Commons business papers

Contents

Published: Thursday 14 December 2023

Early Day Motions tabled on Wednesday 13 December 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

206Kay Latimer

Tabled: 13/12/23 Signatories: 1

Joanna Cherry

That this House celebrates the life of community activism and dedication to others of Kay Latimer and mourns her passing on 18 November 2023; notes Kay’s life of service as a nurse both in England and in Scotland; recalls her care for terminally ill people through her work with the Marie Curie Hospice and latterly her nursing of the elderly and people living with dementia; further notes her passion for sharing her knowledge and skills; celebrates the many younger colleagues who benefited from her support and guidance; recognises her dedication to Balerno Parish, her pastoral care for parishioners, her work as an Elder and the training and support she provided across the Presbytery; gives special recognition and thanks for her pioneering work in Balerno supporting people living with dementia and their carers through the establishment of the People with Advanced Loss of Memory, or PALM, Café and through her enthusiasm and drive spreading this model of dementia care to the neighbouring parishes of Currie and Juniper Green in part through The Meeting Place Community Cafe; gives thanks for the formation of her charity Dementia Friendly Pentlands which fights to improve the quality of life for families and unpaid carers and the people they care for; extends condolences to Kay’s family, her wide circle of friends and all those who continue to benefit from her legacy of devotion and care for others; and is certain she will be missed.

207Graeme Ramage Football Academy

Tabled: 13/12/23 Signatories: 1

Martin Docherty-Hughes

That this House acknowledges the invaluable work carried out by the Graeme Ramage Football Academy in Alexandria in supporting the local community; understands that the Academy provides coaching to over 150 kids and adults each week, which contributes to the health and wellbeing of the local community, and also works closely with Daniel's Wish to support children with complex support needs; notes that this year Graeme and his team are holding a Christmas toy appeal to support over 1,000 families in the area, which is an increase from the 300 families last year; further notes that many local companies have given their support to this appeal which is a testament to the impact of Graeme's work in the community and how well thought of he is; also notes that in addition to supporting families, the Christmas toy appeal will also support local organisations such as Food For Thought, Women’s Aid, West Dunbartonshire FoodShare and many others; and wishes to put on record sincere thanks to Graeme and his team at the Academy for their dedicated service to the local community.

208Fuel poverty

Tabled: 13/12/23 Signatories: 1

Jon Trickett

That this House notes with huge concern the figures from National Energy Action which has estimated that the total number of households across the UK in fuel poverty increased from around 4 million in summer 2020 to 6.7 million in October 2022 and expects it to reach 7.5 million households by April 2023; further notes that the Government’s estimates are even higher, estimating that 8.8 million households in England could be classed as fuel poor by the end of 2023; highlights that the number in fuel poverty could continue to increase, as the fuel poverty gap continues to grow, from £338 per fuel poor household in 2022 to a projected £443 in 2023, noting that this would be a new record high, beating the previous record of £354 in 2010; in addition notes that currently five million people are in debt to their energy supplier; raises concerns over the regional spread of fuel poverty, with 17.5% of households in fuel poverty in Yorkshire, compared to the English average of 13.2%; and calls on the Government to urgently protect the most vulnerable in our society and introduce a Emergency Energy Tariff.

209Council funding

Tabled: 13/12/23 Signatories: 1

Jon Trickett

That this House expresses its deep concerns about the future of local government funding and the cuts which have been imposed on local authorities by the Government, which on average amount to a 40% decrease in funding; highlights the comments made by some council leaders who have expressed their concerns about how difficult the financial situation could get, particularly those of Wakefield Council leader Denise Jeffery who has said Wakefield could face financial hardship by 2027 without better investment; notes the SIGOMA report which showed that the most deprived council areas have seen three times the cuts at the richest; and urgently calls on the Government to properly fund and invest in local government.

210Manufacturing in the UK

Tabled: 13/12/23 Signatories: 1

Jon Trickett

That this House acknowledges the decline in manufacturing in the UK; notes that the number of manufacturing jobs has fallen from 7.8 million in 1971 to 2.3 million in 2022; further notes that most of these cuts to manufacturing have occurred in the North of England, with nearly a million manufacturing employees in Yorkshire in 1971 and only 280,000 such jobs in 2022; also notes the recent Two Nations report by the Social Justice Commission which stated that a key driver of low pay is de-industrialisation, which left a vacuum of good jobs that paid a medium to high wage; and calls on the Government to rebalance the economy and tackle the regional dimension of low pay as well as investing in manufacturing jobs across the country.

211Child poverty

Tabled: 13/12/23 Signatories: 1

Jon Trickett

That this House expresses its dismay at the number of children in poverty in the UK; believes that as the UK is one of the richest countries in the world, it is shocking that 29% of children in our country are living in poverty, with 71% of children growing up in poverty living in a household where at least one person works; notes the recent UNICEF report which found that child poverty levels in the UK were the worst among the world’s richest nations and have increased faster than all other rich nations; highlights that child poverty has increased because of the huge programme of public service cuts enacted since 2010, the current cost of living crisis and policies such as the two-child limit on claiming welfare benefits; and calls on the Government to tackle child poverty by first extending the two child limit and also by restructuring our economy to deliver for working families and children.

212Girlguiding UK and the British Overseas Territories and military bases

Tabled: 13/12/23 Signatories: 1

Judith Cummins

That this House expresses its concern and disappointment in Girlguiding UK’s withdrawal of support in the British Overseas Territories and on military bases and the closure and sale of all their outdoor activity centres in the UK; notes this will have a detrimental impact on young women and communities within each Overseas Territory and military community; further notes that the Crown Dependencies are already part of Girlguiding regions in the UK (North West and South West), representing a disparity between the Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies; also notes that these places are an important part of the British family; and calls on Girlguiding UK to reconsider its decision.

213Imprisonment of Jimmy Lai

Tabled: 13/12/23 Signatories: 1

Jim Shannon

That this House notes with deep concern the forthcoming trial of Mr Jimmy Lai, a British citizen, founder and proprietor of the Apple Daily newspaper, under the National Security Law in Hong Kong; expresses alarm at the prospect that he will not receive a fair trial, and has been denied his first choice of legal counsel; further notes with profound concern his continued imprisonment on multiple other charges for the past three years; expresses urgent concern that, having marked his 76th birthday on 8 December, he faces the prospect of spending the rest of his life in prison in Hong Kong; observes that his unjust arrest and imprisonment illustrate the grave dismantling of freedom of expression, press freedom, freedom of peaceful assembly, democracy and the rule of law in Hong Kong; welcomes the recent meeting of the Foreign Secretary with Sebastien Lai, son of Jimmy Lai; urges the Government to lead the international community in highlighting the human rights situation in Hong Kong in general, calling for the repeal of the National Security Law in particular and for the immediate and unconditional release of Jimmy Lai specifically, in the forthcoming Universal Periodic Review at the United Nations; and calls on the Government to publicly and repeatedly demand the immediate and unconditional release of Jimmy Lai, as the United States, the European Parliament, and the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of assembly and of association, among others, have done.

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.

170Two child benefit cap

Tabled: 7/12/23 Signatories: 19

Jon Trickett

Jonathan Edwards

Martyn Day

Ben Lake

Liz Saville Roberts

Hywel Williams

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.

172Sewage discharges by United Utilities

Tabled: 7/12/23 Signatories: 11

Tony Lloyd

Jonathan Edwards

Claudia Webbe

Apsana Begum

Mary Kelly Foy

Jim Shannon

That this House condemns the regular and large-scale dumping of sewage by United Utilities across the North West of England; notes that recent Freedom of Information requests show that since 2018 raw sewage has been pumped into the North West’s natural environment for a total of 2,219,418 hours; highlights that in 2021 United Utilities recorded the highest number of sewage spillages in English rivers of any water company; believes that United Utilities clearly needs to act to greatly reduce its level of sewage-dumping; is concerned by the suggestion by United Utilities that they will increase customers’ bills as part of a plan to reduce sewage-dumping; and calls on United Utilities to first look to raise any funds required to reduce sewage-dumping by cutting expenditures such as the more than £300 million paid as dividends to shareholders earlier this year.

173Clothing poverty awareness

Tabled: 7/12/23 Signatories: 16

Apsana Begum

Jeremy Corbyn

Jonathan Edwards

Ben Lake

Liz Saville Roberts

Hywel Williams

That this House notes with concern that rising numbers of people are unable to afford adequate clothing in the United Kingdom, that the demand for clothing banks has increased dramatically and is particularly acute during winter months and that even despite the best efforts of clothing banks clothing deprivation is an hidden aspect of poverty in the United Kingdom; further notes that whilst other deprivations, notably food deprivations, are highly publicised and visible in the United Kingdom’s public consciousness the same is not true of clothing deprivation; acknowledges that through its voluntarily ratification of a range of treaties the United Kingdom has recognised and assumed obligations in international law to work towards the realisation of the right to adequate clothing; recognises the right to adequate clothing; calls on the Government to acknowledge the growing issue of clothing deprivation; further calls on the Government to publish a clothing strategy to ensure that nobody is excluded from accessing adequate clothing as well as address concerns regarding the environmental damage caused by fast fashion and the exploitation faced by garment workers in this country and in global supply chains; and also calls on the the Government to begin work towards addressing these issues through policy and law.

174Funding domestic abuse services

Tabled: 7/12/23 Signatories: 11

Apsana Begum

Ben Lake

Liz Saville Roberts

Hywel Williams

Claudia Webbe

Mary Kelly Foy

That this House notes that domestic abuse has wide ranging effects, including mental, emotional, physical, social and financial, on all areas of life for the individual survivor and those around them; recognises that community-based domestic abuse services provide holistic, specialist support to women and children experiencing domestic abuse on both a short and long-term basis; further recognises that access to support at all stages - whether still living with the abuser, planning to flee, or having already left to rebuild their lives – is absolutely critical; is alarmed that many such services are chronically underfunded and working to short-term contracts, creating a postcode lottery of provision across the country; and calls on the Government to ensure that domestic abuse services, including specialist services for disabled, LGBTQ+ and Black and Asian survivors, are properly funded so that every survivor can access the support they need.

177Arms to Israel

Tabled: 7/12/23 Signatories: 55

Chris Law

Afzal Khan

Tommy Sheppard

Imran Hussain

Zarah Sultana

Kim Johnson

That this House notes with deep concern that UK-made military equipment and technology is being used by Israel, including in its most recent bombardment of the occupied Gaza Strip which has resulted in thousands of deaths and injuries; expresses alarm at reports by the UN Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and others of violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law by Israel, including apparently unlawful attacks that may amount to war crimes; further notes that Israel uses military technology and weaponry, including surveillance technology, in the broader repression of Palestinians across Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory; is therefore alarmed by the granting of and continuation of extant UK licences for export to the Israeli military of arms and arms components including for aircrafts, helicopters, drones, missiles, military technology, armoured vehicles, tanks, ammunition, and small arms; reminds the Government that under international and domestic law, the UK is required to prevent the transfer of military equipment where there is a clear or overriding risk that such exports might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of international humanitarian law or international human rights law, as affirmed by Articles 6 and 7 of the Arms Trade Treaty, and criteria one and two of the UK’s Strategic Export Licensing Criteria; and therefore calls for the Government to immediately halt all transfers of military equipment and technology, including components, to Israel, and to suspend the issuing of new licences.

180Household Support Fund

Tabled: 11/12/23 Signatories: 9

Lloyd Russell-Moyle

Caroline Lucas

Jonathan Edwards

Mary Kelly Foy

Jim Shannon

Dan Carden

That this House calls on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to extend the Household Support Fund beyond March 2024 in his next Budget; notes that the removal of the fund will have the largest impact on the most vulnerable members of society including those most affected by inflation; further notes that increasing pressure on councils' budgets may result in critical food and energy help infrastructure being dismantled; and further calls on the UK government to ensure that sufficient funding be made available to county councils and unitary authorities.

183Raising awareness of Rett syndrome

Tabled: 11/12/23 Signatories: 5

Daisy Cooper

Jim Shannon

Wendy Chamberlain

Mohammad Yasin

Sarah Dyke

That this House recognises Rett Syndrome Awareness Month from 1 to 30 October; notes its importance for raising awareness of the rare genetic disorder as the second most common cause of severe disability in women and girls; commends the charitable organisation Rett UK, for their outstanding work in providing information, support and advocacy services for people impacted by the condition across the UK; and recognises the importance of their campaign this Rett Syndrome Awareness Month to inform, educate and engage people who can help improve the lives of people living with Rett Syndrome and their families.

186Anniversary of the murder of Ken Smyth and Daniel McCormick

Tabled: 11/12/23 Signatories: 2

Jim Shannon

Carla Lockhart

That this House notes the anniversary of the murder of Kenneth Smyth and his colleague Daniel McCormick on 10 December 1971 as they travelled to work together; further highlights that their families still openly grieve their loss and are calling for action to be taken against those who continue to withhold the truth of their slaughter; and expresses the deepest sympathy to these families who mourn with no hope of closure.

18740th anniversary of murder of Edgar Graham

Tabled: 11/12/23 Signatories: 2

Jim Shannon

Carla Lockhart

That this House notes the 40th anniversary of the murder of Ulster Unionist MLA Edgar Graham who was gunned down outside Queen's University Belfast on 7 December 1983; highlights that whilst there was a conviction for withholding evidence from the police, no convictions have taken place for his murder; and expresses the continuing sorrow for the loss of a leading light in Unionism, slaughtered only because he was an effective unionist politician, to his family and colleagues who await any form of justice for his murder.

188Adult literacy

Tabled: 11/12/23 Signatories: 25

Margaret Greenwood

Ian Mearns

Kim Johnson

John McDonnell

Rachael Maskell

Ian Byrne

That this House recognises that poor literacy skills and illiteracy can consign adults to insecure and low-paid work, lead to poverty and isolation and leave them vulnerable to exploitation; further recognises that people who struggle to read and write can face difficulty in accessing housing, social security, health and care services, education, skills, training and job opportunities, supporting their own children’s educational development and in staying in touch with friends and family; notes that literacy is invaluable in enabling people to communicate with each other and engage with the world around them; expresses concern that the National Literacy Trust estimates 7.1 million adults in England, 16.4% of the adult population, have very poor literacy skills, 931,000 adults in Scotland, 26.7%, experience challenges due to their lack of literacy skills, 216,000 adults in Wales, 12%, lack basic literacy skills and 256,000 adults in Northern Ireland, 17.4%, have very poor literacy skills; believes that these figures amount to a crisis in adult literacy across the UK and that this needs attention as a matter of urgency if we are to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to reach their potential and if we are to address the economic challenges our country faces; and further believes it is vital that adults who struggle with reading and writing get the support that they need.

189In memory of Margaret Payne

Tabled: 11/12/23 Signatories: 5

Jamie Stone

Chris Stephens

Jim Shannon

Sarah Dyke

Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown

That this House commemorates the life and achievements of Margaret Payne; acknowledges the huge contribution of £434,562 to the NHS, NHS Highlands, Highland Hospice and RNLI raised through her tremendous fundraising efforts; notes that Margaret raised this money by climbing her stairs 282 times over 73 days or 10 weeks, equating to the height of Suilven -Scotland's Sugarloaf Mountain of 2,398 ft; and pays tribute to Margaret as an outstanding citizen and a dear friend.

190BBC and repeat offences

Tabled: 11/12/23 Signatories: 4

Mr Gregory Campbell

Jim Shannon

Gavin Robinson

Carla Lockhart

That this House notes recent comments from the highly paid BBC presenter Gary Lineker where he has engaged in public spats with MPs, signed a letter regarding Government policy, having done this in the knowledge that the BBC, which is funded by the public purse via the licence fee, have only recently declared that presenters of flagship programmes outside news and current affairs have a particular responsibility to respect the BBC's impartiality because of their profile on the BBC, and this was only enacted as a result of his previous political activism; and calls on the Director General to indicate what action he intends to take given the fact that Gary Lineker is a repeat offender and appears to believe he can be a millionaire public sector sports presenter at the same time as being a political commentator.

201Norrie Brown and the Duke of Edinburgh Torchbearer of the Year award 2023

Tabled: 12/12/23 Signatories: 2

Patricia Gibson

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates Norrie Brown on securing the Duke of Edinburgh Torchbearer of the Year award at the This is Youth Awards 2023; notes that these awards showcase the achievements of young people participating in the Duke of Edinburgh award, as well as adults who support them; further notes that Norrie has led the Duke of Edinburgh Award programme at Auchenharvie Academy in Stevenston, North Ayrshire, for 20 years; recognises that Norrie has helped countless young people realise their potential and develop valuable skills and experience; acknowledges that the Duke of Edinburgh programme supports many Auchenharvie pupils in securing positive destinations; and commends Norrie’s inspiring commitment to improving opportunities and outcomes for young people in North Ayrshire.

202Scottish Youth Brass Band Championship silver award winners

Tabled: 12/12/23 Signatories: 2

Hannah Bardell

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates West Lothian Schools Brass Band (WLSBB) on their amazing success at the Scottish Youth Brass Band Championships; notes that the competition involved over 500 talented musicians from across Scotland; understands that 30 youth bands performed at Perth Concert Hall in this competition; highlights the team's terrific achievement of winning the silver award with their renditions of Eye of the Tiger and Final Countdown; commends the efforts of the team's conductors, teachers and other folk who supported this achievement; and wishes future success to all team members.

20325th anniversary of Caledonian Credit Union

Tabled: 12/12/23 Signatories: 3

Hannah Bardell

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

That this House congratulates Caledonian Credit Union on its 25th anniversary; notes that the Credit Union began as North Livingston Credit Union in 1998 operating out of St Peter’s Church; commends its recent expansion to serve members from as far as Lanarkshire all the way through to the Borders; recognises Caledonian Credit Union’s commitment to serving the public and ensuring they have access to local financial institutions; highlights their founders Fr Gerry Prior, Billy Thomson, and Nancy MacGilivray, and the rest of the wonderful staff and volunteers keeping the Credit Union thriving today; and wishes Caledonian Credit Union every success for the future.

204The Pensions Regulator pay

Tabled: 12/12/23 Signatories: 7

Chris Stephens

Caroline Lucas

Lloyd Russell-Moyle

Jim Shannon

Mary Kelly Foy

Jonathan Edwards

That this House deplores The Pensions Regulator’s (TPR) failure to pay staff in line with the civil service pay remit guidance; regrets that TPR is the only civil service employer of 212 employers to do so, imposing only a 3% pay rise instead of the recommended 4.5 - 5%; further deplores the refusal of TPR’s sponsoring Department, the Department for Work and Pensions, to take any part in assisting the resolution of the dispute; further regrets that TPR has refused to engage with proposals to reallocate any of its bonus pot to meet the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) pay claim; notes that the union’s widely supported strike action has continued into December 2023, with PCS membership at TPR increasing from 150 to 360 during this dispute; and calls on the Government to encourage further talks between TPR, PCS, and ACAS to ensure this issue is resolved quickly to provide a fair pay deal and the resumption of TPR services.

205Rwanda Treaty

Tabled: 12/12/23 Signatories: 44

Alison Thewliss

Stephen Flynn

Mhairi Black

Chris Stephens

Brendan O'Hara

Owen Thompson

That the Agreement, done at Kigali on 5 December 2023, between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Rwanda for the Provision of an Asylum Partnership Agreement to Strengthen Shared International Commitments on the Protection of Refugees and Migrants (CP 994), a copy of which was laid before Parliament on 6 December 2023, should not be ratified.