Contents

Published: Wednesday 21 February 2024

Early Day Motions tabled on Tuesday 20 February 2024

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

407General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing

Tabled: 20/02/24 Signatories: 1

Mr Gregory Campbell

That this House notes that, during the West Belfast festival in August 2023, Pat Cullen, the General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), is reported to have made a comment about reunification being the only hope for the NHS; setting aside the irony that there is no NHS in existence in the Irish Republic, recognises that the RCN has a membership in Northern Ireland that crosses religious and political boundaries and exists to improve working conditions for all nurses; is concerned that, six months later and after several requests made in writing, there has been no response from the union on the accuracy or otherwise of the comments nor any subsequent explanation; and expresses the hope that the RCN can publicly state that any controversial comments, such as those reported, do not reflect the professionalism and integrity of the RCN.

408Detention of Frenchie Mae Cumpio

Tabled: 20/02/24 Signatories: 6

Liz Saville Roberts

Grahame Morris

John McDonnell

Chris Stephens

Rebecca Long Bailey

Kim Johnson

That this House demands the immediate release of Filipino community journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, who has been in detention since her arrest along with four human rights defenders since 7 February 2020 in Tacloban City; believes that the evidential basis for her arrest was fabricated, and that she is innocent of the charges; considers that the treatment of Cumpio is an attempt to silence messengers of truth and a clear violation of press freedom; fears that this represents a direct assault against Eastern Vista, which Cumpio heads as executive director, for its role in highlighting the issues of the marginalised and oppressed sectors in Eastern Visayas region, particularly the continuing plight of Yolanda victims, and the militarisation of farmers’ communities, among others; regards this case as yet another indication of the shrinking democratic space in the Philippines, as the administration hopes to deprive the poorest of the poor of another platform by which their voices are heard; and therefore supports the National Union of Journalists and International Federation of Journalists in calling on the UK Government to use every diplomatic effort to secure Cumpio’s release.

409Second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Tabled: 20/02/24 Signatories: 1

Patricia Gibson

That this House acknowledges that two years after the unprovoked, brutal and illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine, the conflict still rages; notes that hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians have been killed and maimed, with vast areas of Ukraine and many of its towns and cities devastated and millions displaced; believes that, as the world’s eyes have been averted elsewhere, Ukraine’s army is becoming increasingly exhausted and bloodied in a war against a numerically superior opponent with greater material resources; further notes that Russia is prepared to sacrifice tens of thousands of its citizens in an ongoing war of attrition; considers that the US and its allies from the start appear to have had an undeclared policy of stopping Ukraine losing while providing far too little of the materiel required to liberate the 18% of Ukraine under Russian occupation; is aware that Hungary’s veto in the EU and internal politics in the US have combined to starve Ukraine of critical munitions and financial support, forcing it on the defensive; recognises the UK’s £12 billion of military and financial assistance committed to Ukraine since the invasion; and further believes that only with the provision of EU and US funding and weaponry previously promised and more, can Ukraine hope to liberate its territory, ultimately end the conflict and secure a peaceful future for its people and Russia’s.

410Household Support Fund (No. 2)

Tabled: 20/02/24 Signatories: 1

Ian Byrne

That this House expresses deep concern that the UK Government has not committed to extending the Household Support Fund (HSF) beyond March 2024; notes that via this fund the Government has invested significantly in local crisis support as a response to the cost-of-living crisis; further notes that more than £2 billion has been invested in the fund since October 2021; acknowledges this represents the largest investment in local government in England to deliver local crisis support since the abolition of the Social Fund in 2013; notes that additional sums have also been provided to devolved administrations through the Barnett formula for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland; expresses concern that almost two-thirds of councils responding to an Local Government Association survey said they could provide no additional discretionary funding to replace what is lost when the HSF ends and just under one-fifth said they would also be reducing their own local welfare discretionary funding due to financial pressures; further notes that demand for the HSF has never been higher, that foodbank usage is at record levels and one-in-four children live in poverty, and around three-quarters of councils told the LGA they expect financial hardship to increase in their area in the next 12 months; and notes a letter signed by more than 120 organisations including The Children’s Society, Trussell Trust and Barnardo’s who shared their fears that this will leave a large gap in support which neither local government, nor the voluntary sector, will be able to fill.

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.

337Childhood cancer

Tabled: 30/01/24 Signatories: 28

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck

Claudia Webbe

Jonathan Edwards

Jim Shannon

Mary Kelly Foy

Jon Trickett

Daisy Cooper

That this House notes that over 4,000 children and young people are diagnosed with cancer in the UK every year; further notes that cancer is still the biggest killer by disease of children and young people in the UK; recognises the unique medical and psychosocial impacts of cancer on children and young people as compared to cancer in adults; expresses concern that the Major Conditions Strategy is being driven by adult-focused conditions and will be insufficient to address these unique impacts; highlights the Children and Young People’s Cancer Plan proposed by the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group and Young Lives vs Cancer; and urges the Government to adopt the provisions of the Plan to comprehensively address the needs of children and young people with cancer.

340Lothians Veterans Centre

Tabled: 31/01/24 Signatories: 9

Owen Thompson

Jim Shannon

Christine Jardine

Allan Dorans

Chris Stephens

Patricia Gibson

Martin Docherty-Hughes

That this House notes the invaluable contribution of the Lothians Veterans Centre, a small independent charity dedicated to supporting military veterans and their families in Midlothian; further notes that the centre operates a vital drop-in facility in Dalkeith, staffed by a committed team ready to address a variety of challenges faced by veterans and their families; commends the safe, welcoming environment provided by the Lothians Veterans Centre which is crucial in offering instant assistance, support and advice on a wide range of services; acknowledges the comprehensive support offered by the Centre including, but not limited to, health and wellbeing, housing, employment, benefits, pensions, further education and training, access to health services, welfare, comradeship and activities; appreciates the importance of the informal support provided by the Centre such as the opportunity for veterans to drop in for a brew and a chat which plays a vital role in building community and offering emotional support; applauds the exceptional dedication and commitment of staff at the Lothians Veterans Centre; highlights the importance of such organisations in supporting those who have served our country; and wishes the staff and veterans there good health and success in the future.

343Barnet mental health union dispute

Tabled: 31/01/24 Signatories: 14

John McDonnell

Jim Shannon

Mary Kelly Foy

Jon Trickett

Dawn Butler

Beth Winter

Zarah Sultana

That this House notes with grave concern the ongoing industrial dispute over recruitment and retention payments with Barnet Council and UNISON in relation to the deeply disturbing endemic staffing crisis that exists within frontline mental health services in Barnet; further notes that this dispute is now the longest-running mental health social worker dispute in UNISON’s history; observes that Barnet Council has refused to negotiate since they were first notified of the strike dates on 1 September 2023; believes that Barnet Council has a duty to its staff and mental health service users to try to expedite a resolution that will ensure a safe service with no waiting lists; and calls on Barnet Council to enter into meaningful negotiations with Barnet UNISON, the local trade union, to try and resolve this dispute constructively in order to allow mental health social workers to feel safe and secure in their workplace.

362Mortgage prisoners

Tabled: 5/02/24 Signatories: 26

Martin Docherty-Hughes

Hywel Williams

Ben Lake

Liz Saville Roberts

Jonathan Edwards

Jim Shannon

Lloyd Russell-Moyle

That this House notes the new campaign launched by the UK Mortgage Prisoners Action Group which calls for urgent and sweeping legislative reforms to mortgages to avert further homeowner crises and go some way to righting the current wrongs; understands that there are nearly 200,000 mortgage prisoners who are still suffering severe financial hardship due to decisions made by the Government and regulator in the course of bailing out the banks following the 2008 global financial crash; and believes urgent action must be taken to address the injustice that so many have suffered through no fault of their own and rather as a consequence of sales of mortgages to non lenders, repeated securitisation and regulatory changes further trapping many thousands of historic interest only customers.

364The Pioneers display and Peter McLagan

Tabled: 5/02/24 Signatories: 14

Martyn Day

Hywel Williams

Ben Lake

Liz Saville Roberts

Jim Shannon

Dr Philippa Whitford

John McNally

That this House commends the temporary display entitled The Pioneers: The First Asian and Black MPs, which is being transferred to form part of the permanent hang in Admissions Order Office Corridor; reflects on the protracted process of permanently acknowledging our groundbreaking Asian and Black MPs; notes with dismay the exclusion of Scotland’s first mixed-race MP, Peter McLagan, who served the Linlithgowshire constituency from 1865 to 1893; further notes that Peter was the longest-serving Scottish Member during the reign of Queen Victoria; and calls on the Parliamentary authorities to rectify the omission of Peter McLagan from The Pioneers display at the earliest opportunity.

36750th anniversary of the loss with all hands of the trawler fishing vessel Gaul

Tabled: 5/02/24 Signatories: 14

Emma Hardy

Jonathan Edwards

Sir Mike Penning

Jim Shannon

Mary Kelly Foy

Jon Trickett

Ian Mearns

That this House notes with solemnity and sadness the 50th anniversary of the loss of the fishing vessel Gaul, with all hands, on the night of 8-9 February 1974 in storm conditions in the Barents Sea, north of Norway; remembers the 36 crew who lost their lives; further notes that this remains the worst peacetime disaster to befall the British commercial fishing industry; offers its sincere condolences to their families, friends, relatives and the fishing community of Hull; deeply regrets the failure of the Government to locate the wreck following the sinking; notes that it took a further 23 years for the wreck to be located; recognises the distress and suffering of all those affected by the tragedy in the intervening years of uncertainty; further recognises the determination of all those who continued to campaign for answers to the tragedy; thanks the Dispatches team led by the late documentary filmmaker Roger Fenton whose work resulted in the discovery of its final resting place; further notes the series of events taking place in Hull between 8 and 11 February to commemorate the anniversary; acknowledges the eternal debt of gratitude owed by the nation to the generations who risked their lives at sea as part of the British fishing fleet; and honours the memory of all those who did not return.

371Local government services

Tabled: 6/02/24 Signatories: 17

Helen Morgan

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

Jon Trickett

Sarah Dyke [R]

Richard Foord

Ian Mearns Liz Saville Roberts Hywel Williams

That this House notes with concern that the funding provided in the 2024/25 Local Government Finance Settlement has decreased by over £5,575 million since 2016 in real terms; understands that councils are facing a funding gap of £4bn over the next three years; notes that the 2024/25 Settlement reduces the Services Grant by £406 million despite councils already being forced to make cuts to local services such as closing libraries and leisure centres; further notes that the Settlement fails to recognise the unprecedented levels of inflation and demand for services which has driven up council outgoings; understands that in order to pass balanced budgets many councils will be forced to charge higher council tax for reduced services; is concerned that almost one in five council leaders in England say they are likely to issue a S114 notice in the next 15 months; and urges the Government to provide adequate funding to local government to ensure councils have the means to deliver both statutory services and economic and cultural enrichment for their residents.

373VAT on hair and beauty salons

Tabled: 7/02/24 Signatories: 10

Kirsten Oswald

Deidre Brock

Chris Law

Alison Thewliss

Allan Dorans

Caroline Lucas

John McNally

That this House recognises the significant contribution made by hair and beauty salons to high streets across the country; notes the severe pressure which businesses in the hair and beauty sector are currently facing due to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, increasing bills, and payroll pressures; understands that salons which operate a rent-a-chair model often do not reach the threshold at which they are required to pay VAT, but that traditional salons who are also employers are under significant pressure due to the VAT burden; highlights that the potential closure of a large number of traditional salons threatens the vibrancy of high streets, employment prospects, and the tax take for the Exchequer; further notes that salon closures jeopardise apprenticeship opportunities for people entering into the hair and beauty sector; further recognises the important wellbeing impact of hair and beauty salons and the services and support they provide; and calls on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to act at the upcoming Spring Budget on 6 March 2024 by reducing VAT for hair and beauty salons to 10% support these vital businesses during this challenging period.

374Jagtar Singh Johal

Tabled: 7/02/24 Signatories: 35

Martin Docherty-Hughes

Deidre Brock

Ms Anum Qaisar

Ronnie Cowan

Kenny MacAskill

Alison Thewliss

Jamie Stone Liz Saville Roberts Hywel Williams Daisy Cooper

That this House notes that Jagtar Singh Johal, a Sikh activist and resident of Dumbarton, will be marking his 37th birthday on 9 February, his sixth in arbitrary detention in India since being abducted from the street during his honeymoon by unidentified assailants who turned out to be undercover police agents on 4 November 2017; notes that during his incarceration it is alleged that he was tortured both physically and through electric shocks to his nipples and genitals, something which led him to signing a confession, a confession that has subsequently been used when filing charges against him; supports the ruling of the UN Working Group on arbitrary detention which in May 2022 gave its opinion that Jagtar’s detention was an arbitrary one; urges the Government to also support this opinion and do what it can to achieve Jagtar’s immediate release to ensure that his birthday will be marked, in person, at home with his family.

375St Leonard’s Catholic School, City of Durham

Tabled: 7/02/24 Signatories: 3

Mary Kelly Foy

Rachael Maskell

Ian Mearns

That this House notes, with great concern, that St Leonard’s Catholic School, in City of Durham, has been affected by reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete for 161 days preceding the tabling of this Early Day Motion; condemns the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government for scrapping the Building Schools for the Future programme in 2010; further notes that, despite the egregious disruption to their education, pupils at St Leonard’s have not been offered mitigating circumstances for their examinations this year; calls on the Government to bring forward legislation to allow for mitigating circumstances for the affected pupils of St. Leonard's; and pays tribute to the determination and resilience of parents, pupils and teachers of St Leonard’s in light of this clear injustice.

376Hospitality and VAT

Tabled: 7/02/24 Signatories: 27

Alyn Smith

Patricia Gibson

Deidre Brock

Kenny MacAskill

Chris Law

Alison Thewliss

Liz Saville Roberts Hywel Williams

That this House recognises the immense challenges facing the hospitality sector during the cost of living crisis; notes that the Government implemented a temporary cut of 5% on VAT for hospitality businesses during the pandemic; further notes that VAT is not devolved and can therefore only be set by the UK Government; notes that the UK is an outlier for having a higher rate of VAT for the hospitality sector compared to other European economies; further notes that organisations such as the Scottish License and Trade Association, Scottish Beer and Pub Association and Scottish Hospitality Group support a cut of 5% on VAT as the most straightforward and effective policy measure to help many small and local businesses get through the current crisis; acknowledges that local hospitality businesses deliver an important social good to their communities as well as bring in vital income and jobs; and calls on the UK Government to implement a permanent cut of 5% on VAT for the hospitality sector to help hospitality businesses meet the challenges of the cost of living crisis.

377International Court of Justice Ruling on Gaza and the UK’s duties under the Genocide Convention

Tabled: 7/02/24 Signatories: 37

Zarah Sultana

Apsana Begum

Richard Burgon

Imran Hussain

John McDonnell

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

Liz Saville Roberts Hywel Williams

That this House notes the ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on 26 January 2024, which found that it is plausible that Israel’s ongoing attacks on the Palestinian people in Gaza are in breach of the Genocide Convention; further notes that the ICJ issued provisional measures, including ordering Israel and its military to prevent acts against Palestinians in Gaza prohibited by Article II of the Genocide Convention, such as killings of Palestinians in Gaza, as well as ordering Israel to prevent and punish incitement to genocide and to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza; supports the ICJ call for the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages; notes that as a signatory to the Genocide Convention the UK has a duty to prevent genocide and to ensure that the Convention is not breached; believes the UK has a responsibility to act to ensure this ruling is upheld, and not to undermine it; therefore calls on the UK Government to support the ICJ’s provisional measures; further believes that it is not possible for Israel to fulfil the ICJ’s order without an immediate end to its military assault on Gaza; and therefore, in light of plausible breaches of the Genocide Convention, further calls on the UK Government to demand an immediate ceasefire and suspend all arms exports to Israel.

379Achieving clean air

Tabled: 9/02/24 Signatories: 15

Caroline Lucas

John McDonnell

Clive Lewis

Geraint Davies

Dr Philippa Whitford

Rachael Maskell

John McNally Jonathan Edwards

That this House notes that 15 February marks the anniversary of the death of Ella Roberta Adoo-Kissi Debrah who became the first person to have air pollution listed on her death certificate, and extends its deepest sympathies to her family; notes that air pollution is associated with conditions like asthma, heart disease and cancer, impacts mental health, and causes up to 43,000 premature deaths each year in the UK; believes that air pollution is a public health emergency; is concerned that children are particularly affected by dirty air and that the UK has one of the highest rates of asthmatic children across Europe, with one in eleven young people living with asthma; urges the Government to take urgent action to deliver clean air, including strengthening the air quality targets under the Environment Act 2021, including committing to reduce annual mean levels of PM2.5 to 10 µg/m3 in England by 2030; welcomes the introduction of the Clean Air (Human Rights) Bill, known as Ella’s Law, which would enshrine the right to breathe clean air and require the Secretary of State to deliver this in England within five years with the possibility of limited postponements subject to strict conditions; notes that it responds to the UN resolution recognising the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment and has already undergone scrutiny in the House of Lords; and calls on the Government to support this Bill as a means to achieve clean air and prevent future deaths.

380Murder of WPC Yvonne Fletcher

Tabled: 9/02/24 Signatories: 9

Allan Dorans

Kirsten Oswald

Anne McLaughlin

Sir Mike Penning

Angela Crawley

Dr Philippa Whitford

Martin Docherty-Hughes

That this House recalls that on 17 April 1984, WPC Yvonne Fletcher, aged 25, was shot in the back and murdered by shots fired from inside the Libyan People’s Bureau while policing a political demonstration; notes that no one has ever been charged in connection with her death, despite there being an individual identified as Saleh Mabrouk suspected of involvement in her murder; further notes that in 2017 the Government refused to allow the release of certain evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service, on the grounds of national security which would potentially have allowed Saleh Mabrouk to be prosecuted in a criminal court; notes that former police officer John Murray, who was with Yvonne when she was murdered, has campaigned relentlessly for justice for Yvonne for 39 years; and on 16 November 2021, won an outstanding victory at the Royal Courts of Justice; notes the judgment determined that Saleh Mabrouk, together with others, was jointly responsible for Yvonne’s death; further notes that the Government has not in any way assisted Mr Murray in his campaign for justice for Yvonne; and calls for an inquiry into why a report commissioned by the then Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, in 1984 (the Sir Antony Duff Report) has never been made public, and asks that it now be released; and asks that the evidence withheld from the CPS in 2017 be reviewed to ascertain if it can now be safely released with a view to the consideration of a criminal prosecution of Saleh Mabrouk.

381UK funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East

Tabled: 9/02/24 Signatories: 12

Hywel Williams

Liz Saville Roberts

Ben Lake

John McDonnell

Stephen Farry

Caroline Lucas

Jonathan Edwards

This House notes the UK’s decision to pause funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA); further notes that UNRWA's services are primarily funded through contributions from UN member states, constituting around 93% of the agency’s funds; is concerned that UNRWA has warned that the decision by the UK and other countries to suspend funding will leave it unable to fund its aid operations in a matter of weeks; notes that UNRWA supports 5.9 million Palestinian refugees in Gaza and other countries including Syria, Lebanon and Jordan and employs 30,000 staff, 13,000 of whom work in Gaza; further notes the grave humanitarian situation in Gaza where over 2 million people are at imminent risk of famine and 152 UNRWA staff have been killed; notes UNRWA’s swift action to terminate the contracts of 12 employees following allegations of their involvement in the 7 October attack and launch an investigation by the UN Office of Internal Oversight, in addition to the appointment of an independent review group by the UN Secretary-General to assess how UNRWA ensures neutrality and responds to allegations of serious wrongdoing; further notes that other countries including Ireland, Norway, Belgium, Denmark and Spain continue to fund UNRWA in light of the agency’s swift disciplinary and investigative response; and calls on the UK Government to immediately re-instate funding for UNRWA given the disastrous humanitarian consequences that the pause in funding will have for people in Gaza and the wider region.

382VAT Cut for Hospitality Sector

Tabled: 9/02/24 Signatories: 11

Paul Girvan

John McDonnell

Dr Philippa Whitford

Rachael Maskell

Pete Wishart

Claudia Webbe

Jonathan Edwards Liz Saville Roberts Ben Lake Hywel Williams

38313th anniversary of the Bahrain pro-democracy uprising

Tabled: 19/02/24 Signatories: 5

John McDonnell

Claudia Webbe

Ian Mearns

Jonathan Edwards

Kenny MacAskill

That this House notes the 13th anniversary of Bahrain’s 2011 uprising, when widespread protests demanding democratic change and decrying structural inequalities, corruption, oppression and a lack of government representation were met with government violence and repression, in which dozens of individuals were killed and hundreds arrested, some of whom are still imprisoned; raises the alarm that Bahrain’s rights record has since deteriorated and opposition leaders and human rights defenders, including Abduljalil Al-Singace, Hassan Mushaima, Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja and Abdulwahab Hussein, languish behind bars and calls for their release; decries that Bahrain holds 26 prisoners on death row at imminent risk of execution, many of whom allege torture including Mohammed Ramadhan and Husain Moosa; calls on the Government to reinstate Bahrain to the Foreign Office human rights priority list, given Bahrain’s rights record; further calls for consideration of Magnitsky sanctions for those known to be perpetrators of human rights atrocities; and raises concerns that millions of pounds of taxpayers' money continues to be spent on technical assistance to Bahrain through the Gulf Strategy Fund, despite evidence that it has supported institutions including the Bahrain Interior Ministry and the Ombudsman which have been implicated in torture, death penalty and whitewashing abuses.

386Children's Mental Health Week 2024 in Oxfordshire

Tabled: 19/02/24 Signatories: 2

Layla Moran

Sarah Dyke

That this House recognises Children’s Mental Health Week 2024 which runs from 5-11 February; notes the importance of listening to children and young people in accordance with this year’s theme, My Voice Matters; celebrates and thanks Abingdon Bridge, Mental Health Natters, Abingdon Damascus Project, the Unicorn School, Oxfordshire Mind, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), and all other mental health services in Oxfordshire for their incredible work towards and unwavering commitment to children’s mental health; expresses concern at the crisis facing children’s mental health services, noting that children in Oxfordshire are experiencing five-year waits from referral to being seen; acknowledges the persistent underfunding of children’s services; calls for increased funding for CAMHS, in particular for preventative services; further calls for the provision of a mental health professional in every school; and further notes the need for legislation to properly address this issue in the form of a Mental Health Bill.

387Committee of the Future

Tabled: 19/02/24 Signatories: 4

Douglas Chapman

Martin Docherty-Hughes

Dr Philippa Whitford

John McNally

That this House supports the establishment of a Committee of the Future to follow in the footsteps of the successful and internationally renowned Committee of the Future in Finland, recognised for its visionary planning, rigorous analysis of challenges ahead, citizen engagement and representation, solution-focused recommendations to innovate and its ability to adapt to future challenges; recognises the importance of the work of the world’s first Future Generations Commissioner post established in Wales in 2016 and that discussions on a similar position for the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood are led by Sarah Boyack MSP; and considers and values the importance of long-term planning to build aspiration and resilience across Government and civic society with a similar approach at Westminster.

388Women and girls in global conflict zones

Tabled: 19/02/24 Signatories: 2

Sarah Dyke

Jonathan Edwards

That this House notes with concern that the number of women and girls living in conflict zones worldwide reached 614 million in 2022; recognises the gendered risks conflict poses to women and girls through sexual violence, lack of healthcare, food insecurity, disruption to education and trafficking; acknowledges that women in conflict-prone areas may also experience climate instability; further recognises other difficulties faced by women with disabilities and civilians who identify as LGBTQ+; concurs with the UN statement that misogyny is a common thread in the spread of conflict and violent extremism; further notes the upcoming 25th anniversary of UN Resolution 1325; expresses support for women and girls affected by global conflict, including Israeli and Palestinian women targeted with sexual violence by Hamas, Gazan and Ukrainian women taking on healthcare responsibilities amidst failing infrastructure, and women and girls displaced in Sudan; calls for the UK's aid budget to be restored to 0.7% of gross national income; further calls for the UK Government to sign the Compact on Women, Peace and Security and Humanitarian Action; calls for civilian access to health to be prioritised during conflict; also calls for women and girls to have their rights and access to justice preserved and defended; and further calls for women and girls to be integral to peace-building processes all over the world.

390Points of Light nomination for Kaydi Scottsville

Tabled: 19/02/24 Signatories: 2

Hannah Bardell

Dr Philippa Whitford

That this House congratulates and celebrates the recent Points of Light nomination for Kaydi Scottsville; applauds Kaydi, who founded her charity called Diversified when she was fourteen after being diagnosed with autism and ADHD and was struggling in school; notes the importance of this incredible charity which hosts a range of social groups and an innovative out-of-school wellbeing and alternative learning service which is supporting thousands of neurodivergent young people in West Lothian and Edinburgh; thanks Kaydi for all her hard work to achieve this nomination within the local Livingston Community; and wishes Kaydi all the best for the year ahead.

391Cash payments and Avanti West Coast catering services

Tabled: 19/02/24 Signatories: 18

Cat Smith

Chris Stephens

Kim Johnson

Dan Carden

Zarah Sultana

Charlotte Nichols

Martin Docherty-Hughes Dr Philippa Whitford

That this House notes with concern reports that rail operator Avanti West Coast is proposing to withdraw cash as an accepted payment method for its catering services from March 2024; expresses concern about the impact of this decision on people who rely on, or prefer to use, cash; further notes that over one million people in the UK do not have access to a bank account and that people on lower incomes are disproportionately more likely to be unbanked; also notes reports from the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers that withdrawing cash from catering services could put jobs involving cash handling at risk; understands that, since Avanti took on the franchise, net staff numbers have reduced by 200; believes that the withdrawal of cash sales from the catering service would further worsen the travel experience for Avanti passengers, who continue to be faced with delays, cancellations and disruption; and therefore calls on the Department for Transport, which manages the franchise, to instruct Avanti West Coast to scrap its proposals to withdraw cash from catering services.

393Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund’s 2024 Wee Box Appeal

Tabled: 19/02/24 Signatories: 3

Anne McLaughlin

Martin Docherty-Hughes

Dr Philippa Whitford

That this House welcomes the launch of Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund’s (SCIAF) 2024 Wee Box Appeal; understands that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide which killed an estimated one million people and caused deep trauma which remains to this day; notes that the appeal highlights that violence against women and girls has become normalised and that, shockingly, almost half of women aged 15-49 in Rwanda have experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime; welcomes SCIAF’s partnership working with local Rwandan organisations to support projects which help women and girls to rebuild their lives after abuse, change social attitudes and build a future free of abuse and discrimination; and wishes the campaign every success.

394Pathological Demand Avoidance

Tabled: 19/02/24 Signatories: 2

Sir Mike Penning

Mr Gregory Campbell

That this House commends the PDA Society and other PDA campaigners for their call to action campaign to raise awareness, recognition and understanding of the Pathological Demand Avoidance profile of autism; and supports their calls for autism boards, local authorities and clinical commissioning groups to issue a position statement to help health and education professionals provide the support so desperately needed by children and young people with PDA and their families.

395100th birthday of Holocaust survivor Henry Wuga

Tabled: 19/02/24 Signatories: 6

Kirsten Oswald

Martin Docherty-Hughes

Dr Philippa Whitford

Liz Saville Roberts

Ben Lake

Hywel Williams

That this House congratulates Holocaust survivor, Giffnock resident, Henry Wuga on his 100th birthday; notes that Henry was born in Nuremberg on 23 February 1924 and arrived on the Kindertransport in 1939; understands he was sent to Glasgow, then Perth following the outbreak of war; recognises Henry met his wife, Ingrid Wolff, who also arrived on the Kinderstransport, at the German and Austrian refugee centre in Glasgow; further notes Henry and Ingrid married on 27 December 1944 and ran a kosher catering business; further understands they spent considerable time sharing their testimony and educating others about the Holocaust; acknowledges Henry and Ingrid devoted 20 years of their lives to fundraising for the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice; further notes Henry worked as a ski instructor with the British Limbless Ex-Serviceman’s Association; further recognises Henry was awarded an MBE in 1999 for services to sport for disabled people and Ingrid received a British Empire Medal in 2019 for services to Holocaust education; further acknowledges Henry is a great admirer of Robert Burns, his writings on themes of liberty and freedom meaning a great deal to him with Burns Night celebrated just two days before Holocaust Memorial Day annually; understands Ingrid sadly passed away in October 2020 but the couple celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary in 2019; recognises Henry and Ingrid have two children, four grandchildren and three great grand-children; and reflects that on reaching his 100th birthday, Henry is a truly remarkable individual and offers warm wishes to him.

397Ardamata and Masalit massacres

Tabled: 19/02/24 Signatories: 3

Patricia Gibson

Dr Philippa Whitford

Zarah Sultana

That this House condemns the horrors currently being inflicted on the Masalit community of West Darfur at the hands of paramilitary groups, the Rapid Support Forces and Janjaweed, in light of reports that these groups massacred between 800 and 1,300 unarmed people on 8 November 2023; considers that an ethnic cleansing of dark-skinned non-Arab people is taking place in West Darfur now, with other massacres having taken place; acknowledges that these massacres have been described by the Economist, Genocide Watch, and the West Darfur Governor, Khamis Abakar, as a genocide; believes that Sudan has been in chaos since civil war erupted on 15 April 2023, with at least 9,000 deaths since then, with 1.3 million Sudanese people having fled the country, and with almost five million people being internally displaced; recognises that the world’s focus now is primarily on Gaza; and further believes that the United Nations must show leadership in trying to address the Sudanese civil war and what it sees as many other ongoing, seemingly endless, conflicts across the world, from Libya and Congo to Syria and Yemen, Myanmar and Ukraine.

399Midlothian View

Tabled: 19/02/24 Signatories: 2

Owen Thompson

Jonathan Edwards

That this House applauds Midlothian View, a local digital news brand, for being nominated twice in the Business Awards 2024 organised by Midlothian and East Lothian Chamber of Commerce; recognises that the awards are a highlight of the business calendar and offer Midlothian businesses the opportunity to promote major achievements and celebrate success; notes that Midlothian View have been nominated for the Best Commitment to Youth Development and Best Community Impact awards; further acknowledges Midlothian View's vital contributions to local journalism and its pivotal role in fostering community engagement through its in-depth coverage of news, events and issues pertinent to the Midlothian area; applauds this brand’s journalistic excellence, integrity, and dedication to truth; further applauds its commitment to providing timely, accurate and engaging content which has made it an indispensable resource for the local community, bridging gaps and bringing people closer together; and wishes Midlothian View continued success for the future and good luck at the awards dinner ceremony on 7 March 2024.

401VAT and the hospitality sector

Tabled: 19/02/24 Signatories: 8

Douglas Chapman

Martin Docherty-Hughes

Dr Philippa Whitford

John McNally

Jonathan Edwards

Hywel Williams

Ben Lake Liz Saville Roberts

That this House recognises the continuing challenges facing the hospitality sector during the cost of living crisis; notes that the Government implemented a temporary cut of 5% on VAT for hospitality businesses during the pandemic; further notes that VAT is not devolved and can therefore only be set by the UK Government; notes that the UK is an outlier for having a higher rate of VAT for the hospitality sector compared to other European economies; further notes that organisations such as the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, Scottish Beer and Pub Association and Scottish Hospitality Group support a cut of 5% on VAT as the most straightforward and effective policy measure to help many small and local businesses; recognises businesses such as the Wee Restaurant in North Queensferry, whose team work hard everyday to serve their loyal customer base against the competing demands of inflation, higher energy costs and the cost and availability of raw materials; and calls on the Government to implement a permanent cut of 5% on VAT to help hospitality businesses meet the challenges of the cost of living crisis, to give them some financial breathing space after the covid-19 pandemic and to remain sustainable in the future so that they can continue to contribute to the wider economy.

402Alan Bates and the Freedom of the City of Liverpool

Tabled: 19/02/24 Signatories: 26

Ian Byrne

Kate Osborne

Mick Whitley

Margaret Greenwood

John McDonnell

Mary Kelly Foy

Liz Saville Roberts Jonathan Edwards Ben Lake Hywel Williams Jon Trickett Dawn Butler Valerie Vaz

That this House supports the call for the Freedom of the City of Liverpool to be bestowed upon Liverpool-born Post Office Horizon campaigner Alan Bates; notes this is the highest civil award in the city and has previously been awarded to those who have left an indelible mark on the people of Liverpool, including the 97 Hillsborough victims; recognises that resilient and determined campaigning against injustice lies in the heart and DNA of this city’s daughters and sons; further recognises the need for a duty of candour and a Hillsborough Law now to prevent further miscarriages of justice; notes that the ITV drama Mr Bates vs the Post Office has sparked renewed interest in the Post Office Horizon scandal which left hundreds of British sub-postmasters falsely accused of theft, fraud and false accounting because of a defective IT system; further notes Alan Bates’ vital role in bringing the Post Office Horizon scandal to light; recognises that, in 2009, Alan Bates joined forces with other sub-postmasters affected by the Horizon scandal and went on to found the Justice for Sub-postmasters Alliance; reflects that, almost a decade later, Alan Bates and five others took the Post Office to the High Court, representing more than 500 sub-postmasters, and the Horizon computer system was ruled at fault; and further notes that Alan Bates continues to campaign today for all sub-postmasters affected and for a Government compensation scheme.

403Death of Alexei Navalny

Tabled: 19/02/24 Signatories: 4

Jim Shannon

Martin Docherty-Hughes

Jonathan Edwards

Mr Gregory Campbell

That this House deeply regrets the death of Alexei Navalny; notes that he was a Russian opposition leader, lawyer, anti-corruption activist and political prisoner; highlights the sad news that his family have been denied access to his body and expresses sincere condolences and sympathies to them at this time; urges the judicial system in Russia to ensure his body is returned to the family as soon as possible; and calls for a full investigation into this death to ensure justice is served.

404Docklands bombing in 1996

Tabled: 19/02/24 Signatories: 2

Jim Shannon

Mr Gregory Campbell

That this House remembers the London Docklands bombing, where a 3,000lb device that included Libyan-supplied explosives detonated in a vehicle parked outside the Bashir family business on 9 February 1996 as the IRA ended an 18-month ceasefire; notes with sadness the death of Inam Bashir, who was killed in the newsagents along with colleague John Jeffries; highlights that the force of the bomb left 42 people badly injured; underlines the horrific damage caused by the blast and notes the subsequent conviction of IRA member James McArdle in 1998; sends deepest condolences and sympathies to all those who still bear the scars and memories of that day; and notes that the legacy of those who were killed will never be forgotten.

405Durham Area Youth

Tabled: 19/02/24 Signatories: 2

Mary Kelly Foy

Ian Mearns

That this House recognises the vital work of Durham Area Youth and its service to young people aged 6-18 in the areas of Pittington, Shadforth, Sherburn Hill and West Rainton in City of Durham; notes that they reach up to 300 young people per week through the provision of direct support, including, but not limited to community outreach projects, travelling community support, wellbeing activities, a youth forum and youth work, as well as alternative and special educational needs support; further notes Durham Area Youth’s recent projects with Durham Pride and mental health in the region; praises Durham Area Youth for its work on feeding families in the region and campaigning against period poverty; congratulates those who won the hon. Member for the City of Durham's Christmas card competition; and sends Durham Area Youth our best wishes.

406International Mother Languages Day 2024

Tabled: 19/02/24 Signatories: 8

Apsana Begum

Claudia Webbe

Ian Mearns

Hywel Williams

Liz Saville Roberts

Jonathan Edwards

Ben Lake Beth Winter

That this House pays tribute to International Mother Language Day 2024, which was the initiative of Bangladesh and was approved at the 1999 UNESCO General Conference; notes that it has been observed on 21 February throughout the world since 2000 and commemorates the Bangladeshi university students martyred for the Bangla language in 1952; further notes 2024’s theme is “multilingual education is a pillar of intergenerational learning”; and believes that valuing linguistic diversity helps provide people with an understanding of language and culture, raises educational attainment, and celebrates the plurality and richness of multicultural communities.