Contents

Published – Friday 18 October 2024

Early Day Motions tabled on Thursday 17 October 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

265Establishment of the Women’s Caucus in Westminster

Tabled: 17/10/24 Signatories: 5

Kirsty Blackman

Ellie Chowns

Dame Siobhain McDonagh

Christine Jardine

Liz Saville Roberts

That this House agrees to establish a Women’s Caucus in the UK Parliament, which is the women Members of Parliament working together to advance issues that disproportionately affect women; notes that there are women’s caucuses in the devolved nations of Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland; further notes that now is the time to establish a Women’s Caucus which focuses on issues affecting women across the UK and within Parliament, and aims to find cross party solutions to these problems; and notes that this Parliament has the biggest cohort of women MPs in its history and marks a significant moment to drive forward gender equality not just within the UK Parliament but across the entire country.

266Ruth Wilson fundraising for Mind

Tabled: 17/10/24 Signatories: 1

Mary Kelly Foy

That this House congratulates Ruth Wilson, from Mount Oswald in City of Durham constituency, and Vice Principal of John Snow College at Durham University, who has raised over £40,000 before her 40th birthday next year, for the mental health charity Mind on behalf of her late cousin, Ged; notes that, for over three years, Ruth has put on a series of challenges and events to raise money for charity and has organised a 40 kilometre challenge for Saturday 19 October 2024; pays tribute to people, like Ruth, who challenge the stigma that still exists around mental health; pays further tribute to mental health charities for their lifesaving work; calls on all parliamentarians to recommit to improving mental health services; and wishes Ruth, and all other participants, the very best wishes.

267Anya Easey Sherlock, Centrepoint UK award winner

Tabled: 17/10/24 Signatories: 4

Liz Saville Roberts

Ben Lake

Llinos Medi

Ann Davies

That this House warmly congratulates 18 year-old Anya Easey Sherlock from Gwynedd on winning the Centrepoint UK Partner Award 2024 at the British Museum, London; notes that Centrepoint is the UK's leading youth homelessness charity, supporting almost 14,000 young people every year and campaigns to end youth homelessness; acknowledges that these awards reflect the significant milestones that young people like Anya achieve; further notes that Anya was recognised for her remarkable journey and resilience in overcoming significant challenges throughout her life; commends the Gwynedd-based youth support charity GISDA for providing Anya and other young people in north west Wales facing homelessness, vulnerability, or disadvantage, with intensive support and a wealth of opportunities to help them thrive; and wishes Anya and all young people supported by GISDA the very best for the future.

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.

170Uber and private hire drivers

Tabled: 12/09/24 Signatories: 6

Ayoub Khan

Iqbal Mohamed [R]

Ellie Chowns

Shockat Adam

Carla Denyer

Siân Berry

That this House expresses its unequivocal solidarity with Uber and other private hire drivers across the UK, recognising the vital role they play in the modern transportation network; notes with concern the ongoing challenges they face including precarious working conditions, potential algorithmic discrimination, insufficient pay, and lack of employment rights; acknowledges the findings of the Taylor Review of Modern Working Practices which highlights the urgent need for employment protections and fair treatment in the gig economy; calls on the Government to implement robust measures to protect these workers from exploitation, ensuring they receive fair pay, sick leave, and holiday entitlement; and urges Uber and other private hire companies to adhere to UK employment laws as ruled by the Supreme Court, end any algorithmic discrimination taking place, and treat their drivers with the dignity and respect they deserve.

171Supreme Court ruling on Tesco and fire and rehire practices

Tabled: 12/09/24 Signatories: 13

Tracy Gilbert [R]

Kim Johnson

John McDonnell

Mary Kelly Foy

Kate Osborne

Neil Duncan-Jordan

That this House welcomes the Supreme Court judgment yesterday in the case of Tesco Stores Ltd v Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers and others; notes that the outcome protects workers’ rights to retained pay and essential rules that fire and rehire cannot be used to undermine pay and conditions; congratulates USDAW for supporting their members through what has been a protracted legal process and is encouraged that the highest court in this land agrees that fire and rehire is not a lawful practise; and further welcomes the Government's New Deal for Workers which will ban this awful practise as well as increase workers pay, ban the use of exploitative zero-hour contracts and give workers employment protection from day one.

17565th anniversary of the Auchengeich colliery disaster

Tabled: 7/10/24 Signatories: 7

Frank McNally

Jim Shannon

Katrina Murray

Ian Lavery

Mary Kelly Foy

Jon Trickett

That this House acknowledges that Wednesday 18 September 2024 marked the 65th anniversary of the Auchengeich colliery disaster; respectfully remembers the 47 men who perished in a fire caused by faulty equipment in the mine; recognises that 41 women were widowed, 76 children lost their fathers and countless family members and friends were impacted by the tragedy; understands that this was Scotland’s worst mining disaster of the 20th Century and that the grief continues to this day in Moodiesburn, surrounding villages, across Lanarkshire and beyond; commends the Auchengeich Miners Memorial Committee for organising their annual service on Sunday 15 September 2024 to honour the memory of the deceased; pays tribute to the resilience, courage and spirit shown by the community of Moodiesburn; and recognises the tremendous sacrifices made by miners and their families.

177One million visitors to ScottishPower Renewables’ Whitelee Windfarm Visitor Centre

Tabled: 7/10/24 Signatories: 3

Blair McDougall

Jim Shannon

Kirsteen Sullivan

That this House congratulates ScottishPower Renewables’ Whitelee Windfarm Visitor Centre on the occasion of its 15th anniversary and welcomes the milestone of attracting one million visitors to the site; recognises the Centre’s significant contribution to encouraging environmental education, engaging with the community and raising public awareness of the importance of renewable energy in tackling climate change; understands the visitor centre, supported by Glasgow Science Centre and East Renfrewshire Council, hosts a variety of events and activities throughout the year, including an education programme for students from primary school through to university and a countryside ranger service; further recognises that the turbines at Whitelee have generated almost 12,850 GWh since their completion, and the windfarm has shared £17.5 million in community benefit funding to date; and commends Whitelee's and ScottishPower Renewables' ongoing commitment to peatland restoration as part of providing a positive environmental legacy, recognising the vital role healthy peatlands play in carbon sequestration and biodiversity.

187Scientific hearing on animal experiments

Tabled: 7/10/24 Signatories: 7

John McDonnell

Brian Leishman

Mary Kelly Foy

Ellie Chowns

Jon Trickett

Carla Denyer

That this House applauds the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022, enshrining in law the ability of animals to experience joy and feel suffering and pain; notes the science-based campaign For Life On Earth, with its Beagle Ambassador, rescued laboratory dog Betsy; is shocked to see the continuing harrowing exposés that show thousands of laboratory dogs being intensively bred in the UK, underlining the consequences of that Act; notes that scientists in the wider scientific community, outside of the animal-based research sector, acknowledge the failure of animal testing in the search for human treatments and cures, and that those experts include pharmaceutical industry scientists, an Editor in Chief of the British Medical Journal, the US-based National Cancer Institute, which states cures for cancer have been lost because studies in rodents were believed, and the Food and Drug Administration, which states that nine out of ten new medicines fail to pass human trials because animals cannot predict responses in humans; further notes the Trans-Species Modelling Theory, founded upon the theory of evolution, which explains why animals fail as predictive models of humans; and calls on the Government to mandate a rigorous public scientific hearing, judged by independent experts from the relevant science fields, to cease the funding of the now-proven failed practice of animal experimentation and increase funding for state of the art human-based research, such as human-on-a-chip and gene-based medicine, to prioritise treatments and cures for human patients, and to stop the suffering of innocent laboratory dogs and other animals.

202Aberdeen swimmers at the Paris Paralympic Games

Tabled: 7/10/24 Signatories: 5

Kirsty Blackman

Mary Kelly Foy

Chris Law

Kirsteen Sullivan

Stephen Flynn

That this House congratulates Toni Shaw and Faye Rogers on their outstanding performances at the Paralympic Games, including Faye’s gold medal in the S10 100m butterfly, which is inspiring young people across the country and showcasing the talent that Aberdeen has on a world stage.

207Conflict in the Middle East

Tabled: 7/10/24 Signatories: 39

Calum Miller

Monica Harding

James MacCleary

Helen Maguire

Jess Brown-Fuller

Andrew George

That this House expresses its deep concern at the escalation in the Middle East; recognises the role played by UK and US forces in response to Iran’s condemnable attacks; believes it is right that we have played our part in preventing escalation; expresses gratitude to our military personnel; calls on the UK Government now to urge Israel to act in the interest of the protection of civilians and the long-term security of the region; further believes that Israel, like any country, has a right to keep its people safe and secure, but that having neutralised Iran’s attack on 1 October 2024, the best way to do this is not to retaliate and risk a regional war; also believes that a regional war would be devastating to innocent civilians, be they Israeli, Iranian, Palestinian or Lebanese; urges firm action on Iran; notes that Iran continually arms its terrorist proxy groups, Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis; further urges the UK Government to proscribe the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organisation; further calls upon the Government, with a view to using its sanctions regime, to examine flows of illicit money into the UK from those linked to the Iranian regime; also calls on the UK Government to urge all parties to end the cycle of violence and put their energies to a diplomatic and political solution with immediate ceasefires in Lebanon and Gaza, humanitarian disasters resolved, hostages released and, ultimately, a lasting peace secured.

208Peace in the Middle East

Tabled: 7/10/24 Signatories: 46

Calum Miller

Monica Harding

James MacCleary

Helen Maguire

Brian Leishman

Jess Brown-Fuller

That this House notes its deep alarm at the escalation of violence in the Middle East amidst the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, 100 Israelis still being held hostage and a new humanitarian crisis in Lebanon; urges the Government to work to bring about immediate bilateral ceasefires in Lebanon and Gaza, including demanding the unconditional release of the hostages and pressing for more access for humanitarian aid; stresses the importance of upholding international law and the role of international courts including respecting in full the ICJ advisory opinion on the occupation and legislating to cease trade with illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank as well as including connected entities in the scope of sanctions against extremist settlers; urges the Government to enact a presumption of denial for arms exports to governments listed by the Foreign Office as human rights priorities and accordingly immediate suspend arms exports to Israel; calls on the Government to recognise the existential threat of Iran including by proscribing the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps and conducting an audit of UK-based assets owned by Iranian officials; and further urges the Government to press for a two-state solution based on 1967 borders, including by immediately recognising the state of Palestine, working with peace-builders in Israel and Palestine who call for two-states, working with the international community to identify future democratic leaders of Palestine and investing in peace, such as the International Fund for Middle East Peace, as well as using trade as a tool for peace.

209Immediate ceasefire in Lebanon

Tabled: 7/10/24 Signatories: 40

Monica Harding

Brian Leishman

Jess Brown-Fuller

Susan Murray

Calum Miller

Andrew George

That this House expresses its alarm at the escalation of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah; supports steps taken at the UN, including by the UK, to secure a statement supporting an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah; urges all parties to de-escalate and uphold international law, including the protection of civilians; believes that it is important that all those displaced should be able to return home, but that an Israeli ground invasion risks further de-stabilising the entire region; urges the Government to increase humanitarian aid to Lebanon in light of the humanitarian crisis there; further believes it is not in the UK’s interest for Lebanon to become a failed state; also believes that only a political and diplomatic solution will deliver security to either side of the blue line and enable hundreds of thousands of displaced people to return home; and urges all parties to work towards that solution and a lasting peace.

210Transition to animal-free research and testing

Tabled: 7/10/24 Signatories: 21

Ruth Jones

John McDonnell

Rebecca Long Bailey

Ian Byrne

Euan Stainbank

Sammy Wilson

That this House notes 2.68 million scientific procedures were carried out on animals in British laboratories in 2023; further notes the urgent need to accelerate medical progress, with over 92 per cent of drugs that show promise in animal tests failing to reach the clinic and benefit patients; recognises the transformative potential of animal-free methods such as organ-on-a-chip and computer modelling, which provide results that are directly relevant to humans; supports Animal Free Research UK’s call for Herbie’s Law, which would set a target of replacing animal experiments in medical research by 2035, describing how progress will be maintained and scientists supported with the transition; and urges the Government to show global leadership by introducing this progressive legislation.

21120th anniversary of Parkrun

Tabled: 7/10/24 Signatories: 29

Tom Gordon

Jim Shannon

Mr Joshua Reynolds

Helen Morgan

John Milne

Mr Will Forster

That this House celebrates the 20th anniversary of Parkrun, which was founded in 2004 in Bushy Park, London, and now operates in 20 countries with millions of participants worldwide, encouraging physical activity, community spirit, and inclusivity, providing free, weekly, timed 5k events that are accessible to all regardless of age, ability, or background; commends the remarkable volunteers whose dedication makes Parkrun possible, acknowledges the health benefits it has brought to communities, and applauds the positive mental and physical wellbeing fostered by this initiative; and calls on the Government to support such grassroots physical activity initiatives that contribute to healthier, more connected communities across the UK.

213Value of grasslands

Tabled: 8/10/24 Signatories: 25

Wera Hobhouse

Jim Shannon

Ayoub Khan

Tom Gordon

Liz Jarvis

Andrew George

That this House acknowledges the value of nature-rich grasslands and the people who manage them, from meadows and pastures, to road verges and community grassland green spaces; and recognises that a strategic approach by Government is needed to make the most of this multifunctional national asset in order to support nature recovery alongside food production, climate action and public health, as part of a green economy.

215Old Tom Morris statue in St Andrews

Tabled: 8/10/24 Signatories: 4

Wendy Chamberlain

Mr Alistair Carmichael

Jim Shannon

Angus MacDonald

That this House celebrates the unveiling of the Old Tom Morris statue on Bow Butts at the Old Course in St Andrews; notes the importance of Morris' influence and legacy on golf, having worked as a greenkeeper, clubmaker, ballmaker, instructor and course designer, including having designed 76 courses across the UK; further notes Morris' reputation as the father of modern greenkeeping, including standardising the length of a golf course, using irrigation and introducing tee boxes, yardage markers and purposeful hazards; highlights Morris' success as a golfer in his own right, winning the Open Championship in 1861, 1862, 1864 and 1867; congratulates David Annand on the likeness of his sculpture to Old Tom; further congratulates Ronald Sandford and his fellow members of the Old Tom Statue Project for their efforts in achieving such a monument; and celebrates the importance of golf to communities around the UK for promoting health and tourism.

219School nurses

Tabled: 8/10/24 Signatories: 27

Neil Duncan-Jordan

Sojan Joseph

Jim Shannon

Dr Beccy Cooper

Mary Kelly Foy

Ayoub Khan

That this House recognises the tremendous work being done by public health school nurses; acknowledges they are the only health care professional who offer access to all school-aged children and young people in an evidenced-based programme of health promotion, prevention, protection and early intervention; notes that the number of school nurses has dropped by 31% since 2009; recognises that the average school nurse now cares for an average of 2850 pupils; believes the school nursing service is in crisis with 82% of staff saying there are not enough practitioners to deliver their important duties; and supports the call of the School and Public Health Nurses Association for a school nurse in every school.

225Business relief for pubs

Tabled: 9/10/24 Signatories: 26

Liz Jarvis

Jim Shannon

Ellie Chowns

Edward Morello

John Milne

Manuela Perteghella

That this House recognises the crucial role that pubs play in Eastleigh, as social hubs, cultural landmarks, and significant contributors to the local economy; notes with concern the growing number of nationwide pub closures, with 749 pub businesses entering insolvency in 2023; further notes that the current business rates system places a disproportionate financial burden on pubs compared to other sectors; and believes that reform of the business rates system is urgently needed to ensure the sustainability of pubs in Eastleigh and across the UK.

226World Mental Health Day and rural communities

Tabled: 9/10/24 Signatories: 53

Sarah Dyke

Wendy Chamberlain

Jim Shannon

Mary Kelly Foy

Sarah Gibson

Ellie Chowns

That this House recognises World Mental Health Day; is concerned about the mental wellbeing of the nation’s agricultural and rural communities; is worried by the findings of RABI’s Big Farming Survey that revealed 36% of respondents had mental wellbeing scores sufficiently low enough to cause concern; is aware that farmers are working in ever increasingly difficult circumstances; is alarmed by new research from the Farm Safety Foundation revealing that 44% of farmers aged between 41 and 60 are working more than 80 hours a week; notes the link between mental health and financial stability; is further alarmed by research from Riverford Organic that 61% of farmers feel that they will have to give up their farms in the next 18 months due to financial pressures; calls on the Government to ensure that the agricultural budget is not reduced; welcomes actions from groups such as Farmerados who provide spaces for farmers to talk and connect; further notes the impact of rural isolation; believes that there should be greater integration between Government departments in supporting rural communities to access mental health services; and supports the extended rollout of rural health hubs.

228Ban on prison officer industrial action

Tabled: 9/10/24 Signatories: 26

Grahame Morris

Mary Kelly Foy

Richard Burgon

Rachael Maskell

John McDonnell

Liz Saville Roberts

That this House notes it has been 30 years since prison officers in the UK were banned from taking industrial action under Section 127 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994; further notes that prison officers in Scotland have had the right to strike enshrined in law since 2015, yet there have been no strikes since then, only improved industrial relations; believes this draconian restriction, especially in the absence of an effective and impartial means of binding resolution of disputes in the course of collective bargaining, renders the UK in breach of its obligations under international laws that it has ratified and by which it is bound, including the European Social Charter and ILO Convention 87 on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise; further believes this lack of industrial muscle leaves prison officers unfairly and dangerously at the mercy of prison service management and without leverage to challenge Government policy with respect to pay, terms and conditions; expresses solidarity with the POA union, which has campaigned tirelessly over three decades for the return of these basic industrial rights; welcomes the Government’s commitment to repealing anti-trade-union legislation introduced by previous administrations; and calls on the Government to include Section 127 in the legislation to be repealed.

229World Homelessness Day 2024

Tabled: 9/10/24 Signatories: 64

Layla Moran

Calum Miller

Wendy Chamberlain

Anna Sabine

Tom Gordon

Steff Aquarone

That this House marks World Homelessness Day 2024; notes with concern that 3,898 people were found sleeping rough in England in the autumn snapshot 2023; further notes that 11,880 people were served no fault eviction notices in the year ending in March 2024 and one in 200 households were living in emergency temporary housing; expresses regret that the Vagrancy Act 1824, which criminalises rough sleepers, remains in operation despite the House voting to scrap it; further notes that 469 people have been arrested under the Act since the Government committed to scrap it in April 2022; and calls on the Government to urgently scrap the Vagrancy Act and commit to a compassionate approach to rough sleeping.

232UN Special Rapporteur's report on atrocity crimes in Iran

Tabled: 10/10/24 Signatories: 5

Bob Blackman

Ellie Chowns

Jim Shannon

Martin Vickers

Siân Berry

That this House welcomes the landmark Atrocity Crimes report by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Iran, published by the OHCHR in July 2024, which sheds light on grave human rights violations, including the 1988 massacre of political prisoners; notes that the report states that there is considerable evidence that mass killings, torture and other inhumane acts against members of the People's Mojahedin Organisation of Iran were conducted with genocidal intent; commends Professor Javaid Rehman for his six years of service as the Special Rapporteur; condemns the Iranian regime's subsequent smear campaign against Professor Rehman, including false and malicious allegations aimed at discrediting his integrity and impartiality; recognises that these attacks stem from his unwavering commitment to fulfilling his mandate and his refusal to be intimidated by the Iranian government; believes that the Special Rapporteur’s report opens a pathway to justice and an end to impunity in Iran; looks forward to working with Professor Rehman's successor, Dr. Mai Sato, in pursuing the quest for accountability; supports the No to Executions campaign; and calls on the Government to support initiatives aimed at holding the Iranian regime accountable for its human rights violations, including the 1988 massacre.

233Hospice funding

Tabled: 10/10/24 Signatories: 33

Mr Lee Dillon

Helen Morgan

Sarah Gibson

Iqbal Mohamed

Bob Blackman

Luke Taylor

That this House recognises the importance of hospices in the UK, which care for over 300,000 people each year; is deeply concerned about the current funding crisis facing hospices, due to rising costs over several years; acknowledges that the commissioning of hospice services by integrated care boards is currently not fit for purpose, putting at risk the value they provide to individuals and the wider health system; notes that Government funding, which accounts for one-third of hospice income, has not kept pace with inflation; understands that continued financial pressure could lead to cuts in services and staff redundancies; and urges the Government to review the current funding model for hospices.

236World Mental Health Day 2024

Tabled: 10/10/24 Signatories: 38

Dr Danny Chambers

Helen Morgan

Sarah Gibson

Iqbal Mohamed

Bob Blackman

Dr Beccy Cooper

That this House marks World Mental Health Day, which takes place each year on 10 October, and which raises awareness of mental health issues and promotes positive mental wellbeing globally; notes that the theme for 2024 is workplace mental health; expresses concern that, in 2024, Britain is facing increasing waiting lists for mental health diagnoses for both children and adults; emphasises the importance of talk-therapies, talking openly about mental health to allow individuals to express how they feel and access the support they need; and encourages anyone struggling with mental health issues to reach out for support.

237Anytime Single tickets with railcards

Tabled: 14/10/24 Signatories: 5

Ayoub Khan

Iqbal Mohamed

Mr Adnan Hussain

Jon Trickett

Siân Berry

That this House notes with concern the targeting by Rail Operators of 16-25 and 26-30 railcard holders who have purchased Anytime Single tickets during peak morning times, unknowingly invalidating their tickets due to a Railcard minimum fare requirement; further notes that despite a £12 minimum fare for Anytime Singles at peak morning times with 16-25 and 26-30 Railcards, this critical information is obscured within the small print, leading to seeming widespread consumer confusion and inadvertent fare evasion; acknowledges that these tickets continue to be listed as available for sale without sufficiently clear warnings about the Railcard fare restrictions; notes with concern that there are people who now have a criminal record for buying an Anytime Single ticket which was not valid before 10am; urges the Government to introduce a role of the Crown Prosecution Service in regulating private prosecutions; and urges the Government to launch an investigation into the clarity and transparency of fare structures and ticketing practices to ensure fair treatment and protection for all rail passengers, particularly vulnerable younger travellers who rely on railcards for affordable travel.

23875th anniversary of Withiel Women's Institute

Tabled: 14/10/24 Signatories: 5

Ben Maguire

Jim Shannon

Jess Brown-Fuller

Christine Jardine

Angus MacDonald

That this House congratulates the Women's Institute in Withiel on their 75th anniversary; recognises the incredible work that this Women's Institute does for the local community; celebrates 75 years of resilience and adaptability in addressing contemporary issues while preserving its core values of inclusivity and community spirit; and further congratulates all current and former members on reaching this remarkable milestone, encouraging continued success and engagement for many more years to come.

240Veterans and the Winter Fuel Payment

Tabled: 14/10/24 Signatories: 23

Helen Maguire

Mike Martin

Richard Foord

Jim Shannon

Steff Aquarone

Wendy Chamberlain

That this House expresses its concern that changes to Winter Fuel Payment eligibility rules will adversely impact veterans; notes that these changes have been introduced with little notice as the winter months approach, and have been made without a full impact assessment; further notes with concern that this approach fails to take into account those with high energy needs because of illness or disability, those who live in energy inefficient homes, and those on modest incomes just above the entitlement threshold for Pension Credit; and calls on the Government to protect veterans from losing this crucial support by reversing the cuts to the Winter Fuel Payment.

24225th anniversary of Rainbow 88

Tabled: 14/10/24 Signatories: 3

Tom Morrison

Jim Shannon

Angus MacDonald

That this House congratulates Rainbow 88 on its 25th anniversary and for being a stalwart of the Cheadle Hulme community in that time; celebrates that in its 25 years the team at Rainbow 88, led by Linda Lam, has fundraised over £400,000 for local charities; and wishes Rainbow 88 a fantastic anniversary celebration.

244Organ donors and the Everyone Everyday Evermore sculpture

Tabled: 14/10/24 Signatories: 3

Brian Leishman

Jim Shannon

Jon Trickett

That this House pays tribute to the creators and supporters of the Everyone Everyday Evermore sculpture unveiled at Forth Valley Royal Hospital, an inspirational installation which honours the life-saving contributions of organ and tissue donors; acknowledges the critical role that organ donors play in saving lives; commends the courage and selflessness of all those who, in moments of great difficulty, make the decision to give others a second chance at life and good health; and calls on the Government to continue to support organ donation initiatives and promote the importance of having open conversations with loved ones about donation preferences.

246Celebrating the life of Holocaust survivor Lily Ebert MBE BEM

Tabled: 14/10/24 Signatories: 11

Jim Shannon

Tristan Osborne

Mr Gregory Campbell

Adam Jogee

Christine Jardine

Andrew George

That this House notes with deep sadness the passing of Holocaust survivor Lily Ebert MBE BEM at the age of 100; acknowledges her extraordinary life of resilience, courage, and dedication to Holocaust education and remembrance; recognises that with the passing of each Holocaust survivor, it feels as though another thread of connection to those silenced voices is lost, and that while books, recordings, and historical research continue to preserve these stories, the irreplaceable value of personal interaction and living memory diminishes; further notes that the death of a survivor is a solemn reminder that we are approaching the end of an era in which direct witnesses to the atrocities of the Holocaust still walk among us; expresses concern that as the Holocaust transitions from a living memory to a purely historical event, it risks becoming further removed from our collective consciousness, which is deeply unsettling; and calls on the Government and all educational institutions to redouble efforts to ensure that the lessons of the Holocaust are never forgotten, and that future generations remain vigilant against intolerance, hate, and genocide in all its forms, continuing the vital legacy left by survivors like Lily Ebert.

248Regional National Apprenticeship Skills Awards

Tabled: 14/10/24 Signatories: 5

Mary Kelly Foy

Jim Shannon

Ian Lavery

Luke Akehurst

Jon Trickett

That this House congratulates New College Durham and the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust on their outstanding achievements at the Regional National Apprenticeship Skills Awards; notes that New College student, Layla Paige Marriott, was awarded Highly Commended T Level Student of the Year; further notes that the Trust received both Large Apprenticeship Employer of the Year and Gatsby Charitable T Level Employer of the Year; wishes the students of New College Durham and the Trust continued success in the forthcoming academic year; and commends their ongoing commitment to excellence in education and student support.

249World Food Day

Tabled: 14/10/24 Signatories: 18

Anna Sabine

Jim Shannon

Steff Aquarone

Steve Darling

Liz Jarvis

Jamie Stone

That this House marks World Food Day, a UN designated-day celebrated on 16 October every year; notes the approximately 733 million people facing hunger in the world; further notes that everyone should have the right to adequate food; acknowledges the role of farmers and rural communities in producing food to feed populations around the world; and recognises the pivotal role of farmers in securing the future of resilient food systems, climate mitigation, nature restoration and supporting a peaceful, resilient and inclusive livelihood for all.

250Home insulation measures and consumer protections

Tabled: 14/10/24 Signatories: 23

Imran Hussain

Jim Shannon

Mary Kelly Foy

Ian Lavery

Shockat Adam

Steve Witherden

That this House notes the importance of home insulation measures and their benefits in improving home efficiency; recognises the advantage they have in lowering energy bills and reducing the pressure on residents as fuel poverty continues to rise across the UK; supports the Government’s efforts to introduce a Warm Homes Plan as part of the goal of net zero by 2030; further notes that while much work was carried out successfully under previous initiatives, not all of it was, and that resulted in devastating consequences for residents; acknowledges that residents are living in damp and mouldy homes, and facing respiratory health issues as a result of this;

notes the previous lack of Government action on this issue; notes with concern that legal firms that took advantage of residents with nowhere else to go for redress and then went into administration due to mounting conditional fee agreement case debts; calls for an immediate investigation into these circumstances which have left residents living with crumbling homes and legal bills stretching into the tens of thousands; calls on the Government to commit to exploring measures for remedial works in homes that have been destroyed by defective insulation; further calls on the Government to establish a single trusted and transparent guarantee scheme for home retrofit works; and calls on the Government to investigate the role and conduct of legal firms involved and put in place legal enforcement measures to hold companies accountable for defective works.

251Private security and community policing

Tabled: 14/10/24 Signatories: 13

Sarah Olney

Jim Shannon

Jess Brown-Fuller

Calum Miller

Christine Jardine

Alex Brewer

That this House recognises the decimation of community police forces across the UK; highlights that since 2020 the private security industry has grown by 73,000 people; further highlights security guards are not a substitute for an effective police force; urges the Government to assess the damage shoplifting and spending on private security is doing to our high streets; and requests that the Home Office works with police forces to restore community policing across the UK.

255West Berkshire Volunteer Centre

Tabled: 15/10/24 Signatories: 5

Mr Lee Dillon

Jim Shannon

Pippa Heylings

Mr Joshua Reynolds

Angus MacDonald

That this House recognises the efforts of the West Berkshire Volunteer Centre, which has provided advice and information on volunteering to 403 individuals; acknowledges their ongoing community car scheme, which completed nearly 1,500 journeys last year, helping elderly residents attend appointments across the county; further recognises their Shopmobility service, which provided 1,875 pieces of equipment, including manual wheelchairs and mobility scooters, for residents to hire; thanks the organisation for their promotion of the importance of Suicide Prevention First Aid within local communities; and commends their close work with Welfare Officers at the West Berkshire Council Response Hub in supporting Ukrainian families in the community.

257Infant head measurements

Tabled: 15/10/24 Signatories: 16

Alex Brewer

Jim Shannon

Calum Miller [R]

Liz Jarvis

Shockat Adam

Helen Maguire

That this House believes in the urgent need for regularly measuring each infant's head circumference to effectively identify early signs of hydrocephalus, also known as water on the brain; notes that hydrocephalus is the most common reason for brain surgery in children, with an estimated 1 in 770 babies diagnosed annually; emphasises that early diagnosis is critical for treatments to be successful, and a rapidly increasing head circumference, specifically an increase of 2 or more centile lines on a growth chart, serves as a key indicator of the condition; highlights that the UK conducts fewer head circumference checks than many other developed countries; and recognises that infants are already checked by health workers on a regular basis and that these routine checks could be used to increase the frequency of head measurements in order to save lives.

258Socio-economic Duty

Tabled: 15/10/24 Signatories: 11

Neil Duncan-Jordan

Jim Shannon

Mary Kelly Foy

Richard Burgon

Nadia Whittome

Kate Osborne

That this House recognises the importance of equality in our society and the urgent need to commence the Socio-economic Duty (SED) as outlined in Section 1 of the Equality Act 2010; calls on the Government to establish a commission for the successful delivery, implementation and roll out of the SED; acknowledges that this commission should include trade unions, campaign organisations and community groups; believes a crucial role for the commission would be to secure the promotion and participation of ‘Equalities’ trade union representatives within the trade union and bargaining structures across our economy; encourages public participation and meaningful engagement with those closest to the issues as a key principle for SED implementation; establishes the appropriate funding of the Equality and Human Rights Commission to provide a regulatory framework for the SED and develop strong, clear and supportive training of policymakers throughout society to understand and utilise the SED.

259Death of Lord Leitch of Oakley

Tabled: 16/10/24 Signatories: 4

Graeme Downie

Mary Kelly Foy

Katrina Murray

Richard Baker

That this House notes with sadness the death of the Lord Leitch of Oakley; remembers that he grew up in a council house in Oakley in West Fife; recalls his success in setting up successful technology businesses employing thousands; believes he leaves a lasting legacy of public service and business success including his chairing of the Leitch Skills Review in 2006 which recommended policies to maximise economic growth, productivity and social justice; also believes that he never forgot his roots and connections in the mining villages of West Fife; and passes on its condolences to his family and friends on their sad loss.

26015th anniversary of the repair café movement

Tabled: 16/10/24 Signatories: 4

Sarah Dyke

Ellie Chowns

Pippa Heylings

Siân Berry

That this House celebrates the 15th anniversary of the repair café movement on 19 October; values the work done by the 3000 repair cafés globally, including the Castle Cary repair café that has repaired over 170 domestic items since its launch in July 2023, saving half a tonne of potential waste from landfill; recognises the roles repair cafés have in cutting CO2 emissions and creating a circular economy; is concerned that the UK is the second highest producer of electronic waste per capita in the world; and believes that the UK Government should do more to encourage repair and reuse schemes.

261Online scams and funeral services

Tabled: 16/10/24 Signatories: 2

Sorcha Eastwood

Mary Kelly Foy

That this House notes with concern the increasing number of online scams exploiting vulnerable families during bereavement, including fraudulent links and fake funeral notices; further notes the recent police warnings regarding scammers profiting from tragic events, as evidenced by the exploitation of Southport stabbing victim's funeral and scams targeting funeral homes in Northern Ireland; recognises the emotional and financial damage caused by such deceptive practices; and calls on the Government to work with law enforcement, online platforms, and the funeral sector to introduce stricter measures to detect, prevent, and shut down these malicious online scams and to ensure greater public awareness on how to identify fraudulent activity.

262Arbroath-born partisan Carlo Carini

Tabled: 16/10/24 Signatories: 2

Stephen Gethins

Mary Kelly Foy

That this House remembers the life of Carlo Carini, Arbroath-born Italian partisan, on the anniversary of his murder by German Occupation forces in Piacenza, Italy, in October 1944; notes Carlo's significant contribution to Italy's liberation, his heroism against fascism which was recognised by the Commander of Allied Forces in Italy, Brigadier-General Alexander, and by the Italian Government who posthumously awarded Carlo the Silver Medal of Italy; highlights that Carlo and his family were very much part of the community in Arbroath; further highlights that Carlo was a skilled footballer in Arbroath and that he also played professionally in Italy and established a youth football competition between teams in Arbroath and Piacenza; commends the work of local group Friends of Carlo Carini, including those in Italy and others, in recognising and remembering the importance of Carlo's life and the cause for which he fought; and gives thanks for the group's efforts to inspire a new generation thanks to Carlo's example.

263Pobol y Cwm 50th anniversary

Tabled: 16/10/24 Signatories: 5

Ann Davies

Ben Lake

Liz Saville Roberts

Llinos Medi

Mary Kelly Foy

That this House recognises the Welsh language soap opera Pobol y Cwm for reaching its 50th anniversary; highlights that the first episode was transmitted on 16 October 1974 and aired on the BBC before transferring to S4C after the channel's launch in 1982; notes that the show is the BBC’s longest-running television soap opera, and remains one of S4C’s most watched programmes; further notes that the programme was created by the producer John Hefin and the playwright Gwenlyn Parry, and depicts the lives of the inhabitants of the fictional Carmarthenshire village of Cwmderi; and commends the cast and crew for showcasing the very best of Welsh drama, promoting the Welsh language, and holding a mirror up to Welsh society for 50 years.

264Low level letter boxes and back injuries

Tabled: 16/10/24 Signatories: 3

Mike Amesbury

Mary Kelly Foy

Shockat Adam

That this House notes that low level letter boxes cause back injuries to postmen and women each year, force postal staff to stoop to ground level whilst carrying mail items and thus can cause back strain; further notes that low level letter boxes also present an increased risk of dog bites; also notes that the Communications Workers Union are calling for a standardised letter box height and safe design well above ground level and that they have been campaigning to outlaw low level letterboxes for many years, first raising the issue back in 1958; also notes that the EU standard requirement is for letterboxes to be at a height accessible to postal workers, significantly reducing possible injuries such as dog bites, fingers being trapped, or back strain caused when bending excessively or repeatedly to reach ground level boxes; also notes that this has not been enshrined into UK building standards and that low level letter boxes have been outlawed in many European countries, such as the Republic of Ireland in 2001; also notes that 154,000 days were lost in sick leave from Royal Mail in 2022 due to back pain, costing the Royal Mail £16 million, and that injury could be minimised by legislation to cover the manufacture of all new and replacement doors to have standardised letter box height and safe design well above ground level; and calls on government to promote the EU standard.