Commons business papers

Contents

Published: Monday 24 October 2022

Early Day Motions tabled on Friday 21 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

485Upholding the integrity of the office of Prime Minister

Tabled: 21/10/22 Signatories: 1

Daisy Cooper

That this House believes that the upholding of standards by its Members is of vital importance to the functioning of UK democracy; believes that it is vital that the Prime Minister and Ministers uphold these standards; and therefore resolves that any hon. or right hon. Member who is found to have broken the law whilst in Government should be barred from holding Prime Ministerial Office.

486Statutory maternity pay

Tabled: 21/10/22 Signatories: 1

Ed Davey

That this House recognises the current legal framework for qualifying for statutory maternity pay is poorly suited to 21st century working life; notes with concern the potential limits this policy places on women’s freedom to choose where they work, especially amidst the current cost of living crisis; recognises the lack of a statutory duty for prospective employers to disclose their maternity policies to prospective candidates prior to employment; and calls on the Government to reform the current provisions so that women who have held different jobs can transfer their length of employment as they change jobs for the purpose of qualifying for statutory maternity pay.

487Cost of living and unpaid carers

Tabled: 21/10/22 Signatories: 1

Ed Davey

That this House notes with concern the findings of Carers UK’s survey entitled Heading for crisis: Caught between caring and rising costs, which reports that the cost of living crisis is plunging thousands of unpaid carers across the UK into debt; recognises that many family carers cannot make decisions to cut back on food or heating to stay afloat without affecting the safety of the person they care for; acknowledges the enormous financial burden people on Carers Allowance face, as they are limited in their ability to earn income but often shoulder additional costs for their loved ones out of their own pocket; condemns the lack of adequate financial support available for unpaid carers, with 39 percent of survey respondents saying they are struggling to make ends meet; and calls on the Government to immediately provide carers with the support they need by uprating Carers Allowance at least in line with inflation.

488Support for mortgage interest

Tabled: 21/10/22 Signatories: 1

Mark Tami

That this House notes that the mechanisms of Support for Mortgage Interest were designed at a point in time when both inflation and interest rates were more stable; recognises that many of those in receipt of Support for Mortgage Interest receive significantly less than their required payments and must make up the balance from subsistence benefits; appreciates the challenges inherent in designing a system that is fair to all taxpayers whilst preventing homelessness and poverty; believes that in the current cost of living crisis that the present system is failing to meet these goals; takes particular note in this context of the mechanism for setting the maximum rate payable using the Bank of England average mortgage rate which causes delays in recognising rate increases; further recognises the significant disparity between the generosity of the local housing allowance system to landlords with buy-to-let mortgages and Support for Mortgage Interest which is repayable; and calls on the Government to undertake a review of this system as a matter of urgency.

489Centenary of Carfin Grotto

Tabled: 21/10/22 Signatories: 1

Marion Fellows

That this House congratulates all those associated with Carfin Grotto in the Diocese of Motherwell, which was opened by Monsignor Thomas Canon Taylor in October 1922 as a place of pilgrimage, prayer and reflection dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes; notes that the Grotto now attracts over 70,000 pilgrims each year from around the world, and that as part of the anniversary celebrations the Grotto was the Scottish host of the relics of St Bernadette Soubirous, the Lourdes visionary, which where were visited by thousands of pilgrims in September 2022; further notes that a special anniversary Mass on 22 October 2022 was celebrated by the Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain, and that to mark the anniversary the Grotto has been declared Scotland’s National Marian Shrine by the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland; and sends its best wishes to all those who serve, visit and pray at the Shrine as it enters its second century as a place of worship, devotion and pilgrimage.

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.

410British Retail Consortium Voluntary Guideline on second-hand and pre-loved items

Tabled: 23/09/22 Signatories: 15

Dr Lisa Cameron

Rachael Maskell

Allan Dorans

Jonathan Edwards

Wera Hobhouse

Chris Law

That this House commends the British Retail Consortium and its members on launching new voluntary guidelines for retailers on the treatment of second-hand and pre-loved items; welcomes this industry-leading and responsible initiative from retailers to deliver a more circular economy during what is second-hand September; celebrates the aim and ambition of this new initiative to limit, and ultimately end, sending items to landfill unnecessarily and to keep them in circulation for longer so that they can be used and loved by more people; welcomes the move to provide customers with better and more transparent information about the condition of goods to give them confidence in the quality and condition of the second-hand items purchased; and welcomes the practical and detailed guidance and support available to retailers, brands, and resell platforms to ensure textiles product lines including women’s, men’s, and children’s clothing, footwear, accessories, and non-apparel textiles such as bedding, cushion covers, towels, curtains, etc, are kept with a circular loop rather than being sent to landfill.

419Securing equal pay

Tabled: 11/10/22 Signatories: 10

Chris Stephens

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Marion Fellows

Alison Thewliss

Chris Law

This House recognises the years of pay discrimination that local government workers – primarily women – endured under Labour administrations in Scotland; recognises the determination shown by those workers in their fight for equal pay; welcomes the progress that councils across Scotland have made in providing equal pay settlements to thousands of workers; recognises the great lengths that are still required to completely end gender discrimination in the workplace and deliver equal pay; condemns the UK Government’s attacks on workers’ rights and trade unions through the Trade Union Act 2016 and calls for the Act to be abolished; and recognises the need for a Bill to strengthen workers’ rights to end pay discrimination including statutory rights for union equality reps, allowing cross-employer comparators in equal pay cases, and stronger maternity, paternity and caring rights at work.

423Children’s hospice funding

Tabled: 11/10/22 Signatories: 9

Siobhain McDonagh

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

Kate Hollern

Chris Stephens

Rachael Maskell

That this House celebrates the work of children’s hospices, which provide vital care and support to seriously ill babies, children, young people and their families; welcomes important progress made in funding for children’s hospices in recent years by NHS England, including a planned increase in the Children’s Hospice Grant to £25million by 2023/24; is concerned that NHS England is yet to commit to keeping the grant in place beyond 2023/2024; regrets the wide variation in local NHS funding for children’s hospices in England and the negative impact that removing the NHS England Children’s Hospice Grant could have on lifeline care and support; and calls for the grant to be protected and extended beyond 2023/24.

425World Osteoporosis Day

Tabled: 11/10/22 Signatories: 13

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.

427Ugandan Asians at Tonfanau 50th anniversary exhibition

Tabled: 11/10/22 Signatories: 11

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.

430Financial restitution to women born in the 1950s

Tabled: 11/10/22 Signatories: 57

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.

433Investment zones

Tabled: 11/10/22 Signatories: 8

Jon Trickett

Jonathan Edwards

Beth Winter

Apsana Begum

Rachael Maskell

John McDonnell

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.

44210-year route to settlement

Tabled: 11/10/22 Signatories: 12

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: 15

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.

447Ross Cunningham and Mountains Mend Minds campaign

Tabled: 11/10/22 Signatories: 12

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: 11

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: 38

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.

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

Tabled: 17/10/22 Signatories: 7

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

Patrick Grady

Alison Thewliss

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: 9

Rachael Maskell

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

Chris Stephens

Clive Lewis

Caroline Lucas

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: 10

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.

462Stewart Gorman's service with Royal Mail

Tabled: 17/10/22 Signatories: 7

Patricia Gibson

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

Chris Stephens

Alison Thewliss

That this House recognises the career of Stewart Gorman, who has retired from the Royal Mail after 47 years of tireless service; notes that Stewart was the last remaining postman in Ayrshire who worked under the state-operated General Post Office; expresses its gratitude for the tremendous work undertaken by Stewart over several decades ensuring people, communities and businesses were connected, particularly during the covid-19 pandemic; is aware that Stewart is a well known face across the Garnock Valley and many will sorely miss his cheerful disposition, brightening up the days for those whom he so ably served in his role in the Royal Mail; and thanks Stewart for his dedication to his local communities and wishes Stewart a long, healthy and happy retirement.

463Zain’s curry house in Dalry, North Ayrshire

Tabled: 17/10/22 Signatories: 7

Patricia Gibson

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

Chris Stephens

Patrick Grady

That this House congratulates Zain’s Curry House in Dalry, North Ayrshire, on winning the accolade of best takeaway in Scotland and best takeaway in South West Scotland at The Food Awards Scotland 2022; recognises that this award builds on many of the business’ previous awards, including best takeaway restaurant in Ayrshire, as awarded by the Asian Catering Federation last year; notes that the family-run business has been well-established in Dalry for almost two decades and that the firm has recently expanded its menu; commends the hard work of the owner, Khurum Jabbar, head chef and former owner, Abdul Jabbar, and all the staff’s hard work which has led to them securing such prestigious recognition, particularly during a time when businesses are facing significant challenges with rising food and energy prices; and wishes Zain’s Curry House continued success in the future.

464Cost of using vehicles for work

Tabled: 17/10/22 Signatories: 8

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.

466Fertility support in the workplace

Tabled: 17/10/22 Signatories: 4

Jim Shannon

Carla Lockhart

Gavin Robinson

Claire Hanna

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: 5

Claire Hanna

Rosie Duffield

Colum Eastwood

Patrick Grady

Caroline Lucas

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.

469Tollcross YMCA 150th anniversary

Tabled: 17/10/22 Signatories: 9

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.

474TUC Congress 2022 resolution on the cost of living

Tabled: 18/10/22 Signatories: 26

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: 8

Owen Thompson

Jonathan Edwards

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

Douglas Chapman

Patrick Grady

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.

476BBC support for victims of harassment and stalking

Tabled: 19/10/22 Signatories: 3

Mr Barry Sheerman

Claudia Webbe

Yasmin Qureshi

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.

478Global hunger and the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Tabled: 19/10/22 Signatories: 12

Tony Lloyd

Patrick Grady

Caroline Lucas

Dan Carden

Neale Hanvey

Claudia Webbe

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.

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

Tabled: 19/10/22 Signatories: 6

Brendan O'Hara

Patrick Grady

Allan Dorans

Alison Thewliss

Anne McLaughlin

Alyn Smith

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.

481Radiotherapy and the 10-Year Cancer Plan

Tabled: 20/10/22 Signatories: 2

Tim Farron

Jonathan Edwards

That this House recognises that the cancer backlog is a national health emergency which urgently needs tackling and that cancer is the most time-critical and dangerous of all backlogs; further recognises that radiotherapy is an essential, readily available, high-tech and vital cancer treatment needed in 50 percent of cancer treatments and in 40 percent of cancer cures, which is internationally recognised as a model solution for cancer backlog recovery and can help reduce the waiting lists; but notes that the radiotherapy service is overlooked and currently only receives 5 percent of the NHS cancer budget; and therefore calls on the Government to ensure a new fully funded radiotherapy strategy is included in the upcoming 10-Year Cancer Plan.

482Tommy Jessop and Heidi Carter and the Shaw Trust 2022 Disability Power 100 Shortlist

Tabled: 20/10/22 Signatories: 3

Dr Lisa Cameron

Douglas Chapman

Jonathan Edwards

That this House congratulates Tommy Jessop and Heidi Carter on being voted onto the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 list; recognises Mr Jessop’s important contributions to drama, theatre, and the arts, including being the first actor with Down’s syndrome to star in a BBC drama on prime-time, and Ms Carter’s important contributions to law and politics, primarily through her tireless advocacy seeking to reform legislation to ensure that people with Down’s syndrome are equally valued throughout their lives; applauds their determination to encourage and inspire others living with disability to capitalise on their true potential in the entertainment and other industries; affirms that all lives, including those living with Down's syndrome or disability, have equal value; and wishes Tommy and Heidi all the best in their future endeavours.

483Ministerial severance payments

Tabled: 20/10/22 Signatories: 8

Alyn Smith

Douglas Chapman

Dr Philippa Whitford

Jonathan Edwards

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

Anne McLaughlin

That this House recognises that the Ministerial and other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991 states that where a Minister of eligible age ceases to hold office and is not reappointed to a ministerial office within three weeks, they will be entitled to a severance payment of a quarter of their ministerial annual salary; notes that this legislation is extremely generous for Ministers who hold positions for less than 12 weeks; and calls on the Government to amend this legislation.