Commons business papers

Contents

Published: Thursday 20 July 2023

Early Day Motions tabled on Wednesday 19 July 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

1496Possobilities

Tabled: 19/07/23 Signatories: 1

Anne McLaughlin

That this House recognises the invaluable service that Possobilities, based in Possilpark, provides to disabled and vulnerable members of the community; welcomes the news that it has received a £5,000 grant from the National Lottery Community Fund to support its operation; praises Possobilities for supporting its community café, an important local hub where users of the service can socialise; looks forward to the establishment of a new lending library that will benefit users of the charity; commends the charity for 33 years of continued hard work promoting independent living in the community; and acknowledges Possobilities as one of the most respected voluntary organisations in Glasgow.

1497The Hope Project Scotland

Tabled: 19/07/23 Signatories: 1

Anne McLaughlin

That this House applauds The Hope Project Scotland for its work supporting individuals living with sickle cell disease; acknowledges the contribution that the charity makes towards helping those living with sickle cell disease, as well as other blood disorders, overcome isolation and stigma; congratulates the project on securing a £9,950 grant from The National Lottery Community Fund; welcomes the news that the charity will be running three informative and interactive events on sickle cell disease in north-east Glasgow, with an expected turnout of more than 200 people; and wishes The Hope Project Scotland all the best with its upcoming events.

1498DASH Club

Tabled: 19/07/23 Signatories: 1

Anne McLaughlin

That this House welcomes the news that DASH Club, Possilpark, has received £10,000 funding from The National Lottery Community Fund to support its activities; acknowledges that Dash Club will be using the funds to run an inspiring summer holiday programme for young people with complex disabilities aged between 11 and 18-years-old; praises the charity for facilitating a range of healthy and creative activities during term-time sessions, aimed at promoting physical well-being, social skills and self-confidence; and recognises the commitment of DASH Club staff, who dedicate their time to running such a vital community-based service.

1499African Challenge Scotland

Tabled: 19/07/23 Signatories: 1

Anne McLaughlin

That this House commends African Challenge Scotland, based in Springburn, for its work supporting the African community in Glasgow; welcomes the news that it has received significant funding from The National Lottery Community Fund that will go towards providing food, energy and climate action related support to 100 African families in north-east Glasgow, supporting them through the cost of living crisis; congratulates the charity on its successful mentoring programmes and homework clubs, which support young black and ethnic individuals; acknowledges the importance of their men’s and women’s clubs, aimed at integrating older adults into Glasgow society and breaking down language barriers; applauds all the volunteers involved with African Challenge Scotland; and praises their selfless hard work.

1500Springburn Academy

Tabled: 19/07/23 Signatories: 1

Anne McLaughlin

That this House congratulates Springburn Academy second year pupils Irebe Emmanuella, Jin Wei, Ayleigh Sutherland, Carla Otabor and Tegan Grace on their involvement in the youth and philanthropy initiative; welcomes the news that the girls successfully secured £3,000 for local charity Glasgow East Women’s Aid; recognises the contribution this funding will make towards the charity’s services; acknowledges the hard work that the pupils put into the project, including engaging in creative research and a presentation in order to secure the funds; thanks all the pupils who were involved in the youth and philanthropy initiative; and looks forward to hearing more success stories from Springburn Academy in the future.

1501Wise Women, Dennistoun

Tabled: 19/07/23 Signatories: 1

Anne McLaughlin

That this House welcomes the news that Wise Women, Dennistoun, has received significant funding from The National Lottery Community Fund to support the charity; congratulates Wise Women on its successful personal safety and confidence building courses, promoting women’s wellbeing and enabling women to deal with potentially dangerous situations; praises the charity for supporting women with lived experiences of violence, crime, homelessness and prostitution; commends Wise Women for raising awareness of these issues and encouraging others to seek support; and thanks the organisation for providing vital services to women across Glasgow.

1502C7 City Reach

Tabled: 19/07/23 Signatories: 1

Anne McLaughlin

That this House acknowledges Port Dundas-based charity C7 City Reach; commends its work supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to realise their potential; applauds the charity’s C7 Coffee House, a community café that brings together members of the public and users of the service; admires the charity’s past projects, including local clean-ups of parks and streets, its annual Easter and Christmas gift giveaways and its life courses aimed at empowering people to gain confidence and to grow as individuals; congratulates C7 City Reach on securing a £9,925 grant from The National Lottery Community Fund; and welcomes the news that the funding will go towards establishing a peer support group for women in the north of Glasgow.

1503Sensorial

Tabled: 19/07/23 Signatories: 1

Anne McLaughlin

That this House welcomes the news that Sensorial, based in the north of Glasgow, has received a £9,700 grant from The National Lottery Community Fund to support its activities; acknowledges Sensorial’s work promoting sensory art and active learning for individuals with disabilities; recognises the charity’s KIWI after school club as an important project, providing art and play opportunities to children with complex additional needs; and wishes the charity the very best with existing and future projects.

1504Four Steps to Freedom

Tabled: 19/07/23 Signatories: 1

Kirsten Oswald

That this House recognises the work of Phyllis Hutchison, who founded the charity Four Steps to Freedom, which focuses on building a safer future for the children and animals of Tanzania free from the scourge of rabies; notes that the charity was originally called Friends of Mbwa Wa Africa Animal Rescue and was founded in 2015 by Phyllis following a visit to Meserani, Tanzania, where she witnessed the impact of rabies; highlights that rabies is the world’s most deadly disease for humans and animals alike, with a fatality rate of 99% once symptoms emerge and that the disease is 100% preventable with canine vaccination and population control; understands that 1,500 people die from rabies in Tanzania each year; further notes that the charity ran its first sterilisation campaign in 2015, resulting in the sterilisation of 108 dogs and the education of local children in the safe handling of animals; highlights that the charity’s ongoing efforts to build a state of the art veterinary and education centre in the Arusha region to support the eradication of rabies and that the centre will be named after Phyliss’s three-legged dog called Gongo; commends the fantastic work carried out by Phyliss and all those involved at Four Steps for Freedom; and applauds the brilliant progress made by the charity to date, having educated 115,000 children in the safe handling of animals, vaccinated 51,000 domestic animals and freed 21 Tanzanian communities from the threat of rabies.

1505Giffnock North Social Club

Tabled: 19/07/23 Signatories: 1

Kirsten Oswald

That this House congratulates everyone at Giffnock North Social Club, a community social club, on its 80th anniversary; recognises that the club began as an amateur athletics club in 1943, but more recently has become best known as a notable live entertainment venue for residents of East Renfrewshire and further afield; highlights the club’s wide range of amenities set over three rooms, including a bar, lounge, large functional hall, outside seating, pool table, darts and a screen for major sporting events; notes that the club is the home of the Old Crocs Football Team and that it hosts regular dance classes and a range of other community groups; understands that the club will celebrate its 80th anniversary with a family funday on Sunday 13 August from 12pm to 6pm with football, food, live music and a bouncy castle, with all proceeds being donated to the Beatson Cancer Charity; and wishes everyone at Giffnock North Social Club all the very best for the future and a thoroughly enjoyable family funday.

1506Stonehenge

Tabled: 19/07/23 Signatories: 1

Mary Kelly Foy

That this House condemns the A303 Stonehenge scheme, also known as the Stonehenge road tunnel; notes that the scheme puts the status of Stonehenge as a UNESCO World Heritage Site at risk; believes, therefore, that the scheme is an act of vandalism against one of Britain’s most famous landmarks; and calls on the Prime Minister to overrule the Department for Transport in order to protect Britain’s prehistoric landscape.

1507Alyson Bell, U23 European Championships

Tabled: 19/07/23 Signatories: 1

Kirsten Oswald

That this House congratulates Alyson Bell, the 19-year-old Glasgow Jaguars athlete, on her stunning success at the Under 23 European Championships hosted in Finland from 13 July to 16 July; highlights that Alyson won gold as part of Team GB for the 4x100m relay race, with the quartet consisting of Alyson, Cassie-Ann Pemberton, Amy Hunt and Aleeya Sibbons; recognises that Alyson was the third to run during the relay and passed the baton expertly to Sibbons; understands that the quartet not only won gold but also set a new championship record of 43.04 seconds; commends Alyson’s coach, Anne Scott, and those from Giffnock North Athletics Club and Edinburgh University for their involvement in helping Alyson with her development over the years; and wishes Alyson continued success in her athletic career.

1508Consumer choice and meat and poultry originating from the UK

Tabled: 19/07/23 Signatories: 1

Ben Lake

That this House recognises that bolstering the UK's domestic food supply is critical in order to guarantee long-term food security, reduce carbon emissions and support farmers in Wales, Scotland, England and Northern Ireland; further recognises the vitally important contribution agriculture makes to the UK economy; is concerned that it is more difficult for consumers to select meat and poultry which originates from the UK when shopping online at major supermarkets, compared to shopping in-store; is further concerned that the level of information and choice available to consumers when purchasing meat and poultry online varies between the platforms used by major supermarkets; believes that consumers should be able to filter for meat and poultry whose country of origin is the UK when shopping online at major supermarkets and when ordering via on-demand grocery services; and calls on the Government to introduce regulations to require that consumers have access to increased transparency regarding where meat is produced and are given the right to filter for meat and poultry originating from the UK, and where applicable from Wales, when shopping online.

1509The Cherry Tree pub

Tabled: 19/07/23 Signatories: 1

Marion Fellows

That this House congratulates The Cherry Tree pub, Netherton, Wishaw on raising £6,447 for St Andrew’s Hospice; recognises that the total raised was thanks to contributions from the local community through multiple fundraising events over the year; notes that Management Partner, Helen Paterson, has raised thousands of pounds for charity since joining The Cherry Tree; and wishes The Cherry Tree team well in their future fundraising endeavours.

1510Mario's, Giffnock

Tabled: 19/07/23 Signatories: 1

Kirsten Oswald

That this House congratulates Mario’s fish and chip shop in Giffnock who have been crowned overall Fish and Chip Shop of the Year at the first-ever Scottish Chippy Awards; notes that Mario’s, founded by the De Marco family over 30 years ago, also won the award for Fish and Chip Shop of the Year for the South West; highlights that this success adds to an already impressive record, with Mario’s having been voted the Best Fish and Chips in Glasgow at the Scottish Italian Awards in 2018; understands that the Scottish Chippy Awards aim to recognise the absolute best fish and chip shops across Scotland, celebrating the rich heritage and excellence in the art of crafting delectable fish and chips; further notes that Mario’s proudly support the Catherine McEwan Foundation, which helps people living with Crohn’s and Colitis to access better treatment; and wishes all the team at Mario’s continued success for the future.

1511Amy Clark, Special Olympics World Games

Tabled: 19/07/23 Signatories: 1

Kirsten Oswald

That this House congratulates Amy Clark from Eaglesham in East Renfrewshire on her stunning success at the Special Olympics World Games which were held in Berlin from June 17 to 25 June; recognises that Amy was the first person from Team GB to win a medal, winning gold in the rhythmic gymnastics event to become level 4 all-around champion with a total score of 39.300; notes Amy also won further awards in the apparatus final, including a silver in clubs, bronze for her ribbon routine, and also earned fourth and fifth ribbons for ball and hoop routines respectively; highlights Team GB’s success, with a haul of 137 medals and 47 ribbons from performances across 17 sports; understands Special Olympics GB is the largest provider of year-round sports training and competition for children and adults of all abilities with learning disabilities, striving to achieve a more inclusive society; commends the work of the coaching staff at the City of Glasgow Gymnastics Club and Team GB for helping Amy prepare for the competition; and wishes Amy all the very best for future competitions.

1512Neilston growing project

Tabled: 19/07/23 Signatories: 1

Kirsten Oswald

That this House commends the efforts being made to create a community herbal garden in the village of Neilston; notes the work is being carried out by Incredible Edible Neilston, which is part of a UK-wide network that encourages people to cultivate their produce, and Movement in Thyme CIC, a not-for-profit social enterprise that strives to create sustainable resilient communities and to reduce social isolation; understands the community herbal garden is based on Kirkstyle Lane and participants are allowed to take home finished produce, with any excess being donated to the community apothecary which can be accessed for free; highlights the growing project is hosting gardening and apothecary sessions at 11am and 1pm respectively on 22 July, 19 August, 9 September and 14 October 2023; and wishes everyone involved with the community herbal garden all the best as they cultivate their own produce and promote biodiversity.

1513The two child limit

Tabled: 19/07/23 Signatories: 1

Alison Thewliss

That this House notes the publication of recent figures relating to the two child limit of Universal Credit and Working Tax Credits; understands that the two child limit prevents parents from claiming Child Tax Credit or Universal Credit for any third or subsequent child born after April 2017; observes that 421,660 households are now affected by this punitive policy; further notes that scrapping the policy would cost around £1.3 billion a year but would be targeted at lifting 250,000 children out of poverty, and reduce poverty for 850,000 more; further understands that poverty campaigners have argued that scrapping the limit is one of the most cost-effective ways of lifting children out of poverty; agrees that six years from the introduction of the two child limit it has been woefully unsuccessful in meeting its stated policy aim of making work pay, with 59% of those affected identified as in work; and expresses deep disappointment at the refusal of the two main parties in this Parliament to scrap this pernicious policy.

1514University of Chichester and closure of Masters by Research History of Africa and the African Diaspora course

Tabled: 19/07/23 Signatories: 1

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

That this House expresses its disappointment at the recent announcement by the University of Chichester that they have suspended all recruitment to the Masters by Research History of Africa and the African Diaspora course; notes with regret that this decision will not only deprive students of the opportunity to study a unique course that is not offered by any other university institution in the UK, but also places Professor Hakim Adi, the first person of African heritage to made a history professor in Britain, and this country's only Professor of the History of Africa and the African Diaspora, at risk of redundancy; Is disappointed that the University of Chichester has chosen to tie Professor Adi’s employment to the Masters by Research, despite him being in post for several years before the course began; recognises that academic research into African History is an important form of reparatory justice, and is the only kind of reparatory justice presently available in the UK; also notes that this decision will disproportionately impact African and Caribbean students who make up the majority of students recruited to this course, and thus will negatively impact the number of African and Caribbean researchers trained in African studies; therefore calls on the University of Chichester to reconsider their decision to suspend the Masters by Research History of Africa and the African Diaspora course and the wider impact of this; and further calls on the University to retract the threat of redundancy to Professor Adi.

1515Barrhead Housing Association

Tabled: 19/07/23 Signatories: 1

Kirsten Oswald

That this House congratulates Barrhead Housing Association who were recently named runner-up for the Champion of the Year: Organisation award at the TPAS Scotland National Good Practice Awards which took place on June 29; notes that Barrhead Housing’s community investment team has been in place since April 2022 and has delivered projects that contribute to their Community Investment Strategy; commends the work of the community investment team who have worked to tackle poverty and inequality for local families by coordinating with partner and community groups; highlights the team’s work on the Brighter Futures Project, which has engaged 1,200 residents with a variety of projects and investments such as a tenancy sustainment course that was delivered to 250 young people from local high schools and cooking, exercise and arts and crafts workshops; recognises that the Barrhead Housing Association was awarded a grant of £260,000 from the Scottish Government through the Investing in Communities Fund to support the continuation of the Brighter Futures Barrhead project; and wishes everyone at Barrhead Housing Association well for the future as they continue their important work.

1516Memorial honouring Nobel Prize winner John Boyd Orr in West Kilbride

Tabled: 19/07/23 Signatories: 1

Patricia Gibson

That this House recognises the new memorial unveiled in West Kilbride, and funded by West Kilbride Civic Society, to honour the Nobel Peace Prize winner, John Boyd Orr, who attended West Kilbride Public School; is aware that John Boyd Orr won the Nobel Prize in 1949 for his scientific research into nutrition and his work as the first Director-General of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, and donated the financial prize to the National Council, the World Movement for World Federal Government and other organisations devoted to peace and a united world government; recognises that Orr proved the value of milk being supplied to school children in 1927, leading to free school milk provision across the UK and, in 1936, released a report highlighting that at least one third of the UK population could not afford to buy sufficient food to provide a healthy diet; celebrates the work of John Boyd Orr, which included campaigning for the League of Nations to achieve an international policy on nutrition and asking the United States President, Franklin D Roosevelt, to consider launching a world food plan during the Second World War, believing that food and prosperity for all people on earth led to peace; congratulates and thanks West Kilbride Civic Society on the completion of this project, and wishes its members all the very best.

1517British-Hong Kong Armed Forces veterans

Tabled: 19/07/23 Signatories: 1

Andrew Rosindell

That this House acknowledges the successful outcome of the campaign for the right of abode for former British-Hong Kong Armed Forces, with the establishment of a new British-Hong Kong Armed Forces Veterans Settlement route allowing British-Hong Kong ex-servicemen the right to live and work in the UK; believes that those ex-servicemen who did not receive a UK passport following the handover of Hong Kong to the People’s Republic of China in 1997 should now be offered that choice under this new settlement route; recognises that these men have gallantly served the British Crown in South-East Asia, as well as standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Britain in two World Wars, campaigns in France, Burma, Korea, Malaya, Singapore, Hong Kong, China and with the United Nations, serving King, Queen and Country; further recognises that this new settlement route corrects the unjust decision which forced servicemen to transfer from British-Hong Kong to Hong Kong-Chinese, preventing them from attaining British citizenship; acknowledges the rightful decision in 2019 to recognise the Hong Kong Military Service Crops as regular army corps, as opposed to locally employed personnel; and commends the sincere dedication of Peter Vorberg and Russ Banks, assisted by Alain Lau, Joe Lee, Roger Ching, Huw Matthews, Stella Thornton, Brigadier Norman Allen CBE, Victor Ho, all British Army veterans and all members of the Parliamentary Support Group, who fought to bring about this just outcome for all those who served with honour and distinction in the former British Crown Colony of Hong Kong.

1518Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary

Tabled: 19/07/23 Signatories: 1

Andrew Rosindell

That this House celebrates the 40 year anniversary of the opening of the Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary in Essex; recognises that the Sanctuary lovingly provides a lifetime of help and care for horses, ponies, goats, sheep, donkeys and cats who have been subject to abuse, doing everything possible to give these animals a chance to thrive in old age; celebrates Remus’ ethos of building an environment of safety and nurture to animals who have spent their lives serving mankind; applauds Sue Burton and her team of staff and volunteers who have rescued over 1,000 animals over the last 40 years, as well as running the Remus Welfare Watch scheme which assists horses in crisis all over the historic county of Essex; further notes that the Sanctuary has gained much credence as a unit specialising in the knowledge and care of veteran horses; and offers heartfelt thanks on their steadfast commitment to do everything in their power to provide all animals under their care with the best possible quality of life in a caring and loving environment.

151925th Anniversary of the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary

Tabled: 19/07/23 Signatories: 1

Andrew Rosindell

That this House acknowledges the twenty-five-year anniversary of the opening of the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust in Uganda; notes the Sanctuary has become a leading organisation in chimpanzee-focused environmental conservation, achieving excellence in the area of care and welfare for chimpanzees and increased public awareness of broad conservation issues; further expresses its jubilation in the recognition of the Ngomba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary as one of the top primate sanctuaries in Africa; commends their continuous engagement with local communities living alongside the chimpanzee population; pays tribute to their aim of building viable regional, national, and international partnerships in chimpanzee conservation; understands their campaign of 25 years promotes the need for humans and wildlife to live in harmony in shared environments; and offers everyone involved in the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust, as well as other linked charitable organisations, heartfelt congratulations on their tireless efforts to protect the this much loved species.

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.

1417Attacks by dogs on postal workers

Tabled: 5/07/23 Signatories: 12

Jim Shannon

Caroline Lucas

Sir Mike Penning

Chris Stephens

John McDonnell

Jonathan Edwards

That this House notes the rise in attacks by dogs on postal workers throughout the UK and especially in Northern Ireland, where the Royal Mail has stated that the 12 per cent rise in incidents in Northern Ireland is extremely worrying and that there were 1,916 dog attacks on postal workers logged during the year to 31 March 2023; highlights that some postal workers suffered serious injuries; notes that these figures were released at the start of the annual dog awareness week as officials urge owners to take proper measures to ensure their pets pose no threat to postal workers through responsible dog ownership due to the fact that dog attacks on postal workers resulted in more than 3,014 days of absence last year; and urges owners to be mindful of the duties of those who deliver post so we can do all we can to reduce attacks on postal workers.

1418Future of railway ticket offices

Tabled: 5/07/23 Signatories: 21

Claudia Webbe

Caroline Lucas

Jon Trickett

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

Zarah Sultana

Apsana Begum

That this House notes with concern the planned mass closure of rail ticket offices, leaving many of the over 1000 train stations unstaffed; recognises that railway ticket office staff are a vital resource for many passengers who might struggle to manage online booking processes and for the security of children, women, disabled and other vulnerable passengers on the rail network; further notes that station staff including ticket office staff are essential to the smooth running of the rail network; agrees with the Royal National Institute for the Blind that the closures would be hugely detrimental to the blind and partially sighted; notes that the future of ticket offices is a key item in the ongoing rail worker dispute; and therefore calls on the Secretary of State for Transport to reject The Rail Delivery Group’s proposals in full.

1419Sky lanterns and balloon releases

Tabled: 5/07/23 Signatories: 10

Mohammad Yasin

Sir Mike Penning

Chris Stephens

John McDonnell

Jonathan Edwards

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

That this House is concerned about the potential environmental impact of sky lantern and balloon releases, particularly in relation to marine wildlife such as dolphins, whales, turtles and seabirds; notes the particular fire hazard associated with sky lanterns and recognises the important work of the Marine Conservation Society in campaigning for a ban on sky lantern and balloon releases; further notes those local authorities which have implemented a regional ban and calls upon the UK Government to ban sky lanterns and balloon releases.

1423Craig Burns and the National Recognising Skills and Achievement Award 2023

Tabled: 6/07/23 Signatories: 8

Dr Philippa Whitford

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

Allan Dorans

Alison Thewliss

Patricia Gibson

Chris Law

That this House congratulates Mr Craig Burns from North Ayrshire's Modern Apprenticeship Youth Work Programme on being awarded the National Recognising Skills and Achievement Award at the prestigious Scottish National Youth Work Awards 2023; commends Mr Burns for successfully leading the growth of the Modern Apprenticeship Youth Work Programme and doubling the number of apprentices who achieve their qualifications, making it a sought-after opportunity for young people transitioning from school; recognises Mr Burns unwavering commitment and support for young people, which has made him not only a boss but also a friend and confidant; and appreciates Mr Burns unique approach to nurturing talent which has contributed to the success of North Ayrshire's Modern Apprenticeship Youth Work Programme and the positive impact it has on providing opportunities for young people.

1424Community Learning and Development New Scots Team in North Ayrshire

Tabled: 6/07/23 Signatories: 9

Dr Philippa Whitford

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

Allan Dorans

Jim Shannon

Alison Thewliss

Chris Law

That this House congratulates the Community Learning and Development New Scots Team in North Ayrshire on being awarded the National Equality and Diversity Award at the prestigious Scottish National Youth Work Awards 2023; commends the team for playing a pivotal role in supporting young refugees in their journey of integration, providing essential guidance and fostering a sense of community; appreciates that their efforts have resulted in the establishment of thriving girls groups and empowering conversations about democratic processes for the Syrian community; and commends the team's dedication and passion for creating a positive experience for young people coming to North Ayrshire as New Scots, which has earned them this well-deserved accolade.

1425Pets in temporary accommodation

Tabled: 6/07/23 Signatories: 9

Mohammad Yasin

Jon Trickett

John McDonnell

Richard Burgon

Apsana Begum

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

That this House recognises how pets enrich lives, providing emotional support and bringing great joy to responsible owners; further recognises the proposed changes to legislation set out in the Government's Renter's Reform Bill around pets and tenancies; notes that if the Bill is passed, landlords may only refuse pets in exceptional circumstances; and calls on the Government to extend this provision to social housing, and specifically temporary and emergency provisions, and to provide full financial support to local authorities to facilitate the change.

1426Bullying and respect at work

Tabled: 6/07/23 Signatories: 26

Rachael Maskell

Ian Mearns

Kim Johnson

Charlotte Nichols

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck

Caroline Lucas

That this House notes that 15 per cent of people have experienced bullying at work in the UK which is not related to any protected characteristic; observes that this amounts to 4.9 million people employed in the UK; further notes that the Health and Safety Executive highlights that 17 million days of work were lost last year due to work related stress, depression or anxiety; believes that bullying at work can have a significant impact on someone’s mental health and can lead to the loss of employment for the target of the bullying; further notes that workplace conflict is costing UK companies £28.5 billion each year; and calls on the Government to provide for a statutory definition of bullying at work, no matter the workplace or employment status, to enable people to bring their case to an Employment Tribunal, to give the Equality and Human Rights Commission new powers to investigate organisations and to take enforcement action where there is evidence of bullying and to establish and promote a respect at work code to set minimum standards for positive and respectful work environments.

1428Profits and inflation

Tabled: 6/07/23 Signatories: 26

Debbie Abrahams

Jon Trickett

Dan Carden

John McDonnell

Richard Burgon

Olivia Blake

That this House notes the Bank of England’s decision in June to increase interest rates to five per cent, the 13th consecutive rise; believes that while inflation must be reduced and contained, ordinary British people are not the drivers of inflation, including core inflation, and that there is evidence of profiteering by some banks and businesses; and resolves to ask the Financial Conduct Authority as the regulator of the banking industry to investigate (a) potential profiteering by some banks, for example, an extra £7 billion in profits directly from interest rate rises was reported in March from the big four banks: Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds and Nat West, (b) the guidance banks will be required to issue to borrowers, for example, temporary switches to interest only mortgage payments and lengthening the term of their mortgage period, (c) actions taken by banks under the Mortgage Charter to ameliorate repayment increases and (d) actions taken by banks to compensate savers after interest rate increases.

1429Support for Sporting Heritage

Tabled: 6/07/23 Signatories: 12

Alyn Smith

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

Richard Burgon

Allan Dorans

Jim Shannon

Alison Thewliss

That this House believes that the preservation of sporting heritage is a vitally important strand of cultural work in the public, private and third-sector; also believes that the collection, maintenance and presentation of photographs, documents, records and memorabilia relating to sporting achievements, participants and institutions form a key part of a local community’s story; and welcomes the efforts of the Sporting Heritage organisation, who take forward campaigns and efforts to promote local, regional and national collaboration in this sector.

1430Job sharing

Tabled: 6/07/23 Signatories: 6

Wera Hobhouse

John McDonnell

Allan Dorans

Jim Shannon

Caroline Lucas

Rachael Maskell

That this House welcomes the release of Empower’s Job Sharing: Redefining Work, Doubling Impact report; acknowledges the opportunities job-sharing presents for women by facilitating reductions in workplace inequalities and closes the gender pay gap; highlights the benefits this form of flexible working offers employees and employers, such as increased organisational productivity, boosting morale, and creating more diverse senior leadership teams; and calls on the Government to support the incentivisation of job-sharing opportunities by reducing cost barrier through introducing a reduction on Employer’s National Insurance contributions for employees in job shares.

143130th anniversary of the Mitsubishi Electric in Livingston

Tabled: 10/07/23 Signatories: 8

Hannah Bardell

Jim Shannon

Chris Stephens

Martin Docherty-Hughes

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

This House celebrates the 30th anniversary of Mitsubishi Electric in Livingston; recognises the company's track record of supporting and bolstering the local economy by employing over 1,800 people and through major projects like its new Ecodan heat pump; applauds the company’s commitment to not only the local economy but the local people through events like the Pump It Up Challenge Day, which encourages secondary school pupils to use their STEM knowledge to create sustainable solutions to the climate crisis; congratulates the factory on producing its five millionth product; thanks the Mitsubishi team, staff and supporters that continue to work on their pioneering work and the successful running of the Livingston factory over the last 30 years; and wishes them all the best for their next 30 years and beyond.

1443Infected Blood scheme second interim compensation payment

Tabled: 10/07/23 Signatories: 10

Sir Mike Penning

Jonathan Edwards

Jim Shannon

Margaret Ferrier

Alison Thewliss

Chris Stephens

That this House recognises that the Government has acted on the recommendations set out in the first interim report of the Infected Blood Inquiry, with interim compensation payments made to individuals infected by infected blood; further recognises that interim compensation payments to bereaved partners and families affected by the infected blood scandal are under active consideration; and calls on the Government to further recognise the extreme urgency and life-limiting situation facing individuals who received and were infected by infected blood and make an immediate second interim compensation payment.

1444OSI Renewables and Scotland's energy potential

Tabled: 10/07/23 Signatories: 11

Martyn Day

Jonathan Edwards

Jim Shannon

Margaret Ferrier

Patrick Grady

Alison Thewliss

That this House congratulates OSI Renewables, an engineering business headquartered in West Lothian, that has received four Spotlight on New Technology® awards from the offshore Technology Conference in Houston Texas, which span O&G, Deepsea Minerals and Floating Wind, a Hart Energy award, and Scottish Engineering’s Innovation Excellence Award 2023; commends its over forty years' experience in delivering solutions to the offshore energy market; further commends its accomplishment in designing an offshore wind turbine foundation named F-TLP, which targets the Floating Wind market sector; welcomes the foundation’s unique design that could generate a revenue of between 1.2 and 1.5 billion pounds per year; and celebrates its investment in harnessing Scotland's renewable energy potential.

1445Treatment of slave monkeys in Thailand

Tabled: 10/07/23 Signatories: 17

Patricia Gibson

Jim Shannon

Margaret Ferrier

Patrick Grady

Alison Thewliss

Chris Stephens

That this House unequivocally condemns animal cruelty in Thailand, where pig-tailed macaques are forced to labour as coconut-picking machines, harvesting hundreds of coconuts every day; notes that the macaques are tied to ropes which their handlers yank to control them; is concerned that the macaques suffer a range of barbaric and cruel treatments, as documented by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals; deplores the fact that many of the young macaques have their teeth removed to prevent them from biting their abusers; acknowledges that these curious, highly intelligent animals are denied psychological stimulation, companionship and freedom, which leads to depression and trauma; is deeply concerned that the two breeds of pig-tailed macaques used in coconut farms are registered as vulnerable and endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s red list; approves of the decision by British retailers to join a boycott of all Thai-made coconut products, which has led Waitrose, Co-op, Boots, Ocado and Morrisons to remove or to vow to remove products using monkey labour in the supply chain; applauds the fact that 45,000 stores operated by leading international retail chains across the United States and Europe have halted all sales of coconut milk from certain suppliers, with HelloFresh the latest international business to drop Thai coconut milk completely; and urges the Government to condemn the exploitation and abuse of these vulnerable and endangered creatures and to work with industry and international partners to consign the use of cruel monkey labour to the history books.

1446Thistle Du Florist, Darvel

Tabled: 10/07/23 Signatories: 7

Alan Brown

Jim Shannon

Alison Thewliss

Chris Stephens

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

This House congratulates Thistle Du Florist, an exceptional family business in Darvel, for their outstanding accomplishment as the prestigious Wedding Florist of the Year 2023/2024 in the Prestige Awards; acknowledges their commitment to delivering customer service; celebrates their dedication to excellence, creativity, and positive impact on the local community; commends Thistle Du for their support for and involvement in many wider community events and initiatives; and wishes Heather Martin and Thistle Du every success going forward as an embedded community business.

1448Royal British Legion Credit their Service campaign

Tabled: 10/07/23 Signatories: 12

Patricia Gibson

Jonathan Edwards

Jim Shannon

Patrick Grady

Alison Thewliss

Chris Stephens

That this House recognises that veterans are an asset to society and deserve the best possible care and support in recognition of the service they have given and the sacrifices they have made; considers that those veterans and their families who have experienced pain and loss as a result of their or a loved ones' service in HM Armed Forces are rightly compensated; notes that under the current system, compensation has been awarded to 150,000 Armed Forces veterans and their families for the pain and loss they endured in service, 12,000 of whom live in Scotland; believes it is unfair and unreasonable that this compensation is regarded as income when undergoing welfare benefits means testing; understands that this contrasts with Civil Service awards, such as personal injury compensation, which are typically exempt from such welfare benefits means testing; acknowledges that this has led to the most financially vulnerable and disadvantaged members of the Armed Forces community being denied the support enjoyed by their civilian counterparts, causing those affected significant financial loss each year; commends the Royal British Legion and Poppy Scotland for their campaign Credit their Service for highlighting this injustice; and calls on the Government to amend benefit regulations to ensure that no member of the Armed Forces community has their compensation treated as income when undergoing welfare benefits means testing.

1449Pay in the North East

Tabled: 10/07/23 Signatories: 24

Kate Osborne

Grahame Morris

Jon Trickett

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck

Olivia Blake

Ian Mearns

That this House notes the Trades Union Congress (TUC) analysis which shows that the North East still has the lowest average weekly earnings of any region in the UK; notes the analysis reveals workers in the North East region earn 7% less, on average, than the UK median wage; further notes that, in some parts of the North East this pay gap is even wider; agrees that the findings show the devastating impact that years of wage stagnation have had on workers in the North East; further agrees with the statement that workers are facing a real pay emergency with real wages worth less in the North East than they were in 2010; and welcomes the TUC's call to tax wealth and the wealthy, not workers.

1450Expansion of Gatwick Airport

Tabled: 10/07/23 Signatories: 3

Caroline Lucas

John McDonnell

Rachael Maskell

This House notes that Gatwick Airport is applying for a Development Consent Order to bring its emergency runway into regular use; considers that if granted this will de facto create a second runway at Gatwick without the appropriate public consultation and scrutiny required for such a major planning decision; further notes that this will lead to thousands of extra flights a year, along with more road-building to get freight and passengers to the airport; is aware that scientists have already found noise levels close to Gatwick above the recommendations by the World Health Organization and particle number concentrations in the air similar to those measured close to a highly trafficked road in central London; notes that the proposal will mean increased noise for residents close to the airport and under the flight path, alongside increased air and light pollution; recognises that expansion at Gatwick is incompatible with addressing the climate crisis; further recognises that 2022 analysis puts the estimated cost of cleaning up carbon emissions alone from Gatwick expansion at £9.1 billion, of which only 7% will be paid for by the aviation industry; urges the Government to listen to the advice of the Committee on Climate Change Chair that there should be no net airport expansion across the UK; and therefore calls on the Secretary of State for Transport to reject Gatwick Airport’s plans for a second runway.

1451Saudi Arabia child abduction

Tabled: 11/07/23 Signatories: 10

Mike Amesbury

Mary Kelly Foy

Liz Saville Roberts

Hywel Williams

Ben Lake

Patricia Gibson

That this House notes that Ranem Elkhalidi's seven year-old son Ibrahim Faraj was abducted by her Saudi Arabian estranged ex-husband in November 2022 from a school in Weaver Vale and taken to Saudi Arabia; further notes that Ranem has had no contact with Ibrahim since then; also notes that Ibrahim was born in the UK and only speaks English; recognises that Ranem fears she will never see her son again; notes that Ibrahim's father Hamzah Faraj broke a court order preventing him from taking Ibrahim outside of the UK and is now wanted for child abduction; further notes that an investigation is needed to find out why the court order was not flagged by Border Force when Ibrahim was taken out the country; also notes that before the abduction Ranem requested that the Saudi embassy not issue a passport for Ibrahim; notes that Saudi Arabia is not party to the Hague Convention and that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office cannot enforce the return of a child to the UK; and calls on the Government to work with Saudi authorities to find the best way to bring Ibrahim back to the UK so that he can be reunited with his mother.

1452Holodomor in Ukraine, 1932-1933

Tabled: 11/07/23 Signatories: 13

Patricia Gibson

Allan Dorans

Jonathan Edwards

Mary Kelly Foy

Chris Law

Patrick Grady

That this House recognises the Holodomor of 1932-33 in Ukraine as a genocide of the Ukrainian people; considers that the Holodomor, literally meaning extermination by hunger, was a deliberate campaign of starvation and violence carried out by the Soviet regime against the people of Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of millions; understands that Holodomor was part of Joseph Stalin’s revolution from above which, from 1932 to 1933, inflicted a terror famine on the collectivised peasants of the Ukraine, Kuban and other areas of high Ukrainian ethnicity; notes that Stalin raised Ukraine’s grain procurement quotas by 44%, meaning there was not enough food to feed the peasants, as the law required that no grain from a collective farm could be given to members until the regime’s quota had been met; understands that, due to the secrecy imposed by the former Soviet Union, it is difficult to know how many perished during the Holodomor of 1932-33; further notes, however, research suggesting up to seven and a half million innocent people may have died as a direct result of the Soviet-imposed famine; further understands that, during the height of the famine, international offers of aid and support were turned down by the regime, while vital food stores were allowed to rot in warehouses under armed guard; is aware that many members of the Ukrainian community in Scotland lost relatives during the Holodomor; and calls on the Russian Federation, as the primary successor of the Soviet Union, to apologise for perpetrating genocide on the Ukrainian people.

1455Democratic governance and transitional justice in The Gambia

Tabled: 11/07/23 Signatories: 8

Anne McLaughlin

Allan Dorans

Chris Law

Liz Saville Roberts

Hywel Williams

Ben Lake

That this House notes with concern reports that President Adama Barrow in The Gambia may stand for a third Presidential term; further notes that in 2017 when he defeated the incumbent Yahya Jammeh, who had ruled for 22 years, he had promised to step down after three years in office; highlights the importance of the implementation of the Truth, Reconciliation and Reparations Commission’s recommendations to hold perpetrators of crimes against humanity and serious human rights violations committed during Yahya Jammeh’s Presidency to account and enable victims to receive reparations; commends the EU’s recent commitment of €9 million to support, inter alia, The Gambia’s transitional justice process, in partnership with the United Nations and The Gambian Government; urges The Gambian Government to move forward with the creation of a Special Prosecutor's Office and hybrid or internationalised court with the Economic Community of West African States, as well as institutional and constitutional reform to foster democratic governance; and calls on the UK Government, with others in the international community, to provide the necessary financial and technical assistance for a comprehensive and effective justice process and to strengthen democracy in The Gambia.

1456Mr Tom Hubbard

Tabled: 11/07/23 Signatories: 3

Neale Hanvey

Margaret Ferrier

Peter Grant

That this House commends and applauds the dynamism of Mr Tom Hubbard, the inaugural post-holder of librarian of the Scottish Poetry Library, academic, author and poet, for his broad range of authorship exploring and demonstrating his love for Scotland, Scottish issues and Scottish literature; appreciates that although now retired, Mr Hubbard continues in his efforts to pay homage to the arts across the Langtoun o' Kirkcaldy where he resides; recognises that as an active member of the community he attends local events to perform his poetry encouraging upcoming and seasoned artists, and lovers of the arts, to embrace their passion for creative expression, storytelling and technical proficiency; and celebrates his efforts to encourage citizens across diverse communities to engage in the dynamic sphere of Scottish arts and literature.

1457MPH Group Kirkcaldy, Navien UK and the late Rose Duncan

Tabled: 11/07/23 Signatories: 3

Neale Hanvey

Margaret Ferrier

Peter Grant

That this House commends Mr Ewan Mclean and Mr Ewan Mclean Jnr of Kirkcaldy-based MPH Group for their Heat 2 Eat charitable initiative; applauds their resourcefulness in seeking the partnership of boiler manufacturer Navien UK to help amplify the impact they have in the local community; recognises the input of Mr Jason Davies, Sales Director Navien UK, and well-loved charity worker the late Rose Duncan in the process of securing this charitable arrangement; appreciates the commitment of both companies in continuing their pledge to donate £100 for every Navien Combi-Crossover boiler installed in Fife for the coming year; and notes that donations from the Heat 2 Eat partnership already exceeds £17,000, helping their nominated charity, Brighter Futures Health Hub, the local area food banks and vulnerable people from across our communities access vital community support.

145950th anniversary of Meirionnydd Special Riding Group

Tabled: 11/07/23 Signatories: 7

Liz Saville Roberts

Jon Trickett

Martin Docherty-Hughes

Patrick Grady

Ben Lake

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates Grwp Marchogaeth Arbennig Meirionnydd, Meirionnydd Special Riding Group, who recently celebrated their 50th anniversary with a fun day; notes that the riding group was founded in 1973 by Joan Veevers, a member of the Dolgellau Red Cross Group; celebrates that in 2011 the charity was awarded the Disability Sport Wales club mark; recognises that the charity is run entirely by volunteers which offers horse riding, care and horse therapy to those with additional needs in the Meirionnydd area; further recognises the many benefits of spending time outside for the wellbeing of the young people who attend; and once again congratulates the volunteers and the riders for everything they do and wishes them well with the next 50 years.

1462Welfare organisation for people in Pakistan

Tabled: 11/07/23 Signatories: 6

Mr Gregory Campbell

Sir Mike Penning

Margaret Ferrier

John McDonnell

Jim Shannon

Paul Girvan

That this House notes the numbers of people who have settled in the UK, working and continuing to contribute to society here while not forgetting much less fortunate people in the land of their birth; recognises medical professionals from Pakistan, such as Dr Farman Khan, who have made their home in Northern Ireland working for the NHS in Causeway Hospital that have established and helped run charitable enterprises such as the Khan Welfare Organisation which offers free food, free education and health to underprivileged and orphans; and commends their endeavours and wishes them continuing success in the future.

1464Scottish Government paper on drug reform

Tabled: 12/07/23 Signatories: 18

Ronnie Cowan

Martyn Day

Caroline Lucas

Alison Thewliss

Chris Law

Tommy Sheppard

That this House notes the publication of the recent paper on drug reform from the Scottish Government entitled A Caring, Compassionate and Human Rights Informed Drug Policy for Scotland as part of the Scottish Government’s public health approach to problematic drug use; further notes that the paper calls on the UK Government to implement the decriminalisation of all drugs for personal supply, progressed as part of a wider review of drug laws; believes that these are ambitious, evidence-based proposals; agrees that this approach would allow people found in possession of drugs to be treated and supported rather than criminalised and that people in recovery would have a better chance of employment without a criminal record; and calls on Ministers to give serious consideration to this paper and to engage with the Scottish Government on its proposals.

1465Bank closures in Scotland

Tabled: 12/07/23 Signatories: 16

Chris Stephens

Mary Kelly Foy

Patricia Gibson

Chris Law

Patrick Grady

Allan Dorans

That this House notes that Lloyds Banking Group, which operates the Bank of Scotland, has announced that it plans to close all branches in Aberfoyle, Aviemore, Ballater, Braemar, Crieff, Cumnock, Cupar, Dunbar, Dunkeld, Duns, Eyemouth, Falkland, Fort Augustus, Girvan, Jedburgh, Newcastleton and Ullapool; further notes that, with the exception of those in Cupar and Ullapool, these are the last banks in the community; considers that this places several communities' access to cash at risk; is aware of the importance of access to cash for services and business in communities throughout Scotland especially in rural areas where the distance between communities with and without bank branches is often as much as 30 miles; regrets the announced closures; acknowledges the limitations that the devolution settlement places on the Scottish Government's ability to act in this area; and therefore calls on the Secretary of State to work with the Scottish Government to prevent closures and protect communities' access to banking services and cash.

1466Taylor MacKenzie, Special Olympics World Games 2023 champion

Tabled: 12/07/23 Signatories: 7

Chris Law

Stewart Hosie

Dave Doogan

Allan Dorans

Jim Shannon

Anne McLaughlin

That this House congratulates Dundee’s Taylor MacKenzie on her success at the Special Olympics World Games 2023 in Berlin, Germany; celebrates Taylor’s gold medal success in both the 200m freestyle and 400m freestyle races, finishing with World Games records of 02:33.07 and 05:26.63 respectively; notes that Taylor was the only Scottish swimmer to compete for the Great Britain team; recognises Taylor’s supporters who have helped her reach this stage, including her parents Richard and Lisa, her club Monifieth Swimming Club and the Fife firm T&N Gilmartin, who helped sponsor Taylor’s participation in the Games; and wishes Taylor all the success in her future competitions.

1468Eggs and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership

Tabled: 12/07/23 Signatories: 11

Helen Morgan

Tim Farron

Wendy Chamberlain

Richard Foord

Jonathan Edwards

Martyn Day

That this House notes the concerning reports that the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will exclude eggs as a sensitive sector; expresses concern at the concept of eggs being imported from countries who are CPTPP members, but where egg production relies heavily on battery caged eggs; acknowledges that these types of imports will undercut British egg producers who operate to higher standards of animal welfare and food safety standards under the British Lion Codes of Practice; and calls on the Government to maintain the high levels of hen welfare and food safety the British public expect by listing it as a sensitive sector within the CPTPP agreement.

1470School libraries and librarians

Tabled: 13/07/23 Signatories: 22

Margaret Greenwood

Jonathan Edwards

Jon Trickett

Mary Kelly Foy

John McDonnell

Charlotte Nichols

That this House recognises the importance of encouraging children to enjoy books from an early age and of developing a culture of reading for pleasure in schools; notes that evidence suggests that school libraries lead to better literacy and educational outcomes, higher attainment, improved wellbeing and contribute to the delivery of a well-rounded education; further notes that school libraries can play a part in improving outcomes for children with special educational needs; is concerned that, according to the 2023 report by the Great School Libraries campaign, 14% of primary schools in the UK do not have a library, while even where provision exists, most primary schools use their library space for other purposes; is further concerned that the same report revealed the number of UK secondary schools with a library on site has dropped by 10% since 2019; acknowledges that there is significant variation across the UK in terms of school library provision and that this is leading to restricted reading choices for children; believes that urgent work must be done across the UK to enable school leaders to develop school libraries so that pupils can take advantage of the benefits they can deliver in relation to learning, reading, writing, wellbeing and happiness; and further believes that every school in the UK should have a library with access to a professional librarian, library staff or a schools library service.

1472Thames Water London effluent reuse scheme

Tabled: 13/07/23 Signatories: 3

Sarah Olney

Munira Wilson

Jim Shannon

That this House acknowledges the potential impacts of Thames Water’s plans for a water recycling scheme near Teddington Lock; recognises that this stretch of the Arcadian Thames is often referred to as London’s countryside and is home to important animal and plant life that is rare in an urban environment; expresses concern that comprehensive environmental impact assessments have not yet been published despite the scheme being progressed; notes that the river abstraction is only required because of Thames Water’s failure to maintain and invest in its pipe network and supply infrastructure; further notes that the construction sites for the Teddington Direct River Abstraction will cause damage and destruction to acres of local nature reserve and parkland; further expresses concern over the impacts of the scheme on thousands of recreational and commercial river users of this part of the Thames, including boat clubs, paddleboarders and wild swimmers; and calls on the Government to advance alternative drought resilience proposals.

1473Access to State Pension for people diagnosed with a terminal illness

Tabled: 17/07/23 Signatories: 27

Dave Doogan

John McDonnell

Marion Fellows

Claire Hanna

Martin Docherty-Hughes

Kenny MacAskill

That this House notes that those with terminal illnesses cannot currently access their State Pension until retirement age; recognises that this is the case even for individuals who have made full National Insurance contributions; acknowledges that poverty rates are disproportionately high amongst the terminally ill; commends research by Loughborough University showing that granting State Pensions to this group would almost halve the rate of poverty within this cohort while costing only £144 million per year, just 0.1% of the annual State Pension bill; and calls on the Government to allow early access to State Pensions for people diagnosed with a terminal illness.

1474Women Against State Pension Inequality campaign survey

Tabled: 17/07/23 Signatories: 17

Patricia Gibson

John McDonnell

Marion Fellows

Claire Hanna

Martin Docherty-Hughes

Deidre Brock

That this House welcomes the publication of the findings of the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign survey, which documents the devastating impact of continuing unfair pension treatment of 1950s-born WASPI women; is deeply concerned about the survey's key findings, that one in four of the women affected by this pension scandal have struggled to buy food and basic essentials in the last six months, whilst a third have fallen into debt in the last six months; notes its findings that 61 per cent of those surveyed reported a range of lost employment opportunities, with 32 per cent of women being unable to secure alternative employment after attempting to re-join the workforce; recognises the mental, physical and emotional toll of additional years of work, of which these women were unaware and so for which they could not plan; calls on the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman to speedily conclude its investigations; and urges the Government to respond promptly to the Ombudsman's report and make clear that it will recognise and recompense the injustices and suffering caused to WASPI women, of which one dies every thirteen minutes.

1476Vegan food and allergens education

Tabled: 17/07/23 Signatories: 5

Christina Rees

John McDonnell

Ian Lavery

Richard Burgon

Jim Shannon

That this House notes that the Chartered Trading Standards Institute has released new data reporting that inspectors from Hampshire and Kent Scientific Services found 24 out of 61 products, or 39%, marked as vegan contained traces of egg or dairy, including 13 dairy alternatives and 48 meat alternatives; further notes that some people confuse the label vegan with the meaning free from allergens; recognises the importance of proper labelling to reduce the risk and potential danger for people with severe allergies to animal products; and therefore calls on the Government to introduce education to ensure consumers understand that vegan does not necessarily mean free from allergens.

1479The Kraken Chippy

Tabled: 17/07/23 Signatories: 3

Margaret Ferrier

John McDonnell

Jim Shannon

That this House commends the generosity of the Kraken Chippy, in Cambuslang, as they offer families a £1 kids supper deal this summer; notes that this deal was started to support families with the cost of living crisis by helping parents to treat their kids at minimal expense; praises the community spirit of owner Steven Simpson; and wishes him and his business the best in their future endeavours.

1480150th anniversary of Newtownards Chronicle Newspaper

Tabled: 17/07/23 Signatories: 6

Jim Shannon

Stephen Farry

Gavin Robinson

Sir Jeffrey M Donaldson

Mr Gregory Campbell

Paul Girvan

That this House notes the 150th anniversary of family owned and operated Newtownards Chronicle and Bangor Spectator Newspapers; celebrates this tremendous milestone and congratulates the members of staff on maintaining the integrity and independence of this local paper with a local heart; thanks Editor Paul Symington and Deputy Editor Ismay Woods for leading the paper so well and for ensuring the impartiality of this incredible piece in the jigsaw of the Ards and North Down Community life; highlights the incredible work done by Bobby Torrens and Jonathan Coates in photographics through their immortalisation of life through images and their great work in archiving; and wishes the team and their successors every success as they continue to strive to be a relevant, open and honest local voice for the people of the Ards and North Down area over the next 150 years.

1481The two-child benefit cap

Tabled: 17/07/23 Signatories: 27

Jon Trickett

Ms Diane Abbott

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

Kim Johnson

Mick Whitley

John McDonnell

That this House strongly opposes the continuation of the cruel and unnecessary two child limit for benefits, introduced by the Government in 2017; notes that recent research shows that one in 10 children live in households affected by the two-child limit, that is 1.5 million children; highlights the University of York and Nuffield Trust report which states that the two child limit along with the benefit cap have contributed to the rising levels of child poverty and that they are poverty-producing policies; strongly advocates scrapping the two child limit, noting the House of Commons Library data that shows if the cap was removed it would lift 270,000 households out of poverty at a cost of just £1.4 billion, far less than the Government’s £5 billion claim; and finally notes that the current Government has overseen a huge increase in child poverty since 2010, with a majority of children living in poverty in households where at least one adult is in work.

1482St Kilda sheep deaths

Tabled: 17/07/23 Signatories: 4

Angus Brendan MacNeil

John McDonnell

Allan Dorans

Jim Shannon

That this House recognises that all sheep in the islands of the UK are protected animals under the respective animal welfare legislation, apart from the feral Soay and Boreray sheep on the St Kilda archipelago, for which the Scottish government have created an exception, thereby leaving them subject to high levels of mortality as a result of winter starvation, averaging a thousand animals dying each year across the three flocks; notes that society would not tolerate this level of unnecessary suffering in any more accessible location; calls on the Scottish government to reconsider this decision and to include the sheep as protected animals under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006; and urges the National Trust for Scotland, as owners and managers of St. Kilda, to implement active measures to ensure the population stability of the flocks and safeguard the wellbeing of the sheep, both individually and collectively.

1483Inch Flute Band 100th Anniversary commemoratios

Tabled: 17/07/23 Signatories: 7

Jim Shannon

Gavin Robinson

Sir Jeffrey M Donaldson

Mr Gregory Campbell

Patrick Grady

Paul Girvan

That this House commemorates the 100th Anniversary of Inch Flute Band; highlights that the musical tradition in the parish of Inch dates as far back as the late 1800s; notes that archived material recorded Inch Flute Band and the Maxwell Conservative Flute Band gracing the King's highway in 1902; further notes that although always known as Inch Flute Band, the original bass drum carries the name Inch Conservative Flute Band and the royal coat of arms; further highlights the rich history of the band attending its first Twelfth of July parade in 1924 in Ballygowan, when the band's uniform consisted of a Sunday best suit and obligatory cloth cap; and wishes Inch Flute Band every success as it maintains its tradition and culture in a respectful and enjoyable fashion.

1484Rory McIlroy secures Scottish Open victory

Tabled: 17/07/23 Signatories: 6

Jim Shannon

Stephen Farry

Gavin Robinson

Sir Jeffrey M Donaldson

Jonathan Edwards

Paul Girvan

That this House notes the latest victory by Northern Ireland and UK golfing champion Rory McIlroy, who won the Scottish Open golf tournament; further notes that he secured victory by one stroke on the final day by scoring back to back birdies; highlights that McIlroy’s first professional victory in Scotland means that he is the first player in history to have won an Open, an Irish Open and a Scottish Open; and wishes him every success as he seeks to continue his winning streak at the Open at the Royal Liverpool course on Thursday 20 July.

1485Kinship carers

Tabled: 18/07/23 Signatories: 10

Grahame Morris

Munira Wilson

Kim Johnson

Jim Shannon

Mary Kelly Foy

Kate Hollern

That this House recognises the important role played by kinship carers in keeping children out of the care system, providing the love and stability children need by bringing up a relative or friend's child; acknowledges the work of leading national charity Kinship, which offers free support and advice to kinship families; notes the key findings in Kinship's Forced Out report, which highlights the difficulties Kinship carers have in the workplace and their lack of support; further notes The Cost of Loving: Annual Survey of Kinship Carers 2022, which sets out the extraordinary lengths that kinship carers go to in order to provide a loving and stable home in a worsening cost-of-living crisis; supports Kinship’s #ValueOurLove campaign, which calls for greater support for kinship carers, including a right to paid kinship care leave, a mandatory financial allowance, better employment advice and support and employers introducing kinship friendly employment policies for all kinship carers; and calls on the Government to recognise the vital role that kinship carers play by increasing financial support to kinship carers to allow children to stay with loving families they know.

1486Rory McIlroy, Scottish Open champion

Tabled: 18/07/23 Signatories: 6

Ian Paisley

Sir Jeffrey M Donaldson

Gavin Robinson

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

Paul Girvan

That this House congratulates Northern Ireland golfer Rory McIlroy on his success in winning the Scottish Open making him the only player ever to win The Open (2014), the Irish Open (2016) and the Scottish Open (2023); acknowledges golf's significant impact on the UK economy as a driver of economic and social development; looks forward to The Open later this week at Royal Liverpool; and recognises Rory McIlroy's significant impact as an ambassador for Northern Ireland at home and abroad.

1487Free school meals for all in Scotland campaign

Tabled: 18/07/23 Signatories: 2

Neale Hanvey

Jim Shannon

That this House notes with concern the impact of child and family poverty in Scotland, where almost one in four children, which equates to 250,000 children, are officially recognised as living in relative poverty; welcomes the Free school meals for all in Scotland campaign led by Scotland’s largest teaching union, the Educational Institute for Scotland, the Scottish Trades Union Congress Women’s Committee and The Sunday Mail, which calls for every child and young person attending school to have guaranteed access to free school meals or the means to buy one, where school meals infrastructure does not exist; concludes that free school meals should be available both during the school day and in holiday periods; and looks forward to the Scottish Government taking appropriate and urgent action to roll out universal free school meals to help mitigate against the ongoing cost of living crisis.

148850th anniversary of 1st Llandysul Scout Group

Tabled: 18/07/23 Signatories: 6

Ben Lake

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

Patrick Grady

Liz Saville Roberts

Hywel Williams

That this House congratulates the 1st Llandysul Scout Group on the occasion of its 50th anniversary; notes that the group held its first camp in August 1973 and continues to support young people to realise their potential; acknowledges the work of the late Mr Mike Walden and Dr John Griffiths, who, alongside Mr Cyril Thomas and his wife Mrs Rene Thomas, established the scout group; further acknowledges the contribution of Marion Bryant MBE, who led the group for more than 40 years; recalls that she received her MBE for services to young people and recognises her compassion and dedication as a driving force for all involved in the group today; praises the work of the current group of young people in the local community and thanks them for their work; celebrates the fact that during the past 50 years the group has seen its young people represent Wales in the world jamboree and has supported more than 700 young people and their families; commends the group for taking to heart the words of HRH Queen Elizabeth II in striving to be a force for good in the world; and sends the group every good wish as it embarks on its anniversary events.

1489Laurel Bank care home, Lancaster, Team of the year

Tabled: 18/07/23 Signatories: 3

Cat Smith

Jim Shannon

Mary Kelly Foy

That this House congratulates Laurel Bank care home in Lancaster on winning team of the year for the north division in the Barchester Care Awards 2023; notes that the award celebrates excellence in quality of care; commends the staff for their hard work and dedication; thanks them for their commitment to the people of Lancaster; and wishes them the best in the national finals.

1490Best bed and breakfast in Scotland award

Tabled: 18/07/23 Signatories: 2

Wendy Chamberlain

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates Rachel and Graham Bucknall on the success of their hotel in Lower Largo, The Crusoe, which was named the best Bed and Breakfast in Scotland in the 2023 AA B&B Awards; understands that the hotel had previously fallen into disrepair and was closed for 10 years before being taken over and reopened in 2021; notes the contribution of the tradespeople and staff who made the reopening possible; welcomes the hotel’s commitment to showcasing local food and drink; acknowledges the contribution of tourism and hospitality businesses to North East Fife and the wider economy; and recognises the many challenges such businesses have faced in recent years and continue to face.

1491Good Food Guide success in North East Fife

Tabled: 18/07/23 Signatories: 3

Wendy Chamberlain

Jim Shannon

Patrick Grady

That this House welcomes the success of two North East Fife restaurants in the Good Food Guide list of the 100 best local restaurants in 2023; understands that the Kinneuchar Inn in Kilconquhar was placed top in Scotland and that the Dory Bistro in Pittenweem was also included in the UK-wide list; notes that the Kinneuchar Inn was praised for its locally-sourced dishes and use of produce from the East Neuk and Greek and Italian influences; congratulates all the restaurants which made the list; and recognises the quality of restaurants across North East Fife and the contribution they make to the local hospitality industry.

1492Green Flag Awards for Edinburgh

Tabled: 18/07/23 Signatories: 3

Christine Jardine

Wendy Chamberlain

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates the City of Edinburgh on being awarded 38 Green Flag Awards for its parks and green spaces; notes that this represents over one-third of the awards in Scotland; further notes that Edinburgh is third in the UK for number of Green Flag Awards; further congratulates community and volunteer groups such as Friends of Corstorphine Hill for their award looking after Corstorphine Hill LNR Community Walled Garden; also notes the positive impact of green spaces and parks on biodiversity, mental health and wellbeing; and encourages everyone in Edinburgh to support their award-winning local parks this summer.

1493DD8 Music in Kirriemuir

Tabled: 18/07/23 Signatories: 12

Dave Doogan

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

Jim Shannon

Anne McLaughlin

Patrick Grady

Allan Dorans

That this House commends the achievements of the volunteers running community-based charity DD8 Music in Kirriemuir; notes their outstanding work to expand access to music and music-making to young people of all backgrounds; celebrates the success of the annual BonFest music festival, created and operated by DD8, which celebrates the life and legacy of former AC/DC frontman and son of Kirriemuir, Bon Scott; recognises the cultural and financial value of BonFest to Kirriemuir, and to Scotland as a whole, with around £1 million of economic value generated by the festival; hopes that next year’s BonFest will generate further achievements for DD8, Kirriemuir and Scotland; and wishes the DD8 team, and BonFest organisers, every success for the future.