Commons business papers

Contents

Published: Wednesday 8 March 2023

Early Day Motions tabled on Tuesday 7 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

935Price of first class stamp

Tabled: 7/03/23 Signatories: 1

Jim Shannon

That this House expresses concern over the price hike in cost of stamps; notes that first class stamps are set to rise by 15 pence from 3 April meaning that there has been a 65 per cent increase within five years; highlights the pressure that this puts on businesses who still rely on the postal system; further notes that it adds to the burden of cost of living increases on our pensioners and low income families; and notes that pricing people out of using the postal system is not beneficial to retaining a thriving Royal Mail.

936West Dunbartonshire Kinship Carers

Tabled: 7/03/23 Signatories: 1

Martin Docherty-Hughes

That the House congratulates West Dunbartonshire Kinship Care who officially open their new space for kinship carers on 13 March 2023; understands that the space will be used to support children’s mental health and provide anxiety coaching whilst also giving kinship carers a place to be listened to and supported in a nice friendly welcoming environment; believes that Kinship Carers play a valuable and often unacknowledged role in our communities looking after children whose parents are not able to look after them; notes that West Dunbartonshire Kinship Care is now in their 12th year and thanks them for everything that they have done during this period and wishes them well for the next 12 years.

937Withdrawal from Falklands Agree to Disagree Pact

Tabled: 7/03/23 Signatories: 1

Jim Shannon

That this House notes the recent decision from the Argentine government to withdraw from the Agree to Disagree Pact; notes the withdrawal from this pact will call in to question fishing rights other economic policies; thanks the FCDO for the clear reiteration of the indisputable fact that the Falklands is British; asks the FCDO to begin the work to secure fishing rights for the Falkland Islanders; and calls upon Government to make abundantly clear that there will be no turning our backs on the British Falkland Islanders due to this latest example of bravado from Argentina.

938K9 Search & Rescue

Tabled: 7/03/23 Signatories: 1

Carla Lockhart

That this House recognises the ongoing suffering of the people of Turkey and Syria as they continue to deal with the aftermath of devastation caused by the recent earthquake; commends all those organisations providing humanitarian support at this time of extreme need; thanks those such as K9 Search & Rescue from Northern Ireland who have travelled to the site of the earthquake to help find people buried alive in the rubble often in extremely hazardous environments; and pays tribute to the bravery of these volunteers, and the skill of their dogs, in providing this lifesaving support.

939Increases to registrants’ fees of the Health and Care Professions Council

Tabled: 7/03/23 Signatories: 1

Emma Hardy

That this House agrees that proposals to increase registrants’ fees of the Health and Care Professions Council by 20 per cent in July 2023 should be scrapped; notes that increasing registrant fees by this amount would add to the severe financial pressures amid a cost of living crisis, resulting in health and care staff struggling to pay these mandatory costs; further notes that the Health and Care Professions Council is independent of Government and is responsible for setting its registration fees policy and any changes must be ratified by Parliament; and calls on the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to intervene and protect registrants from this excessive hike in fees.

940Sir Christopher Wren

Tabled: 7/03/23 Signatories: 1

Sir Peter Bottomley

That this House recognises, on the 300th anniversary of his death, the life and achievements of Sir Christopher Wren, President of the Royal Society, including notably the design of over 50 churches in London, the Greenwich Hospital and the Wren Library, Trinity College, Cambridge; and agrees with his friend Robert Hooke that since the time of Archimedes there scarce ever met in one man in so great perfection such a mechanical hand and so philosophical mind.

941Care Quality Commission ratings

Tabled: 7/03/23 Signatories: 1

Margaret Greenwood

That this House acknowledges that the Care Quality Commission (CQC) states that a health and care service provider must display its CQC ratings on posters at its premises and on its website no later than 21 calendar days after the CQC has published them on its own website, even if the provider has submitted a request for a review of the ratings; notes that there are around one million people receiving domiciliary care in England, yet there is no requirement for providers of domiciliary care to inform the people who they care for about their CQC ratings other than by displaying their ratings online; believes that recipients of care in their own homes have the right to be directly informed about such ratings by providers; is concerned that the lack of such arrangements represents a failure to protect standards in domiciliary care and is an injustice to those who receive such services; calls on the Government to introduce requirements for providers of domiciliary care to inform the people in their care about their CQC ratings in a format that is accessible to the person in receipt of care, or their guardian, no later than 21 calendar days after the CQC has published them on its website, even if a provider has put in a request to review the ratings; and further calls on the Government to ensure that, where relevant, a person who has power of attorney over someone who receives domiciliary care receives such notification on their behalf.

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.

874Horizon Europe

Tabled: 21/02/23 Signatories: 14

Layla Moran

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

Tim Farron

Hywel Williams

Ben Lake

That this House celebrates the role of international collaboration in driving world leading research and innovation; notes the positive effect this has on productivity and competitiveness; recognises the continued benefit to British scientists and researchers which has accrued thanks to access to the Horizon schemes; notes with concern the significant delay to the UK gaining association as part of Horizon Europe which has resulted in British universities losing millions of pounds in funding and researchers relocating to Europe to more easily access funding there; further notes with concern the recent comments made by the new Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology that the UK is “ready” to pursue its own scheme, rather than take part in wide-scale collaboration with our neighbours that is of huge benefit to our country; and therefore calls on the Government to rule out this prospect and to recommit to gaining association with Horizon Europe as a matter of urgency.

875Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund Wee Box, Big Change Lent Appeal 2023

Tabled: 21/02/23 Signatories: 8

Brendan O'Hara

Jim Shannon

Angus Brendan MacNeil

Allan Dorans

Patrick Grady

Alison Thewliss

That this House welcomes the launch of Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund’s 2023 Wee Box, Big Change Lent Appeal; understands that this year's appeal aims to support families suffering from hunger in Zambia; understands that the Lent appeal will help fund work to act against hunger through supporting the creation of small vegetable gardens, teaching organic farming skills, gifting livestock such as pigs and goats that can produce natural fertiliser, as well as enabling communities to come together to sell their products at market, earning more money for everyone; notes that the appeal will also support activities that enable girls to focus on their education and provide support for women to feed and provide for their families; and wishes SCIAF’s Wee Box, Big Change campaign every success.

893VAT on audiobooks

Tabled: 23/02/23 Signatories: 37

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.

907Pakistan Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill 2023

Tabled: 28/02/23 Signatories: 6

Jim Shannon

Paul Girvan

Rachael Maskell

Sir Jeffrey M Donaldson

Patrick Grady

Ms Marie Rimmer

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.

912Hunger in East Africa

Tabled: 28/02/23 Signatories: 14

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.

913Scotland and fair trade

Tabled: 28/02/23 Signatories: 8

Patrick Grady

Allan Dorans

Jonathan Edwards

Stewart Hosie

Ben Lake

Hywel Williams

That this House notes the 10th anniversary on 25 February 2023 of Scotland being recognised as a Fair Trade Nation; further notes that recognition of this status commits national and local governments, communities, organisations and individuals to work towards and achieve targets for the use and promotion of fair trade products, and the use where possible of fair trade principles in the development of procurement and purchasing policies, with the aim of ensuring that the producers of goods, such as small farmers or garment workers in developing countries, are paid a fair price for their products; congratulates the many charitable organisations, fair trade shops and community groups that have worked for many years to attain and sustain local and regional Fair Trade awards, which contribute to the award at a national level; welcomes the series of events and activities organised by the Scottish Fair Trade Forum to mark the anniversary, and its commitment to continuing to raise awareness and understanding of the importance of fair trade to some of the poorest and most vulnerable people around the world and as a means of building economic partnerships that promote sustainability and tackle climate change; and wishes all those involved in the movement every success in working for the day when all trade is fair trade.

914Freedom of religion or belief in Iran

Tabled: 28/02/23 Signatories: 6

Alexander Stafford

Jonathan Edwards

Jim Shannon

Rachael Maskell

Patrick Grady

Ms Marie Rimmer

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.

919Glenrothes Knitting and Crochet Club 10th anniversary

Tabled: 1/03/23 Signatories: 5

Peter Grant

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Patrick Grady

Douglas Chapman

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: 29

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.

922Thistle Award to Glenmorangie House

Tabled: 2/03/23 Signatories: 4

Jamie Stone

Wendy Chamberlain

Patrick Grady

Douglas Chapman

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: 5

Sir Mike Penning

Rachael Maskell

Jonathan Edwards

Douglas Chapman

Richard Foord

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: 3

Alison Thewliss

Patrick Grady

Allan Dorans

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.

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

Tabled: 6/03/23 Signatories: 2

Apsana Begum

Jeremy Corbyn

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: 21

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: 2

Dan Carden

Jim Shannon

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: 4

Patricia Gibson

Allan Dorans

Douglas Chapman

Jim Shannon

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: 3

Alan Brown

Allan Dorans

Jim Shannon

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: 7

Daisy Cooper

Douglas Chapman

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

Wendy Chamberlain

Tim Farron

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: 4

Wera Hobhouse

Jonathan Edwards

Tim Farron

Richard Foord

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: 3

Martin Docherty-Hughes

Allan Dorans

Jim Shannon

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: 4

Geraint Davies

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

Richard Foord

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.