Contents

Published: Wednesday 15 March 2023

Early Day Motions tabled on Tuesday 14 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

963Ian Davis of Dunshalt, Fife

Tabled: 14/03/23 Signatories: 2

Wendy Chamberlain

Peter Grant

That this House records its great sadness at the sudden death of Ian Holland Davis from Dunshalt, Fife at the age of just 61 years; notes that Ian lost his entire life savings in the London Capital and Finance scandal and that he became increasingly frustrated at the difficulties he then encountered in attempting to ensure that those responsible for the fraud were fully brought to justice and that Government departments and regulatory agencies should be quicker and more open in acknowledging their own failings; places on record a deep concern that these experiences appear to have been significant factors in Ian’s tragic decision to end his own life; commends the dedicated work he carried out as a volunteer for the Transparency Task Force to try and make sure other investors were better protected than he was; further commends his courage in speaking publicly about how he became a victim of fraud; calls upon the Government to ensure that all agencies involved in the fight against fraud are properly resourced and held to account for their performance in protecting innocent people from fraud; and send its heartfelt condolences to Ian’s family and friends as they come to terms with their loss.

964An Irish Goodbye at the 95th Academy Awards

Tabled: 14/03/23 Signatories: 1

Carla Lockhart

That this House congratulates all those involved in An Irish Goodbye on their success in winning Best Live Action Short Film at the 95th Academy Awards; commends directors Tom Berkeley and Ross White for this remarkable achievement; and notes with acclaim the historic achievement of actor Jamie Moore on being the first person with Down's syndrome to win an Academy Award.

965Williamston Primary School's accreditation with the British Council International School Award

Tabled: 14/03/23 Signatories: 1

Hannah Bardell

This House congratulates the recent accreditation with the British Council International School Award achieved by Williamston Primary School; applauds the staff and pupils at Williamston Primary School on their award being celebrated at the International School Award celebrations, in recognition of their hard work; notes the importance of the British Council’s International School award is a framework for schools to incorporate international elements to their curriculum teaching and preparing young people for work in a global economy by increasing their understanding of other cultures; thanks the staff at Williamston Primary School for all their hard work to achieve this accreditation within the local Livingston Community; and wishes the school all the best for the year ahead.

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.

907Pakistan Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill 2023

Tabled: 28/02/23 Signatories: 9

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.

90850th anniversary of Action Cancer

Tabled: 28/02/23 Signatories: 5

Carla Lockhart

Paul Girvan

Jim Shannon

Patrick Grady

Margaret Ferrier

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.

910Phoenix Clinic and Resource Centre 30th birthday

Tabled: 28/02/23 Signatories: 4

Jim Shannon

Paul Girvan

Sir Jeffrey M Donaldson

Margaret Ferrier

That this House notes the 30th birthday of the Phoenix Clinic and Resource Centre in Newtownards; offers sincere congratulations on reaching this milestone; thanks all staff for the tremendous work that they do with young residents who live with a range of challenging illnesses and physical disabilities; and wishes them continued success as they provide care in a fun and exciting way for the years to come in the future.

911Death of John Motson

Tabled: 28/02/23 Signatories: 7

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

Sir Mike Penning

Paul Girvan

Sir Jeffrey M Donaldson

Carla Lockhart

That this House notes the passing of legendary football commentator John Motson OBE who passed away at the age of 77; notes the high esteem that he is held in by Northern Ireland Fans due to the coverage of Northern Ireland's World Cup group triumph over Spain in 1982; and conveys sincere sympathy to his family who will mourn the passing of this renowned giant in the world of sporting commentary.

912Hunger in East Africa

Tabled: 28/02/23 Signatories: 21

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: 17

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.

915Claremont Rambling Club: 40th Anniversary

Tabled: 28/02/23 Signatories: 6

Dr Lisa Cameron

Allan Dorans

Jim Shannon

Valerie Vaz

Chris Law

Margaret Ferrier

That this House congratulates Claremont Rambling Club in its 40th anniversary year; commemorates its founding members, Ann Stoddart and Cathy Kirk, who first put an advert looking for like-minded people to go rambling with in the local newspaper, East Kilbride News, in May 1983; notes the development of the club, its affiliation with the Ramblers Association, and the example it sets to other walking clubs subsequently set up in East Kilbride; recognises both the senior and junior members, with members up to 85 years-old; acknowledges the commendable and committed community spirit of the club, putting on regular activities that are considered a lifeline by many of the club’s older members; and congratulates Claremont Rambling Club for being awarded a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund, which will enable Claremont Rambling Club to continue to provide this valuable service to the community for years to come.

917Tribute to John Motson OBE

Tabled: 1/03/23 Signatories: 5

Sir Mike Penning

Jonathan Edwards

Jim Shannon

Carla Lockhart

Christine Jardine

That this House pays tribute to the late John Motson OBE, celebrated football commentator, until recently a long-time resident of Hemel Hempstead constituency, who sadly passed away at the age of 77; recognises his 50-year career at the BBC and that his commentaries for BBC Sport achieved iconic status and that he was one of the most recognisable voices in UK football for a whole generation; and sends condolences to his wife Ann, family and friends and mourns the passing of a football legend and a gentleman.

918Mongoose Plastics Ltd, Glenrothes 40th anniversary

Tabled: 1/03/23 Signatories: 5

Peter Grant

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

Margaret Ferrier

That this House congratulates Mongoose Plastics Ltd of Glenrothes on their 40th anniversary; notes that the family-run business was established on 14 February 1983 by George Cameron and the late Adam Gordon; acknowledges that Mongoose Plastics Ltd has extensive experience in plastic fabrication for a range of markets from the electronics industry to medical and automotive companies; commends Mongoose Plastics Ltd on their work to incorporate recycled plastics into their processes; recognises the significant positive impact that small businesses such as Mongoose Plastics have on local communities and the local economy; and wishes Mongoose Plastics Ltd well for the future.

919Glenrothes Knitting and Crochet Club 10th anniversary

Tabled: 1/03/23 Signatories: 7

Peter Grant

Jim Shannon

Allan Dorans

Patrick Grady

Douglas Chapman

Chris Law

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.

922Thistle Award to Glenmorangie House

Tabled: 2/03/23 Signatories: 6

Jamie Stone

Wendy Chamberlain

Patrick Grady

Douglas Chapman

Christine Jardine

Margaret Ferrier

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: 9

Sir Mike Penning

Rachael Maskell

Jonathan Edwards

Douglas Chapman

Richard Foord

Layla Moran

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.

927The Loan Charge

Tabled: 6/03/23 Signatories: 64

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.

931World Kidney Day 2023

Tabled: 6/03/23 Signatories: 12

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: 17

Wera Hobhouse

Jonathan Edwards

Tim Farron

Richard Foord

Wendy Chamberlain

Christine Jardine

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.

935Price of first class stamp

Tabled: 7/03/23 Signatories: 9

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

Sir Greg Knight

Allan Dorans

Sir Mike Penning

John McDonnell

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.

937Withdrawal from Falklands Agree to Disagree Pact

Tabled: 7/03/23 Signatories: 4

Jim Shannon

Sir Mike Penning

Carla Lockhart

Paul Girvan

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: 6

Carla Lockhart

Jim Shannon

John McDonnell

Stephen Farry

Paul Girvan

Margaret Ferrier

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: 14

Emma Hardy

Colum Eastwood

Jonathan Edwards

Jim Shannon

Kim Johnson

Karl Turner

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.

945Fife Whisky Festival and Support for artisanal spirit makers

Tabled: 8/03/23 Signatories: 6

Wendy Chamberlain

Jamie Stone

Jim Shannon

Chris Law

Margaret Ferrier

Christine Jardine

That this House applauds the sixth Fife Whisky Festival which took place from 3rd to 5th March 2023 for its sell-out success; notes the value of the festival to the 35 participating distilleries and independent bottlers from across Scotland; endorses the importance of festivals like the Fife Whisky Festival for showcasing national and local produce; celebrates the opportunity to share Scotch Whisky with overseas visitors from countries from Europe to the USA; further notes the value of Scotch Whisky to the Scottish and UK-wide economies including exports in 2022 worth £6.2 billion; notes that 11,000 people are directly employed through the industry in Scotland, while 42,000 across the UK are in jobs supported by the industry; expresses concern at the challenges facing distilleries due to the energy crisis; expresses further concern at the threat to artisanal spirit makers from high spirit duties; and calls on the Government to introduce simplified and fairer alcohol duties and to further support hospitality and tourism industries.

947Methilhill Community Children's Initiative

Tabled: 8/03/23 Signatories: 16

Peter Grant

Martin Docherty-Hughes

Drew Hendry

Jim Shannon

Alan Brown

Douglas Chapman

That this House sends its warmest congratulations to Methilhill Community Children’s Initiative (MCCI) on the occasion of its tenth anniversary; recalls that MCCI was established with the aim of providing opportunities for both formal and informal outdoor learning for young people living in one of the most deprived areas in Scotland; congratulates all those currently or previously involved with the charity on their outstanding success in delivering this objective; recognises the Methilhill Community Learning Garden as an iconic location in Methilhill, providing a safe and supportive environment for children of all ages; notes in particular the sense of achievement and increased self confidence seen in so many children and parents who visit the garden regularly; records its thanks to all of the volunteers, Trustees, Directors, staff, parents and funders who have contributed to the organisation’s success; and expresses the hope that the Methilhill Community Garden will remain a special and magical place for many years.

948PANS PANDAS UK Working Group Statement, 24 February 2023

Tabled: 8/03/23 Signatories: 5

Wendy Chamberlain

Jim Shannon

John McDonnell

Rachael Maskell

Tim Farron

That this House notes the statement dated 24 February 2023 from the PANS PANDAS Working Group aiming at improving standards of care for patients with symptoms of Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS); recognises that the working group included representatives of the British Paediatric Neurology Association, the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, the Royal College of Nursing, the Royal College of Occupational Therapy, the British Paediatric Allergy Infection and Immunology Group, independent social workers and parents of PANS or PANDAS patients, as well as being supported by NHS England; further notes the recommendation to follow existing international peer-reviewed and published treatment guidelines including considering initial antibiotic treatment; expresses concern that knowledge of these conditions and appropriate treatment is low among medical professional in the UK; further expresses concern that the International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision by the World Health Organisation which recognises PANS PANDAS has not yet been implemented in the UK; and calls on the Government to endorse the PANS PANDAS Working Group guidance, to provide associated diagnostic and treatment guidance to medical professionals, and to publish a timeline for the implementation of WHO ICD-11.

949Standardised numbering system for food allergens at point of sale

Tabled: 9/03/23 Signatories: 7

Sir Mike Penning

John McDonnell

Rachael Maskell

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

Margaret Ferrier

That this House recognises the increasing importance of allergen information being available at the point of sale or supply of food; believes that customers in restaurants and takeaways should have allergen information before buying and not have to ask for it; recognises that the UK and EU require mandatory labelling of the same 14 allergens listed in Annex II of EU regulation 1169/2011 where they are numbered 1 to 14; and calls on the Government to, either independently or working with the EU, adopt a common system where menus indicate which allergens are present using a standardised numbering system 1 to 14 as used in that Annex to that regulation.

950Women’s drug and alcohol treatment

Tabled: 9/03/23 Signatories: 17

Rachael Maskell

Kim Johnson

Caroline Lucas

Liz Saville Roberts

Kate Hollern

Beth Winter

That this House is alarmed to see the rate of both drug-related and alcohol-related deaths among women increase; notes that women face stigma, shame and many initial challenges to accessing treatment services; further notes that women have separate and specific requirements within treatment, including the need for safe, women-only spaces; recognises that, in the past, drug and alcohol treatment services have not consistently been designed or adapted for women, often failing to cater for their distinctive needs; acknowledges the positive steps taken in recent years in appointing Dame Carol Black as independent advisor on drugs and Dame Lesley Regan as women’s health ambassador; applauds the efforts of the Women’s Treatment Working Group, comprising drug and alcohol treatment providers at Collective Voice, in working to ensure that women receive appropriate, bespoke and effective services; and calls on the Government and local authorities to adopt consistent policies and comprehensive provision to meet women’s drug and alcohol treatment needs.

951The Bridgetown Agenda for global development finance

Tabled: 9/03/23 Signatories: 11

Liam Byrne

John McDonnell

Rachael Maskell

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

Chris Law

That this House notes that extreme poverty has risen for the first time this century; highlights on current trends 3 billion people will still be living on less than $6.85 by 2030; further notes that 200 million children’s lives are threatened by malnourishment; fragility and violence is spreading; learning losses amongst children during Covid could reduce future worldwide earnings by $21 trillion; acknowledges that developing countries need $5.8-5.9 trillion before 2030 to meet their emission reduction targets; notes that the cost of climate finance for developing countries is substantially higher than in richer countries and total gross debt in developing countries has reached the highest level for 50 years; welcomes the recent surge in World Bank lending, the first wave of IMF Resilience and Growth Trust agreements and proposals tabled by the Prime Minister of Barbados to transform the scale of global development finance; and calls on the Government to substantially increase the on-lending of UK Special Drawing Rights via the IMF, to mobilise an alliance of nations to on-lend SDRs to multi-lateral development banks, to advocate for the G20 review of MDB Capital Adequacy Frameworks recommendations by allowing loans against shareholders callable capital, to mobilise support for an increase in subscribed capital for World Bank; to advocate for reform of the World Bank’s mission to include reference to sustainability and resilience, to explore proposals for a Global Resilience Trust seeded by Special Drawing Rights, to present to Parliament proposals to restructure unsustainable debt burdens of vulnerable countries and to take steps to return UK aid to 0.7% of GDP.

952Friends 4u Group: National Lottery community funding

Tabled: 13/03/23 Signatories: 3

Marion Fellows

Allan Dorans

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates the Friends 4u Group, based in Motherwell and Wishaw constituency, on receiving a grant of £3,900 from the National Lottery Community Fund; understands that this funding will be used to make improvements to a garden used by adults with learning disabilities from all over North Lanarkshire; notes that the Friends 4u Group was set up and is run by volunteers who dedicate their time to ensuring its users have a safe space to enjoy a range of activities; and acknowledges the positive impact this has on users and their carers.

953North Lanarkshire Disability Forum: National Lottery community funding

Tabled: 13/03/23 Signatories: 3

Marion Fellows

Allan Dorans

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates North Lanarkshire Disability Forum, based in Motherwell and Wishaw constituency, on receiving a grant of £34,190 from the National Lottery Community Fund; understands that this funding will be used to deliver their cost of living support to aid people with a disability and, or, a long-term condition and their carers, so that they can stay financially independent; notes that North Lanarkshire Disability Forum provides a vital service for disabled people through their PATH project, which helps service users remain informed of their choices; and wishes North Lanarkshire Disability Forum the best with all its future endeavours.

954P&O Ferries one year on

Tabled: 13/03/23 Signatories: 9

Karl Turner

Grahame Morris

John McDonnell

Ian Mearns

Mr Alistair Carmichael

Gavin Newlands

That this House is concerned that no sanctions have been imposed on P&O Ferries, DP World or flag states for the openly unlawful dismissal of 786 directly employed UK seafarers on 17 March 2022; is alarmed that despite the Government’s announcement of its Nine Point Plan on P&O Ferries on 30 March 2022, P&O Ferries’ agency crews are still being paid as low as £3.96 per hour and work unsafe roster patterns of up to 17 weeks at sea; is also concerned that the Insolvency Service decided, without conducting a public interest test, not to prosecute P&O Ferries for criminal offences; notes that a Seafarers Charter based on collectively bargained terms and conditions still has not been agreed; supports the RMT and Nautilus International’s call for mandatory sectoral bargaining through fair pay agreements in the ferry industry, prohibition of seafarer discrimination, stronger trade union and employment rights, excluding DP World from Freeport tax reliefs and revoking P&O Ferries' Royal Charter; and calls on the Government to work with the maritime unions in adopting these measures as part of a new deal for UK seafarers.

955BBC impartiality

Tabled: 13/03/23 Signatories: 8

Karl Turner

Daisy Cooper

Kate Osborne

Kenny MacAskill

Stewart Hosie

Tommy Sheppard

That this House notes with deep concern the recent saga at the BBC surrounding Match of the Day host Gary Lineker and the lack of appropriate leadership from Richard Sharp, chair of the BBC; believes that this matter highlights a serious failure in implementing proper, politically impartial leadership at the BBC, which has put its reputation as one of Britain's most trusted institutions in question; and calls for the immediate resignation of Richard Sharp.

956Winston's Wish

Tabled: 13/03/23 Signatories: 14

Christine Jardine

Tim Farron

Stewart Hosie

Jamie Stone

Jim Shannon

Helen Morgan

That this House notes the work of the childhood bereavement charity, Winston’s Wish; congratulates the charity on reaching its 30th anniversary in 2022; notes that they supported over 30,000 children in 2022; further notes with concern the lack of automatic support available for bereaved children upon the death of a parent; also notes with concern that there is no official data available for the number of children in need of support; applauds the wide range of services they provide for bereaved children including support groups, hotlines, online chats and email support; wishes Winston’s Wish every success for 2023; and urges the Government to introduce a new register of bereaved children to ensure no child is alone when they lose a parent or guardian.

957Leon's law campaign and mental health reform

Tabled: 13/03/23 Signatories: 6

Layla Moran

Tim Farron

Jim Shannon

Richard Foord

Christine Jardine

Wendy Chamberlain

That this House expresses both its condolences and celebration of the life of Leon Gledhill, who tragically died four years ago; recognises that Leon is missed by all and sends deepest condolences to his family and friends; expresses support for the tireless campaigning of his mother, Dianne Martin, who is raising awareness of the gaps in the mental health system that contributed to Leon’s death; calls on the Government to increase support for mental health services across the country; further calls on the Government to introduce a legislative backstop enabling certain third parties to refer people who were subject to orders under the Mental Health Act 1983 to adult mental health services on safeguarding grounds; believes that this change will stop people falling through gaps in the system, and make sure no other family has to experience what Leon’s family have; and calls on the Covernment to bring forward the Mental Health Bill with utmost urgency, to make the desperately needed reforms to mental health system.

958Endometriosis Awareness Month 2023

Tabled: 13/03/23 Signatories: 7

Jim Shannon

Paul Girvan

Tim Farron

Carla Lockhart

Stewart Hosie

Christine Jardine

That this House celebrates the work of Endometriosis UK in spreading awareness of the impacts of living with endometriosis; notes that endometriosis impacts over 1.5 million people in the UK, accounting for 10 to 15 per cent of reproductive women; further notes that it currently takes an average of eight years to be diagnosed, a statistic that hasn't decreased in over a decade and that the number of women in Northern Ireland waiting for a gynaecology outpatient appointment has more than doubled in seven years, with 28,511 patients waiting as of September 2021 and over 10,000 waiting for more than 52 weeks; highlights that there is no known cause for endometriosis and nearly all women surveyed stated it had affected their mental health, career, relationships and education; further highlights that this has a direct impact on women's fertility and around half of women stated the impacts of this had led to suicidal thoughts; sincerely thanks Endometriosis UK and other charities who do their best to raise awareness on this issue on a daily basis; and urges the Government to allocate ringfenced funding to NHS research to enable those suffering with endometriosis to have access to the help and treatment they deserve.

959Social care staffing and a national care service

Tabled: 13/03/23 Signatories: 17

Margaret Greenwood

Grahame Morris

Mick Whitley

Charlotte Nichols

Mohammad Yasin

Tony Lloyd

That this House expresses concern that there are around 165,000 vacancies in social care in England and that, as of 2020-21, the average hourly pay in independent care homes in England was just £9.01; is further concerned about separate reports that England is projected to need close to 500,000 more care staff by the middle of the next decade; believes that the Government has no credible plan to address the shortage of staff in the social care sector; recognises the impact that chronic staffing shortages in the social care sector can have on unpaid carers, with many forced to give up their careers to look after a loved one; further recognises that many unpaid carers are struggling financially as a result of their caring role, with an increasing number unable to afford their utility bills; calls on the Government to work with stakeholders, including unpaid carers and other people with lived experience, to bring forward plans for a national care service ensuring that care is delivered for people, not for profit.

960Lisa Sultana

Tabled: 13/03/23 Signatories: 4

Dr Lisa Cameron

Allan Dorans

Jim Shannon

Margaret Ferrier

That this House congratulates Lisa Sultana for her fundraising successes in Strathaven; recognises her creative and determined efforts in setting up a Facebook group and raffling prizes to raise money for charity, especially for food banks; notes how this not only encouraged the local community in the midst of the covid-19 pandemic, but also raised over £20,000; applauds the wider community for their generous giving of money, gifts and daily essentials; commends the further contribution made by Lisa's outstanding efforts to install the first book vending machine in Scotland; recognises that it is estimated that 560 books that will be handed out to school children as a result of this work; and wishes Lisa the very best in her future endeavours and wider ambition for every learning establishment in deprived areas in Scotland to be given a book vending machine.

961Menzieshill House Generations Working Together Excellence Awards

Tabled: 13/03/23 Signatories: 4

Chris Law

Allan Dorans

Stewart Hosie

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates the staff, residents and volunteers at Dundee’s Menzieshill House on their award at the 2023 Generations Working Together Excellence Awards; recognises that Menzieshill House were Highly Commended in the 2023 Awards in recognition of their work towards tackling age discrimination; further recognises that this followed their Award as Highly Commended in the 2022 Awards in recognition of their work towards enabling inclusive communities; notes that since pandemic restrictions were lifted, Menzieshill House have worked incredibly hard to re-establish links to the local community, including with Tayview Primary School and Menzieshill Nursery, and that residents have greatly appreciated their visits from local nursery and school children; further notes that Menzieshill House supports local high school children working towards their SVQ 2 Award, bringing through and cultivating a new generation of dedicated carers; thanks all staff at Menzieshill House for their hard work to look after and care for vulnerable members of our local Dundee communities; and wishes all staff, residents, family members and volunteers all the best for the year ahead.

962St Francis Boxing Club 65th anniversary

Tabled: 13/03/23 Signatories: 5

Chris Law

Allan Dorans

Stewart Hosie

Jim Shannon

Patrick Grady

That this House congratulates St Francis Boxing Club on the occasion of its 65th Anniversary; notes that the club will celebrate its anniversary by hosting opposition from County Tyrone in Northern Ireland at the Lynch Centre in May; recognises that the 65th anniversary follows the sad passing of the club’s founder, Frank Hendry, in May last year; celebrates the importance of boxing in Dundee’s local communities; further celebrates the many historic contributions by members of St Francis Boxing Club to Dundee’s sporting history; and wishes all at St Francis Boxing Club all the best for the future.