Contents

Published: Wednesday 19 October 2022

Early Day Motions tabled on Tuesday 18 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

473Gulf Strategy Fund and potential rights violations against death row inmates in Bahrain

Tabled: 18/10/22 Signatories: 1

Layla Moran

That this House raises grave concerns following the 10 October 2022 report from the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy and Human Rights Watch which documents a litany of human rights violations against death row inmates in which recipients of UK taxpayer-funded Gulf Strategy Fund (GSF) programmes, including Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Interior Ombudsman and Special Investigations Unit, are implicated; is further concerned at evidence that Bahrain’s courts have sentenced defendants to death following manifestly unfair trials, based on confessions allegedly coerced through torture and ill-treatment; decries that those courts dismissed credible allegations of torture and ill-treatment instead of investigating them and routinely violated defendants’ rights to fair trials; highlights that persistent rights violations which contravene international law underlie the convictions and death sentences of cases of eight men, who are among 26 on death row in Bahrain at imminent risk of execution; expresses further concern that Bahrain’s judiciary and oversight bodies implicated in perpetrating violations against torture victims sentenced to death benefit from UK taxpayer-funded programmes under the GSF, and did so at the time of their abuse; reiterates calls to suspend the GSF pending an independent inquiry into its programmes’ implications in rights violations against death row inmates; urges the Government to implement this report’s recommendations, publicly condemn the death sentences of Maher Abbas al-Khabbaz, Sayed Ahmed al-Abar, Zuhair Ebrahim Jasim Abdullah, Husain Ebrahim Ali Husain Marzooq, Husain Moosa, Mohamed Ramadhan, Husain Ali Mehdi and Salman Isa Ali Salman; and calls upon Bahrain to release them.

474TUC Congress 2022 resolution on the cost of living

Tabled: 18/10/22 Signatories: 17

Beth Winter

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

Nadia Whittome

Zarah Sultana

Richard Burgon

Rebecca Long Bailey

That this House notes the TUC General Council Statement and associated motions on the cost-of-living crisis agreed at TUC Congress on 18 October 2022; agrees with the statement that workers are facing a real pay emergency; further agrees with its statement that a trade union agenda for change would be transformative for a country broken by twelve years of austerity and twelve years of standstill wages; welcomes the TUC's Demand Better protest on 18 June, its Lobby of Parliament on 2 November; and further welcomes its resolution to organise coordinated action over pay and terms and conditions where possible with all TUC unions, including further demonstrations, national and regional rallies, and coordinated industrial action where possible to achieve that goal.

475Councillor Connor MacManus: Young Councillor of the Year 2022

Tabled: 18/10/22 Signatories: 1

Owen Thompson

That this House congratulates Councillor Connor McManus on being named Young Councillor of the Year at the fifth annual Cllr Awards; applauds Councillor McManus on his work as a Scottish National Party Councillor for Penicuik and District, Deputy Provost of Midlothian Council, and the Council’s Equalities Champion, since his election in May 2021; notes that Councillor McManus, aged 23, has been recognised for this award for his work to use his personal experience to reach out to young people through community work with local colleges, youth organisations, schools and local networks, with a view to making the council more inclusive to young people, as well as championing change in the areas of climate, equalities, and violence against women; recognises that the award of Young Councillor of the Year is awarded to a candidate who is a councillor aged 30 or under when last elected who demonstrates a commitment to working for the community using council structures and has contributed to or delivered a key council project which benefits residents; notes that the Cllr Awards, organised by the Local Government Information Unit, are the only awards to recognise and celebrate the work of Councillors; and encourages other young Councillors to be put forward in upcoming Cllr Awards in future years.

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.

404UK Embassy in Israel

Tabled: 22/09/22 Signatories: 30

Alyn Smith

Peter Grant

Jonathan Edwards

Patrick Grady

Rachael Maskell

Allan Dorans

That this House expresses its deep concern regarding the Government's review into moving the UK Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem; notes that, on 21st September 2022, the Prime Minister told her Israeli counterpart about her review of the current location of the British embassy in Israel during a meeting in New York City; maintains that Jerusalem holds a unique position under international law; reminds the Government that, when the Israeli Government passed its 1980 basic law unilaterally naming Jerusalem the united capital of Israel, the UN Security Council declared this policy a violation of international law; reminds the UK Government of UN Security Council Resolution 478 (1980), calling upon UN Member States that have established diplomatic missions at Jerusalem to withdraw such missions from the Holy City; reiterates that any country which recognises exclusive Israeli jurisdiction and political legitimacy over Jerusalem without a mutually agreed peace settlement between Israelis and Palestinians is in violation of Resolution 478 (1980); asserts that a comprehensive peace settlement between Israelis and Palestinians is a pre-requisite for any change in the international community’s position towards Jerusalem; reminds the Government that then-President Donald Trump’s decision in 2017 to move the US Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem sparked international condemnation; reasserts that if the UK is truly an arbiter for peace-building and reconciliation, it cannot consider moving the UK Embassy in Israel; and demands an urgent statement on the floor of the House on this issue.

416MS Society report entitled Reduced to breaking point

Tabled: 11/10/22 Signatories: 20

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.

430Financial restitution to women born in the 1950s

Tabled: 11/10/22 Signatories: 51

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.

441Fracking

Tabled: 11/10/22 Signatories: 18

Cat Smith

Beth Winter

Tim Farron

Jonathan Edwards

Kate Hollern

Jon Trickett

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

449Uprating benefits in line with inflation

Tabled: 12/10/22 Signatories: 32

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: 8

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: 5

Dr Lisa Cameron

Patrick Grady

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

Chris Stephens

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: 25

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.

453Dumbarton FC 150th Anniversary

Tabled: 13/10/22 Signatories: 8

Martin Docherty-Hughes

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

Ben Lake

Liz Saville Roberts

Patrick Grady

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.

456Portrayal of IRA terrorism

Tabled: 13/10/22 Signatories: 4

Carla Lockhart

Mr Gregory Campbell

Jim Shannon

Gavin Robinson

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.

458Castlemilk Explorers and the Scottish Wildlife Trust Trustee's Group Award for Volunteering 2022

Tabled: 17/10/22 Signatories: 4

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

That this House congratulates Castlemilk Explorers Wildlife Group, Castlemilk Park Volunteers and Wildlife Watch Leaders who won the Scottish Wildlife Trust Trustee's Group Award for Volunteering 2022; commends the work of Castlemilk Explorers Wildlife group and volunteers that has been recognised in this award; and thanks Castlemilk Explorers Wildlife Group, Castlemilk Park Volunteers, Wildlife Watch Leaders, and the Community Woodland Officer for all their efforts supporting the local area.

459NHS workers' pay

Tabled: 17/10/22 Signatories: 4

Rachael Maskell

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

Chris Stephens

That this House recognises the significant sacrifice that NHS workers, including paramedics and all ambulance staff, have made throughout the pandemic; further recognises that these are our everyday heroes serving our communities day in day out, often under extremely challenging circumstances; expresses its deep-felt appreciation to every person working across the NHS for all they do in serving the public; further notes the wider challenges facing the NHS after a decade of cuts and privatisation which are placing increasing pressures on the service making it harder to respond in a timely way to calls; notes that our health service is desperate for a comprehensive workforce plan and increased funding as waiting times are not acceptable; recognises these pressures and the imposition of an average 4 per cent pay rise have lead NHS workers and ambulance staff to vote for strike action; calls on the Government to immediately increase funding which will go directly into NHS workers’ pay; and urges the Government to come back with an immediate increased pay award.

Tabled: 17/10/22 Signatories: 4

Jim Shannon

Carla Lockhart

Gavin Robinson

Chris Law

That this House notes the 2022 report of the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief; and further notes that the Annex to that report which details reports of increasing insecurity facing members of the Baha’i religion in Iran, Yemen and Qatar; observes that Hon Members are receiving increasing expressions of concern by their Baha’i constituents on the growing repression of members of this peaceful faith; and urges the 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

466Fertility support in the workplace

Tabled: 17/10/22 Signatories: 3

Jim Shannon

Carla Lockhart

Gavin Robinson

That this House recognises the huge impact and emotional distress experienced by the 3.5 million people affected by fertility issues every year in the UK; acknowledges the impacts of those issues and any subsequent fertility treatment will invariably have on the working life of all those affected; welcomes the data from the national charity Fertility Network UK that shows approximately 38 per cent of those facing treatment while working either consider leaving or leave their place of employment with huge consequences to both them and the organisation as a whole; urges the Government to ensure workplaces are offered guidance on best practice to support this group including implementation of workplace training, policies and reasonable adjustments; further urges support in calling for all workplaces to commit to recognition of infertility as a medical condition; welcomes the excellent work in this area of many organisations who are already leading the way with infertility support and the large numbers of charities who recently supported Fertility Network's letter to all parliamentarians around fertility in the workplace; and urges the Government to do everything it can to support individuals and organisations to continue to work while facing infertility.

467Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill and nature and public health

Tabled: 17/10/22 Signatories: 2

Claire Hanna

Rosie Duffield

That this House expresses its concern about the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill which represents an unprecedented attack on nature which could have significant implications for Northern Ireland; notes that about 11 per cent of species in Northern Ireland are already at risk of extinction; believes that this proposed legislation would further weaken environmental and public health protections through the removal of hundreds of pieces of legislation; expresses concern about this Government’s downward trajectory of deregulation, lower standards and environmental destruction; and urges the Government to stop the removal of important environmental and nature legislation.

468Location of the British Embassy in Israel

Tabled: 17/10/22 Signatories: 3

Layla Moran [R]

Jonathan Edwards

Chris Stephens

That this House urges the Foreign Office to cease its review regarding the location of the British Embassy in Israel and commit to keeping the embassy in Tel Aviv; maintains that moving the British Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem without a negotiated peace settlement will inflame already heightened tensions in the region and will make peace harder to achieve; expresses its concern that the very act of a review is itself hugely inflammatory; notes that such a move would be a breach of international law; recalls how the decision by the United States to move their Embassy, under former President Trump, resulted in violent clashes which resulted in the deaths of around sixty people; and affirms its support for a two-state solution, in which Israel and Palestine both exist with secure boundaries based on the 1967 lines with two capitals in Jerusalem recognised in international law.

469Tollcross YMCA 150th anniversary

Tabled: 17/10/22 Signatories: 5

David Linden

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

Chris Stephens

That this House celebrates the 150th anniversary of the Tollcross YMCA, which is being celebrated by a Civic Reception hosted by Glasgow City Council at the City Chambers and a thanksgiving service at Glasgow Cathedral; commends the Tollcross YMCA for 150 years of providing recreational facilities within a safe environment that promotes education and social activities for people across Glasgow’s East End; notes that the YMCA is an inclusive Christian organisation, open to people of all faiths and beliefs and of none, which works to transform the lives of children and young people with the aim of empowering them to create positive change in their lives and local communities; and congratulates all of the staff and volunteers at the Tollcross YMCA on their 150th anniversary and applauds them on their dedication to undertaking God’s work in Glasgow’s East End.

471The Leiden Declaration and support for children with speech and language difficulties

Tabled: 17/10/22 Signatories: 3

Geraint Davies

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

That this House acknowledges that language is the gateway to lifelong wellbeing, including educational attainment with huge economic and social benefits; notes the research which shows that language is the route to education and one of the strongest predictors of quality of life and well-being; is therefore concerned that around 10 per cent of children, have language difficulties, either on their own or associated with another condition such as hearing impairment or a learning disability; further notes that children living in areas of social disadvantage are at greater risk of delayed language development; notes that these may be associated with behavioural problems, school drop-out or exclusion, mental health problems, unemployment and even criminality; notes that timely action will lead to greater employability, independent living, social mobility and cohesion; therefore calls on the Government to support the recommendations of the Leiden declaration of 2021; and calls for national leaders to (i) screen all children for language needs and follow-up assessment throughout the school journey, (ii) acknowledge language difficulties as a disability wherever appropriate with support and intervention, (iii) provide language support for children from multidisciplinary teams, training and empower teachers to provide communication-supportive classroom environments and (iv) develop in school curricula and education policies that are informed by an understanding of typical language development and how best to promote it.

472Bellsmyre Development Trust 10th Anniversary

Tabled: 17/10/22 Signatories: 6

Martin Docherty-Hughes

Jim Shannon

Anne McLaughlin

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

Chris Stephens

That this House congratulates the Bellsmyre Development Trust on recently celebrating its 10th Anniversary; notes that the Trust is a community based organisation which was established to support the residents of Bellsmyre towards engaging with, participating in and developing their local neighbourhood; believes that the Trust owned community centre, the Cutty Sark Centre, provides the local community and groups with critical services that maintains the strong sense of community that exists in the area; and wishes everyone involved in the Trust the very best for the future and thank them for their invaluable work over the last ten years.