Published – Thursday 12 September 2024

New EDMs

163True Origins Partnership

Tabled: 11/09/24 Signatories: 1

Susan Murray

That this House recognises the work of the True Origins Partnership, formerly the Balmore Trust, based in Mid Dunbartonshire; congratulates John Riches and the Board of Trustees, the staff and volunteers working with Gavin’s Mill and their customers, for their commitment to support Fair Trade all year round and Fair Trade Fortnight; notes the visit of Howard Msukwa, rice farmer and campaigner from Northern Malawi, to Mid Dunbartonshire to highlight the impact that climate change is having on the livelihoods of farmers in the Kaporo Smallholder Farmer Association; and further notes the positive difference that the True Origins Partnership makes, supporting single parent/carer households with employment opportunities, increasing access to education for children, and skills and employment for young people in the villages.

164Journalists and anti-terror legislation

Tabled: 11/09/24 Signatories: 2

John McDonnell

Rebecca Long Bailey

That this House is gravely concerned by the arrest at Heathrow Airport of the freelance foreign affairs reporter and National Union of Journalists member Richard Medhurst under Section 12 of Terrorism Act 2000; notes reports that Medhurst was escorted off the plane by six police officers, handcuffed and transferred to a police cell where he had all his journalistic equipment and electronic devices seized and was initially denied the right to make a telephone call or have legal representation; further notes that Medhurst, who has yet to be charged with any offence, categorically denies the accusations of having supported or encouraged support for any proscribed organisation; believes that powers contained in anti-terror legislation must be deployed proportionately and not wielded against journalists in ways that inevitably stifle press freedom, including in relation to coverage of the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza; shares the concerns of the NUJ and International Federation of Journalists that these actions by the UK authorities are intended to have a chilling effect on journalists both at home and worldwide; and urges the authorities to provide urgent clarity as to the nature of this ongoing investigation.

165Mary Anne Stewart, Kintyre Food Bank

Tabled: 11/09/24 Signatories: 1

Brendan O'Hara

That this House recognises the enormous contribution of Mary Anne Stewart to alleviating food poverty in Campbeltown and the surrounding area during her decade as Chair of the Kintyre Food Bank; thanks her for serving as Chairperson of the committee for the past ten years, years in which, unfortunately, the demand for the Food Bank services has continued to grow; recognises the selfless dedication of Mary Anne, the committee and all the volunteers of Kintyre Food Bank, without who many in their community would be in desperate need; and wishes everyone involved in the project every success until such times as Food Banks are no longer required in one of the richest countries in the world.

166Saudi Arabia’s bid to join the UN Human Rights Council

Tabled: 11/09/24 Signatories: 1

Vikki Slade

That this House expresses profound concern over Saudi Arabia's bid to secure a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council; notes with alarm the extensive record of human rights violations in Saudi Arabia, including but not limited to restrictions on freedom of expression, the use of capital punishment, and the suppression of political dissent; highlights the discrepancies between Saudi Arabia's human rights practices and the standards expected of a member of the Human Rights Council; urges the UK Government to take a firm stance against Saudi Arabia's bid and to ensure it does not succeed; and further urges the United Nations to ensure that the selection process for the Human Rights Council reflects a genuine commitment to upholding and promoting universal human rights standards.

167Scarf's empower Aberdeen event

Tabled: 11/09/24 Signatories: 1

Kirsty Blackman

That this House celebrates the work of Scarf, a social enterprise that delivers energy efficiency advice and services to households and businesses across Scotland; encourages the public to attend Scarf's event on 7 October at Aberdeen Music Hall; and recognises the hard work and dedication of the team who have organised this event as part of the ongoing positive impact Scarf has.

168Four day working week

Tabled: 11/09/24 Signatories: 5

John McDonnell

Clive Lewis

Ian Lavery

Andy McDonald

Liz Saville Roberts

That this House recognises that UK workers put in some of the longest full-time working hours across Europe, yet the longer hours worked are not translating into increased productivity; notes that since the covid-19 pandemic a four-day working week with no reduction in pay for employees has been successfully trialled across the world, including in the UK; believes that, as these trials have shown, a four-day week with no loss of pay could lead to increased productivity, while also bringing benefits to workers, employers, and wider society; welcomes the PCS union's campaign for a pilot of a four-day week with no loss of pay in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA); further notes that the union has already identified a four-day week could save approximately £3.6 million by reducing turnover, equivalent to hiring 2,348 employees, reduce absenteeism by 65 per cent, the equivalent of gaining 328 employees at DEFRA, help parents better balance professional and childcare responsibilities and promote a more equal division of childcare duties, making DEFRA a more inclusive workplace for women and reducing pay and employment disparities, resulting in a significant reduction the in the UK’s carbon footprint; and calls on the Government to take the initiative, that has been shown elsewhere in the public sector, such as in South Cambridgeshire Council - where a pilot showed huge benefits, including cost savings, better staff retention, lower sickness rates and improvements in service delivery - forward, by introducing its own trial in DEFRA.

169Pension credit threshold

Tabled: 11/09/24 Signatories: 1

Mike Amesbury

That this House notes that the current threshold of pension support to open the gate way of winter fuel allowance is too low; further notes the need to change the cliff-edge nature of the pension credit threshold; and calls upon the Government to capture the gateway support for those citizens with small occupational pensions that take them just above the threshold.

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.

97Ban trophy hunting imports

Tabled: 2/09/24 Signatories: 56

Grahame Morris

Mary Glindon

Jon Trickett

Mary Kelly Foy

Christine Jardine

Graham Leadbitter

Cat Eccles Irene Campbell Tristan Osborne

That this House notes CITES data and investigations by the Campaign to Ban Trophy Hunting published in the national media showing British trophy hunters are killing and bringing home trophies of threatened species including African elephants, lions, leopards, giraffes, hippopotamuses, zebras, wolves, monkeys, wild cats, lynxes, cougars, bears, and African civets; further notes that several parties made election pledges to ban hunting trophies in their manifestos, including the Government; acknowledges that a Private Members Bill drafted by the previous Government enjoyed strong cross-party support and passed unanimously in the House; recognises that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs conducted an extensive public consultation exercise involving 44,000 stakeholders, 86% of whom back a trophy import ban, that opinion polls show overwhelming voter support for an immediate and comprehensive ban; and strongly urges the Government to now bring forward a Bill in Government time which implements a world-leading ban without any further delay.

105Gambling regulations

Tabled: 2/09/24 Signatories: 10

Dr Beccy Cooper

Jim Shannon

Peter Lamb

John McDonnell

Ellie Chowns

Kate Osborne

Tristan Osborne

That this House notes with concern that the most recent regulations on gambling are from the Gambling Act 2005; considers the need for further affordability checks, levies and advertising limits following the rise of online gambling since 2005; and calls on the Government to act swiftly to implement the recommendations of the Gambling Reform White Paper 2023.

107Bullying in parish and town councils

Tabled: 2/09/24 Signatories: 8

Jon Trickett

Mary Kelly Foy

John McDonnell

Ayoub Khan

Shockat Adam

Iqbal Mohamed

Tristan Osborne

That this House believes that local parish and town councils play a vital role in our democracy and are central to community life in many parts of our country; expresses its concern that in some councils there are significant issues of bullying, with poor behaviour from councillors towards their fellow representatives and staff; notes that council staff are entitled to protections under employment law but in many cases this does not adequately protect staff from bullying by elected councillors; further believes that more must be done to ensure that parish and town councillors and council staff are able to go about their jobs without feeling unsafe; and calls on the Government to examine what can be done to clamp down on bullying in parish and town councils so that this important part of our democracy can flourish.

122Overseas constituencies

Tabled: 2/09/24 Signatories: 11

Christine Jardine

Vikki Slade

Claire Young

Ian Roome

Jim Shannon

Wendy Chamberlain

Clive Jones Luke Taylor

That this House notes that the Elections Act 2022 increased the number of UK citizens living abroad that are eligible to vote in UK elections to approximately 3.5 million; further notes that UK citizens residing abroad are represented by the hon. Member from their last place of residence in the UK, which may be distant from their current place of residence; notes that the establishment of overseas constituencies would allow UK citizens living abroad to be represented by an MP who is experienced in dealing with the range of problems overseas residents face; notes that parliaments in 17 countries have overseas constituency MPs; and calls on the Government to work with the Boundary Commission to implement overseas constituencies for the House of Commons and with the Electoral Commission and groups representing UK citizens abroad to run a registration drive for eligible citizens to explain how they can register to vote.

126Accelerating construction work and lower carbon construction vehicles

Tabled: 2/09/24 Signatories: 21

Mr Alistair Carmichael

Ian Roome

Christine Jardine

Jim Shannon

Andrew George

Wendy Chamberlain

Layla Moran

That this House recognises the benefits of the production of concrete with zero waste, fewer lorry movements and minimal water waste by greener volumetric mobile concrete plants (VCMs); acknowledges that since their invention in 1975 and following regulations in 2918, VCMs have operated safely in the UK at 38.4 tonnes on 4 axles and 44 tonnes on 5 axles, with on-board concrete pumps that eliminate the need for separate pump lorries; welcomes the Government’s commitment when in Opposition to reverse the damaging decision of the previous Government to impose a universal weight cut to 32 tonnes on VCMs at the same time as permitting higher weights for electric HGVs; notes this reversal also has the support of former Conservative Transport Ministers and Hon Members from across all the major political parties; further notes that unless action is taken, the sole UK manufacturer of 44T VCMs in Sheffield will cease trading; also notes Denmark raised the weight limit for VCMs from 32 tonnes to 38 tonnes and in Italy and Scandinavia 44 tonne VCMs are road-legal; and urges the Government act swiftly to bring in a Statutory Instrument or other measure to make permanent instead of temporary the current 38.4T and 44T weight limits to safeguard 15,000 skilled jobs, contributing £380 million to the UK economy each year.

136Scottish athletes at the Paris Olympic Games

Tabled: 4/09/24 Signatories: 8

Christine Jardine

Graham Leadbitter

Ayoub Khan

Jim Shannon

Stephen Gethins

Patricia Ferguson

Jamie Stone Wendy Chamberlain

That this House notes the outstanding achievements of the 34 Scottish athletes at the Paris Olympic Games; celebrates the 13 medals won by Scottish athletes including gold medallists Scott Brash, Duncan Scott and Sholto Carnegie, silver medallists Jack Carlin, Neah Evans and Josh Kerr and bronze medallists Rowan McKellar, Beth Potter and Nicole Yeargin; highlights the importance of sustained funding for a wide range of sports to build upon these achievements and support future generations; and wishes all representatives of Team GB success in their future sporting careers.

140Anniversary of the Featherstone Massacre

Tabled: 5/09/24 Signatories: 4

Jon Trickett

Mary Kelly Foy

Iqbal Mohamed

Ian Lavery

That this House remembers the massacre that took place in Featherstone in West Yorkshire on 7 September 1893 at the hands of the British army; commemorates the six people injured and two killed, named James Gibb, 22, and James Duggan, 25, after the army fired shots into a crowd of miners and their families; notes that the miners and their families were resisting a 25 per cent cut in wages by coal bosses who wanted to maximise their profits; recognises the struggles of workers in the UK today for stronger employment rights, fair pay and an equal share of the nation's wealth; pledges to learn the lessons from history about working class struggles for social justice; and commits to fighting for a workers' economy.

141Polio vaccine pioneer Jonas Salk

Tabled: 9/09/24 Signatories: 3

Mr Gregory Campbell

Gavin Robinson

Jim Shannon

That this House notes that October 2024 marks 110 years since Jonas Salk was born, an American Jewish virologist who was credited in 1955 for helping develop one of the first vaccines that helped drastically reduce instances of polio across much of the developed world; recognises he was widely praised for choosing not to patent the vaccine or seek profit from it in order to maximize its global distribution; further notes the current rollout of polio vaccine in Gaza where hundreds of thousands of children have been vaccinated against polio; and expresses the hope that any successful outcome of the vaccination programme might be a prelude to the beginning of the end not just of polio but the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the Middle East.

142Alresford Show 2024

Tabled: 9/09/24 Signatories: 2

Dr Danny Chambers

Jim Shannon

That this House commemorates the Alresford Agricultural Show, an annual celebration of rural life held on Saturday 7 September 2024 in the picturesque setting of Tichborne Estate, Hampshire; notes that this one-day event, which has been held for over a century since its establishment in 1909, showcases prize-winning livestock, equestrian competitions, local food and drink, modern and vintage machinery, a dog show, and children's entertainment; recognises the rich history of the show, which has adapted and grown over the years, while continuing to be organised by a dedicated team; acknowledges the importance of this event in bringing together rural communities to celebrate their heritage and contributions to agriculture; celebrates the Alresford Agricultural Show as one of the best in the country, dedicated to showcasing the very best of British farming and livestock; thanks the sponsors, organisers, and volunteers for their commitment to making the show a success; and wishes them every success for this year’s event.

143Penguins at Sea Life London Aquarium

Tabled: 9/09/24 Signatories: 8

Dr Danny Chambers

Mary Kelly Foy

Tessa Munt

Mr Alistair Carmichael

Caroline Voaden

Vikki Slade

Jim Shannon

That this House expresses grave concern regarding the welfare of 15 Gentoo penguins currently being kept in a windowless basement at the London Sea Life Aquarium; notes that these penguins, native to the Antarctic Circle, are confined to a pitifully small enclosure with only six to seven feet of water depth in which to dive, a stark contrast to the 600 feet they are capable of diving in the wild; understands that the constant public observation and noise may cause significant stress and adverse health effects to these intelligent and sensitive creatures; recognises that Gentoo penguins are currently listed as of Least Concern by the IUCN Red List, making Sea Life’s claims of conservation through breeding programmes both misleading and exploitative; and demands that the multi-billion pound business which owns Sea Life, Merlin Entertainments, immediately cease the exhibition of penguins and use its considerable resources to guarantee a safe and healthy relocation for these penguins.

144Nonna Gina, Food Awards Scotland

Tabled: 9/09/24 Signatories: 3

Blair McDougall

Patricia Ferguson

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates Nonna Gina's in Newton Mearns, East Renfrewshire, for their recent success at the Food Awards Scotland 2024; recognises their award for Best Italian Establishment; acknowledges how this is a wonderful achievement 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 efforts of the staff and the wonderful dishes they serve to customers; and wishes the restaurant continued success and acclaim in the future.

145Peacocks of Pittencrieff Park

Tabled: 9/09/24 Signatories: 4

Graeme Downie

Patricia Ferguson

Mary Kelly Foy

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates the peacocks of Pittencrieff Park on being awarded the Freedom of the City of Dunfermline; notes they were introduced to the park by Henry Beveridge in 1905; understands there are now 21 peacocks in the park; believes the peacocks are now a vital part of the cultural heritage and Dunfermline and attract visitors to the city; thanks all of the volunteers who look after the peacocks, in particular Suzi Ross and Carolyn Cane, who accepted the notice of the Freedom of the City on behalf of the peacocks, from the Lord Provost of Fife, Jim Leishman MBE; wishes the peacocks and the volunteers all the best for the future; and hopes the peacocks will treat their new freedom with responsibility and will refrain from wandering around the excellent pubs and bars of Dunfermline too late at night.

146Outwith arts and music festival, Dunfermline

Tabled: 9/09/24 Signatories: 4

Graeme Downie

Patricia Ferguson

Mary Kelly Foy

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates the organisers of the Outwith arts and music festival in Dunfermline; notes that the festival saw over 30 performances across 16 venues over 7 days; believes that Dunfermline enjoys a flourishing and growing arts and music sector which is vital to the local economy and enjoyed by thousands of residents and visitors every year; thanks all the funders and partners of this year's festival; and is confident that Outwith will continue to grow and thrive in future years.

147King’s Award for Voluntary Service, HealthBus Trust

Tabled: 9/09/24 Signatories: 5

Tom Hayes

Mary Kelly Foy

Vikki Slade

Edward Morello

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates HealthBus Trust on its receipt of the King’s Award for Voluntary Service; thanks everyone involved in charity for caring for people experiencing homelessness in Bournemouth; recognises its innovations to remove barriers and tackle health inequalities with a mobile GP-led service and key clinical roles; and acknowledges its role and that of other health and wellbeing buses in alleviating pressure nationwide on the NHS and frontline services.

148World Suicide Prevention Day 2024

Tabled: 9/09/24 Signatories: 8

Sojan Joseph

Neil Duncan-Jordan

Dr Lauren Sullivan

Mary Kelly Foy

Gavin Robinson

Adam Jogee

Jim Shannon Tristan Osborne

That this House marks World Suicide Prevention Day, which takes place each year on 10 September; pays tribute to all the organisations across the world who are working together to raise awareness to prevent suicide and support those who are struggling to cope; is concerned that in Britain in 2023 there was an increase in the number of registered suicides; is also concerned that men are more likely to die by suicide, as are people living in deprived areas; highlights research from the Samaritans showing that only 45 percent of people feel comfortable talking to family and friends about suicidal thoughts; emphasises that talking more openly about suicide gives people the chance to express how they feel and get the support they need; calls for increased funding for mental health services and timely access to talking therapies; and encourages those who may be struggling to cope to speak to someone and get the support they need, so fewer people die by suicide.

149Horticap's 40th anniversary

Tabled: 9/09/24 Signatories: 2

Tom Gordon

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates Horticap, a Harrogate-based charity, on reaching its 40th anniversary; recognises the charity’s outstanding work since its founding in 1984, providing adults with learning disabilities training in horticulture, allied crafts, and rural skills; commends the dedication of its staff, volunteers, and supporters who have contributed to Horticap’s growth from a small field into a thriving garden centre and café that now supports dozens of students; pays tribute to Alan Titchmarsh, the charity’s patron, for his continued support; acknowledges the essential role of the Harrogate Spring Flower Show in showcasing the charity’s work; and extends best wishes for the charity’s year-long programme of celebratory events and fundraising efforts to improve facilities and secure its future.

150Football ticket prices

Tabled: 9/09/24 Signatories: 10

Ian Lavery

Mary Kelly Foy

Kate Osborne

Shockat Adam

Kim Johnson

Mr Clive Betts

Jim Shannon Max Wilkinson [R] Jon Trickett Mrs Sharon Hodgson

That this House notes that despite the cost of living crisis and football clubs earning ever more income from broadcast and commercial income, 19 out of 20 Premier League clubs increased ticket prices this season; further notes that many clubs are abolishing or reducing concessionary tickets, both penalising loyal senior fans and pricing out young fans who are the future of the game; expresses concern that clubs are exploiting the loyalty of fans who cannot switch their brand allegiance as customers can in other sectors; notes that top-flight clubs increasingly seem intent on replacing long-time season ticket holders with increased numbers of hospitality clients and one-off visitors who are more willing to accept high prices; backs the call for the new independent football regulator to have involvement in ticketing pricing by reporting on pricing in a State Of The Game report; encourages football clubs to ensure supporters have genuine input in their club’s ticketing policy through structured engagement and shadow boards; urges clubs to establish a minimum number of season ticket and general admission tickets at all grounds while undertaking a review of concessionary rates across the game; opposes any attempt to play competitive domestic league or cup games abroad; and would resist any attempt to introduce so-called dynamic ticket pricing in a football context.

151Pharmacies in West Berkshire

Tabled: 9/09/24 Signatories: 4

Mr Lee Dillon

Ian Roome

Jim Shannon

Clive Jones

That this House is deeply concerned about the critical shortage of pharmacies in West Berkshire, where there is only one pharmacy for every 7,200 residents, compared to the national average of one per 4,600; recognises the essential role of pharmacies in providing healthcare services, easing pressure on GPs, and supporting vulnerable patients; notes with alarm the nationwide decline in pharmacy provision and funding, which has seen a real-terms decrease of 40% over the last decade; believes that urgent action is needed to increase support for local and independent pharmacies; and calls on the Government to review the current funding model, expand the Pharmacy First approach, and empower qualified pharmacists with greater prescribing rights to improve access to healthcare for all communities.

152Mark Sommerville Foundation

Tabled: 9/09/24 Signatories: 5

Frank McNally

Patricia Ferguson

Mary Kelly Foy

Adam Jogee

Jim Shannon

That this House recognises the work of the Mark Sommerville Foundation in fundraising for patients of motor neurone disease and their families; notes that the Foundation was formed by the family and friends of Mark Sommerville following his diagnosis with motor neurone disease in 2023; acknowledges that the Sommerville family has a strong record of fundraising and raising awareness of the disease; and extends its best wishes to the Foundation as it continues its fundraising efforts across Coatbridge and Bellshill and throughout Scotland.

153University of Dundee, Scottish University of the Year

Tabled: 9/09/24 Signatories: 3

Chris Law

Christine Jardine

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates all at the University of Dundee on their top ranking as Scottish University of the Year in the 2025 edition of the Daily Mail University Guide; notes that the University also placed tenth in the overall UK league table; recognises that the Daily Mail University Guide examines a broad set of considerations when compiling the guide, including teaching and research excellence, student experience, graduation outcomes, and social mobility; further recognises the University of Dundee’s strong performance in each of these areas; further congratulates the University of Dundee on their shortlisting for the Outstanding Entrepreneurial University of the Year award at the Times Higher Education annual awards, to be held later this year; and wishes all at the University all the best for this new academic year.

154Gibraltar National Day

Tabled: 9/09/24 Signatories: 17

Andrew Rosindell

Dan Carden

Lewis Cocking

Adam Jogee

Patricia Ferguson

Mr Peter Bedford

Jim Shannon Mrs Sharon Hodgson

That this House joins the people of Gibraltar as they celebrate their National Day on 10 September 2024, commemorating the 1967 referendum in which more than 99 per cent. of Gibraltarians voted to reject annexation by Spain and remain a territory of the British Crown; notes the rich, diverse and unique culture of the Gibraltarians, which encompasses numerous ethnicities including Maltese, Andalusian, Genoese, Portuguese and most predominantly British; recognises the shared heritage and historical links between the peoples of the United Kingdom and Gibraltar since 1704; and wishes the loyal people of the Rock a magnificent day of traditional red and white festivities, as all Gibraltarians display pride in their homeland, having the right of self-determination and the freedom to chose to remain British.

158John Shackleton's aid missions to Ukraine and elsewhere

Tabled: 10/09/24 Signatories: 2

Tom Gordon

Jim Shannon

That this House notes the contribution of Mr Charles John Shackleton to delivering aid to many warzones including Kosovo, Afghanistan and Ukraine, amongst other places, over many years; further notes the purchase and delivery of ambulances to warzones, in particular Ukraine, and how that has helped to care for those affected by the ongoing conflict; notes that Mr Shackleton is planning to undertake one final mission before he retires and that this will be his 50th mission which is expected to be completed in early October 2024; congratulates Mr Shackleton for having been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours previously; and recognises Mr Shackleton’s contribution, wishing him well on his last endeavour at the end of a long career of caring and providing for many thousands of people.

15950th anniversary of the Federation of Small Businesses

Tabled: 10/09/24 Signatories: 8

Matt Western

Adam Jogee

Jim Shannon

Ayoub Khan

Mr Toby Perkins

Sonia Kumar

Mary Kelly Foy Tristan Osborne

That this House congratulates the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), formerly known as the National Federation of Self Employed (NFSE) on its 50th birthday; remembers that in 1974, one small business owner, Captain Norman Small, wrote to the press to begin a small business movement; recalls that Small invited small business owners to attend a meeting in his hometown of Lytham St Annes and, at that meeting, he put forward the idea of an organisation designed to promote the voice of the self-employed; further remembers that similar meetings in other parts of the country followed and that within nine months the NFSE had a membership of 25,000 with 200 new members joining every day; acknowledges that 50 years later FSB is the UK’s largest membership organisation for small businesses and the self-employed; and reflects on the range of day-to-day business tools, local support networks, and member-only savings provided today by FSB, and looks forward to the next 50 years of FSB.

160The Legal Dragnet Joint Enterprise Report

Tabled: 10/09/24 Signatories: 17

Kim Johnson

Ms Diane Abbott

Zarah Sultana

Apsana Begum

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

Liz Saville Roberts

Jim Shannon Jon Trickett Alison Hume

That this House welcomes the publication of The Legal Dragnet, by Nisha Waller and the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, which highlights the risk posed by ambiguous legislation on joint enterprise and makes a case for creating a safer framework for prosecution; further welcomes the stated ambition of the Government, while in opposition, to reform the law on joint enterprise; notes the Lord Chancellor’s acknowledgment that joint enterprise is an issue of concern to Members of this House; notes with alarm Crown Prosecution Service data that Black people are disproportionately prosecuted under joint enterprise; further notes with alarm that this new report highlights how there has been no discernible impact on the number of joint enterprise prosecutions since the 2016 Supreme Court ruling that the law had been wrongly implemented for more than 30 years; agrees with the report that the scope of joint enterprise should be narrowed to create a safer framework for prosecution and greater consistency and fairness in outcomes; further agrees that alongside legal reform, wider work must be done to challenge racialised and overzealous police and prosecution practices with respect to joint enterprise; and calls on the Government to request a Law Commission review of joint enterprise, with a view to narrowing the scope of current legislation and providing a safer framework for prosecution and sentencing.

161Sycamore Gap

Tabled: 10/09/24 Signatories: 7

Joe Morris

Ian Lavery

Jim Shannon

Ayoub Khan

Mary Kelly Foy

Luke Myer

Luke Akehurst

That this House mourns the anniversary of the felling of the iconic tree at Sycamore Gap on Hadrian's Wall; notes the impact that both domestic and international tourism has on the economy of Northumberland; recognises that the loss of such a majestic and iconic tree has caused a sadness that goes beyond the North East of England and this country, and has been felt the world over; and wishes all connected with the tourist economy in Northumberland well.

162Challenging stigma

Tabled: 10/09/24 Signatories: 7

Grahame Morris

Kim Johnson

Adam Jogee

Ian Lavery

Jim Shannon

Mary Kelly Foy

Jon Trickett

That this House recognises that people affected by drug and alcohol use should be treated fairly, justly and with dignity; further recognises that they are, however, frequently dehumanised, marginalised and discriminated against; acknowledges that stigma is a major barrier to treatment and wider healthcare, preventing people getting the support they need to get better and lead healthy lives; welcomes the work of the Anti-Stigma Network, whose mission is to improve understanding of the stigma and discrimination experienced by many people affected by drug and alcohol use; applauds the commitment of the NHS Addictions Provider Alliance, Phoenix Futures and all individuals and organisations collaborating in this initiative; believes this represents a major step forward in fighting stigma and saving lives; and calls on the Government to support the efforts of the Anti-Stigma Network and all those challenging stigma, thereby helping to remove barriers to treatment and reduce the record level of drug and alcohol deaths across the UK.