Published – Thursday 18 July 2024

New EDMs

1Public ownership of water

Tabled: 17/07/24 Signatories: 6

Ellie Chowns

Adrian Ramsay

Siân Berry

Carla Denyer

Jeremy Corbyn

John McDonnell

That this House condemns the mismanagement and underinvestment which led to untreated sewage being discharged into English waterways for more than 3.6 million hours in 2023; notes that water companies in England have incurred debts of more than £64 billion and paid out £78 billion in dividends since they were privatised debt-free in 1989; further notes that water companies paid out £1.4 billion in dividends in 2022, even as 11 of them were fined in the same year for missing performance targets; objects to Ofwat's proposal to allow water companies to increase bills by an average of 21% despite overwhelming evidence of mismanagement; recognises that climate change is making flooding and droughts more frequent and more severe, necessitating changes to the way water systems are managed in order to build resilience; believes that private for-profit ownership is not an appropriate model for water, as an essential utility where no meaningful competition is possible; calls on the Government to rule out any bailout of Thames Water, which would send a dangerous signal to other utility companies that reckless decisions carry no private risk; further calls for Thames Water to be placed in special administration and for its assets and functions to be transferred to a publicly-owned company; and also calls for all water companies in England to be brought into public ownership so that the water network can be managed for the benefit of all citizens.

2Pharmacy provision in Glastonbury

Tabled: 17/07/24 Signatories: 1

Sarah Dyke

That this House is concerned about the insufficient pharmacy provision in Glastonbury; believes that following the closure of two pharmacies last year the one remaining pharmacy cannot meet the demands of the town; is pleased that plans for another pharmacy to open in the town have been approved and welcomes its opening; yet is worried about the long term challenges facing pharmacies as the equivalent to 10 local pharmacies have closed down every week between January and April 2024; notes that real terms funding for community pharmacies has decreased by 40% over the last decade; further believes that a fairer and more sustainable long-term funding model for pharmacies is needed; supports the Pharmacy First approach to give patients more accessible routine services and ease the pressure on GPs; and believes qualified pharmacists should be given more prescribing rights and public health advisory services.

3Third runway at Heathrow

Tabled: 17/07/24 Signatories: 1

Sarah Olney

That this House recognises Heathrow's renewed focus on the third runway project; condemns the expansion due to its widely-recognised impact on local communities; highlights the existing impact of flying at Heathrow on south west and west London; further highlights that support for the expansion of the third runway contradicts stated commitments to achieving net zero; and urges the Government to reject the project.

4Restoration of Hammersmith Bridge

Tabled: 17/07/24 Signatories: 1

Sarah Olney

That this House highlights the failure of the previous Government to review the Hammersmith Bridge Strengthening Works Business Case for nearly two years; recognises that the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham does not have the necessary funds to repair the bridge unilaterally; further recognises the bridge's essential place in London's transport infrastructure; and urges the Government to call an immediate session of the Hammersmith Bridge Task Force to update stakeholders on the status of the works.

5Health services in Shropshire

Tabled: 17/07/24 Signatories: 1

Helen Morgan

That this House recognises the crisis in NHS services, particularly for rural communities; is concerned that over 10,000 people over the age of 65 waited for 24 hours or more to be seen at accident and emergency departments in Shropshire last year; acknowledges that this is greater than a 3,000% increase over the last five years; is further concerned that the number of attendances to accident and emergency departments at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust who wait over four hours increased to 40% in June 2024; notes with regret that, over the last year, the number of four-week waits for a GP appointment rose by 62% in Shropshire; commends the progress made since Donna Ockenden’s final report in 2020 to improve maternity services at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust; further notes that 18 of the recommended actions for the Trust remain undelivered; and urges the Government to improve the safety and quality of all health and care services with a particular focus on rural areas.

6Thames Water price rises

Tabled: 17/07/24 Signatories: 5

Layla Moran

Olly Glover

Calum Miller

Charlie Maynard

Freddie van Mierlo

That this House expresses anger at Thames Water’s customers’ water bills increasing by an average 23% over the next five years; welcomes Ofwat’s decision to not allow Thames Water’s proposed price hike of £191 to go ahead wholescale; calls on Ofwat to go further and use its existing powers to crackdown on large water bill rises; condemns Thames Water for discharging sewage into waterways for 196,414 hours last year, a 160% increase on 2022; notes that Thames Water spent over £30 million across their network, in the last financial year, on tankers used to clean up sewage spills in roads, gardens, and homes; asks the Government to tackle sewage dumping by introducing a Sewage Tax on water company profits and setting legally binding targets to prevent sewage dumping into bathing waters and highly sensitive nature sites; further notes that Thames Water announced an increase in annual profits to £157.3 million in their annual report; urges Thames Water to prioritise public good over profit and environmental policy objectives in their day-to-day running; and implores the Government to implement a ban on water company executive bonuses until sewage discharges end.

7Consumer water bills

Tabled: 17/07/24 Signatories: 7

Sarah Olney

Steff Aquarone

Luke Taylor

Liz Jarvis

Alex Brewer

Pippa Heylings

Dr Roz Savage

That this House regrets the large increases that have been proposed to consumer water bills; notes that water companies continue to dump sewage into local waterways; believes, as a point of principle, that it is unfair for water companies to make consumers bear the brunt of the costs for improvements to infrastructure when companies have paid out millions to shareholders in profits and bonuses to directors and executives; and calls on water companies to ensure water bills make clear to customers where their money is being spent.

8Ending the two-child benefit cap

Tabled: 17/07/24 Signatories: 25

Kim Johnson

John McDonnell

Zarah Sultana

Mary Kelly Foy

Siân Berry

Colum Eastwood

Rebecca Long BaileyCarla DenyerEllie ChownsAdrian RamsayLiz Saville RobertsBen LakeAnn DaviesLlinos MediGrahame MorrisBell Ribeiro-AddyJon TrickettMrs Emma Lewell-BuckIan LaveryDawn ButlerRichard BurgonKate OsborneRosie DuffieldSorcha EastwoodClaire Hanna

That this House recognises the new data published by the Department for Work and Pensions on the two-child limit to benefit payments which shows that there are now 1.6 million children living in families impacted by this policy, or one in every nine children; further recognises that of those families impacted 59% are working households, and that 3100 women were granted an exemption to the limit as a result of non-consensual conception under the rape clause; notes that if scrapped this policy would lift 300,000 children out of poverty immediately; and calls on the Government to scrap the two-child limit.

9Cumbria coal mine court appeal

Tabled: 17/07/24 Signatories: 1

Tim Farron

That this House welcomes the Government’s decision to withdraw support for plans for a new coal mine at Whitehaven in Cumbria; recognises that commissioning the coal mine contradicts the UK’s commitment to reduce carbon dioxide emissions; calls for urgent investment to be made in Cumbria for alternative sources of high skilled employment in green industries; and urges the new Secretary of State to reject planning permission if the court rules in favour of the appeal.

10Hartlepool Carers' 30th anniversary

Tabled: 17/07/24 Signatories: 1

Mr Jonathan Brash

That this House congratulates Hartlepool Carers on their 30th anniversary for three decades of work with some of the most vulnerable people and families in the town; notes that kinship carers such as those they support are often unpaid with many other responsibilities in their lives which can be difficult to balance; further notes that although efforts have been made to improve support for kinship carers, there is much more work to be done to ensure fair financial support, adequate leave arrangements with employers and supported respite care; and believes that the Government should prioritise measures to support carers in this Parliament.

11Peace in Israel and Gaza

Tabled: 17/07/24 Signatories: 20

Layla Moran [R]

Caroline Voaden

Mr Lee Dillon

Bobby Dean

Freddie van Mierlo

Dr Danny Chambers

Liz JarvisDr Roz SavageMr Alistair CarmichaelClaire YoungMarie GoldmanMike MartinCharlotte CaneSarah GreenMonica HardingLuke TaylorLisa SmartAnna SabineBen MaguireIan Roome

That this House expresses its devastation at the complete humanitarian disaster in Gaza with tens of thousands of innocent Palestinians killed, millions displaced and thousands of homes destroyed; urges Hamas to unconditionally and immediately release the hostages taken following the deplorable attacks on 7 October 2023; notes the unacceptable illegal settler violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territories left unchecked by the Israeli Government; welcomes any sanctions by the Government against extremist Israeli settlers who have committed human rights abuses against Palestinian communities in the West Bank; further urges the Government to sanction all violent settlers and their connected entities; calls on the Government to uphold international law and the judgments of international courts under all circumstances; further notes that the only path to regional security is a two-state solution based on 1967 borders with Hamas not in power; condemns Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s repeated assertions that there is no future for a Palestinian state; urges the Government to immediately recognise the state of Palestine; and further urges the Government to call for an immediate bilateral ceasefire in Gaza, which will allow an end to the humanitarian devastation, get the hostages out and provide an opportunity for a political process leading to a two-state solution, providing security and dignity for all peoples in Palestine and Israel.

12200th anniversary of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution

Tabled: 17/07/24 Signatories: 1

Helena Dollimore

That this House congratulates the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) on its 200th anniversary of saving lives at sea; thanks all crew members who have risked their lives to save over 140,000 lives at sea; and pays tribute to all volunteers past and present who support this vital work.

13Britain’s first black police officer, John Kent

Tabled: 17/07/24 Signatories: 1

Ms Julie Minns

That this House pays tribute to Britain’s first black police officer, John Kent who died on 20 July 1886; notes that John Kent was the son of a freed slave, Thomas Kent; further notes that John Kent began his policing career in Maryport, Cumbria in 1835 before transferring to the Carlisle City Police in 1837; commends John Kent for his service, in particular his policing of the Carlisle election riots during which he and other officers were injured; and asks that the Speaker’s Advisory Committee on Works of Art consider commissioning a portrait of Britain’s first black police officer to mark the 220th anniversary of John Kent’s birth which falls in 2025.

14International Criminal Court, Gaza and the Rule of Law

Tabled: 17/07/24 Signatories: 17

Richard Burgon

Imran Hussain

Zarah Sultana

Ms Apsana Begum

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

John McDonnell

Ms Diane AbbottAndy McDonaldGrahame MorrisIan ByrneKim JohnsonIan LaveryNadia WhittomeClive LewisJon TrickettNaz ShahMohammad Yasin

That this House rejects attempts by the previous Government to undermine the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) right to seek an arrest warrant against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for war crimes, following the decision by the ICC Chief Prosecutor to issue applications for arrest warrants for a number of Israeli and Hamas leaders in May 2024; opposes the decision by the previous Government to challenge the ICC's jurisdiction over Israeli actions in Gaza; notes that the ICC has a well-established jurisdiction over Israeli actions in Palestine; believes that the UK, as an ICC member committed to a rules-based international order, should protect the Court’s independence and reject any efforts to impede or interfere with its work, or to intimidate or retaliate against its officials; further believes that attempts to hinder the ICC’s work not only risk undermining accountability for war crimes in Gaza but also weaken the wider rule of law and international justice as a whole; calls on the UK Government to do all it can to support the International Criminal Court in its efforts to ensure accountability and justice for the victims of war crimes; and further calls on the UK Government to immediately drop the challenge made by the previous Government regarding arrest warrants and the ICC’s jurisdiction over Israeli actions in Gaza.

15150th anniversary of Killyleagh Olive Branch Royal Black Preceptory No. 50

Tabled: 17/07/24 Signatories: 1

Jim Shannon

That this House celebrates the 150th anniversary of Killyleagh Olive Branch Royal Black Preceptory (RBP) No. 50; notes that, in 1868, a warrant was re-issued to Killyleagh RBP 50 and, by 1874, there was a preceptory membership of 86 Sir Knights; highlights that the first black banner was purchased by the preceptory in 1909 at a cost of £17 and that the cost to replace the banner today would be well in excess of £2,000; underlines the dignitaries who played a pivotal role at various times throughout the lifetime of the preceptory, including Mr Brian Faulkner, the last Prime Minister of Northern Ireland; further notes the Preceptory’s home in Frederick Street in Killyleagh; also notes that the membership has almost doubled in the last year; further highlights the commitment of PDM PM Sir Knight Sam Osbourne, who is also the Treasurer, and has held this office for 42 years; congratulates Killyleagh RBP 50 on reaching this milestone and wishes them all the very best for the next number of years.

1625 years of Lidl in Northern Ireland

Tabled: 17/07/24 Signatories: 1

Jim Shannon

That this House celebrates 25 years of Lidl stores in Northern Ireland; notes their huge milestone, as 25 years ago they opened their first store in Cookstown, Northern Ireland; highlights how Lidl has consistently been the region's fastest growing supermarket, with an impressive 41 stores in total across Northern Ireland, providing quality produce at good value; underlines the hard work of the many staff employed across the stores and the dedication of the managers to ensure operations run as smoothly as possible; and wishes Lidl continued success for the future and for any possible future expansion within Northern Ireland.

1710 years of Comber Farmer's Market

Tabled: 17/07/24 Signatories: 1

Jim Shannon

That this House celebrates 10 years of the Comber Farmers Market in the constituency of Strangford, that opened in July 2014; notes how it was started by Comber Regeneration Community Partnership whose members believed that a food market would help boost Combers economy; highlights how this gives local food producers an opportunity to sell their products and attract more visitors to the town; underlines how the market sells fresh food and plant products which attracts hundreds of people from Comber and further afield, including Newtownards, Bangor and the Ards Peninsula; thanks the group of volunteers and managers who work tirelessly to make the market a success; and wishes them all the best for the future.

18Portavogie Primary School, Eco School of the Year

Tabled: 17/07/24 Signatories: 1

Jim Shannon

That this House celebrates that Portavogie Primary School in the constituency of Strangford has been officially named Eco School of the Year, at an event marking the 30th anniversary of the Eco Schools Programme; notes that the programme is an initiative lead by the Foundation for Environmental Education and aims to award schools for their achievements in environmental stewardship and sustainable practices; underlines that Portavogie Primary along with Strangford College were awarded a Green Flag, which is an international accreditation for the environmental education and performance of schools; highlights that this was established in 1994, aiming to inspire young people to find solutions to environmental problems; congratulates Portavogie Primary on this award; and thanks all teachers, staff and pupils involved in supporting the necessary work in order to achieve this award.

19Mount Stewart European Garden Awards

Tabled: 17/07/24 Signatories: 1

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates Mount Stewart Garden for their European Garden Award for creating exemplary climate change mitigation measures; notes that this fantastic award is given by the European Garden Heritage Network, which represents 210 parks across 21 countries; highlights that warmer summers, wetter winters and rising sea levels are altering the gardens which are set on the shore of Strangford Lough, and Mount Stewart are leading the way in making detailed plans, including maintaining the historic sea plantation; underlines the work of the garden team in ensuring that these extraordinary gardens have a future and can keep enriching the lives of everyone who visits; further notes how these gardens attract thousands of tourists every year; and further congratulates the whole team for their exceptional work to make this possible.

20Durham Miners' Gala 2024

Tabled: 17/07/24 Signatories: 1

Mary Kelly Foy

That this House celebrates the Durham Miners’ Gala, also known as the Big Meeting; believes that the Durham Miners’ Gala is the greatest celebration of working-class solidarity in the world; recognises the contribution mineworkers have made to the working-class movement throughout history; further recognises the contribution of mineworkers in defeating fascism in World War II; recognises the contribution of the National Union of Mineworkers to the labour movement, the Labour Party and trade-unionism; recognises the cultural, historical and political ties between County Durham and the mining industry; notes that the 138th Big Meeting marked the 40th anniversary of the 1984-85 miners’ strike; recognises the vital role of women in the miners’ strike; further believes that the gala is a beacon of hope for workers’ around the country; and encourages everyone to become a Marra.

21State pension age and 1950s-born women

Tabled: 17/07/24 Signatories: 20

Wendy Chamberlain

Daisy Cooper

Richard Foord

Sorcha Eastwood

Mr Alistair Carmichael

Sarah Green

Wera HobhouseSarah DykeChristine JardineCaroline VoadenJamie StoneIan RoomeCharlie MaynardDr Danny ChambersBrian MathewClaire YoungMike MartinAndrew GeorgeAnna SabineSarah Gibson

That this House notes with concern the losses borne by 1950s women as a result of maladministration by the Department for Work and Pensions; welcomes the findings of the independent inquiry of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman; further notes that on average over 100 1950s born women die daily, many of whom have suffered losses and die without compensation; and urges the Government to honour the recommendations of the Ombudsman, and come forward with a proper plan to compensate these women.

22Child poverty and the two-child benefit cap

Tabled: 17/07/24 Signatories: 6

Wendy Chamberlain

Daisy Cooper

Richard Foord

Mr Alistair Carmichael

Wera Hobhouse

Jamie Stone

That this House believes no child should grow up without adequate food, a warm home or security for their future; notes the Department for Work and Pensions' April 2024 statistics which state that 1.6 million children are affected by the two-child benefit cap; further notes that parents subject to the cap have less income available for childcare costs and therefore experience barriers to employment; recognises that removing this cap is the most cost-effective way of immediately lifting children out of poverty and deep poverty; and urges the Chancellor of the Exchequer to remove the two-child limit on social security payments in her first Budget.

23A39 Atlantic Highway at Camelford

Tabled: 17/07/24 Signatories: 1

Ben Maguire

That this House notes that the A39 Atlantic Highway runs through Camelford town centre leading to congestion, delays and issues with air quality; further notes that an unsafe building has led to the temporary closure of the A39 on Fore Street in the town, once again highlighting the need for a long-term alternative to using the narrow carriageway through Camelford town centre for through traffic; and calls on the Department for Transport to continue to work with Cornwall Council, residents and local businesses to develop an A39 Atlantic Highway Camelford Improvement Scheme that balances value for money to the taxpayer with benefits to local people and businesses.

24Gareth Southgate resignation as England Manager

Tabled: 17/07/24 Signatories: 16

Adam Jogee

Rachel Taylor

Rosie Wrighting

Natasha Irons

Chris Bloore

David Williams

Dave RobertsonSarah HallTim RocaRosie DuffieldMrs Sharon HodgsonMr Luke ChartersCallum AndersonConnor NaismithSean WoodcockDr Allison Gardner

That this House notes with sadness the resignation of Gareth Southgate OBE from his role as manager of the England men’s national team on Tuesday 16 July 2024; appreciates Mr Southgate’s commitment, leadership and his steadfast support for grassroots sport; celebrates the brilliant performance of the England squad in the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship; acknowledges that as manager Mr Southgate led the England national team in 102 games over almost eight years; recognises the immense contribution made by Mr Southgate to a sense of national pride right across England; and wishes Gareth Southgate OBE and his family all the best for the future.

2575th anniversary of Keele University’s foundation

Tabled: 17/07/24 Signatories: 1

Adam Jogee

That this House celebrates the 75th anniversary of the foundation of Keele University in Newcastle-under-Lyme; notes that Keele was the first new university of the 20th century and was created to meet the demands of a new kind of society, economy and world; recognises that Keele University has over 12,500 current students and a global network of over 100,000 alumni in 120 countries; congratulates the teaching staff, the leadership of the university and all the students who chose to study in Newcastle-under-Lyme; acknowledges the importance of Keele University to the local economy of North Staffordshire; and wishes the Keele University family all the best for the next 75 years.

26Avoidable deaths

Tabled: 17/07/24 Signatories: 4

Grahame Morris

Liz Saville Roberts

Rachael Maskell

Mary Glindon

That this House is alarmed by Office for National Statistics data on avoidable mortality released on 18 June 2024 showing that the Avoidable Age-Standardised Mortality Rate (ASMR) for alcohol-related and drug-related deaths has continued to increase in England and Wales; notes that the ASMR for such deaths in England was 25.9 per 100,000 people in 2022 compared with 21.3 in 2019; further notes that the ASMR for such deaths in Wales was 30.2 per 100,000 people in 2022 compared with 24.2 in 2019; recognises that the influx of super strength synthetic opioids such as nitazenes risks a rapid rise in drug deaths; and calls on the Government to focus on public health action, including increasing drug and alcohol treatment provision and expanding availability of the lifesaving antidote to opioid overdose Naloxone, as a matter of urgency.

27School minibus safety

Tabled: 17/07/24 Signatories: 1

Sarah Edwards

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; also 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; further 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; also 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.

28Dental provision in the South West of England

Tabled: 17/07/24 Signatories: 5

Anna Sabine

Caroline Voaden

Vikki Slade

Wera Hobhouse

Sarah Dyke

That this House notes with concern the lack of NHS dentist provision in South West England; is shocked to learn that parents are often being told to take their children to private dentists in order to get a basic check-up; is concerned that over 100,000 children aged between 6 and 10 years have been admitted to hospital with rotting teeth since 2018; believes that the current situation is leading to children missing out on vital check-ups; supports providing supervised toothbrush training for children in nurseries and schools; further believes that VAT on children’s toothbrushes and toothpaste should be scrapped; and calls on the new Government to work with relevant primary care bodies to end the dental deserts in the South West region by bringing dentists back to the NHS from the private sector by fixing the broken NHS dental contract and using flexible commissioning to meet patient needs so that local residents can access NHS dental services when they need it.