Contents
Published: Thursday 25 April 2024
Early Day Motions tabled on Wednesday 24 April 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
666Work Capability Assessment reforms
Tabled: 24/04/24 Signatories: 1
Marion Fellows
That this House expresses its deep concern that the Government’s proposed Work Capability Assessment reforms will expose more people, including disabled people and those with long-term health conditions to work conditionality and the threat of benefit sanctions; recognises that there is considerable evidence, including the Department of Work and Pension’s own report entitled The Impact of Benefit Sanctions on Employment Outcomes, published on 6 April 2023, that conditionality, and in particular the use of sanctions, is counterproductive in efforts to support people into sustainable work and causes unnecessary hardship; acknowledges that the use of sanctions are harmful to people’s health and wellbeing, further punishing society's most vulnerable people; notes that removing the Work Capability Assessment risks conflating incapacity and disability payments, as not everyone who is sick and not able to work will qualify for disability payments; further notes that there is no safety net for people with short-term ill-health and sickness to manage their condition and live a dignified, independent life; and calls on the Government to stop the implementation of their Work Capability Assessment changes which will lead to disabled people and those with long-term health conditions losing out financially.
667Animals
Tabled: 24/04/24 Signatories: 1
Mrs Natalie Elphicke
That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, praying that the Official Controls (Extension of Transitional Periods) (Amendment) Regulations 2024 (S.I., 2024, No. 540), dated 22 April 2024, a copy of which was laid before this House on 22 April 2024, be annulled.
668Animals
Tabled: 24/04/24 Signatories: 1
Mrs Natalie Elphicke
That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, praying that the Official Controls (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2024 (S.I., 2024, No. 541), dated 22 April 2024, a copy of which was laid before this House on 22 April 2024, be annulled.
669Mhairi Maclennan London Marathon success
Tabled: 24/04/24 Signatories: 1
Drew Hendry
That this House congratulates Kirkhill athlete Mhairi Maclennan on her London Marathon debut, after becoming the first British female to cross the finish line; notes she finished the race in 2 hours 29 minutes and 15 seconds; further congratulates all those who completed the 26.2 mile course; and wishes Mhairi continued success in her running career.
670Diversion schemes for drug-related offending
Tabled: 24/04/24 Signatories: 2
Grahame Morris
Rachael Maskell
That this House endorses the recognition from Dame Carol Black and the Home Affairs Committee that improved use of diversion schemes, where police deal with low-level offending without the involvement of courts, can be an important tool in reducing drug-related crime; pays tribute to the pioneering work of Police-led Drug Diversion (PDD) schemes such as Durham’s Checkpoint programme led by the late Ron Hogg, the West Midlands’ Operation Turning Point and the Thames Valley Druglink scheme championed by former Chief Inspector Jason Kew; highlights the importance of community resolution to preclude the need for arrest and to facilitate access to education, treatment and support services; welcomes the work of Professor Alex Stevens of the University of Kent and Paul Quintom from the College of Policing in providing evaluation of PDD schemes and identification of best practice; believes this will establish effective national standards and a template to end the patchy postcode-lottery of provision; and calls on the Government to commit to consistent national roll-out of high-standard diversion schemes, as soon as practicable, to provide a cost-effective alternative to the current cycle of criminalisation and reoffending.
671Barclays Bank branch closures
Tabled: 24/04/24 Signatories: 1
George Galloway
That this House condemns the decision by Barclays Bank to close yet more branches across the country, including in Rochdale, Abingdon, Ayr, Dundee, Inverness, Livingston, Perth, Shawlands, Andover, Barking, Barnard Castle, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Beverley, Birmingham, Bishop's Stortford, Blackburn, Borehamwood, Boston, Bracknell, Brentwood, Burton-on-Trent, Cannock, Clacton-on-Sea, Cobham, Cockermouth, Crouch End, Dereham, Dewsbury, Eltham, Ely, Evesham, Farnham, Forest Gate, Fulham Broadway, Gateshead, Grantham, Gravesend, Greenhithe, Grimsby, Halifax, Harleston, Hartlepool, Hexham, Hornchurch, Keighley, Kirkby Stephen, Lancaster, Leicester, Leiston, Lincoln, Liverpool, Maidenhead, Mansfield, Northallerton, Northampton, Oldham, Penrith, Pickering, Poole, Ramsgate, Rayleigh, Richmond, Abergavenny, Aberystwyth, Bangor, Blackwood, Bridgend, Builth Wells, Cardigan, Haverfordwest, Llanelli, Neath, Rhyl, Risca, Tredegar, Ystrad Mynach, Ruislip, Scunthorpe, Sheringham, Skipton, Kensington, South Woodford, Spalding, St Neots, Streatham, Wadebridge, Wallasey, Wembley, Westbury-on-Trym and Willesden Green as well as other towns; and calls on the Government to take decisive and swift action to prevent towns from being left without any bank branches.
672UK’s national minorities
Tabled: 24/04/24 Signatories: 1
Ben Lake
That this House marks the 10th anniversary of the UK Government recognising the Cornish as a national minority through the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities; notes that this landmark decision set out numerous obligations including support for language and culture, education and the media, the greater visibility of national minorities in public life, the protection of historic territories, more opportunities on the international stage; further notes that the decision should afford the Cornish the same status as the UK’s other national minorities; is however concerned that the UK Government has yet to fully meets its obligations under the Framework Convention by treating Cornwall equally with the other national parts of the UK; and calls on the UK Government to deliver meaningful devolution through the creation of a legislative Cornish Parliament or a National Assembly of Cornwall, full membership of the British-Irish Council and other trans-national bodies, fair funding for Cornwall and its public services, a Cornish Language Act, and public service broadcasting provision for Cornwall.
673Restrictions on cash deposits
Tabled: 24/04/24 Signatories: 1
George Galloway
That this House notes recent changes by major UK banks limiting cash deposits into personal current accounts; further notes that Santander UK now restrict deposits of cash via Post Offices and ATMs to £10,000 in any 12-month period, and Barclays now restrict cash deposits to £20,000; believes this is not in keeping with the FSA guidance on Cash Access issued in 2023; and calls upon banks to scrap limits on cash deposits to personal current accounts, especially given the increasingly scant locations of bank branches across the country.
674150th anniversary of Inverness Bowling Club
Tabled: 24/04/24 Signatories: 1
Drew Hendry
That this House congratulates Inverness Bowling Club on celebrating their 150th anniversary; recognises the hard work and efforts of all those over the years who have contributed to the club's lasting success; and wishes them continued success for the future.
675Inverness Rowing Club and the Junior Inter-Regional Regatta 2024
Tabled: 24/04/24 Signatories: 1
Drew Hendry
That this House congratulates teenagers Sam Roxburgh and Shay Hammock on their success in being called up to represent Scotland at the Junior Inter Regional Regatta at Nottingham this month; recognises that the pair, both of Inverness Rowing Club, have been selected to represent their country in singles competitions in their respective age groups against top junior rowers from across Great Britain; further recognises that this is the first time Scotland will be represented at this event; and wishes them every success for the competition, and in their future rowing careers.
676Student debt
Tabled: 24/04/24 Signatories: 1
Jon Trickett
That this House expresses its concern at the excessive levels of student debt and loan repayment rates; notes that the average student leaves university with £50,000 worth of debt and is currently required to repay 9% on everything they earn over £27,295 a year; further notes that as of April 2024 the current rate of interest for student debt is 7.8%; recognises that many former students are accruing more in interest each year than they are repaying and that 51% of students who took out their loans before August 2023 will never repay their debts in full; believes that the current system of university financing based on tuition fees and high levels of student debt is economically unsustainable and reckless; further believes that higher education is a vital public good that benefits the whole of society and the burden for funding it should fall on the wealthiest; urges the Government to take immediate action to reduce the student debt burden; and calls on the Government to launch a review into the funding of higher education examining the possibility of abolishing tuition fees and funding higher education through wealth and income taxes.
677Bombay Lounge restaurant in Midlothian, Curry Restaurant of the Year at Scottish Curry Awards 2024
Tabled: 24/04/24 Signatories: 1
Owen Thompson
That this House congratulates the Bombay Lounge restaurant in Dalkeith, Midlothian, for their recent success at the Scottish Curry Awards 2024; recognises their award for Curry Restaurant of the Year; acknowledges how this is a wonderful accomplishment and a testament to the dedication and hard work put into their restaurant; further acknowledges how this award is a well-deserved recognition of the Bombay Lounge team’s efforts and the wonderful experiences they provide to customers; and wishes the Bombay Lounge continued success and acclaim in the future.
678Disability benefits assessment process
Tabled: 24/04/24 Signatories: 1
Jon Trickett
That this House expresses its concern about the application and assessment process for disability benefits such as Personal Independence Payments and Universal Credit Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity; notes that the Government is proposing to end GP involvement in the process; further notes that disability rights campaigners have argued that phone assessments and to a lesser extent face-to-face assessments do not give an accurate understanding of someone's ability to work or the level of support they need; believes that GPs have a role to play in the assessment of disability needs; and calls on the Government to review disability benefit assessment processes with the aim of creating a system that is easier and friendlier to navigate for people with disabilities.
679Matthew Wynee, Scotland cerebral palsy football team
Tabled: 24/04/24 Signatories: 1
Kirsten Oswald
That this House congratulates the Scotland Cerebral Palsy Football Team on winning the IFCPF World Championships; recognises that Matthew Wynee, a football coach at East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure Trust, captained the team and was named the Most Valuable Player of the Tournament; recognises that Matthew scored the opening goal of the final match after just six minutes of play and a second goal later in the match; commends Matthew and his teammates on their 4-nil victory over Northern Ireland in the final that took place on 18 April in Salou, Spain; and applauds the efforts of Matthew and his teammates and wishes them well for future competitions.
680Rana Plaza in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Tabled: 24/04/24 Signatories: 4
Apsana Begum
Andy McDonald
Bell Ribeiro-Addy
Jeremy Corbyn
That this House marks that on 24 April it is 11 years since the collapse of the Rana Plaza building in Dhaka, Bangladesh, which killed at least 1,132 workers and injured more than 2,500, a large proportion of whom were women in what was one of the worst industrial accidents on record; is concerned at the ongoing poor labour conditions, low wages and unsafe work environments, with a high incidence of work-related accidents and deaths, faced by workers in the garment sector worldwide; is alarmed at the ongoing suppression of trade union and collective bargaining rights in the garment industry and, that since the covid-19 pandemic, there is evidence of worsening health and safety standards, increased gender discrimination and reports of concerning levels of workplace gender-based violence and harassment; recognises that without the ability to organise, workers are inhibited from fully securing improved working conditions and/or challenging abuse; and believes that all workers deserve a workplace that provides them with a living wage, decent working conditions and trade union rights including the right to refuse unsafe work, to take strike action and to collectively bargain.
681Remembering Fergie MacDonald
Tabled: 24/04/24 Signatories: 6
Angus Brendan MacNeil
Chris Stephens
Ian Blackford
Wendy Chamberlain
Carol Monaghan
Jamie Stone
That this House notes with sadness the passing of the great Fergie MacDonald, the legendary Scottish Ceilidh King and bandleader, who died aged 86 on 23 April 2024; pays tribute to his life and the joy and delight he brought to so many throughout the Highlands, Scotland, the pan-Celtic nations and through many other parts of the world; further notes that he lived a full Highland life as a stalker, gamekeeper, maybe even poacher, and most famously as a musician with the button box accordion, previous to that he was a physiotherapist to Partick Thistle FC in Glasgow and a trainer for the Fort William Shinty Club; also notes his successful music career spanning over 60 years with 23 released albums and many more original musical compositions, including topping the Scottish singles charts in 1966 with Loch Maree Islands; recognises his induction into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame; recalls his fantastic biography Fergie: Memoirs of a Musical Legend with Allan Henderson; remembers fondly his sense of fun, character, wit, humour and good nature which is why his passing is noted especially by so many Highland communities who valued and loved Fergie being Fergie with his trademark red socks on some small village hall stage entertaining the local community or a variety of weddings, with dances, tunes and entertaining chitchat in between which brought him affection and fans from near and far; and joins with his family and friends in mourning the passing of a Highland legend.
682World Malaria Day 2024
Tabled: 24/04/24 Signatories: 1
Patrick Grady
That this House notes that Thursday 25 April 2024 has been designated as World Malaria Day by the World Health Organisation, marking the 17th time the day has been observed since its establishment by the World Health Assembly in 2007; further notes that this year's theme focuses on accelerating the fight against malaria for a more equitable world, drawing attention to the decline in progress toward reducing malaria globally, particularly in the WHO African Region which in 2022 accounted for 94% of malaria cases and 95% of deaths and, that on current trajectories, critical 2025 milestones of the WHO global malaria strategy for reductions in malaria cases and deaths will be missed; also notes that the disease continues to directly endanger health and cost lives, and perpetuates a vicious cycle of inequity, with people living in the most vulnerable situations including pregnant women, infants, children under five years of age, refugees, migrants, internally displaced people, and Indigenous Peoples disproportionately impacted; and calls on the UK Government to increase its focus on working towards Sustainable Development Goal 3.3 to end the malaria epidemic, and to contribute required funding at the upcoming replenishments of Gavi, the vaccine alliance and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
683Two-child benefits limit
Tabled: 24/04/24 Signatories: 1
Mary Kelly Foy
That this House recognises the new research from the End Child Poverty Coalition which highlights the extent to which the two-child limit impacts single parents and families with disabled children; notes that 20% of all households impacted by the two-child limit are families with at least one disabled child, which is just over 87,500 households; further notes that 25% of all families impacted by the two-child limit are single-parent households, with a child under 3; expresses incredulity that no assessment of the potential correlation between the proportion of children living in households affected by the two-child limit and levels of child poverty has been made by the Department for Work and Pensions; and calls for the two-child limit to be reconsidered.
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.
593Tenant farming commissioner
Tabled: 15/04/24 Signatories: 8
Tim Farron
Jonathan Edwards
Jim Shannon
Richard Foord
Chris Stephens
Chris Law
Christine Jardine
That this House praises the work of Baroness Kate Rock in producing the Rock Review of the Tenanted Farming Sector; acknowledges the value of the more than 70 detailed recommendations the review makes; urges the Government to especially consider the recommendation for a tenant farming commissioner; notes the need for this position to tenant-proof all new agricultural payments schemes, to judge their appropriateness for tenant farmers and to ensure that tenants are not disadvantaged; further notes the success of the Scottish Government’s existing tenant farming commissioner; and recognises tenant farmers’ need for this commissioner to be their advocate and champion within Government.
600Trapped podcast on IPP sentences
Tabled: 15/04/24 Signatories: 28
John McDonnell
Liz Saville Roberts
Wendy Chamberlain
Jim Shannon
Kenny MacAskill
Richard Burgon
Bell Ribeiro-Addy
That this House praises the tireless work by campaigners fighting against the injustice of Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentences, which were abolished in 2012 but not retrospectively, and commends the Trapped podcast for shining a powerful spotlight on the ongoing scandal of these indefinite and potentially never-ending sentences; agrees with the Lord Chancellor that IPP sentences are a stain on our justice system, and with the United Nations special rapporteur on torture that they have become cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment that could amount to psychological torture; welcomes Government proposals to reduce the licence period post-release for people serving IPP sentences but believes these reforms do not go nearly far enough; urges the Government and Opposition to commit to a bipartisan approach to resolving this miscarriage of justice conclusively by supporting the establishment of an expert panel to oversee a resentencing exercise for everyone serving an IPP sentence, as recommended by the Justice Select Committee; calls on the leaderships of all political parties to listen to the first season of Trapped so as to understand better the importance and urgency of such a resentencing exercise; and looks forward to the launch of the second season of this gripping, inspiring and heart-breaking podcast.
627War in Sudan
Tabled: 17/04/24 Signatories: 15
Alison Thewliss
Jonathan Edwards
Patrick Grady
Angela Crawley
Chris Law
Richard Thomson
Patricia GibsonDeidre Brock
That this House mourns the first anniversary of the outbreak of the civil war in Sudan, which began on 15 April 2023; regrets the tragic conflict, which has resulted in a humanitarian and refugee crisis across the country and its neighbours, with more than 8.5 million residents of Sudan displaced due to the fighting as of March 2024; notes that in November, the UN found that the conflict had created the largest child displacement crisis in the world, affecting around three million Sudanese children; acknowledges the disturbing and widespread use of war crimes by the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, the two main factions of the conflict; recognises that these war crimes have included indiscriminate attacks on residential neighbourhoods, disruption of humanitarian aid, targeting of hospitals and medical services, sexual violence, and massacres against ethnic minorities, in particular the Masalit of West Darfur; condemns all those complicit in war crimes during the conflict; demands an end to the fighting and a resumption of Sudan's democratic transition; calls on the UK Government to meet its obligations to Sudanese nationals displaced by the civil war at home and abroad; and urges the UK Government to do everything in its power to help end the conflict.
640RBS branch closures
Tabled: 18/04/24 Signatories: 18
Deidre Brock
Stewart Malcolm McDonald
Angela Crawley
Chris Law
Ronnie Cowan
Stuart C McDonald
George GallowayDrew Hendry
That this House recognises the importance of maintaining bank branch services; regrets the latest closures announced by the Natwest banking group, which operates Royal Bank of Scotland, and the decision to close 18 of its 86 RBS branches across Scotland, with three branches in Edinburgh set to close including Leith, disadvantaging small businesses and customers in one of the most densely populated parts of the city; further recognises the importance of maintaining counter services to a significant proportion of the community who do not use digital banking; and calls on the Government to take much greater action to protect access to cash and face to face banking services across the UK high streets.
641New Practice turns five years old
Tabled: 18/04/24 Signatories: 6
Alison Thewliss
Chris Law
Richard Thomson
Allan Dorans
Chris Stephens
Drew Hendry
That this House recognises the fifth anniversary of New Practice, an award-winning women and LGBTQ+-led architectural practice based between Glasgow and London, on 9 May 2024; notes that in these five years, New Practice has played a vital role in improving the lived environment of both cities and many places beyond; acknowledges their participation in vital projects such as the redevelopment of the Kinning Park Complex, the redevelopment of Buchanan Galleries, and the preservation of the architectural heritage of Glasgow's High Street; congratulates New Practice management and staff on this significant anniversary; and wishes them all the best in all future endeavours.
642Himalayan Dine Barrhead and the Scottish Curry Awards 2024
Tabled: 19/04/24 Signatories: 6
Kirsten Oswald
Allan Dorans
Alison Thewliss
Jim Shannon
Chris Stephens
Drew Hendry
That this House congratulates Himalayan Dine Barrhead, based on Barrhead Main Street, East Renfrewshire, on being crowned Neighbourhood Restaurant of the Year at the prestigious 16th annual Scottish Curry Awards; notes that Himalayan Dine Barrhead was also highly commended in the category of Most Wanted Restaurant of the Year; understands the family run restaurant first opened in 2021 and specialises in authentic Indian and Nepalese cuisine; further notes that Himalayan Dine Barrhead has a sister restaurant based in Shawlands, Glasgow South; recognises that the Scottish Curry Awards is a significant event which highlights and celebrates the talents and hard work of individuals within the Scottish curry industry; further understands that the Scottish Curry Awards 2024 took place on 15 April at the Glasgow Double Tree by Hilton Hotel; and wishes all of the staff at Himalayan Dine Barrhead all the very best for the future.
643Swagath Indian Restaurant and the Scottish Curry Awards 2024
Tabled: 19/04/24 Signatories: 6
Kirsten Oswald
Allan Dorans
Alison Thewliss
Jim Shannon
Chris Stephens
Drew Hendry
That this House congratulates Swagath, an Indian restaurant located on Glasgow Road, East Renfrewshire, on being crowned Best of Greater Glasgow at the prestigious 16th annual Scottish Curry Awards; notes that Swagath was previously based on Dovecothall Street before moving to their current premises on Glasgow Road in May 2023; recognises that Swagath shares their current premises with Scotch and Rib-Aye Bar and Restaurant; understands that the restaurant offers a wide range of authentic Indian dishes; notes that the Scottish Curry Awards is a significant event which highlights and celebrates the talents and hard work of individuals within the Scottish curry industry; further understands that the Scottish Curry Awards 2024 took place on 15 April at the Glasgow Double Tree by Hilton Hotel; and wishes all of the staff at Swagath Indian Restaurant all the very best for the future.
644Gleniffer Thistle fundraising for Epilepsy Scotland
Tabled: 22/04/24 Signatories: 5
Gavin Newlands
Mhairi Black
Jim Shannon
Chris Stephens
Drew Hendry
That this House congratulates Gleniffer Thistle 2012 football team for their commitment and hard work in raising £725 for Epilepsy Scotland recently through a fundraising walk from Hampden Park to St. Mirren Park via two of Glasgow’s other football stadiums; notes that £1,475 was raised in total by the team, with the remainder donated to Accord Hospice in Paisley; acknowledges the distance walked as over 25km or 16 miles in total; and commends Josh, Oliver S, Riley, Dylan, Carson, Nicky, Yasin, Spencer, Noah, Oliver C, Oliver J, Zach, Ryan, and all the coaches and volunteers with the club for their hard work and blisters.
645Scotland men’s cerebral palsy football team, world champions
Tabled: 22/04/24 Signatories: 9
Gavin Newlands
Jonathan Edwards
Ben Lake
Hywel Williams
Liz Saville Roberts
Marion Fellows
Drew Hendry
That this House congratulates the Scotland national men’s cerebral palsy football team on winning the International Federation of CP Football World Championship held in Salou, Spain, after beating Northern Ireland 4-0 in the final; notes that Scotland made the final after finishing top of their group at the championships; further congratulates Northern Ireland for also making the final and finishing second in the group; acknowledges the lead role played by Scottish Para-Football in ensuring our national game is open to as many players as possible, including those with physical disabilities; and celebrates yet another example of Scotland’s footballing prowess as the birthplace of modern football.
646Multiple sclerosis (MS) Awareness Week
Tabled: 22/04/24 Signatories: 17
Charlotte Nichols
Jonathan Edwards
Mary Kelly Foy
Marion Fellows
Ben Lake
Hywel Williams
Christine JardineKirsten OswaldKenny MacAskillPatricia GibsonChristina Rees
That this House supports MS Awareness Week, which takes place between 22 and 28 April 2024; recognises that the MS Society, MS Trust, MS Together, MS-UK, the Neuro Therapy Network, Shift.ms and Overcoming MS are working together to speak up about the realities of life with MS, a neurological condition affecting over 130,000 people in the UK; welcomes the MS Unfiltered campaign to shine light on MS topics that can feel taboo or difficult to talk about to enable people to talk honestly and openly about everything from bladder control and sexual dysfunction, to navigating menopause and cultural stigma; notes the MS Unfiltered survey which found that over a third of people with MS have avoided seeking medical help due to embarrassing symptoms while over half said they were embarrassed by bladder issues, more than a quarter were embarrassed by sexual dysfunction, and just under half were embarrassed by walking issues, such as stumbling or not walking in a straight line; and further supports the campaign to raise awareness about the huge range of symptoms and daily challenges that people with MS face.
650Paradise Golf and Beach Resort, Morocco
Tabled: 22/04/24 Signatories: 4
Kirsten Oswald
Jim Shannon
Chris Stephens
Patricia Gibson
That this House recognises that some 800 investors, the vast majority of whom are British citizens, made investments in the Moroccan Paradise Golf and Beach Resort which was first advertised in 2006; understands the development was widely promoted as part of Morocco’s Vision 2020 tourism plan and was marketed as a luxurious five-star tourist resort near the city of Tangier, however, the site remains incomplete after construction halted in 2016; notes that this long-running dispute continues to cause distress to investors who have failed to recoup their initial investments with some having lost their life savings; further understands that the developer of the resort was cleared of any wrongdoing; welcomes UK Government officials raising this issue with Moroccan counterparts but notes these discussions have been described as constructive but not conclusive; also understands that the Moroccan Government offered a solution which involved a bank financing the completion of the scheme as documented in Hansard on 17 January 2018; further notes that Lord Ahmad, Minister for North Africa and the Middle East, confirmed in correspondence on 28 March 2024 his understanding that the Moroccan Government wish to see a resolution to this issue; calls on the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to take all necessary actions to ensure the Moroccan Government honours its commitment and delivers a solution for British investors; and urges the UK Government to support UK investors’ interests during the ongoing trade negotiations with Morocco.
65460th anniversary of BBC Two
Tabled: 23/04/24 Signatories: 2
Jim Shannon
Christine Jardine
That this House notes the 60th anniversary of BBC2, celebrated on 20 April; highlights that it was the third British television station to be launched, starting on April 20 1964, and from 1 July 1967, Europe's first television channel to broadcast regularly in colour; further notes a major global study by the polling organisation Populus, found that BBC Two is rated as the third-highest quality television channel in the world; celebrates BBC Two as the birthplace of some of the most loved TV programmes such as Line of Duty, Fawlty Towers and Life on Earth; and thanks BBC Two for its memorable contribution to UK TV over the last 60 years.
655Lesbian Visibility Week
Tabled: 23/04/24 Signatories: 8
Kate Osborne
Christine Jardine
Chris Stephens
Nadia Whittome
Charlotte Nichols
Hannah Bardell
Bell Ribeiro-AddyDeidre Brock
That this House congratulates Lesbian Visibility Week on their fifth anniversary; notes that the theme for this week is unified not uniform to celebrate the diversity of LGBTQ+ women everywhere; welcomes the representation and acknowledgement of incredible LGBTQ women that Lesbian Visibilty week brings; acknowledges that there are still unique barriers that lesbians face in day to day life that must be urgently addressed; and further notes that this week has never been more important as hate crime abuse continues to rise.
656Cardenden Primary School Glee Choir heat winners
Tabled: 23/04/24 Signatories: 3
Peter Grant
Jim Shannon
Chris Stephens
That this House congratulates Cardenden Primary School Glee Choir on their fantastic win in their recent heat at the Scottish Primary School Glee Challenge 2024; highlights that the pupils from Cardenden Primary School 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 Cardenden Primary School Glee Choir all the very best for the rest of the Glee Challenge.
657Childcare for working parents
Tabled: 23/04/24 Signatories: 7
Rachael Maskell
Jim Shannon
Kim Johnson
Dan Carden
Mick Whitley
Chris Stephens
Christina Rees
That this House notes the importance of affordable childcare to enable parents, especially mothers, to work; further notes the important contribution of migrants to the economy; welcomes the intention behind the expansion of childcare support for working parents which is currently being rolled out; also notes however that this support is not available equally to all working parents even where they are working the same hours for the same wages; is concerned about the difficulty this creates for excluded families due to the high costs of childcare; and calls on the Government to amend its support scheme so that all parents working the requisite number of hours and earning the requisite salary can access 30 hours of funded childcare, regardless of their immigration status.
658St. Margaret’s Parish Church 70th celebrations
Tabled: 23/04/24 Signatories: 3
Peter Grant
Jim Shannon
Chris Stephens
That this House congratulates St. Margaret’s Parish Church in Woodside, Glenrothes, on the occasion of their 70th anniversary; notes that St Margaret’s has been a focal point for Christian worship since the earliest days of Glenrothes New Town, holding its first services in 1953 and moving into its new purpose built premises in May 2024; records its gratitude for the service of Rev Maurice King, Rev Wally Shaw, Rev Ian McCree, Rev William Abernethy, Rev John McLean and most recently Rev Eileen Miller who have served as Ministers; recognises also the decades of service provided by generations of Elders and parishioners in making St Margaret’s such a welcoming place for people of all faiths and none; recognises their efforts in delivering a year long programme of concerts, ceilidhs, silent disco, open days and other celebrations marking this significant milestone in the Church’s history; and wishes everyone at St. Margaret’s the very best for the next 70 years and beyond.
659ORE Catapult and Levenmouth Academy STEM Partnership
Tabled: 23/04/24 Signatories: 3
Peter Grant
Jim Shannon
Chris Stephens
That this House commends the work of ORE Catapult and Levenmouth Academy in their long-term STEM partnership; notes that as owners of the Levenmouth Demonstration Turbine that operates close to the Levenmouth community, ORE Catapult directly supports Levenmouth Academy with its STEM provision for young learners at the school by funding STEM clubs and activities, investing in a new VR kit to enhance STEM teaching resources, providing bursaries and mentoring to students studying STEM subjects at Higher Education and funding a full-time STEM Principal Teacher to drive STEM engagement across all years; commends the STEM partnership in creating opportunities to young people that they may not have otherwise; and wishes both Levenmouth Academy and ORE Catapult all the best in continuing to inspire the young people of Levenmouth for many more years to come.
660Glenrothes Strollers Women celebrate historic League Cup final win
Tabled: 23/04/24 Signatories: 3
Peter Grant
Jim Shannon
Chris Stephens
That this House congratulates Glenrothes Strollers Women's Team on their recent historic Scottish Women’s Football League Cup win against McDermid Ladies at Alloa Athletics Indodrill Stadium; highlights that just 15 months after establishing the first senior ladies Glenrothes Strollers football team, manager Pauline Harley has led the team to their first League Cup final 2 – 1 victory following goals from Kerri Dinnel and Kerry Forsyth; commends the hard work of all the players and staff on this fantastic achievement; and, following this exceptionally strong start, wishes the team all the very best for its future success.
661Safety of electric powered vehicles and lithium-ion batteries
Tabled: 23/04/24 Signatories: 4
Yvonne Fovargue
Jim Shannon
Helen Morgan
Chris Stephens
That this House notes with concern the rise of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries used to power e-bikes and e-scooters, which have quadrupled since 2020, resulting in 13 deaths, 200 serious injuries requiring hospital treatment and have resulted in homelessness and staggering financial loses; commends the important work of the charity Electrical Safety First, the London Fire Brigade and campaigner Alda Simoes in raising awareness of this issue; highlights that two coroners recently called for the law regarding the safety of these products to be tightened and therefore agrees with the support given to the Safety of Electric Powered Micromobility Vehicles and Lithium-ion Batteries Bill, drafted by the charity Electrical Safety First and experts from key sectors; further notes that this Bill has already gained the support of 44 national organisations including the London Fire Brigade and the National Fire Chiefs Council; and therefore calls on the Government to prioritise the time to implement the Bill's measures in order to ensure safer access to and use for sustainable transportation.
662Drug and alcohol treatment services for women
Tabled: 23/04/24 Signatories: 7
Rachael Maskell
Jim Shannon
Christine Jardine
Mary Kelly Foy
Chris Stephens
Kate Osborne
Grahame Morris
That this House acknowledges that women’s substance use often results from trauma and abuse; notes that women’s access to trauma-informed, safe spaces has been limited, as cuts and contract competition have driven service provision to concentrate on its majority male user-base; welcomes the Centre for Justice Innovation’s guide to commissioning drug and alcohol treatment services for women, in helping to ensure services are responsive to women’s experiences; and urges the Government to support and promote the development of a range of bespoke, responsive and sustainable resources enabling more women to access drug and alcohol treatment support.
663National Stalking Awareness Week
Tabled: 23/04/24 Signatories: 6
Liz Saville Roberts
Hywel Williams
Ben Lake
Jim Shannon
Christine Jardine
Chris Stephens
That this House acknowledges National Stalking Awareness Week, beginning on 22 April; notes that stalking and harassment accounted for a third of all police recorded violence in the year ending September 2023 and that around 1.6 million people over 16 were estimated to be victims of stalking in England and Wales in the year ending March 2023; further notes that only 6.6 per cent of reports of stalking to the police in the year ending March 2022 resulted in a Crown Prosecution Service charge, with only 1.4 per cent of cases ending in conviction; recognises such failings across the criminal justice system in relation to stalking offences, particularly in terms of support provided to victims of stalking as campaigners including the victims’ commissioner for London, Claire Waxman, and Gwynedd activist, Rhianon Bragg, have underlined; highlights the recommendations of the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, including specialist stalking training requirements for all professionals dealing with stalking cases and a unified recording system to be used by all agencies involved to follow a victim’s journey through the criminal justice system; calls for the establishment of dedicated, specially trained multi-agency teams in each police force area to work positively to manage stalking behaviours and reduce the risk of harm for victims; and further calls on the Government to revise stalking laws alongside wider criminal justice system reforms, including the introduction of a single standalone stalking offence to ensure more robust sentencing.
664Alcohol-related deaths
Tabled: 23/04/24 Signatories: 8
Dan Carden
Ian Mearns
Jim Shannon
George Galloway
Mary Kelly Foy
Chris Stephens
Grahame MorrisRachael Maskell
That this House is alarmed at the rocketing rise of alcohol harm; notes that the Office for National Statistics' figures released on 22 April revealed a new record of over 10,000 alcohol-specific deaths in the UK in 2022, representing an increase of a third since 2019; further notes the warning of Professor Sir Ian Gilmore that, with the NHS already under severe pressure, the UK cannot continue on the current trajectory; and calls on the Government to bring forward a comprehensive alcohol strategy, building upon the 2018 Alcohol Charter and the 2020 Commission on Alcohol Harm report.
665FA Cup replays
Tabled: 23/04/24 Signatories: 5
Martin Vickers
George Galloway
Jonathan Edwards
Mr Clive Betts
Shaun Bailey
That this House regrets the decision to end replays in the FA Cup; and calls on the football authorities to reconsider this decision.