the Stone; acknowledges the return of a stone to Arbroath Abbey on 11th April 1951 from whence it was again taken from Scotland and installed in Westminster Abbey; celebrates Ian Hamilton’s long service in campaigning for Scottish independence and the causes and ideals that were fundamental to him as a human being; and notes that while he will not see Scottish independence that the work he and many others have done over the decades have brought that achievement closer than ever.

441Fracking

Tabled: 11/10/22 Signatories: 11

Cat Smith

Beth Winter

Tim Farron

Jonathan Edwards

Kate Hollern

Jon Trickett

That this House opposes the lifting of the moratorium on fracking.

44210-year route to settlement

Tabled: 11/10/22 Signatories: 7

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

Dan Carden

Beth Winter

Alison Thewliss

Chris Stephens

Anne McLaughlin

That this House believes migrants benefit this country in many ways and deserve to be treated fairly and compassionately during their route to settlement in the UK; further believes that a 10-year route to settlement is too long and forces migrants on this route into unnecessary harm for an extended period of time; acknowledges the research in Migrant Voice’s report: Destroying Hopes, Dreams, and Lives: How the UK visa costs and process impact migrants' lives which details how families are pushed into poverty, mental health problems, and exploitative work as well as huge amounts of debt while on the 10-year route; recognises that due to long wait times from Home Office processing applications and renewals the 10-year route can last much longer than 10 years; and calls on the Government to abolish the failed 10-year route to settlement and place everyone on this route onto a shorter one in order to reduce the unnecessary pressure put on migrants in the UK.

443Visa fees and migrant's health and wellbeing

Tabled: 11/10/22 Signatories: 9

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

Jim Shannon

Marion Fellows

Dan Carden

Beth Winter

Alison Thewliss

That this House believes migrants who come to this country should not have to pay extortionate sums of money to apply for or to renew their visa; is concerned by the report by Migrant Voice, Destroying Hopes, Dreams, and Lives: How the UK visa costs and process impact migrants' lives, which outlines the effects excessive visa fees have on the lives of migrants and assesses how these cause mental health issues, large levels of debt and in some instances, food poverty; is outraged that that Home Office profits from these fees, with the cost of processing a visa only accounting for between 10-15% of the fee charged; believes this is wrong and that the Home Office should not profit off of migrants, particularly when doing so negatively impacts the health and wellbeing of migrants; further believes that migrants and their family should not have to pay tens of thousands of pounds during their route to settlement; calls on the Home Office to reduce the cost of visa applications to the administrative cost of visas only; and further calls on the Home Office to remove the charge entirely for applicants under the age of 18.

444FLEXcon 25th anniversary in business

Tabled: 11/10/22 Signatories: 6

Peter Grant

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Alison Thewliss

Chris Stephens

Anne McLaughlin

That this House congratulates FLEXcon Europe on their 25th year of business at their manufacturing site in Glenrothes; highlights that FLEXcon are the leading global manufacturer of coated and laminate films and adhesives which can be found in a huge range of products used globally; recognizes FLEXcon’s work to safeguard their workforce and ensure consumer continuity throughout the Covid-19 pandemic; and thanks all the staff at FLEXcon for their continued hard work and wishes them all the best in the years to come.

445Leviton Network Solutions Europe 50th anniversary in business

Tabled: 11/10/22 Signatories: 6

Peter Grant

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Alison Thewliss

Chris Stephens

Anne McLaughlin

That this House congratulates Leviton on celebrating their 50th year in business in Glenrothes; notes that the company formerly known as Brand-Rex (1972–2018) has been a major employer in the town during this time and is one of their two manufacturing sites in the UK making cables for cabling and connectivity systems for data networks used in almost every walk of life with around 200 employees currently; highlights the range of sectors that benefit from their products including airport traffic control to banking and much more; commends Leviton on their hard work supporting local organisations including Muirhead Outreach and Glenrothes Foodbank, and for their work on keeping plastic pellets out of the Ocean by staff taking part in the Great Nurdle Hunt; further highlights Leviton’s commitment to Auchmuty High School with the Developing Young Workforce initiative; commends Leviton’s efforts in being among the first to become carbon neutral in 2011 by cutting down on energy consumption and raw materials being used as well as striving to support environmental projects and becoming the US parent company’s blueprint for its global sustainability plans; and wishes Ian Wilkie, Managing Director in the UK since 2016, and all the hard working staff all the best for the next 50 years and beyond.

447Ross Cunningham and Mountains Mend Minds campaign

Tabled: 11/10/22 Signatories: 8

Peter Grant

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Marion Fellows

Alison Thewliss

Chris Stephens

That this House commends the work of Ross Cunningham from Glenrothes through his Mountains Mend Minds web site and social media accounts; notes that Mountains Mend Minds encourages people of all levels of fitness to enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of walking in the hills and mountains; notes that Ross took up mountain walking in 2017 while going through a period of depression and continues to be an active campaigner on behalf of people with mental health problems; commends his numerous fundraising activities, most recently in raising money for the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) by climbing to the highest points of almost all of the 29 mainland local authorities in Scotland; recognises his work to encourage people to enjoy not only the great mountains of Scotland but more modest walks near his home in Fife; and congratulates him in his recent achievement in completing the ascent of all 282 Munros, becoming the 7,227th Munro-bagger to be recognised as a compleator by the Scottish Mountaineering Club.

448Long Covid

Tabled: 12/10/22 Signatories: 4

Layla Moran

Jonathan Edwards

Claudia Webbe

Apsana Begum

That this House notes with concern the most recent Office for National Statistics figures published on 6 October 2022 revealing the highest prevalence of Long Covid to date, at an estimated 2.3 million people across the UK; regrets the seriously adverse impact this life-changing condition has on millions of people across the country; further notes the significant impact this has on our economy and public services by decreasing productivity and increasing labour shortages; and urges the Government to recognise the condition as an occupational disease, to provide formal guidance to employers and public bodies such as schools, and to drastically increase funding for research into treatments.

449Uprating benefits in line with inflation

Tabled: 12/10/22 Signatories: 19

Angela Crawley

Kim Johnson

Patrick Grady

Jonathan Edwards

Allan Dorans

Ronnie Cowan

That this House calls for benefits to be uprated in line with inflation as a means of mitigating the impact of the cost of living crisis on households in the UK; understands the additional burdens that the cost of living crisis is placing upon low income households; expresses its concern that according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, two in three people in Scotland are having to cut down on essentials to survive the crisis; and recognises that without uprating benefits in line with inflation we are at risk of creating a poverty emergency in the UK.

45030th anniversary of the Clydebank Asbestos Group

Tabled: 12/10/22 Signatories: 6

Martin Docherty-Hughes

Patrick Grady

Allan Dorans

Alison Thewliss

Amy Callaghan

Anne McLaughlin

That this House notes that the Clydebank Asbestos Group is commemorating the 30th anniversary of its foundation in 1992, during which time it has sought to fight for justice for victims of asbestos related illnesses and their families; notes that the Clydebank Asbestos Group is a volunteer organisation set up to help provide support, advice and information for victims of asbestos and their families across the West of Scotland and beyond; believes that the legacy of asbestos is one that will haunt thousands of families and that the fight for truth and justice for the victims of asbestos will go on; and wishes to thank all of those involved in the Clydebank Asbestos Group for their dedicated and invaluable service in representing and fighting for the thousands of victims of asbestos and offer them our full support and best wishes in their continued campaign against injustice.

451140th Anniversary of Our Lady and St Johns Parish Blackwood

Tabled: 12/10/22 Signatories: 3

Dr Lisa Cameron

Patrick Grady

Allan Dorans

That this House notes the 140 year anniversary of Our Lady and St John's Church, Blackwood, built in 1880; recognises that the parish comprises two churches, St Mary’s in Larkhall and Our Lady and St John’s in Blackwood; further notes that the church has served the spiritual needs of communities across Larkhall, Blackwood, Kirkmuirhill, Coalburn and Lesmahagow throughout this time; congratulates Our Lady and St John’s for its international outreach welcoming parishioners from Fiji, Poland, Australia, South Africa, Portugal, Brazil, Vietnam, Hong Kong, India, Italy, the Philippines and Czechia to name a few; and thanks Father Wyllie and the parish members for their never-ending dedication to community outreach and church life and sends every best wish for the future.

452Brazil’s Presidential Election run off on 30 October 2022

Tabled: 12/10/22 Signatories: 6

Richard Burgon

Kenny MacAskill

Jonathan Edwards

Anne McLaughlin

Apsana Begum

Claudia Webbe

That this House congratulates Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on winning the first round of Brazil’s Presidential election on 2 October 2022; notes that Lula received 48 per cent of the vote and gained over six million more votes than the incumbent, far-right President Jair Bolsonaro who came second on 43 per cent; further notes that this was the highest ever number of votes cast for Lula’s Workers’ Party since the return of democracy to Brazil in 1985 and the first time any challenger has defeated an incumbent in the first round in that period; notes that Lula and Bolsonaro will now contest a run-off election on 30 October; expresses deep concerns that in office, Bolsonaro has repeatedly undermined Brazil’s democracy and has trampled on the rights of women, LGBT, Black & Indigenous communities and environmental activists; condemns previous suggestions by Bolsonaro that he may not accept the results if he is defeated and rejects attempts by Bolsonaro and his cabinet ministers, nearly half of whom are military generals, to baselessly bring into question the integrity of the election process in Brazil; is appalled by the political violence against supporters of Lula in the election campaign including killings, violence against Worker’s Party officials and attacks on pro-Lula marches; and calls on the UK Government to speak out against any attempts to undermine the electoral process ahead of the 30 October run-off election, including through political violence, and to re-evaluate relations with any Brazilian president who comes to power through undemocratic means.