Commons business papers

Contents

Published: Thursday 20 October 2022

Early Day Motions tabled on Wednesday 19 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

476BBC support for victims of harassment and stalking

Tabled: 19/10/22 Signatories: 1

Mr Barry Sheerman

That this House recognises the immense suffering caused by Alex Belfield to his victims; condemns the grievous abuse of social media by the perpetrator who repeatedly exposed his victims to hatred, intimidation and harassment online; reiterates the comments of Justice Saini that the women who gave witness acted with substantial courage and real fortitude in coming to court about matters that had a very substantial negative mental health impact on them; reflects on the ruinous physical and mental impact that this campaign of targeted stalking and harassment has had on victims with them attaining little to no support from the BBC; is concerned that the help victims received from the BBC was remote, unconcerned and without sympathy; believes that there must be an urgent reflection to identify the mistakes that were made; therefore calls on the BBC to commission an independent inquiry into the handling of this case and treatment of all staff who have been harassed.

477County lines and child criminal exploitation

Tabled: 19/10/22 Signatories: 1

Helen Morgan

That this House is alarmed at the expansion of county lines networks, recently exacerbated by covid-19; calls for clarification of laws to ensure that all young people who are groomed, coerced and controlled into committing crime are recognised as victims of trafficking and exploitation; advocates the adoption of a new public health approach to drug prevention that works with schools, pupil referral units and providers for those outside of mainstream education; notes the need for new local safeguarding partnerships enabling multi-agency work to identify and respond to child criminal exploitation; further notes that a system is required for seamlessly sharing data across borders and agencies and disrupting grooming and criminality that has migrated from the streets to encrypted apps; and calls upon the Government to introduce a stand-alone national strategy on child criminal exploitation that includes these recommendations as a matter of urgency.

478Global hunger and the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Tabled: 19/10/22 Signatories: 1

Tony Lloyd

That this House believes the lack of attention paid to global hunger has exacerbated this long-term and widespread issue; is concerned by warnings from the World Food Programme (WFP) of another year of record hunger; notes the number of hungry people globally increased from 282 million to 345 million during 2022; highlights that a fifth of the total population of Africa went hungry in 2021; further highlights that the WFP is currently holding back famine in Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen while hunger in Haiti is also reaching catastrophic levels; notes that Oxfam says food shortages are likely to cause one death every 36 seconds until the end of the year; further notes that hunger displaces millions of people who must search for sanctuary elsewhere; emphasises that these crises are caused by a combination of global factors including climate change, conflict and economic instability; recognises that the covid-19 pandemic led to an increased gap in the funding required to tackle global hunger; is dismayed that the world is set to fail the UN Sustainable Development Goal of Zero Hunger by 2030, with the percentage of the global population affected by hunger on track to reach almost 10 per cent by that year; highlights that a senior Somali Government official recently said the UK has lost its leading role on this issue; and calls on the Government to re-establish the UK as a leading actor by restoring the commitment to spending 0.7 per cent of GNI on international aid.

479Bonnie Blantyre and Pals

Tabled: 19/10/22 Signatories: 1

Margaret Ferrier

That this House congratulates community group Bonnie Blantyre and Pals for their Gold Award in Keep Scotland Beautiful’s Keep Scotland Beautiful Competition; recognises that this achievement reflects the group’s long running campaign to encourage pride in the local community and builds on previous awards and achievements; further recognises the contributions of local organisers and volunteers, businesses, and South Lanarkshire Council’s Grounds Team; and wishes the group the very best in their future work.

480Dunoon Grammar School and the World’s Best School Prizes 2022

Tabled: 19/10/22 Signatories: 1

Brendan O'Hara

That this House congratulates the pupils and staff of Dunoon Grammar School in Argyll & Bute on winning the Community Collaboration category for the World’s Best Schools Prizes 2022; commends this absolutely remarkable achievement and recognises it as just reward for a school which has under the leadership of Head Teacher David Mitchell and his staff, become a cornerstone of the wider Cowal community; applauds the commitment Dunoon Grammar School has shown to working with and for the benefit of their local community and for striving so hard to produce active, responsible, caring and engaged young citizens; recognises this success as being an historic landmark for the pupils and staff, a tremendous boost for the entire community, a source of great pride for Argyll & Bute, and a real triumph for Scottish education; and sincerely thanks everyone involved in securing this accomplishment for the dedication they have shown in making Dunoon Grammar School an exceptional centre of learning and wishes them all the best in the future.

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.

385Tackling air pollution

Tabled: 21/09/22 Signatories: 29

Mr Barry Sheerman

Steven Bonnar

Christine Jardine

Kenny MacAskill

Douglas Chapman

Ben Lake

That this House recognises the urgent action needed to improve hazardous air pollution in the UK and the benefits of satellite data in monitoring and tracking the sources, extent and make-up of the hazard to ultimately mitigate the threat to human life; acknowledges that air pollution represents the largest environmental risk to public health as between 28,000 to 36,000 deaths can be attributed to air pollution in the UK every year; notes that the level of air pollutants in more than 97% of UK homes exceeds the World Health Organization’s guidelines; recognises the potential of remote sensing satellites to collect regular and accurate data on air pollution to help find solutions for cleaner air; and calls on the Government to support the development of new technologies that can mitigate and end dangerous levels of air pollution and ensure that all citizens have the inalienable right to breathe clean air.

40221st anniversary of the arrest and disappearance of Aster Fissehatsion

Tabled: 22/09/22 Signatories: 18

Carol Monaghan

Peter Grant

Jonathan Edwards

John McDonnell

Patrick Grady

Patricia Gibson

That this House acknowledges the 21st anniversary, on 18th September, of the arrest and disappearance in Eritrea of Aster Fissehatsion and ten other prisoners of conscience who had written an open letter to the President calling for democratic reforms and the peaceful rule of law; also notes the arrest and disappearance, on 21st September 2001, of Dawit Isaak and ten other leading journalists and the banning of all non-State media; puts on record that the 'disappeared' individuals have never been put on trial or charged with any offence and that no official word about their whereabouts or physical condition has ever been given to family members or friends; further notes that several thousands of Eritrean citizens have disappeared over the past twenty-one years; and calls on the Government to work with the international community to address ongoing abuses of human rights in Eritrea.

406Ban on fracking

Tabled: 22/09/22 Signatories: 21

Jon Trickett

Kate Osborne

Jonathan Edwards

Hywel Williams

Ben Lake

Liz Saville Roberts

That this House expresses its concern at the Government’s decision to lift the ban on fracking; notes that fracking for shale gas poses a serious threat to the environment including damage to air and water quality; further notes that fracking increases the risk of earthquakes and that in areas where fracking has taken place there have been unusual Earth tremors; believes that the Government should prioritise investment in renewable energy over dangerous shale gas extraction; further believes that fracking must not be imposed on local communities against their will; calls on the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to release the report by the British Geological Survey into the possible effects of fracking in the UK, including the danger of Earth tremors; and calls on the Government to keep the ban on fracking.

416MS Society report entitled Reduced to breaking point

Tabled: 11/10/22 Signatories: 22

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: 55

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.

436Immediate publication of the Office for Budget Responsibility draft forecast

Tabled: 11/10/22 Signatories: 6

Sarah Olney

Chris Stephens

Jonathan Edwards

Apsana Begum

Stephen Farry

Wendy Chamberlain

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.

440Ian Hamilton KC

Tabled: 11/10/22 Signatories: 16

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: 20

Cat Smith

Beth Winter

Tim Farron

Jonathan Edwards

Kate Hollern

Jon Trickett

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

448Long Covid

Tabled: 12/10/22 Signatories: 9

Layla Moran

Jonathan Edwards

Claudia Webbe

Apsana Begum

Ben Lake

Liz Saville Roberts

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: 33

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.

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

Tabled: 12/10/22 Signatories: 27

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.

459NHS workers' pay

Tabled: 17/10/22 Signatories: 5

Rachael Maskell

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

Chris Stephens

Clive Lewis

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.

461Former Councillor and Bailie, Iris Gibson

Tabled: 17/10/22 Signatories: 6

Patricia Gibson [R]

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

Chris Stephens

Douglas Chapman

That this House marks with sadness the passing of former Glasgow SNP Councillor and Bailie Mrs Iris Gibson at the age of 84 of Alzheimer’s Disease; understands that, after having served in the Women’s Royal Naval Service as a Wren, working as a bookkeeper, and graduating from Strathclyde University with a Business Studies degree in her forties whilst raising twins with her husband, Mrs Gibson was elected in 1999 to the Mosspark ward and later the Craigton ward on Glasgow City Council; believes that during her 16 years on Glasgow City Council, the longest term of any Glasgow SNP councillor to date, Mrs Gibson served diligently both her constituents and the city as a Bailie; notes that in her free time, Mrs Gibson was a keen opera-lover and athlete, who ran 99 marathons, and, as a member of Strathclyde Mountaineering Club, climbed peaks all over the world well into her 60s; appreciates the profound impact Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative conditions can have on the later stages of people's lives; and highlights what it sees as the value and importance of the high-quality and personal care Mrs Gibson received at Haylie House in Largs and subsequently at Arran View in Saltcoats, particularly during the covid-19 pandemic.

464Cost of using vehicles for work

Tabled: 17/10/22 Signatories: 6

Bob Blackman

Carla Lockhart

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

Christine Jardine

Dan Jarvis

That this House recognises the impact that the increase in fuel prices and motoring costs is having on those who rely on their cars and personal vehicles for carrying out their work duties, particularly those in the NHS, local government and social care; notes that the current mileage rates are outdated and require immediate and urgent review by HMRC to reflect the soaring cost-of-living increases so that these workers can continue to carry out their jobs; notes that low-paid public service workers cannot afford to upgrade their vehicles to new, fuel efficient options and that mileage rates for frontline workers should reflect that; understands that temporary higher rates provided by employers are welcome but do not provide enough relief; and calls on the Treasury to ensure rates are regularly updated in the future to genuinely reflect the cost of using a vehicle for work so that workers are protected from future fuel price spikes.

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

Tabled: 17/10/22 Signatories: 3

Claire Hanna

Rosie Duffield

Colum Eastwood

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: 4

Layla Moran [R]

Jonathan Edwards

Chris Stephens

Wendy Chamberlain

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: 6

David Linden

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

Chris Stephens

Jonathan Edwards

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.

472Bellsmyre Development Trust 10th Anniversary

Tabled: 17/10/22 Signatories: 8

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.

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

Tabled: 18/10/22 Signatories: 3

Layla Moran

Jonathan Edwards

Wendy Chamberlain

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: 19

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: 5

Owen Thompson

Jonathan Edwards

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

Douglas Chapman

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.