Published: Monday 25 March 2024

New EDMs

540Town and Country Planning

Tabled: 22/03/24 Signatories: 2

Priti Patel

Sir Edward Leigh

That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, praying that the Town and Country Planning (Former RAF Airfield Wethersfield) (Accommodation for Asylum-Seekers etc.) Special Development Order 2024 (S.I., 2024, No. 411), dated 20 March 2024, a copy of which was laid before this House on 21 March 2024, be annulled.

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541Four-day working week

Tabled: 22/03/24 Signatories: 1

John McDonnell

That this House understands the importance of exploring the possibility of a shorter working week, including a four-day week, which trials have shown can benefit workers, employers, the economy, society and the environment; recognises that companies in the world's biggest four-day week trial saw healthy growth, with an average revenue increase of 34.5 per cent compared to a distinct and comparable six month period, which proved that productivity can be increased through better health and wellbeing and lower staff turnover, and that 92 per cent of the companies that took part in the trial continued with the four-day week after the trial period had ended; recognises further the potential benefits to staff, including those with caring responsibilities, such as significantly reduced childcare costs for parents; notes that, during a trial in South Cambridgeshire Council, staff sickness was reduced by 33 per cent; welcomes the PCS union's campaign for a four-day week pilot in the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs and the constructive engagement that the union is having with the Department; and calls on the Department to follow the lead taken by the Scottish Government enterprise agencies and take steps to implement a pilot for a trial period.

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54250th anniversary of St Mary’s Primary School, Maryhill

Tabled: 22/03/24 Signatories: 1

Patrick Grady

That this House congratulates everyone at St Mary's Primary School in Maryhill, Glasgow, on the school reaching the landmark of 50 years of educational and community service to families across Maryhill at its current location on Kilmun Street; understands that St Mary’s Primary School first started delivering denominational education in 1851, and the current building was opened at the present site on 26 February 1974; applauds the efforts of the staff team, who support close to 300 pupils from a diverse range of backgrounds and speaking over 30 languages; commends St Mary’s Primary School for its commitment to Catholic education; recognises the school’s key partnership with pupils, their families and the local parishes, The Immaculate Conception Church, Maryhill, and St Gregory’s Church, Wyndford; commends the school’s efforts within the wider community to develop important partnerships, including the "Introduction to University" at the Maryhill Hub and parent support initiatives with the Maryhill Health Centre; acknowledges the quality of education provided by St Mary’s Primary School staff, both past and present, over many years, including by the school's first headteacher on the current site, Brother Jerome, and its current headteacher, Madeline McGeachie; further recognises that a celebratory mass was held on 18 March 2024, led by His Grace Archbishop Nolan; thanks parents, staff and pupils alike over many years who have worked to achieve the school’s vision to be "united in nurturing our St Mary’s family towards growth and success", and wishes all the community further success for many years to come.

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543Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund and Nestlé

Tabled: 22/03/24 Signatories: 1

Dr Philippa Whitford

That this House notes that a coalition of Nestlé shareholders, with a combined $1.68 trillion in assets under management, has filed a resolution asking Nestlé to set a target to shift its sales towards healthier products; notes that the majority of Nestlé’s sales, 70% in the UK, are from foods that are high in fat, salt and sugar; further notes that Nestlé is the biggest food company in the world and therefore has an enormous influence on millions of people’s diets through the products it makes, advertises, and sells; recognises that diet-related ill-health, such as Type 2 diabetes and heart disease, is a major global public health challenge and a burden on public services, the wider economy, governments and, thus, on diversified shareholders; believes investors, including pensions and savings, have a responsibility to invest in a way that protects our planet and supports its people; observes that many pension funds, including the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund (PCPF), have large investments in Nestlé; and urges the PCPF to vote in favour of this resolution at, or ahead of, the company’s 2024 Annual General Meeting on 18 April 2024.

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544Office of National Statistics and mandatory attendance at workplaces

Tabled: 22/03/24 Signatories: 18

Chris Stephens

John McDonnell

Grahame Morris

Beth Winter

Rebecca Long Bailey

Ian Lavery

Ian MearnsAndy McDonaldMargaret GreenwoodRichard BurgonOlivia BlakeKate OsborneZarah SultanaBell Ribeiro-AddyIan ByrneClive LewisMick WhitleyClaudia Webbe

That this House expresses support and solidarity with the 1,200 Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) union members working for the Office of National Statistics (ONS) in Newport, Titchfield, London, Darlington, Manchester and Edinburgh who are currently balloting for industrial action over mandatory attendance at workplaces; notes that there was no previous requirement to spend a specific amount of time in offices but, in late 2023, workers were told that from January 2024 they would need to spend a minimum of 20% of their working time in the workplace, increasing to 40% from April; agrees with the PCS that the post-pandemic arrangements at the ONS have been an example of best practice in flexible and sustainable ways of working and that no evidence-based business case has been made for disrupting this model; further notes that this sudden change has caused anger among staff, already demoralised by the lack of trust and the need for rapid changes to their childcare and other arrangements; and calls on the Government to engage in meaningful talks with the union to arrive at a sensible way forward that accommodates the legitimate concerns of ONS employees.

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.

495Alleged comments by Frank Hester

Tabled: 11/03/24 Signatories: 65

Dawn Butler

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

Layla Moran

Anne McLaughlin

Carol Monaghan

Mrs Helen Grant

Daisy Cooper

That this House expresses its shock regarding the alleged comments made by Frank Hester reported by The Guardian about the hon. Member for Hackney North and Stoke Newington and all Black women; believes these alleged comments to be both racist and violent in nature; notes that Mr Hester is a regular and substantial donor to the Conservative Party; and calls on all leaders including the Prime Minister to condemn these remarks.

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529St Pauls RC Primary School Glee Choir heat winners

Tabled: 19/03/24 Signatories: 5

Peter Grant

Jim Shannon

Chris Law

Steven Bonnar

Dr Philippa Whitford

That this House congratulates St Pauls RC Primary School Glee Choir on their fantastic win of their recent heat at the Scottish Primary School Glee Challenge 2024 held in the Alhambra Theatre in Dunfermline over two nights in March; highlights that St Pauls, of Glenrothes, rocked their way to the top spot to go forward to the Fife Regional Final; notes the importance of the event in highlighting the incredible talent of so many pupils in Scotland's schools, raising confidence and offering opportunities to shine; commends the Challenge, under the auspices of the Frisson Foundation, on being the largest most inclusive singing, dance, performance and choir initiative engaging with thousands of Scotland’s primary school children; gives thanks to all of the teachers, school staff and especially the children of each and every school for taking part and making the event so exceptional; and wishes St Pauls Glee Choir all the very best for the rest of the Glee Challenge.

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530Treatment of Tibetan protesters in Dege County, Tibet

Tabled: 19/03/24 Signatories: 8

Chris Law

Jim Shannon

Jonathan Edwards

Martin Docherty-Hughes

Stewart Malcolm McDonald

Caroline Lucas

Martyn Day

That this House strongly condemns the recent brutal crackdown on peaceful Tibetan protesters in Dege County, Tibet; calls for an immediate and irreversible halt to the construction of Kamtok Hydroelectric Dam, as well as the forced relocation of more than 2,000 local Tibetans from their ancestral lands; acknowledges the courage of local Tibetans who have shared evidence, including videos, depicting desperate appeals, mass arbitrary detentions and the deployment of People’s Armed Police, despite internet surveillance and the risk of detention and imprisonment for communication with Tibetans abroad, especially during protests; expresses deep concern over the police violence and ongoing restrictions on communication in Dege, as well as the looming threat of forced relocation and the destruction of six ancient monasteries with significant universal heritage value; recognises the lack of genuine and meaningful integration of Tibetans’ profound knowledge and reverence for local sacred mountains in land-use planning and political decision-making; and therefore strongly urges the Government to call on the Chinese government to immediately and unconditionally release all individuals detained in connection with these events, provide medical treatment for all those injured until full recovery, immediately and irreversibly halt construction of all hydropower dams in Tibet without the consent of the local population and consideration of Tibetans’ knowledge of social, cultural and ecological implications, and immediately end the security crackdown in Dege County.

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531Neurodiversity Celebration Week

Tabled: 19/03/24 Signatories: 12

Drew Hendry

Jim Shannon

Christine Jardine

Jonathan Edwards

Martin Docherty-Hughes

Chris Law

Dr Philippa Whitford

That this House recognises Neurodiversity Celebration Week and the significance of fostering inclusive work environments for neurodiverse individuals; acknowledges the barriers faced by neurodivergent individuals in accessing employment opportunities and obtaining assessments for conditions such as autism and ADHD; notes the need to support employers in creating inclusive workplaces by providing resources for neurodiversity training; recognises the value of partnerships between businesses and neurodiversity support groups to enhance support for neurodiverse employees; commends local organisations for their efforts in raising awareness and providing support to neurodivergent individuals; and in doing so promotes understanding and inclusivity to ensure all individuals, regardless of neurodiversity, can thrive in the workplace.

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534Opening of Ukrainian Community Group Centre in South Ayrshire

Tabled: 20/03/24 Signatories: 6

Allan Dorans

Steven Bonnar

Dr Philippa Whitford

Dave Doogan

Alan Brown

Jonathan Edwards

That this House congratulates the Ukrainian Community Group South Ayrshire (UCG), a charity, on the opening of the Ukrainian Community Group Centre, in Ayr, which was officially opened by Mr Yevhen Mankovskyi, vice-consul at the Ukrainian Consulate in Edinburgh, on Friday 15 March 2024; notes the Centre will provide the more than 350 Ukrainian refugees resident in South Ayrshire fleeing from conflict with a safe place, where they can take part in numerous individual and collective activities including supporting families displaced by the devastating conflict in Ukraine, promoting language skills, social inclusion, new friendships, and facilitating mental health and wellbeing; further notes the outstanding contribution of the Management Committee and volunteers who have made this possible; recognises the benefits of such a Centre in providing support to maintain and reconnect with Ukrainian cultural ties and identities whilst integrating with the local community; further recognises and thanks local businesses, volunteer fundraisers, the National Lottery Community Fund, South Ayrshire HSCP and The Scottish Government Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund locally allocated through VASA, for substantial funding for this project; notes the Ukraine Community Centre in Ayr stands as a symbol of hope, resilience, and unity, offering a sanctuary for Ukrainian refugees in South Ayrshire to come together, share their stories, and support each other through the challenges of displacement and the ongoing crisis in their homeland; and, finally, reconfirms that the people of South Ayrshire, Scotland and the United Kingdom stand in unity and solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

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535University of Aberdeen course on the impact of female genital mutilation

Tabled: 20/03/24 Signatories: 5

Kirsty Blackman

Jonathan Edwards

Dr Philippa Whitford

Claudia Webbe

Mary Kelly Foy

That this House commends the University of Aberdeen for its efforts in training the next generation on the impact of female genital mutilation (FGM); notes that since its free online course on this topic launched in 2022, over 1,000 learners have participated; and welcomes that it continues to expand the capacity of the course to ensure that anyone with an interest in women's health feels prepared to deal with FGM in a professional capacity.

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536Teachers’ Pension Scheme and universities

Tabled: 21/03/24 Signatories: 4

Mary Kelly Foy

Jonathan Edwards

Beth Winter

Claudia Webbe

That this House notes that employers’ contributions to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS), of which approximately 58,000 university staff are members, are soon to increase by 5% in England and Wales; further notes, with concern, that while schools and colleges will receive additional funding from the Department for Education (DfE) to cover these increased costs, higher education institutions will not; recognises that many post-1992 university employers who are part of the TPS are facing severe financial difficulties, already resulting in course closures and job cuts; believes this situation will worsen dramatically if the Government refuses to intervene, putting thousands of jobs at risk and harming the reputation of the higher education sector; and therefore strongly urges the DfE to commit to providing additional funding for universities to cover the increase in TPS contributions in order to prevent this crisis.

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537St Andrew's Secondary School fundraising

Tabled: 21/03/24 Signatories: 2

David Linden

Dr Philippa Whitford

That this House congratulates pupils at St Andrew’s Secondary School for their tireless efforts in raising over £8000 for charities and causes across Glasgow East; recognises their selfless dedication in assisting St Andrews Hospice in their Ben Nevis Challenge, 6K fun run and participating in a Sleep Out for Shelter Scotland; applauds them for living by their school motto of Service not Self in volunteering for charities across the East End of Glasgow including The Wayside Club and local food banks; commends St Andrew’s Secondary School for empowering their students to create positive social change in their local community; and wishes all pupils, teachers and staff at St Andrew’s all the success in their future endeavours in promoting social justice.

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538One year anniversary of the kidnapping of Elizabeth Tsurkov

Tabled: 21/03/24 Signatories: 5

Tommy Sheppard

Jonathan Edwards

Layla Moran

Dr Philippa Whitford

Mr Alistair Carmichael

That this House notes that today marks the one year anniversary of the kidnapping of Elizabeth Tsurkov, a dual Russian-Israeli national, who is being held hostage in Iraq by the militant group Kata'ib Hezbollah; expresses dismay at her kidnapping and calls for her immediate release; extends solidarity to her family as they campaign for her safe release; further notes that the Iraqi Government has opened an investigation last year into the kidnapping and expresses hope that this will now move swiftly and without undue delay; notes that the Popular Mobilisation Force (PMF) consisting of Kata'ib Hezbollah and other militant groups is funded by the Iraqi government; expresses concern at the potential risk of UK Government funding to Iraq benefiting the PMF; urges the UK Government to ensure robust procedures are in place to ensure that funding is not rediverted to these groups; and further urges the UK Government to use all diplomatic pressure and tools at its disposal to secure the release of Ms Tsurkov.