Contents

Published: Tuesday 7 March 2023

Early Day Motions tabled on Monday 6 March 2023

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

926Treatment of drivers of app-based delivery companies and the Justice4Mohammed campaign

Tabled: 6/03/23 Signatories: 1

Apsana Begum

That this House notes with concern that on 23 February, a Deliveroo driver, named Mohammed, was stepped over by a customer complaining about their order, even though he had collapsed, and is reported to have waited for an ambulance for more than an hour; notes that Mohamed’s story speaks to a wider injustice regarding the treatment of drivers of app-based delivery companies; believes that it is unacceptable that drivers continue to find themselves precarious and unsafe at work and invariably forced to survive on poverty wages, working longer and longer hours just to make the rent and keep food on the table; notes that throughout the pandemic, drivers provided essential services on the frontline at significant risk to themselves and their families; and calls on the Government to strengthen workplace and trade union rights, particularly as they related to the gig economy, so that drivers are fairly paid for their work and work in safe conditions.

927The Loan Charge

Tabled: 6/03/23 Signatories: 12

Karl Turner

Sammy Wilson

Dr Lisa Cameron

Sir Desmond Swayne

Allan Dorans

Sir Julian Lewis

That this House is concerned that suicides have been linked to the Loan Charge and that despite the Morse Review, thousands face unaffordable demands, with the risk of further suicides; notes that most people facing action were mis-sold schemes and that HMRC are demanding scheme users repay disputed tax; further notes that HMRC have not requested action from people who recommended, promoted, operated the schemes; recognises that section 44 of the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 deems agency workers to be taxable as employees of agencies; believes that HMRC should have collected tax from agencies; criticises HMRC for transferring the liability to individuals alone despite its own historic failures; further recognises that HMRC are pursuing open enquiries for schemes before 2011 despite the Morse Review conclusion the law was unclear; calls on the Government to work with all parties to find a fair resolution; believes that a full independent investigation into the Loan Charge, including the conduct of HMRC is required; and further believes that taxpayer rights must be enshrined in law and enquiries closed after four years if HMRC fail to act.

928Streetwise Fighters Martial Arts School

Tabled: 6/03/23 Signatories: 1

Dan Carden

That this House congratulates Streetwise Fighters Martial Arts School in Fazakerley, Liverpool, for their outstanding performance at the 2022 WKKC World Championships in Killarney, Ireland; further congratulates competitors who returned with four world championship titles, six silver and nine bronze medals; applauds the dedication, hard work, skill and success of the squad; recognises the inspiring leadership of head coach Richie Lunt and all of his staff; commends them for the great work they do in building the skills and confidence of young people in Walton through martial arts; and wishes the team every success in their fundraising efforts for the 2023 Championships in Orlando.

929The Twa Dugs Campaign for Real Ale award

Tabled: 6/03/23 Signatories: 1

Patricia Gibson

That this House congratulates The Twa Dugs in West Kilbride on being named North Ayrshire’s best hostelry by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) for four years running; notes that the public house has also been awarded a place in CAMRA’s best-selling UK Good Beer Guide for four years alongside countless other well renowned pubs across the UK; further notes that CAMRA is considered one of the most successful consumer organisations across Europe, advocating for, and promoting, the social and cultural significance of pubs throughout the UK; values the commitment of The Twa Dugs in providing the highest standard of service for its patrons, which it has consistently maintained over the years; acknowledges the efforts of The Twa Dugs to bring members of the local community together, evidenced by the array of social events and activities it hosts including an ale festival last year; recognises the vital role that pubs play in our community and social infrastructure; and thanks manager Debbie Riddex and all the staff at The Twa Dugs for their ongoing service to the people of West Kilbride and North Ayrshire.

930A Scents of Scotland gift shop, Kilmarnock

Tabled: 6/03/23 Signatories: 1

Alan Brown

That this House congratulates A Scents of Scotland, a small independent gift shop located in Bellfield, Kilmarnock, on winning Scotland's Gift Shop of the Year title for the second year running in the Prestige Awards; recognises the hard work and dedication of owner Stuart Nairn, who started his business from his home 10 years ago before opening a shop in the heart of his local community in 2014; notes that when he first opened the shop, he was told it would never last, yet through his determination, perseverance and passion A Scents of Scotland has gone from strength to strength; recognises the impressive range of handcrafted Celtic jewellery, luxury candles, fine soaps and unique pieces of the stunning Scottish Highlands offered by A Scents of Scotland; acknowledges the company's commitment to Scottish culture as an important aspect of its business model; appreciates the reach of A Scents of Scotland beyond its local community, as it ships products across the UK and internationally, with orders from Europe, the United States, Singapore, South Korea and Australia; and commends the family-run operation of A Scents of Scotland, with Stuart's sister Donna playing an integral role in its success.

931World Kidney Day 2023

Tabled: 6/03/23 Signatories: 1

Daisy Cooper

That this House notes that World Kidney Day takes place on Thursday 9 March 2023; recognises that 3.5 million people in the UK are living with chronic kidney disease, with many facing significant unique pressures from the ongoing cost of living crisis, including greater energy consumption required to help manage their condition, transportation costs to hospital appointments, a special more costly diet to maintain their health and wellbeing and challenges in maintaining full-time employment; commends the important work charities, such as Kidney Care UK, have done to protect, support and advocate for kidney patients from all backgrounds throughout the cost of living crisis; and calls on the Government to provide additional support designed to protect chronic kidney disease patients from cost of living increases following the conclusion of existing measures in April 2023, and ensure that pressures unique to these patients do not continue to detrimentally impact on their health and wellbeing.

932Rail fare increases

Tabled: 6/03/23 Signatories: 1

Wera Hobhouse

That this House deeply regrets the Government’s decision to increase rail fares by 5.9 per cent; notes with concern the cost of living for families and commuters; regrets the increase in train delays, cancellations and strikes which have occurred under this Government, including on-the-day train cancellations which have risen to their highest levels since records began; further regrets the lack of Government support to incentivise people to use public transport and improve public transport infrastructure; acknowledges with concern that rail fare increases could hinder the UK from achieving net-zero emissions; and calls on the Government to cancel the 5.9 per cent rail fare increase and freeze rail fares immediately to help families and commuters who are struggling with the cost of living crisis.

933Blue Triangle Bonhill 20th anniversary

Tabled: 6/03/23 Signatories: 1

Martin Docherty-Hughes

That this House notes that Blue Triangle Bonhill is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its foundation; understands that the organisation works with homeless people and those affected by homelessness, providing person centred support and quality accommodation; believes that they provide an invaluable service to the local community; thanks them for their dedicated work over the last 20 years; and wishes them well for the next 20.

934Fairtrade Fortnight 2023

Tabled: 6/03/23 Signatories: 1

Geraint Davies

That this House commemorates Fairtrade Fortnight 2023; recognises the focus for this year is the impact of the climate crisis on the future of foods, seeking to highlight the damaging effects on food production and farming as a result climate change; understands that producers in developing countries are often most affected by this crisis; notes the threat posed to some of our nation’s favourite and most beloved foods as a result; highlights the efforts of the Fairtrade Foundation to help secure a sustainable future for farmers around the world; and calls on the Government to do more to support fairtrade principles and further encourage consumers to choose fairtrade produce to help address this challenge.

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.

893VAT on audiobooks

Tabled: 23/02/23 Signatories: 35

Sir Mike Penning

Dr Philippa Whitford

Margaret Ferrier

Allan Dorans

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck

Deidre Brock

That this House recognises that audio books, now popular and widely available across all genres; from business to academic, from historical to self help, are a lifeline for many people with sight loss, visual impairment, dyslexia or other reading disabilities; agrees that audio books offer unique opportunities for visually-impaired and dyslexic people to improve their education on a par with their peers; recognises that audio books enable visually-impaired and dyslexic people to continue working independently for longer and thereby contribute to the economy for longer; recognises that audio books open up a world of information, literature and poetry to visually-impaired and dyslexic people; welcomes the zero-rate VAT for e-books but also recognises that e-books, when read aloud by automated text-to-speech, are difficult to listen to for long periods, lack intonation, may mispronounce names and places, can often read out every bracket and notation, making it difficult to comprehend or recall meaning; notes that other European countries have recently reduced their rates of VAT on audiobooks, including Norway to zero; and calls for equal VAT-status to be applied to audio books as already exists for e-books and physical books.

900World Book Day 2023

Tabled: 24/02/23 Signatories: 36

Valerie Vaz

Richard Foord

Jonathan Edwards

Mary Kelly Foy

Jamie Stone

David Mundell

That this House supports World Book Day in its mission to promote reading for pleasure; commends tis success in distributing 50 million book tokens annually to children; with a further 101,000 books donated to children by publishers, the Arts Council and others; notes reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child's future success; further notes with concern that reading for pleasure is at its lowest level since 2005, with fewer than one in two children and young people aged nine to 18 saying they enjoyed reading; recognises the importance of children from all backgrounds having the opportunity to choose and own a book; calls on all Members of the House to be reading champions for their constituencies; and warmly welcomes World Book Day's celebration in schools and homes across the United Kingdom on 2 March 2023.

905Formula One in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia and human rights

Tabled: 27/02/23 Signatories: 20

Wendy Chamberlain

Richard Foord

Jamie Stone

Mr Alistair Carmichael

Tim Farron

Munira Wilson

That this House expresses grave concerns over the role of Formula One and the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile in sportswashing the appalling human rights records of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia; notes that Saudi Arabia executed 81 prisoners in one day in 2022, while Bahrain imprisons its population at the highest rate of any country in the Middle East and North Africa region, with an estimated 1,300 political prisoners; condemns F1’s refusal to engage with key stakeholders including human rights groups, such as the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy when awarding Bahrain the longest contract in F1 history, breaching F1’s own policy; urges the Government to support an an independent and impartial inquiry to assess the implications of F1 races in human rights violation, the adequacy and effectiveness of F1’s current human rights policy, or lack thereof, and its implementation and their responses to evidence of serious human rights violations in F1 host countries; further urges the Government to support calls for the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile to adopt a human rights policy consistent with the UN’s Guiding Principle on Business and Human Rights; further condemns the ongoing imprisonment of political leaders in F1 host nations including Bahrain; and calls on the Government to use all available leverage to make representations to Bahrain for them to immediately and unconditionally release political prisoners, including Hassan Mushaima, Dr Abdulajalil AlSingace, Sheikh Ali Salman, Abdulhali AlKhawaja, Ali AlHajee, Najee Fateel, Sayed Nizar Alwadaei and death row inmates Mohammed Ramadhan and Husain Moosa.

907Pakistan Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill 2023

Tabled: 28/02/23 Signatories: 5

Jim Shannon

Paul Girvan

Rachael Maskell

Sir Jeffrey M Donaldson

Patrick Grady

That this House notes with concern that the Pakistan National Assembly passed the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill 2023 on 17 January 2023; believes that this Bill will further restrict freedom of religion or belief in Pakistan and, if passed by the Senate, will further marginalise the already persecuted communities in Pakistan and will have serious implications on minority groups; condemns the Bill's targeting of Pakistan’s Shia community and overall impact for all minority faith groups; regrets that the Bill will pose further challenges to freedom of religion or belief in Pakistan, and yet serve to strengthen extremist groups and extremist ideology; and urges the Government to raise this pressing matter with their Pakistani counterparts and advocate for the rights of the persecuted communities in Pakistan.

90850th anniversary of Action Cancer

Tabled: 28/02/23 Signatories: 4

Carla Lockhart

Paul Girvan

Jim Shannon

Patrick Grady

That this House congratulates Action Cancer, a leading Northern Ireland Cancer Charity, on its 50th anniversary; recognises the vital working of the charity to save lives and support local people through cancer awareness, prevention, detection and support; pays tribute to the staff and volunteers who make this work possible, including fundraisers; and wishes the Charity well for this anniversary year and for the future.

909World Day of Prayer

Tabled: 28/02/23 Signatories: 6

Jim Shannon

Sir Mike Penning

Paul Girvan

Rachael Maskell

Sir Jeffrey M Donaldson

Patrick Grady

That this House notes World Day of Prayer on Friday 3 March 2023 which is an international ecumenical Christian laywomen's initiative run under the motto Informed Prayer and Prayerful Action; highlights that it is celebrated annually in over 170 countries on the first Friday in March; further notes that this years prayer focus is on Taiwan; encourages people to take time on Friday to acknowledge the power of prayer and pray for Taiwan; and thanks those who are passionately advocating and stirring people to remember other nations in prayer in this difficult time.

912Hunger in East Africa

Tabled: 28/02/23 Signatories: 12

Layla Moran

Jonathan Edwards

Jim Shannon

Ben Lake

Hywel Williams

Liz Saville Roberts

That this House is deeply concerned about the acute hunger crisis in the East Africa region; notes that despite 36.4 million people in the Horn of Africa region suffering with hunger, the Government has cut humanitarian aid to less than a fifth of what it was in the financial year of 2017-2018 in the region; condemns the Government’s decision to abandon the 0.7 per cent target for international development spending; calls on the Government to urgently reinstate the 0.7 per cent target, and to correspondingly increase vital support to people in the regions; and resolves to continue to hold the Government to account on its broken promise on international development spending.

914Freedom of religion or belief in Iran

Tabled: 28/02/23 Signatories: 5

Alexander Stafford

Jonathan Edwards

Jim Shannon

Rachael Maskell

Patrick Grady

That this House deplores the ongoing human rights violations being perpetrated by the Islamic Republic of Iran; notes that these violations come in a context of more general restrictions on the right to freedom of religion or belief for many religious minorities in Iran, including Christians and the Baha’i, and also Sufi and Sunni Muslims; mourns the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini after her arrest for wearing the hijab "improperly" and her reported beating by members of the so-called morality police; considers the enforcement of religious dress codes for all Iranian women, regardless of their beliefs, to be a violation of the freedom of religion or belief of women from religious minorities in Iran, and also of Muslim women who do not wish to conform to mandatory hijab; highlights that these restrictions are in violation of Iran’s obligations as a signatory of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR); urges the Government of Iran to amend its constitution and relevant legislation to protect the right to freedom of religion or belief for all Iranians, as envisaged by Article 18 of the ICCPR; and calls on the UK Government to continue to defend freedom of religion or belief, in its fullest meaning, and to support the mandate of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran and of the UN’s Special Rapporteurs on Freedom of Religion or Belief and Human Rights in Iran.

916The Miley: 30th anniversary

Tabled: 28/02/23 Signatories: 5

Chris Law

Allan Dorans

Stewart Hosie

Jim Shannon

Patrick Grady

That this House celebrates the thirtieth anniversary of the designation of The Miley in Lochee as a wildlife reserve; recognises the hard work and dedication of the group of volunteers from the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Angus and Dundee Branch who have helped transform the site over the last three decades; notes that The Miley has been turned from a mile-long stretch of disused railway into a beloved local attraction; further notes that to mark the event volunteers met with local school pupils from St Mary’s Primary School to plant bulbs and wildflower seeds; and wishes the team of volunteers who look after The Miley all the best for the future.

919Glenrothes Knitting and Crochet Club 10th anniversary

Tabled: 1/03/23 Signatories: 4

Peter Grant

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Patrick Grady

That this House congratulates the Glenrothes Knitting and Crochet Club on their 10th anniversary; notes that the club was founded by Jayne Murphy on 15 January 2013 at Christ Kirk, Pitcoudie, before outgrowing that location and moving to their current home at Edison House in Glenrothes in September 2013; commends the Glenrothes Knitting and Crochet Club on the donation of various knitted items to charity throughout the last decade; recognises that the club has donated items such as premature baby hats and baby blankets to the maternity unit at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy as well as contributing hats for the homeless to the YMCA in Glenrothes, taken part in the Big Knit for Age UK and knitted blankets for the Rosyth hedgehog hospital; and extends its thanks to the Glenrothes Knitting and Crochet Club for their good works and wishes them well for the next 10 years.

920BBC Local Radio services and industrial action

Tabled: 1/03/23 Signatories: 26

Grahame Morris

John McDonnell

Apsana Begum

Jim Shannon

Ben Lake

Hywel Williams

That this House recognises the overwhelming mandate for industrial action secured by members of the National Union of Journalists at the BBC, following an industrial action ballot over the Corporation’s plan to cut local radio services in England; notes that the figures of 83 per cent voting for strike action on a turnout of 69 per cent demonstrate that BBC journalists have no confidence in management plans; understands that the resulting strike action will involve National Union of Journalists members working on BBC local radio, regional TV and online; supports the National Union of Journalists in suggesting that the BBC’s investment in digital services should not come at the expense of local radio and the communities it serves; and therefore calls on management to meaningfully engage over the plans and ensure that local radio services enjoyed by 5.7 million listeners every week are protected.

921Wales Air Ambulance Service

Tabled: 1/03/23 Signatories: 5

Liz Saville Roberts

Jim Shannon

Ben Lake

Hywel Williams

Patrick Grady

That this House welcomes the news that the Wales Air Ambulance Service will continue to operate out of its Caernarfon and Welshpool bases, securing its short-term future till at least 2026; notes that Gama Aviation will become its new aviation partner having secured a seven-year contract to provide aviation services to the air ambulance in Wales; acknowledges that the news comes following months of uncertainty as plans were announced to centralise operations at only one site in northeast Wales despite opposition from rural communities in Gwynedd and mid-Wales; maintains that the Air Ambulance provides a crucial and valued service to northwest and mid Wales; thanks all of those who contributed to the campaign to persuade the charity to maintain operations at Caernarfon and Welshpool, particularly those who have benefited from the work of the Air Ambulance and shared their experiences during the campaign; further notes that the campaign spanned several public meetings, petitions, and Senedd debates to maintain the service; and encourages everyone, if they can, to participate in the upcoming engagement process over the service’s long term future, which is set to begin in the Spring.

922Thistle Award to Glenmorangie House

Tabled: 2/03/23 Signatories: 3

Jamie Stone

Wendy Chamberlain

Patrick Grady

That this House congratulates The Glenmorangie Company Ltd on having Glenmorangie House recognised as the best luxury experience at the Thistle Awards and listed as one of the best UK country house hotels for 2023 in the Telegraph; notes the tremendous work of Glenmorangie House; commends the vital importance of businesses like The Glenmorangie Company to the Highland economy by employing over 25 per cent of employees in the Highlands and Islands; and hopes that Glenmorangie House continues to experience growth and success.

923Litter on motorways

Tabled: 2/03/23 Signatories: 3

Sir Mike Penning

Rachael Maskell

Jonathan Edwards

That this House deplores the huge amount of litter on motorways, access road, junctions and verges; notes that there is a crystal clear legal obligation on National Highways to ensure roads are kept clear of litter; and calls on National Highways to act on this obligation, use motorway gantries to promote anti-littering messaging, ensure staff and contractors remove signs, sandbags and cones following roadworks in a timely manner and ensure contracts include financial penalties for not doing so.

925Shawarma King in Glasgow

Tabled: 3/03/23 Signatories: 2

Alison Thewliss

Patrick Grady

That this House congratulates Shawarma King in Glasgow on winning the Best in Scotland title at the British Kebab Awards; understands this is the second year in a row the team have brought this coveted award home to Scotland; notes the popularity of the shop, with large queues frequently spotted outside; understands that other Scots takeaways nominated for the award included 5 in 1 in Montrose, Dante’s Fish Chips & Kebab in Dumfries, Kurdish Best Kebab House in Edinburgh, and Mr Chef in Uddingston; notes that the awards recognise and champion the efforts of local kebab takeaways and restaurants across the nation; appreciates the achievement of Shawarma King in winning this award twice; and wishes them every success in future endeavours.