Published: Friday 8 March 2024

New EDMs

483City and Guilds Award for College Engagement with Employers

Tabled: 7/03/24 Signatories: 1

Mary Kelly Foy

That this House congratulates New College Durham on winning the City and Guilds Award for College Engagement with Employers at this year’s AoC Beacon Awards; notes New College Durham’s dedication to supporting students and employers in our region; further notes New College Durham’s creation of an innovative skills led curriculum; and commends the exceptional contribution of New College Durham and its staff to communities across County Durham.

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484Pre-1997 non-indexed company pensions

Tabled: 7/03/24 Signatories: 1

Geraint Davies

This House notes that over 500,000 former employees of 3M and other businesses including American Express, Hewlett-Packard, Chevron and Wood Group face massively-reduced pensions from their pre-1997 contributions, as current legislation only index-links contributions from 1997; further notes that, according to the Bank of England, between 2008 and 2023, former employees’ pensions have reduced in real terms by 56%; and calls on the Government to put pressure on the companies concerned to make good the indexation of former employees’ pensions for their pension contributions prior to 1997 and to consider retrospective legislation to encourage those companies who have not provided a significant discretionary uplift to former employee pensions, to help to mitigate value erosion from inflation to their company pensions.

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485100th anniversary of Saltcoats, Ardrossan and Stevenston Branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland

Tabled: 7/03/24 Signatories: 1

Patricia Gibson

That this House congratulates the Saltcoats, Ardrossan and Stevenston branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland on its 100th anniversary; understands that the branch was formed at Ardrossan Civic Centre, then called the Castlecraigs, on 10 April 1924; is aware that, at that time, servicemen and ex-servicemen having experienced the horrors of the Great War had no outlet in which to safely share experiences; acknowledges that the Legion assists veterans in the Three Towns and outside the area usually due to a referral by SSAFA, Poppy Scotland, other branches or Veterans First Point or a plea for help directly from a veteran or their family; notes that the help can be practical with transport, medication or just company while it may also relate to signposting to welfare, finances, housing or funerals; further acknowledges that the Legion also organises and facilitates various Remembrance parades and services throughout the year; is further aware that this includes Holocaust Memorial Day, D-Day, Armed Forces weekend as well as their upcoming annual HMS Dasher service which remembers those lost in the disaster when HMS Dasher mysteriously exploded and sank between Ardrossan and Brodick in 1943; and wishes Legion chairman Paul Coffey and everyone involved with the Saltcoats, Ardrossan and Stevenston branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland, the very best for the future of the Three Towns British Legion.

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486ITC Hydraulic Services Limited

Tabled: 7/03/24 Signatories: 1

Richard Thomson

That this House congratulates Oldmeldrum-based ITC Hydraulic Services Limited on being awarded the Family Business Award in the Federation of Small Businesses' Celebrating Small Business Awards 2024; notes that this year marks the twenty-fifth year in business of the firm; recognises the vital contribution made to the North East and Scottish economy of family businesses such as ITC Hydraulic Services Limited; further notes the firm is focussed on being a significant supplier to the growing renewables sector; and wishes management and the staff team continued success going forward.

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487OVO Energy’s decision to stop correspondence in Welsh

Tabled: 7/03/24 Signatories: 3

Hywel Williams

Ben Lake

Liz Saville Roberts

That this House expresses its significant disappointment in relation to OVO Energy’s decision to stop providing correspondence in Welsh to its customers in Wales, and criticises the instruction for Welsh speakers in Wales to instead use Google Translate to read the contents of English correspondence in the Welsh language; acknowledges that access to energy is a life essential, and Welsh speakers have recently lost another essential provision following the decision of HSBC to close its Welsh language telephone service, further dismissing the needs and requirements of people in Wales; notes that services in Welsh is a right provided by the Welsh Language Act 1993 and the Welsh Language Measure 2011, aiming to ensure the Welsh language is not treated less favourably than English in Wales; further notes that the Welsh Language Commissioner has previously published a standards report to consider bringing energy companies under statutory Welsh language standards regulations, which is commended; highlights the response provided by OVO Energy which apologises only for any inconvenience caused by its decision, and which underlines a significant lack of cultural and linguistic understanding; and calls on OVO Energy to urgently reverse this decision, and ensure it realises its responsibilities and duties with respect to Welsh speaking customers in Wales.

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.

418Political reform

Tabled: 22/02/24 Signatories: 5

Jon Trickett

Claudia Webbe

Jonathan Edwards

Rachael Maskell

Dan Carden

That this House acknowledges the perception amongst many people in Britain that key decision making structures are dominated by an unrepresentative social group whose concerns often fail to understand the wishes of British working people; understands that we need to renew our democracy as a result of the growing alienation in many communities from Westminster’s political processes; recognises that Britain is one of the most centralised countries in Europe; thinks that democratic renewal must ensure our political institutions are fully connected to the electorate and that we urgently need a new deal for our regions and nations to decentralise decision-making and strengthen local democracy; believes the hereditary principle in the House of Lords should be ended and the House of Lords should be abolished in favour of an elected Senate of the Nations and Regions; further believes there should be a ban on paid second jobs for MPs; believes that we need more elected representatives drawn from a wider social milieu, and especially regrets the decline in working class representation as well as that of other disadvantaged groups; further understands that democratic renewal requires legitimacy and therefore believes we ought to consider establishing a UK-wide constitutional convention to examine how power is distributed in the UK today; and, finally, insists that the intrusive and damaging role of private sources of big money is eliminated from our political system.

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422Closure of the Inter Faith Network

Tabled: 23/02/24 Signatories: 15

Wera Hobhouse

Sarah Dyke

Wendy Chamberlain

Jim Shannon

Helen Morgan

Christine Jardine

Kirsty Blackman

That this House deeply regrets the Government’s announcement that it will cut off funding to the Inter Faith Network; further regrets that this decision came despite new Government funding having been promised; notes with concern that islamophobia is rising and antisemitism in the UK is at the highest level on record; recognises the importance of inter faith dialogue at a time of heightened community tensions; further recognises the valuable work done by the Inter Faith Network and its branches around the country to bring communities together and nurture tolerance and understanding; further notes with concern that there is no organisation to take the Inter Faith Network’s place; and urges the Government to reinstate funding to the Inter Faith Network.

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441Access to the countryside

Tabled: 27/02/24 Signatories: 8

Jon Trickett

Mary Kelly Foy

Ian Mearns

Caroline Lucas

Clive Lewis

Rachael Maskell

Dan Carden

That this House acknowledges the outstanding beauty of our nation’s countryside; understands that public access to the countryside has considerable benefits to both physical and mental health; believes that footpaths, cycle tracks and bridleways are essential infrastructure that facilitates walkers, cyclists and equestrians safe access to the countryside; notes BBC reports that walkers are being shut out of 2,500 landscapes and beauty spots in England where there is a right to roam but no legal right to access them; further notes the BBC investigation which found that footpaths across countryside are being blocked or obstructed in nearly 32,000 places across England and Wales; and calls on the government to bring forward proposals for the expansion of the network of footpaths, cycle tracks and bridleways to ensure there is equitable access to the countryside for everyone.

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442School minibus safety

Tabled: 28/02/24 Signatories: 7

Sarah Edwards

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

Rachael Maskell

Mrs Sharon Hodgson

Dawn Butler

Zarah Sultana

That this House notes that 18 November 2023 was the 30th anniversary of the Hagley M40 minibus disaster, where twelve children and their teacher died; further notes that there is still no legislation to ensure best practice in the use of school minibuses, and a repeat of the tragedy is a distinct possibility; notes the inequality enshrined in current legislation and regulation whereby private schools are required to operate to a higher standard of safety than state schools by being required to have a full public service vehicle operator’s licence, whereas state schools can operate transport services for hire or reward with a permit under Section 19 of the Transport Act 1985, a much lower standard of safety management; notes that the existing legislative framework is confusing for school managers and enforcement officers alike; and calls on the Government to ensure that all schools with minibuses are required to have a full public service vehicle operator’s licence, hence operating to best practice and aiming to ensure that all pupils and staff come home safe.

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446Serco contracts

Tabled: 29/02/24 Signatories: 16

Kate Osborne

Jon Trickett

Rachael Maskell

Ms Diane Abbott

Lloyd Russell-Moyle

Kim Johnson

Ian Byrne

That this House condemns the Ministry of Justice's plans to hand a further £200m of public money to Serco; notes Serco's extensive record of failures, monitoring people with GPS technology; further notes that this contract replaces a prior contract with Capita; notes that since 2020 the Home Office has been dramatically expanding the number of people without British citizenship including people seeking asylum, and people born or raised in the UK who are forced into wearing electronic tags; notes the wide range of physical and mental harms caused by this practice; is concerned about dangers that targeting groups for sweeping surveillance powers poses; notes the complete lack of evidence of surveillance effectiveness as acknowledged in the Home Office's own documents; and demands that resources go to assisting people in need rather than paying profiteers to run mass surveillance programmes under the hostile environment immigration policy.

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455Future defence spending

Tabled: 4/03/24 Signatories: 3

Giles Watling

Jim Shannon

James Gray

That this House calls on the Government to bring forward legislative proposals to require that a minimum of 3% of GDP be allocated to defence spending; recognises that defence spending is at a three-year high but should be protected to prevent economic downturns from impacting the defence budget adversely; believes that this budget increase must be directly linked to force readiness; notes that, at a time where the world is in turmoil due to the ambitions of Russia, Iran, Hamas and others, we need the strongest British military capability possible; accepts that weakness is provocative and makes aggressors more aggressive; further believes that we need a better-funded British Armed Forces to support our men and women in uniform and promote armed forces careers as careers of choice; further notes that the starting salary for service personnel, after training, will be £23,496 from April 2023, whereas the mean average salary for all workers in the UK is £33,402; also believes that this disparity needs redress, as does support for post-service life; recognises that the Government has taken laudable steps to support allies in the world and support veterans at home; understands that there is a historic temptation to undermine defence of the Realm in favour of domestic spending; and views the peace dividend as the height of short-term thinking.

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460Fracture liaison services and osteoporosis

Tabled: 4/03/24 Signatories: 25

Margaret Greenwood

Claudia Webbe

Rachael Maskell

Dame Angela Eagle

Mick Whitley

Sir George Howarth

Dan Carden

That this House notes 50% of women and 20% of men over 50 will suffer a fracture due to osteoporosis; further notes 81,000 people of working age suffer fractures every year and that a third of sufferers will have to leave their jobs as a result; highlights the invaluable work of fracture liaison services (FLS) in identifying osteoporosis; expresses concern that, according to the Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS), only 51% of NHS trusts in England have FLS and that many people who break bones will therefore attend A&E and be seen without their underlying osteoporosis being diagnosed and treated, leaving a massive risk that they will suffer further, more serious fractures; expresses further concern that the postcode lottery in the coverage of FLS means that annually around 90,000 people of all ages are missing out on vital osteoporosis treatment and are therefore at risk of further fractures; notes the cost of this to both the individual and the state; notes the Better Bones campaign which is led by the ROS and the Sunday Express, and supported by a range of charities, royal medical colleges and unions; supports the asks of the campaign that everyone over the age of 50 should be covered by a quality FLS, £30 million per year of additional investment in FLS to fill the gaps in population coverage and quality, and the appointment of a national clinical director for fractures in each UK nation; and calls on the Government to fund universal fracture liaison services.

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462Women Against Pit Closures

Tabled: 4/03/24 Signatories: 26

Mary Kelly Foy

Ian Lavery

Ian Mearns

Claudia Webbe

Allan Dorans

Rachael Maskell

Dan Carden

That this House commends Women Against Pit Closures on the 40th anniversary of the miners’ strike for their fortitude, resilience and solidarity during the 1984-85 strike and beyond; believes that the 1984-85 strike would not have lasted as long without the support of women; notes that women’s groups, like those in the North East of England, were feeding up to 1000 people a day, five days a week, as well as providing assistance with household bills; further notes that women’s groups provided childcare, and, during school holidays, provided food, holidays, presents and toys for the children of striking workers; highlights that this heroic work was all done on a shoestring, all done in the spirit of working-class solidarity; further highlights that many of those women went onto provide similar support during the covid-19 pandemic; further believes that women were increasingly involved in the politics of the strike and the politics of the community; pays tribute to Heather Wood and the lifesaving women of County Durham; thanks all those who were involved in the 40th anniversary march in City of Durham; pays further tribute to women involved in industrial disputes and strikes in their attempt to create a better world; and pays tribute to the women of the working-class all over the world.

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46340th anniversary of the 1984-85 Miners' Strike (No. 2)

Tabled: 4/03/24 Signatories: 27

Ian Lavery

Jon Trickett

Grahame Morris

Ian Mearns

Mary Kelly Foy

Andy McDonald

Charlotte NicholsDan Carden

That this House notes the 40th anniversary of the start of the Miners’ Strike of 1984-1985 on 5 March 2024; further notes that, four decades on, many mining communities are still struggling as a result of the industrial vandalism and are still awaiting a just transition to the industries of the future; highlights the weaponisation of the state, including the police, judiciary and civil service, orchestrated by those at the highest level against ordinary men and women in mining communities; demands a full inquiry into the policing of the strike; also notes the working class solidarity of the trade union movement nationally and internationally, of the LGBTQ+ community and of people of colour throughout Britain, who all knew the only hope of success was to be united; and pays tribute to the men and women across the coalfield who were thrust to the fore by circumstance to become some of the finest orators, organisers and activists anyone could care to meet.

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464Ronnie Campbell

Tabled: 4/03/24 Signatories: 26

Ian Lavery

Jon Trickett

Grahame Morris

Ian Mearns

Mary Kelly Foy

Andy McDonald

Dan Carden

That this House notes with great sadness the passing of Ronnie Campbell, who represented the constituency of Blyth Valley between 1987 and 2019; notes Ronnie’s great public service to the people of his constituency and his tireless advocacy for Blyth Valley which has resulted in so many good quality jobs and technologies locating there; further notes his uncompromising and unconventional approach to representing his constituency and his great sense of humour in doing so; observes, on the 40th anniversary of the 1984-85 Miners strike, Ronnie's role in that dispute, representing as Chair of the Bates' branch of the NUM with great distinction; and expresses its heartfelt condolences to his family and friends at the sad news.

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475200th anniversary of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (No. 2)

Tabled: 6/03/24 Signatories: 3

Jim Shannon

Ian Mearns

Sir Mike Penning

That this House notes the 200th anniversary of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution; highlights the phenomenal work that has been carried out and lives that have been saved over 200 years in communities throughout this UK; further highlights the promotional work that is being carried out during this 200th anniversary celebration which demonstrates that the life saving capacity can only be facilitated with donations; highlights that the Mayor of Ards and North Down has chosen RNLI as one of her charities for this year and encourages churches and local communities to carry out fundraising to secure the future of this vital emergency service; and thanks every member, past and present, for their service and dedication to their community.

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476Pay transparency

Tabled: 6/03/24 Signatories: 13

Rebecca Long Bailey

Kate Osborne

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

Grahame Morris

John McDonnell

Apsana Begum

Ian Mearns

That this House considers that the lack of pay transparency is one of the causes of gender, disability and ethnic pay gaps; notes that 75 per cent of job applicants would be more likely to apply for a role that included a salary range and 62 per cent of candidates believe they should not be asked about their current or past salary in an interview, with this figure increasing to 73 per cent amongst Asian workers and 75 per cent for black workers; and therefore calls on the Government to support calls from the National Union of Journalists and recruitment company Liberty Hive for the outlawing of employers asking for salary history during recruitment, and guidance to be provided on publishing salary ranges on job adverts.

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478Public Accounts Committee report entitled Reducing the harm from illegal drugs

Tabled: 6/03/24 Signatories: 3

Grahame Morris

Ian Mearns

Dan Carden

That this House welcomes the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) report, Reducing the harm from illegal drugs, published in February 2024; notes that this acknowledges recent progress in workforce recruitment and countering county lines; heeds and highlights the PAC’s warning that, should the Joint Combating Drugs Unit, the Department of Health and Social Care and other Government departments fail to develop a compelling case for the sustained investment needed to reduce the growing harms from illegal drugs, then such progress will be wasted; endorses its recognition that, if the aims of Dame Carol Black’s independent review and the Government’s subsequent drugs strategy are to be realised and drug deaths can be reduced significantly, then further action is required urgently; further notes that, given the context of a significant erosion of councils’ capacity and capability to deliver, the report urges the Government to provide local authorities with more confidence over long-term funding to enable long-term planning; and calls upon the Government adopt the six recommendations of the PAC report and reaffirm its commitment to long-term funding of treatment services.

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479Razor attacks in prisons

Tabled: 6/03/24 Signatories: 24

Grahame Morris

Gordon Henderson

Liz Saville Roberts

Chris Stephens

Jim Shannon

Mary Kelly Foy

Bell Ribeiro-AddyWendy Chamberlain

That this House condemns the horrific and cowardly unprovoked razor attack on a prison officer at HMP Humber on 9 February 2024, which resulted in 53 stitches for a facial wound; notes with alarm the rising tide of prison violence since the end of pandemic lockdowns, with assaults against staff up 16% and the total number of assaults up 21% over the past 12 months; further notes with alarm the rise in weapon attacks, with knife and blade assault incidents up 16% in the most recent year reported compared with a 2% rise in assaults involving all types of weapons, which made up 25% of all prison assaults in 2022 compared with 10% in 2010; agrees with the Government’s 2021 Prison Strategy White Paper’s assessment that traditional wet-shave razors can be used by prisoners both as a weapon for assaults and to self-harm; expresses concern that, despite seven pilot projects on alternatives to wet-shave razors since the White Paper, no decision has yet been made about future shaving provision in prisons; agrees with the POA union that it is reckless and irrational to give prisoners access to wet-shave razors, especially in the current prison-violence crisis; further agrees with the POA that no more trials are needed to conclude that wet-shave razors are far more dangerous than electric razors; and calls on the Government to remove wet-shave razors from prisons immediately and to introduce electric-razor provision as a matter of urgency.

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482Cost of living payment at National Museums Liverpool

Tabled: 6/03/24 Signatories: 4

Kim Johnson

Mick Whitley

Dan Carden

Ian Byrne

That this House fully supports the staff at National Museums Liverpool (NML) engaging in strike action in an ongoing dispute over pay; notes that last year 206 employers in the public sector agreed to pay each worker a one-off £1,500 payment to part-compensate for inflation rises and hardship caused by Covid yet shockingly, National Museums Liverpool is the only employer which has so far refused to pay its staff the additional money; regrets that across the seven museums in Liverpool, NML staff are grappling with financial hardship due to low wages; and calls on the Government to step in, engage with PCS Union members, seek to resolve any perceived funding issues at NML and ensure the outstanding cost of living payment is paid.