Commons business papers

Contents

Published: Wednesday 17 May 2023

Early Day Motions tabled on Tuesday 16 May 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

1169Potential merits of new legislation on mandatory corporate due diligence

Tabled: 16/05/23 Signatories: 6

Tony Lloyd

Caroline Lucas

Ben Lake

Alison Thewliss

Wera Hobhouse

Sammy Wilson

This House welcomes the campaign for a new UK mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence law in connection with supply chains; notes that more than 100,000 people in the UK have signed a petition asking the Government to hold business, finance and the public sector to account when they fail to prevent supply chain human rights abuses and environmental harms; notes also that businesses and investors have backed such legislation to level the playing field, and that similar laws are being introduced in other countries; and calls on the Government to adopt such a law as soon as possible.

11702023 Welsh Disc Golf Open at Felin Geri

Tabled: 16/05/23 Signatories: 1

Ben Lake

That this House congratulates the organisers of the 2023 Welsh Open held at Felin Geri, Cwm Cou, as part of both the Quaich Tour and the BDGA Pro Am Tour; commends the contestants for the high quality of play and the positivity of the event; notes that Disc Golf is growing in popularity; looks forward to the establishment of further Disc Golf courses in Wales and the UK; and encourages people to reach out to their local disc golf association to get involved with this fun, social, and accessible sport.

1171Kandy Bar Bakery

Tabled: 16/05/23 Signatories: 1

Patricia Gibson

That this House congratulates Kandy Bar of Saltcoats, West Kilbride and Kilwinning on adding to its already numerous accolades by winning awards at the Scottish Baker of the Year awards ceremony 2023; understands that this unique competition, organised by Scottish Bakers, receives over 630 submissions of baked goods from 70 bakeries, which are tasted by 50 industry experts who evaluate their appearance, baking quality and taste; recognises the achievements of the Kandy Bar in gaining national bronze awards and regional silver award for their Scotch morning rolls as well as a national bronze award for their potato scones and a regional bronze award for their party faced biscuits; acknowledges that this recognition comes in the wake of its previous wins at the 22nd World Championship Scotch Pie Awards of 2022; appreciates that the Scottish Baker of the Year awards recognise the excellence and creativity required to provide quality fresh produce, made from locally sourced ingredients; further understands that the Kandy Bar is a family business, which is well patronised by local residents; commends the owners Stephen and Rona McAllister who, with their dedicated and skilled staff, work so diligently in the bakery’s fast paced environment; is aware that Kandy Bar, established in 1929 by the McAllister family, has become an institution across North Ayrshire; and wishes the bakery and its staff continued success providing products and service to customers across North Ayrshire.

1172Christian Aid Week 2023

Tabled: 16/05/23 Signatories: 1

Jim Shannon

That this House celebrates Christian Aid Week 2023, marked from 14 to 20 May 2023; notes that for over 75 years, they have stood together in solidarity with some of the world's most marginalised global neighbours of all different faiths; further notes the tremendous work undertaken in helping those in poverty and that Christian Aid seeks to eradicate extreme poverty by tackling its root causes; highlights the importance of their four values of equality, dignity, justice and love, and how these are motivators in helping to achieve the best for other people who are less fortunate; further highlights hope being founded on God's promise of a world without poverty, where everyone has life in all its fullness, and that we can get to a place where the world can be restored and transformed; thanks them dearly for their work to those who are struggling globally; and wishes them all the best for another 10 years of success and dedication to others.

117321 years of Cloughey and District Community Association

Tabled: 16/05/23 Signatories: 1

Jim Shannon

That this House celebrates 21 years of Cloughey and District Community Association, in Strangford constituency, that has a group of local volunteers and staff, who put tremendous efforts into serving local communities of Cloughey and surrounding areas; highlights their local community help-outs, especially in terms of litter picking, beach clean-ups and providing a defibrillator for the local area; notes their social media pages, which are all incredibly active, providing local residents with notices and up to date events; thanks them for all their hard work in the rural village of Cloughey; and wishes their team all the best for the future.

1174Access to justice and challenges to parking fines

Tabled: 16/05/23 Signatories: 1

Mr Barry Sheerman

That this House notes the importance of private car park provision in urban areas; is aware of the need for ticketing systems and consequent fines for users not abiding by car park regulations; highlights the need for fair and equitable access to justice; acknowledges the requirement for the County Court Business Centre to allow adequate processes for individuals wishing to challenge court fine decisions; is concerned by the efficiency of the County Court Business Centre to accommodate such requirements; regrets the difficulty for people to obtain justice within current County Court Business Centre provisions; and calls on the Ministry of Justice to further support the County Court Business Centre to provide fair and transparent access to justice.

1175The DalesRail service

Tabled: 16/05/23 Signatories: 1

Tim Farron

That this House recognises the value of the DalesRail charter service which connects Blackpool, Blackburn and Clitheroe to the Yorkshire Dales and Cumbria; is saddened at Northern Rail’s cancellation of the charter for summer 2023; understands its importance in increasing tourism and hospitality to the area; appreciates its role in enabling families, walking groups and people young and old to explore more of the North West; identifies its crucial ability to ease congestion on small, busy roads and reducing the amount of carbon we emit in our national parks; and calls on Northern to fix its ongoing staffing issues so that the DalesRail service may be up and running for people to enjoy the Yorkshire Dales and the Eden Valley next summer.

1176National Union of Journalists' proposed strike action in Northern Ireland

Tabled: 16/05/23 Signatories: 1

Colum Eastwood

That this House commends the National Union of Journalists for its planned strike action aimed at opposing cuts to jobs and programmes across the BBC in Northern Ireland; recognises the need to maintain local programming such as the Radio Foyle Breakfast show, which has been cut by BBC executives; further recognises the vital role played by Radio Foyle in providing news, information and entertainment to the people of Northern Ireland; acknowledges the adverse impact that these cuts would have on the quality and diversity of media coverage in the region; notes the importance of independent journalism in promoting transparency, accountability and democratic discourse; and urges the Government and BBC executives to reverse the cuts and engage in meaningful dialogue with the National Union of Journalists and other stakeholders to ensure the preservation of essential media services in Northern Ireland.

1177Derry Senior Men's Football Team, Ulster final victory

Tabled: 16/05/23 Signatories: 1

Colum Eastwood

That this House congratulates the Derry Senior Men's Football Team on their win over Armagh on Sunday 14 May 2023, winning back-to-back Ulster finals, with a 3-1 penalty shoot-out after an extra time draw of Derry 1-15 to Armagh’s 0-18; notes that this showcased their exceptional talent and determination; and applauds the players, coaching staff and support personnel for their tireless efforts in preparing for and executing a highly competitive and successful match, epitomising the positive role the Gaelic Athletic Association plays in communities across Ireland and Britain.

1178Funding for the Pathway Fund in Northern Ireland

Tabled: 16/05/23 Signatories: 1

Colum Eastwood

That this House expresses deep concern and disappointment regarding the proposed termination of the Pathway Fund in Northern Ireland as announced by the Department of Education following cuts imposed by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; notes the devastating impact this decision will have on the 13 registered providers of early years education and learning provision within Foyle constituency; further notes the significant positive outcomes achieved by these organisations in supporting children at risk of educational disadvantage; recognises the crucial role of early years investment in building a strong foundation for children's future development; acknowledges the importance of access to safe and nurturing environments for disadvantaged children and the severe consequences of job losses and reduced services resulting from the removal of the Pathway Fund; and urges the Department of Education and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to reverse the cuts and guarantee the continuation of the Pathway Fund beyond June 2023.

1179Derry Girls receipt of BAFTA TV Awards

Tabled: 16/05/23 Signatories: 1

Colum Eastwood

That this House congratulates the cast, crew and production team of Derry Girls for their outstanding achievements at the BAFTA TV Awards; commends Lisa McGee, the show’s writer, on receiving the BAFTA for scripted comedy, and Siobhán McSweeney for winning the award for best female performance in a comedy programme; acknowledges the significant impact of Derry Girls in capturing the spirit of teenage life during the Troubles in Northern Ireland; recognises the show’s ability to find humour in challenging circumstances and its universal appeal; and appreciates the dedication and talent displayed by the entire Derry Girls team in promoting a positive version of Derry City and its people.

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.

1118Freedom of expression and use of counter-terrorism powers (No. 2)

Tabled: 2/05/23 Signatories: 13

John McDonnell

Jon Trickett

Claudia Webbe

Liz Saville Roberts

Ben Lake

Hywel Williams

That this House is extremely concerned about Ernest Moret, foreign rights manager of French publisher La Fabrique who, whilst en route to the London Book Fair, was arrested by British Police under Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act on suspicion of having participated in recent protests against pension reforms in France; notes that whilst he has now been released from police custody on bail, his phone and work computer are have been seized so data can be extracted, and he has been summoned to attend a further meeting with the anti-Terror unit in four weeks’ time under threat of legal sanctions; joins organisations such as the National Union of Journalists and PEN International in believing that this incident represents a dangerous precedent for anyone concerned to protect freedom of expression including press and academic freedom and the protection of confidential sources and material; and therefore calls for an urgent review to ensure that Schedule 7 powers are not being abused to suppress democratic and human rights and criminalise political dissent in the UK or overseas.

1119Firefighters Memorial Day 2023

Tabled: 2/05/23 Signatories: 25

Zarah Sultana

Sir Mike Penning [R]

Jim Shannon

Jon Trickett

Claudia Webbe

Kim Johnson

That this House joins with firefighters across the UK to mark Firefighters Memorial Day, remembering the bravery and sacrifice of over 2,300 firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty, including firefighter Barry Martin who was critically injured whilst tackling a fire in Edinburgh in January 2023 and died a short time later of his injuries; extends its sympathies to all bereaved families of fallen firefighters; acknowledges the good work of the Fire Brigades Union's Red Plaque project and Firefighters Memorial Trust in honouring firefighters who have lost their lives serving and protecting their communities with commemorative ceremonies to unveil plaques recording their names across the country and on the Firefighters Memorial near St Paul’s Cathedral; applauds the selflessness and commitment of all UK firefighters who every day stand ready to risk their own lives to save others and to protect their communities from fires, floods, terror attacks and numerous other emergency situations; and recognises and pays tribute to the work of firefighters throughout the pandemic, and stands in solidarity with the families of firefighters who lost their lives to covid.

1127Extrajudicial executions in Iran

Tabled: 3/05/23 Signatories: 18

John McDonnell

Chris Stephens

Caroline Lucas

Jon Trickett

Apsana Begum

Jonathan Edwards

That this House wishes to express its deep concern at the extrajudicial executions of Mohamad Reza Mashhadi Farahani, Hossein Jazy, Hamid Saied Mozafari, Sayed Farhad Hoseini, Ali Basaki, Ezatolah Shahbazi, Nika Shakarami, Shirzad Ahmadinezad, Ebrahim Rigi, Masoumeh and Aida Rostami by the Iranian State; sends condolences to the family and friends of the victims; condemns the actions of the Iranian Regime in perpetrating these crimes; and urges the Government to call on the Islamic Republic of Iran to stop executing protestors and to stop violating women's and citizens' rights and freedoms.

1130Potential merits of a Sudanese Family Scheme visa

Tabled: 9/05/23 Signatories: 9

Hywel Williams

Liz Saville Roberts

Ben Lake

Jim Shannon

Sir Peter Bottomley

Chris Stephens

That this House calls for the creation of a Sudanese Family Scheme visa for Sudanese people affected by the ongoing conflict in Sudan; notes civilians have become trapped in Khartoum without access to water, electricity, and access to food or medical care as the city is bombarded by rival factions; acknowledges the success of the Homes for Ukraine scheme as a viable means of helping people flee from war zones to join relatives and families in the UK; and calls on the UK Government to do its part to help the displaced families of Sudan and renew its efforts to help end the fighting.

1133Hereditary angioedema awareness day (No. 2)

Tabled: 9/05/23 Signatories: 26

Deidre Brock

Martyn Day

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

Anne McLaughlin

Allan Dorans

Marion Fellows

That this House celebrates Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) day on Tuesday 16 May 2023; recognises that HAE has a significant impact on patient lives and can cause unpredictable potentially life-threatening attacks; commends the important work patient organisations, such as HAE UK, and leading immunology specialists have done to support and advocate for those living with HAE; applauds the ambition for patients to experience zero swelling episodes or attacks; welcomes the commitments of the Rare Disease Framework to improve health outcomes for rare disease populations; and urges policymakers to recognise the need to increase clinical awareness of rare diseases, prioritise quality of life in treatment guidelines, improve shared decision-making processes, and ensure better access to psychological support.

1135World Inflammatory Bowel Disease Day 2023

Tabled: 9/05/23 Signatories: 16

Mr Virendra Sharma

Jonathan Edwards

Jim Shannon

Dr Philippa Whitford

Chris Stephens

Christine Jardine

That this House welcomes World Inflammatory Bowel Disease Day on 19 May; understands that there are over 500,000 people in the UK living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease, the two main forms of which are Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis; appreciates the work of Crohn’s & Colitis UK’s Early Diagnosis campaign, which puts a focus on the importance of early diagnosis of Crohn’s and Colitis; notes with concern that more than a quarter of people wait longer than one year for a diagnosis and that many people have to visit A&E departments for emergency treatment; further understands that delays in diagnosis can impact hugely on quality of life, disrupting education and work; regrets that patients who wait longest to be diagnosed with Crohn’s or Colitis are two to four times more likely to have complex disease that requires surgery; understands that reducing delays to diagnosis will improve the quality of life of patients, while reducing the wider costs to the NHS; and urges the Government to invest in a public campaign to raise awareness of digestive and bowel disease to improve diagnosis over the next five years.

1142Legal aid funding

Tabled: 9/05/23 Signatories: 11

Rebecca Long Bailey

Jonathan Edwards

Mary Kelly Foy

Jim Shannon

Dan Carden

Beth Winter

This House notes that the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 came into force in April 2013, significantly limiting the scope and eligibility for legal aid; notes that the Westminster Commission on Legal Aid’s Inquiry in 2021 found that the public values legal aid as part of the state-funded safety net; acknowledges that the 2021 Legal Aid Practitioners Group Census indicates that the majority of practitioners currently working in legal aid reported that they had faced financial barriers to entering the sector, that training opportunities for new entrants are limited, and that there were poor rates of financial remuneration and challenging working conditions; further notes that, for criminal legal aid, the Government has committed to fee increases of just 9 per cent in 2023, increasing to 11 per cent in 2024, constituting a real-terms cut, contrary to the recommendations from the Independent Review of Criminal Legal Aid (CLAIR) which recommended an immediate minimum 15 per cent increase, resulting in the Law Society issuing proceedings against the Ministry of Justice; calls on the Government to urgently implement the CLAIR recommendations for criminal legal aid reform, including the recommended pay increase; further notes that, for civil legal aid, the Westminster Commission recommended a range of immediate changes to relieve pressures in legal aid service provision and workforce recruitment and retention while a national review of civil legal aid is ongoing; and calls on the Government to implement those changes with urgency.

1143Housing legal aid

Tabled: 9/05/23 Signatories: 13

Rebecca Long Bailey

Jonathan Edwards

Jon Trickett

Mary Kelly Foy

Jim Shannon

Dan Carden

That this House notes that the housing system is in crisis and that many consider local authority housing services to be at breaking point; further notes that, as a result, services that provide free housing legal advice are in overwhelming demand; also notes this is compounded by half of all law centres in England and Wales closing over the past decade due to central funding cuts and many law firms suspending provision of legal aid services, resulting in the national expansion of housing legal aid deserts estimated to affect 12.45 million people in England and Wales, according to research by LexisNexis; acknowledges that having access to legal advice is fundamental to upholding the rule of law and that legal aid is a critical safety net to protect people’s rights, which, in the context of housing advice, facilitates people finding and keeping a home or upholding rights as tenants and owners; calls on the Government to restore the Local Housing Allowance rates to account for rent increases, to invest in social housing, and to bring forward the Renters Reform Bill; and further calls on the Government to implement the policies suggested by the Renters' Reform Coalition to ensure safe, secure and affordable homes for all including abolishing no fault evictions, provide emergency funding to local authority homelessness services, introduce rent controls and an evictions ban similar to Scotland, provide emergency funding to the legal aid system and advice services, and expand legal aid scope and eligibility to improve access to justice.

1147Illegal Migration Bill

Tabled: 9/05/23 Signatories: 15

Stuart C McDonald

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

Jonathan Edwards

Allan Dorans

Dr Philippa Whitford

Patrick Grady

That this House believes the proposals in the Illegal Migration Bill contravene international law, including the Refugee Convention, the European Convention on Human Rights, the European Convention on Action Against Trafficking and the Convention on the Rights of the Child; considers that the Bill will effectively close the UK’s asylum system and undermine the ability of trafficking victims to access protection; regrets the rushed timetable for the Bill’s passage through the House, including the lack of a bill committee, and the short committee stage; regrets the failure of the Government to allow proper scrutiny of its policies, including by failing to publish its impact assessment; notes that there was no mention of any proposals resembling those found in the Bill in the general election manifesto of any party represented in the House; and in light of the grave consequences of the Bill and the failure of scrutiny by this House, calls on Members of the House of Lords to vote against the Bill.

1150Workers' Educational Association 120th anniversary

Tabled: 9/05/23 Signatories: 28

Kim Johnson

Jonathan Edwards

Jon Trickett

Mary Kelly Foy

Sir Peter Bottomley

Mick Whitley

That this House congratulates the WEA on its 120th anniversary; recognises that the organisation was founded in 1903 as the Workers’ Educational Association; highlights that it provides community adult education and has supported hundreds of thousands of adult learners in England and Scotland; praises the WEA for bringing adult learning within reach for people of all backgrounds, with 42 per cent of WEA learners living in disadvantaged postcode areas; acknowledges that WEA courses support adult learners to gain qualifications and to progress into employment; further acknowledges that WEA learners also report improved mental health, better connections to their local communities and improved confidence to deal with life’s challenges; notes that, in 2023, the WEA stays true to its founders’ commitment to challenging educational inequality; and looks forward to WEA learners enjoying courses for many more years to come.

1151Clydebank FC 2005s, Scottish Cup Champions

Tabled: 10/05/23 Signatories: 4

Martin Docherty-Hughes

Chris Law

Patrick Grady

Allan Dorans

That this House congratulates the players and coaches of Clydebank FC 2005s on winning the InspireSport Scottish Youth FA Cup Final after defeating Hillwood FC 2005s 2-0; believes this is a fantastic achievement and is the culmination of a great deal of hard work and team work; and wishes the players and coaches well in their future endeavours.

1152Food workers, prices and poverty

Tabled: 10/05/23 Signatories: 30

Ian Mearns [R]

Ian Byrne

Olivia Blake

Beth Winter

Jeremy Corbyn

Chris Stephens

That this House is shocked by the findings of the Foodworkers on the Breadline report published by the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union based on a recent survey of members working in food manufacturing and retail; notes that, alarmingly, four in ten respondents reported having to skip meals for financial reasons, whilst one in five report using food banks themselves; believes that it is utterly unacceptable that, at a time when food prices have hit levels not seen in the UK for decades, workers are left unable to afford the products of their own labour; calls for trade unions to be invited to participate in the forthcoming UK Food Summit; urges immediate Government action to raise pay throughout food supply chains, outlaw exploitative zero hours contracts, whilst also tackling the culture of rampant corporate profiteering, particularly by the big supermarkets; and supports the incorporation of a statutory Right to Food in UK legislation.

1153S-Mart Social Supermarket

Tabled: 10/05/23 Signatories: 3

Dave Doogan

Chris Law

Allan Dorans

That this House commends the efforts of the S-Mart Social Supermarket in Forfar to tackle poverty and food waste in their community; notes that since opening in 2020, the enterprise has saved more than 300 tonnes of food going to landfill, the equivalent of 730,000 meals; recognises the wide range of support and services on offer, including space for local SMEs, employment training, work placements, money management support, sustainable clothing, a community café and an outdoor town garden; congratulates CEO Pauline Lockhart and her team for the immense social benefit they provide to their community; and wishes them well for the future.

1154Uddingston Hockey Club

Tabled: 10/05/23 Signatories: 3

Angela Crawley

Chris Law

Allan Dorans

That this House congratulates Uddingston Hockey Club following their success in the 2022-23 Women’s Scottish Plate; notes that Uddingston defeated Grange 2-1 in the final at the National Hockey Centre at Glasgow Green after defeating Perthshire, University of Strathclyde and Erskine Stewarts Melville to reach the final; acknowledges that Uddingston’s victory was achieved with an average squad of age 18, which signals a bright future for the club; recognises that their success comes just two years after their promotion to the Premiership; commends Lucy Hogarth and Amber Wade for scoring the goals in the final; praises their teammates, coach Connor Evans and the coaching staff for their collective efforts and determination to succeed; and further congratulates Uddingston on being named EuroHockey Club of the Year for large clubs this season.

115575th anniversary of the Nakba

Tabled: 11/05/23 Signatories: 9

Layla Moran [R]

Patrick Grady

Caroline Lucas

Jamie Stone

Julie Elliott

Munira Wilson

That this House notes that Monday 15 May 2023 marks 75 years since 750,000 Palestinians were expelled or fled from Palestine in what is now known as the Nakba; notes that there are now over five and a half million Palestinian refugees worldwide and supports these refugees' rights in line with international law; affirms the need for the Government to continue to fund UNRWA' which carries out important work with and for Palestinian refugees; further recalls the 800,000 Jews who fled or were expelled from Arab states from 1948 onwards; further notes the ongoing occupation of Palestinian territories in the West Bank and Gaza by the Israeli authorities; calls on the Government to immediately recognise an independent Palestinian state which will help breathe new life into the peace process; and urges the Government to continue to pursue a two-state solution and a lasting peace in the region.

1156Remembering Leah Sharibu on the occasion of her 20th birthday

Tabled: 11/05/23 Signatories: 7

Brendan O'Hara

Hywel Williams

Ben Lake

Liz Saville Roberts

Patrick Grady

Chris Law

That this House sends its sincere best wishes, as well as its renewed hopes for her speedy release from captivity, to Leah Sharibu on the occasion of her 20th birthday on 14 May; notes with deep regret that this will be the sixth birthday Leah has had to face since being kidnapped and held in sexual slavery by Islamic State West Africa Province following their 2018 attack a girl’s school in Dapchi, Yobe State, Nigeria, in which they killed five of the girls and abducted 104 others; recognises that of all the kidnapped girls, Leah is the only one who remains in captivity, reportedly because of her refusal to renounce her Christian faith and convert to Islam; understands that there is credible evidence to say that Leah is still alive; and therefore amplifies the oft repeated call for the government and the Nigerian authorities to do everything they can to secure Leah’s timely release and allow her to be reunited with her family.

1157Express direct rail services between Stirling and London

Tabled: 11/05/23 Signatories: 4

Alyn Smith

Patrick Grady

Chris Law

Allan Dorans

That this House welcomes the proposals of Grand Union Trains to open a new train service from Stirling to London Euston; notes that Grand Union has been granted the right to introduce a similar service between London Paddington and Carmarthen; believes that a new direct service between Stirling and London will improve connectivity with calls along the route in Falkirk, Lanarkshire and South West Scotland as well as through England; further notes that the route will support the creation of approximately 100 jobs, primarily in Scotland and North West England whilst also reducing congestion along existing routes from Glasgow and Edinburgh to London and attract passengers from air reducing emissions; and further believes that the introduction of new train operators will provide higher quality rail travel at lower consumer costs which will help improve transport links across these islands.

1158Alzheimer Scotland and Dementia Awareness Week

Tabled: 11/05/23 Signatories: 11

Kirsten Oswald

Hywel Williams

Ben Lake

Liz Saville Roberts

Patrick Grady

Richard Burgon

That this House recognsies Dementia Action Week in England and Wales which is taking place from 16 to 22 May and Dementia Awareness Week in Scotland which is taking place from 29 May to 4 June; understands this year’s Dementia Awareness Week in Scotland focuses on tackling the stigma faced by people living with dementia, particularly those who face it earlier in life; highlights the important work carried out by Alzheimer Scotland, Scotland’s national dementia charity, which provides support and information for people with dementia, their loved ones, and carers; notes the wide range of services offered by Alzheimer Scotland, including 25 Dementia Resource Centres across the country which provide safe and friendly environments for people with dementia to visit and take part in therapeutic activity groups, a 24-hour freephone Dementia Helpline which provides information and emotional support to those living with dementia, and a network of Dementia Advisors and Post Diagnostic Support Link Workers working in local communities to support people with a diagnosis; further understands the important campaign work also carried out by Alzheimer Scotland to improve the provision of services for people with dementia and to increase the funds available for vital dementia research and the number of people participating in dementia research; applauds the fantastic work of all those involved with Alzheimer Scotland who are supporting those living with dementia and their carers; and wishes everyone at Alzheimer Scotland well as they continue their important work.

1162Jazzle Dazzle Studios, AllStar World Champions

Tabled: 15/05/23 Signatories: 3

Gavin Newlands

Chris Law

Allan Dorans

That this House congratulates Jazzle Dazzle Studios in Renfrew on being crowned World Champions in three events, and winning the silver medal in another, in the AllStar Open World Championships in Orlando, Florida; applauds coaches Jackie Bryceland and Michelle Holmes, alongside senior dancers Eilidh, Ellie, Emma, Grace, Kayleigh, Layla, Megan and Rachel, and mini dancers Carly, Gabrielle, Indie, Lauren, Olivia, Orla, Rachel and Robyn; salutes Jazzle Dazzle Studios in Renfrew, who opened in 2012 with only twelve children, on their success and ability to continue to grow the studio year on year; commends their continual success competing and winning trophies in national, European and World events over the years; praises Jazzle Dazzle and their coaches for providing a positive, nurturing and sociable environment for local children and adults and their continued ambition to promote the importance of a healthy and active lifestyle; notes that, for some of the seniors who competed this year, this will be their last season competing; and wishes all the Jazzle Dazzle dancers and coaches the best of luck and all success in future competitions.

1163Anti-social behaviour on greenways

Tabled: 15/05/23 Signatories: 5

Mr Barry Sheerman

Margaret Ferrier

Douglas Chapman

Sir Peter Bottomley

Mike Amesbury

That this House highlights the important value of green space to individuals and their wellbeing; consequently acknowledges the need to reserve greenways to ensure pedestrian and cyclist access to greenways as a means of leisure and safe pedestrian transportation; is concerned by the growing issue of illegal motorcycle use of greenways; is concerned by the safety and anti-social impact of such illegal activity; calls on the Government to provide all relevant organisations with sufficient financial and human resources to combat illegal use of greenways.

1164University and College Union marking boycott

Tabled: 15/05/23 Signatories: 14

Zarah Sultana

Apsana Begum

Kim Johnson

Cat Smith

Mary Kelly Foy

Richard Burgon

That this House notes that workers in higher education have endured over a decade of pay cuts, rising workloads, equality pay gaps and rampant casualisation; supports the recent industrial action that members of the University and College Union were forced to take in defence of pay and pensions; condemns plans by some vice chancellors, as instructed by the Universities and Colleges Employers' Association, to dock up to 100 per cent pay of staff that are working full-time but taking part in a legal marking boycott; calls on the Universities and Colleges Employers' Association to address the concerns of university workers, withdraw the instruction to vice chancellors to implement punitive pay deductions; and further calls on the Government to demand employers resolve the dispute.

1165Giffnock Primary School 120th anniversary

Tabled: 15/05/23 Signatories: 3

Kirsten Oswald

Chris Law

Allan Dorans

That this House congratulates all at Giffnock Primary School on the occasion of reaching 120 years, the school having first opened its doors at 10am on 11 November 1902 with 27 pupils in attendance; notes that Giffnock Primary School was initially based in the Tower of Orchardhill Parish Church due to a lack of suitable premises in the Giffnock area as the community expanded in the early 20th century; understands that Giffnock Primary School continues to have a strong relationship with Orchardhill Parish Church including as part of an intergenerational project at the Old Schoolroom Museum which charts the changes from 1900 to the present day in learning, technology, family life, toys, pastimes, and community life; highlights that this significant birthday will be celebrated on 22 May 2023 with a 120 Year Tea Party Celebration; and wishes all the pupils, teachers, parents, and others involved with Giffnock Primary School and Nursery today and in years past a very happy 120 years and all the very best for the future.

1166Statutory Assessment Tests

Tabled: 15/05/23 Signatories: 9

Mike Amesbury

Mary Kelly Foy

Kate Hollern

Jon Trickett

Ian Mearns

Nadia Whittome

This House notes that the Y6 SAT reading tests on 10 May were not acceptable; notes they had a negative impact on children, left many visibly upset and made many children feel like failures because they could not finish the tests; notes SATs have a negative impact on children’s mental health and well being; further notes that children are putting themselves under immense pressure to perform well in these tests; observes that research has shown that SATs can lead to increased anxiety, stress and even depression in children; believes that SATs can be detrimental to the overall learning experience of children; further notes that SATs have been criticised by the teaching profession and parents for placing undue pressure on our children; further believes that well-designed tests should inform parents and high schools how well children are doing but that unfortunately many teachers and parents believe the current Y6 SATs arrangement fails on both measures and place undue pressure on our children; further believes that there needs to be a review of the SAT tests; and concludes that we need to find a solution to the negative impact of SATs on the mental health and well being of children.

1167Foster Care Fortnight, 15-28 May 2023

Tabled: 15/05/23 Signatories: 8

Grahame Morris

Jonathan Edwards

Margaret Ferrier

Mary Kelly Foy

Kate Hollern

Jon Trickett

This House recognises the importance of foster care in providing loving and stable homes for children unable to live with their families; acknowledges the significant impact foster care has on the well-being and life opportunities of these children; supports Foster Care Fortnight between 15 and 28 May 2023, an initiative organised by The Fostering Network, a leading fostering charity; believes the campaign presents an invaluable opportunity to raise awareness about the urgent need for more foster families and to highlight the positive outcomes that can be achieved through foster care; welcomes the efforts of Foster Care Fortnight in encouraging individuals and families to consider becoming foster carers and highlights the crucial role that well-matched placements play in ensuring positive experiences and successful outcomes for children in foster care; furthermore, calls on Ministers to recognise and properly reward the exceptional contribution made by foster carers to our society, ensuring ongoing support, training and resources are accessible to allow foster carers to deliver the best possible care to children; urges the Government to invest in comprehensive support programs that address the unique needs and challenges faced by foster carers; and finally encourages all Members to actively promote Foster Care Fortnight within their constituencies and engage with local fostering services to raise awareness, recruit foster carers, and support the vital work they do.

1168Irvine's Bakery, Garnock Valley and Scottish Baker of the Year Awards 2023

Tabled: 15/05/23 Signatories: 4

Patricia Gibson

Chris Law

Martin Docherty-Hughes

Allan Dorans

That this House congratulates Irvine’s Bakery with outlets in Beith, Kilbirnie and Dalry on adding to its already numerous accolades upon securing awards at the Scottish Baker of the Year Awards 2023; acknowledges that this unique competition, organised by Scottish Bakers, receives over 630 submissions of baked goods from 70 bakeries, which are tasted by 50 industry experts who evaluate their appearance, baking quality and taste; recognises the achievements of Irvine’s Bakery in gaining a gold regional award and national bronze award for its chicken and black pudding pie, a gold regional award for its toffee biscuits, and a regional bronze award for its Scotch morning rolls; understands that the awards recognise the excellence and creativity required to provide quality fresh produce, made from locally sourced ingredients; believes that this latest recognition of the passion, dedication and craftsmanship of Irvine’s Bakery staff is truly well deserved; and commends the fact that Irvine’s Bakery, owned by Maurice Irvine, has become a beloved institution across North Ayrshire, run by the Irvine family for over 100 years.