Contents

Published – Thursday 28 November 2024

Early Day Motions tabled on Wednesday 27 November 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

469Forty Winks 4 Furness fundraiser

Tabled: 27/11/24 Signatories: 1

Michelle Scrogham

That this House commends all those taking part in the Forty Winks 4 Furness Sleep At The Stadium fundraiser for Furness Homeless Support Group, due to be held on 30 November at Barrow AFC’s SO Legal Stadium; thanks Cllr Paul Griffiths for his dedication in organising the event and pays tribute to Barrow AFC for their support; and wishes everyone luck in fundraising for this important local charity.

470Cuba

Tabled: 27/11/24 Signatories: 15

Grahame Morris

Steve Witherden

Kim Johnson

Jeremy Corbyn

Richard Burgon

John McDonnell

That this House expresses deep concern at the ongoing hardships faced by the Cuban people due to the 62-year US economic, commercial, and financial embargo, which has inflicted an estimated $1.499 trillion loss on the Cuban economy; welcomes the overwhelming global support for ending the embargo, as evidenced by the vote in the United Nations General Assembly on 30 October 2024, in which 187 nations called for its removal; urges President Biden to take decisive action in the remaining months of his administration by removing Cuba from the US list of state sponsors of terrorism and fully lifting the embargo; and calls on the Government to implement the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement signed with Cuba in November 2023, to strengthen UK-Cuba relations and encourage greater international cooperation.

471Potential closure of post offices

Tabled: 27/11/24 Signatories: 2

Daisy Cooper

Steve Darling

That this House recognises the importance of Post Office branches across the UK; believes that they form a vital part of our local communities and highstreets with millions of people depending on them; recognises the importance of Post Offices as community hubs, providing access to communication, banking and other vital services; notes the particular need for such services for people with restricted access, such as older or more rural populations with little connectivity; is deeply concerned about the news that 115 branches of the Post Office may be closed and around 1,000 jobs could be at risk; and calls on the Government to take action to set the Post Office on a sustainable footing for the long term and to ensure that none of the 115 post offices close until a consultation with each local community has been undertaken.

472Grangemouth Boys Brigade

Tabled: 27/11/24 Signatories: 1

Brian Leishman

That this House commends the Grangemouth Boys Brigade for its remarkable contribution to the community of Grangemouth and beyond, having served as a guiding light for young men since its founding in 1897 and its re-establishment at Kerse Parish Church in 1903; applauds its resilience in continuing operations through both World Wars, the Covid-19 pandemic, and other challenges over its 121-year history; recognises its long-standing tradition of summer camps, including its first in Aberfoyle, Perthshire in 1925, and its consistent provision of a safe space for young people to grow, learn, and thrive; notes its outstanding achievements in Falkirk and District Battalion competitions in marching, first aid, football, and other sports, as well as its success in national Boys Brigade competitions, including winning the national five-a-side football and table tennis competitions; celebrates the leadership of figures such as Captain James Napier, whose dedication over 51 years exemplified the brigade’s ethos of service; acknowledges the brigade's impact in fostering community spirit and producing notable alumni, including former Scottish international footballer George Corky Young; and calls on the Government to support organizations like the Grangemouth Boys Brigade, which play an invaluable role in shaping future generations.

47375th anniversary of Bracknell New Town

Tabled: 27/11/24 Signatories: 1

Peter Swallow

That this House notes the designation of Bracknell as a New Town on 17 June 1949; celebrates the seventy-fifth anniversary of this designation; commemorates the success of Bracknell as a thriving community and a place of opportunity for many; recognises that Bracknell New Town was built in a corner of East Berkshire rich in history; and expresses a firm wish for Bracknell's continued success.

474Assistance and access for disabled people at railway stations

Tabled: 27/11/24 Signatories: 1

Adam Dance

That this House is gravely concerned by the challenges disabled people face in getting support at railway stations, particularly in rural constituencies such as Yeovil; expresses alarm at the absence of available assistance staff in stations such as Yeovil Penn Mill; notes with concern that only one in four train stations have step free access, that only 2% have level boarding, that at 67% of stations the platforms are too narrow for wheelchairs to turn, and that around 40% of rail stations have no tactile paving which is a vital safety feature for blind and visually impaired people; strongly believes that these people should have the same access to railway stations as able-bodied passengers and should not be at risk of accidents; acknowledges that many find the booking systems for requesting support staff difficult to access and use; also notes that inaccessible stations and a lack of support staff also pose challenges for parents with buggies and the elderly; and calls on the government to improve accessibility and support for disabled people on our railways, such as by improving the Access for All programme to deliver more projects, more rapidly, and by holding operators like Great Western Railway to account.

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.

406Implications for rural communities of the Autumn Budget 2024

Tabled: 13/11/24 Signatories: 22

Tim Farron

Robin Swann

Steff Aquarone

Anna Sabine

Claire Young

James MacCleary

That this House recognises the vital contribution that British farmers make to our economy, environment and food security; understands that the farming industry has suffered from the botched trade deals that the former Conservative government negotiated and the poorly managed transition to Environmental Land Management schemes, increases in input costs, workforce shortages, extreme weather events and cuts to their incomes; is therefore deeply concerned by the Government's Budget announcement to cap agricultural property relief to an effective tax rate of 20% on all agricultural assets which are valued at over £1 million; believes that this decision unfairly affects family farms and rural businesses and may force tenant farmers and family farms to stop farming; notes that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ day-to-day spending is set to be cut by 1.9% over the next two years; further notes the Chancellor’s decision to accelerate the phase-out of the direct payments under the Basic Payment Scheme; also believes that these decisions put national food security, the natural environment and the heritage of agricultural communities and the rural economy at greater risk; and urges the Government to reverse its cut to agricultural property relief, raise the farming budget by £1 billion a year and issue an urgent review into the accelerated phase-out of the direct payments under the Basic Payment Scheme, to make sure our farmers can continue to feed the nation and protect our natural environment.

408Protecting wild sea birds and sand eels

Tabled: 14/11/24 Signatories: 17

Wendy Chamberlain

Adam Dance

Claire Young

Rachael Maskell

Jim Shannon

Richard Burgon

That this House recognises the importance of sand eels to the wider ecosystem, in particular wild seabird populations; acknowledges the puffin and kittiwake bird populations, whose diets largely rely on sand eels, have drastically decreased as a result of industrial sand eel fishing by Sweden and Denmark in the North Sea; notes that a ban on fishing is now in place but notes further with concern growing external pressure to lift the ban; and urges the Government to commit to the fishing ban to ensure our wild sea bird species can continue to thrive.

409Triple negative breast cancer

Tabled: 14/11/24 Signatories: 24

Clive Jones

Claire Young

Adam Dance

Anna Sabine

Wendy Chamberlain

Rachael Maskell

That this House recognises the significant impact of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), which accounts for around 15% of breast cancer diagnosis but up to 40% of all breast cancer deaths in England; acknowledges that TNBC disproportionately affects people under the age of 40, for whom a diagnosis and treatment can have a profound effect on their lives, employment, financial security and family; further recognises the impact of undergoing treatment for TNBC and the importance of the breast cancer workforce in providing support during this time, particularly Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS); acknowledges the lack of specific data on TNBC in England, making it difficult to identify exactly how many people are living with or dying from TNBC; and calls on the Government to ensure that every person with TNBC has care tailored to their needs, including the assignment of a CNS at diagnosis and that TNBC data is improved in England.

410Children's Grief Awareness Week 2024

Tabled: 14/11/24 Signatories: 36

Christine Jardine

Claire Young

Steve Darling

Adam Dance

Anna Sabine

Ben Maguire

That this House recognises Children’s Grief Awareness Week, taking place between 18 and 24 November 2024; notes that this year’s theme is building hope, which includes a focus on building resilience in young people and offering strategies and tools to support them with their bereavement; further notes this year’s policy focus is improving grief education to support children through this difficult time; commends the coalition of charities organising Children’s Grief Awareness Week including Child Bereavement UK, Childhood Bereavement Network and Winston’s Wish; celebrates the work that these charities do to provide specialist support for children, including support groups, hotlines, online chats and email support; and calls on the Government to introduce a new protocol for authorities and public bodies to inform children of local, national and online support services available to children following a bereavement.

416Family visas

Tabled: 18/11/24 Signatories: 19

Lisa Smart

Claire Hanna

Jim Shannon

Olly Glover

Andrew George

Steve Darling

That this House notes with concern the previous Government’s decision to increase the minimum income threshold for family visas to £29,000; acknowledges that this threshold unfairly separates families, particularly impacting low-income households and those in regions with lower average wages; recognises that a number of announcements on changes to the income threshold in the last 12 months has caused anxiety and uncertainty for many families; emphasises that family life should not be contingent on an arbitrary income level; urges the Government to provide an update on the progress of the Migration Advisory Committee’s review into the financial requirements of family visas; and calls on the Government to reverse the increase to the minimum income threshold for family visas, so no more families are torn apart.

422Puppy smuggling bill

Tabled: 18/11/24 Signatories: 25

Dr Danny Chambers

Richard Burgon

Liz Jarvis

Helen Morgan

Jim Shannon

Mr Will Forster

That this House welcomes the introduction of the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill, also known as the Puppy Smuggling Bill, which aims to address critical animal welfare and public health concerns associated with the illegal importation of dogs and cats; recognises that this Bill tackles puppy smuggling, the importation of heavily pregnant dogs, and the steep increase in animal mutilations, in particular ear cropping and tail docking; notes with concern the 2,000% increase in reported ear-cropping cases over the past decade, the 600% rise in pregnant dogs illegally smuggled into the UK over the past three years and that legal loopholes which allow animal mutilation and suffering continue to be exploited; further notes that up to half of online advertisements for puppies feature dogs that have been illegally imported; acknowledges with concern that illegally imported dogs pose a risk to human health by potentially transmitting non-endemic zoonotic diseases including rabies and Brucella canis; further acknowledges the support of the RSPCA, the British Veterinary Association and Dogs Trust for this Bill; and calls on the Government to enact the Puppy Smuggling Bill to create a framework that protects animal welfare and public health.

433Palestine Statehood (Recognition) (No. 2) Bill

Tabled: 20/11/24 Signatories: 12

Shockat Adam

Brian Leishman

Brendan O'Hara

Graham Leadbitter

John McDonnell

Siân Berry

That this House welcomes the introduction of the Palestine Statehood (Recognition) (No. 2) Bill; notes that the United Kingdom, as a signatory to the Balfour Declaration of 1917, has a historic responsibility to contribute to a lasting peace resolution in Palestine; further notes that 146 United Nations member states have formally recognised Palestine as a sovereign state; believes that recognising the State of Palestine is a vital step in achieving justice and strengthening the prospects for meaningful peace negotiations; also notes that such recognition in is line with the United Kingdom’s commitment to international law; recognises the ongoing suffering of the Palestinian people caused by decades of conflict, occupation and displacement; further recognises the right of self-determination of the Palestinian people, including the adoption of all UN resolutions relating to these rights; calls on the Government to take action to formally recognise Palestine as an independent state in accordance with the 1967 borders; and further calls on the Government to recognise the urgency of Palestinian Statehood given the atrocities being committed in Gaza and the Israeli operations in the West Bank.

435Alcester Community Shed

Tabled: 20/11/24 Signatories: 4

Manuela Perteghella

James MacCleary

Helen Maguire

Sarah Dyke

That this House congratulates the Alcester Community Shed volunteers, Alcester Town Council, and the wider community of Alcester for their outstanding work in creating and maintaining a space that promotes creativity, learning, and social interaction; recognises the Shed’s role in fostering inclusivity and supporting the wellbeing of its members by providing opportunities for skill-sharing, collaboration, and friendship; celebrates the dedication of all involved in ensuring the Shed remains a welcoming and safe environment for all, particularly in its efforts to address isolation and support mental health; and calls on the Government to recognise and support the invaluable contributions of community spaces like Alcester Community Shed in enhancing social inclusion and improving quality of life in local communities across the UK.

436Bus fare cap

Tabled: 20/11/24 Signatories: 31

Mr Paul Kohler

Tim Farron

Anna Sabine

Wera Hobhouse

Olly Glover

Helen Morgan

That this House notes the £2 bus fare cap helps millions of bus users with the cost of living and encourages higher ridership; further notes the upcoming fare cap hike will significantly increase costs for bus users and make bus travel less accessible, especially in rural areas; regrets the steep decline in access to buses under the last Government with more than 1 billion fewer passenger journeys in 2023 than 2015; further regrets the 59% increase in fare prices between 2015 and 2023; notes that nearly a third of bus journeys are made by elderly, disabled and young people and that these groups will be particularly disadvantaged by the fare hike; notes that inadequate access to buses exacerbates regional and other inequalities; recognises the importance of access to convenient, frequent and affordable buses for employment and quality of life, particularly in rural areas; calls on the Government to urgently provide promised new powers to franchise buses to all local authorities and provide the resources to switch to zero-emission vehicles and expand bus services, including on demand provision; and further calls on the Government to reverse the increase in the fare cap so that buses remain affordable for communities across the country.

437Emergency care

Tabled: 20/11/24 Signatories: 31

Helen Morgan

Jess Brown-Fuller

Alison Bennett

Dr Danny Chambers

Sarah Olney

Wera Hobhouse

That this House notes with dismay that emergency departments across England are in a state of crisis after years of neglect and failure by the last Conservative government; commends the hard work of all emergency service workers that despite extremely tough working conditions save thousands of lives every day; notes with concern the appalling deterioration of emergency care and surging waiting times in all parts of the health service as well as reports of patients dying in A&E waiting rooms; further notes that many patients are not monitored by a clinician while waiting to be seen at A&E; regrets the recent decision to hike national insurance contributions for GPs and care providers, placing further strain on overwhelmed emergency departments; calls on the government to ensure that a fully qualified clinician is present in every A&E waiting room to monitor the condition of waiting patients; and further calls on the government to cut ambulance response times, increase the number of beds in A&E departments, end delayed discharge from hospital, and commit to cross-party talks on social care.

438Bus fare cap hike

Tabled: 20/11/24 Signatories: 22

Anna Sabine

Wera Hobhouse

Steff Aquarone [R]

Martin Wrigley

Caroline Voaden

Adam Dance

That this House recognises the impact of the recent 50% rise in the bus fare cap to communities across the country; pays particular attention to its impact on rural communities in the South West; recognises the crucial role that buses play in people’s accessibility to work and leisure; recognises the crucial role that buses play in the economy and in boosting high streets; condemns the Government’s decision to raise bus fares in the midst of a cost of living crisis; and urges the Government to invest in expanding bus services in rural communities.

439Housing

Tabled: 20/11/24 Signatories: 30

Mrs Kemi Badenoch

Kevin Hollinrake

David Simmonds

Lewis Cocking

Paul Holmes

Mr Gagan Mohindra

That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, praying that the Housing (Right to Buy) (Limits on Discount) (England) Order 2024 (SI, 2024, No. 1073), dated 28 October 2024, a copy of which was laid before this House on 30 October, be annulled.

440Bellshill Athletic Boys and Girls Academy award of the Scottish Football Association Gold Quality Mark

Tabled: 20/11/24 Signatories: 5

Frank McNally

Dr Scott Arthur

Mary Kelly Foy

Jim Shannon

Chris Law

That this House congratulates the Bellshill Athletic Boys and Girls Football Academy on being awarded an Scottish Football Association (SFA) Gold Quality Mark; understands that the Gold Quality Mark was designed by the SFA to recognise best practice from member clubs and teams and that the Quality Mark Award Scheme aims to reward those which have a demonstrated a desire to be the very best they can be; believes that, to gain the award, a club must meet the highest standards for improving team management, development structures, administration, planning and welfare; recognises that this award has been made possible by the hard work and dedication of the committee, voluntary coaches, ground staff, players and helpers at Bellshill Athletic Academy; and wishes everyone at Bellshill Athletic Academy every success in their future endeavours.

441Potential closure of Caernarfon Post Office

Tabled: 20/11/24 Signatories: 8

Liz Saville Roberts

Ben Lake

Llinos Medi

Ann Davies

John McDonnell

Jim Shannon

That this House expresses deep concern over the potential closure of Caernarfon Post Office, as part of the organisation’s cost-cutting plan to shut directly owned Crown branches; regrets that the needs of customers and staff are being overlooked at a time when the Post Office should be working to restore trust and public confidence; acknowledges that a petition calling for the retention of over-the-counter services in Caernarfon has received considerable support from local residents and businesses; notes that such rural branches serve a wide area, and that travelling further afield can be difficult due to the lack of public transport infrastructure; recognises the over-the-counter services provided by the Caernarfon branch are essential in the context of high levels of digital exclusion and the closure of other face-to-face services including high street banking; further notes the crucial provision of Welsh-medium services by the branch in Caernarfon, which is a predominantly Welsh-speaking community; and urges the UK Government to compel the rethink of planned closures to ensure individuals in rural areas do not lose access to vital Post Office services.

442Louis the Pittencrieff Park peacock

Tabled: 21/11/24 Signatories: 5

Graeme Downie

Dr Scott Arthur

Mary Kelly Foy

Jim Shannon

Chris Law

That this House acknowledges the untimely death of King Louis, one of the famous peacocks of Dunfermline’s Pittencrieff Park; applauds the hard work of the volunteers who care for the city’s peacocks and thanks each and every one of them for their generosity of spirit and their kindness in ensuring the peacocks are well tended; regrets that Louis’ untimely death stemmed from injuries sustained in a cruel attack on the peacock enclosure from which the dedicated volunteers nursed Louis to an improving health status; and notes the quote by Scottish naturalist John Muir that, any glimpse into the life of an animal quickens our own and makes it so much the larger and better in every way.

443Llys Nini Animal Centre

Tabled: 21/11/24 Signatories: 4

Tonia Antoniazzi

Sir Julian Lewis

Jim Shannon

Chris Law

That this House congratulates Llys Nini Animal Centre on being open for 25 years; pays tribute to the hard work and commitment of its staff and volunteers; notes that this anniversary coincides with the RSCPA’s 200th anniversary; and wishes the centre good luck for the opening of its RSPCA in Swansea exhibition in December.

444Violence against women and girls

Tabled: 21/11/24 Signatories: 21

Tonia Antoniazzi

Claire Young

Jodie Gosling

Ruth Jones

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

Cat Eccles

That this House marks 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and White Ribbon Day 2024; recognises that violence against women and girls is the most pervasive breach of human rights in the world; further recognises that women and girls around the world face violence, abuse and persecution due to their sex; expresses deep concern that in recent years in the UK, one woman has been killed by a man every three days on average; further expresses alarm that violence against women has surged by almost 40% in England and Wales; notes violence against women and girls as a global and national emergency; honours and remembers all women affected by men’s violence; praises organisations supporting women affected by male violence and working to combat it; welcomes the Government’s commitment to halve violence against women and girls in a decade; and urges everyone in this House to work together to end violence against women and girls as an urgent priority.

445Carers Rights Day

Tabled: 21/11/24 Signatories: 33

Helen Morgan

Alison Bennett

Ed Davey

Jess Brown-Fuller

Dr Danny Chambers

Steve Darling

That this House celebrates Carers Rights Day; recognises the hard and vital work unpaid carers do caring for their loved ones; notes that carers across the country support the wellbeing of millions of the most vulnerable in our society and contribute £184bn to the UK economy; further notes that health and care services and the NHS cannot function properly without the contribution of family and unpaid carers; regrets that hundreds of thousands of carers live in poverty, and suffer from social isolation; further regrets that two in five young carers are persistently absent from school; reaffirms the importance of existing rights for carers, such as unpaid carer’s leave; applauds the work of voluntary and charitable organisations like Carers UK, who have improved the lives of countless carers; and calls on the Government to mark this Carers Rights Day with action, including by making unpaid carer’s leave paid, introducing a generous entitlement to respite care, reforming Carer’s Allowance, establishing a Young Carers Pupil Premium, and ending the persecution of carers for overpayments of carers allowance.

446Carers Rights Day 2024

Tabled: 21/11/24 Signatories: 22

Jamie Stone

Wendy Chamberlain

Caroline Voaden

Claire Young

David Chadwick

Adam Dance

That this house recognises the importance of carers in the UK, in the light of Carers Rights Day; in addition acknowledges the poor working conditions and low pay that carers struggle with; highlights the value of carers to societies across the UK; notes that while the recent budget has added more support for the care sector more needs to be done following the repercussions of Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic; further acknowledges that unpaid carers are now providing care worth £184 billion per year; and calls on the Government to further support carers both in paid and unpaid roles.

450Suspension of Israel from international sports competitions

Tabled: 25/11/24 Signatories: 6

Brian Leishman

Andrew George

Nadia Whittome

Andy McDonald

Zarah Sultana

Chris Law

That this House expresses profound concern over the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the continued suffering and loss of life caused by the lack of a ceasefire and the failure to advance peace talks; condemns the disruption to Palestinian sports resulting from Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories and the inclusion of teams from illegal Israeli settlements in domestic leagues, in clear violation of international sports regulations; highlights the growing calls for action from civil society, sports fans, and advocates who emphasize the critical need for diplomatic pressure to secure a ceasefire and revive negotiations towards a peaceful two-state solution; notes the precedent of sports boycotts, including the campaign against apartheid South Africa, which demonstrated the power of international sporting solidarity in addressing injustice; further notes the responsibility of major international sports bodies, including FIFA, UEFA, the International Olympic Committee, and others, to uphold their principles of fairness and justice by refusing to normalize oppressive practices; calls for the suspension of Israel from all international sports competitions until it complies with international law, respects human rights, and engages in meaningful negotiations towards a just and lasting peace; and urges the UK Government to utilise all diplomatic and sporting channels to support peace, justice, and stability in the region.

452Replacement of Personal Independence Payments with a voucher system

Tabled: 25/11/24 Signatories: 17

Steve Darling

Jim Shannon

Wera Hobhouse

Christine Jardine

Wendy Chamberlain

Tom Morrison

That this House expresses its concern regarding the Minister for Work and Pensions' refusal to rule out proposals to replace Personal Independence Payments (PIP) with a voucher system; notes that this proposal, originally put forward by the previous Conservative Government, would significantly reduce the autonomy of disabled claimants; recognises the substantial concern raised by disabled people, who rely on regular PIP payments to cover essential living costs, including mobility aids, equipment, therapy, and everyday necessities; further acknowledges that replacing cash with vouchers would undermine the independence of disabled people and could not adequately meet their diverse needs; calls on the Government to immediately reject the idea of replacing PIP payments with vouchers and grants, ensuring that disabled individuals retain control over their finances; and urges the Government to engage meaningfully with disabled people, their families, and relevant advocacy organisations to guarantee that reforms to the benefits system truly address the needs of those with disabilities without undermining their rights to autonomy and dignity.

453Emergency response to Storm Bert in the South West

Tabled: 25/11/24 Signatories: 16

Ian Roome

Sarah Dyke

Dr Roz Savage

Jim Shannon

Anna Sabine

Wera Hobhouse

That this House notes the bravery of the UK's Emergency Services in response to Storm Bert, which included more than four hundred water incidents that have taken place in Devon and Somerset alone over this past weekend; acknowledges that resources for emergency services remain under immense pressure; and believes that community resilience for severe weather should be a statutory duty with accompanying government funding in England and Wales.

455Closure of Rathbones Bakery, Wakefield

Tabled: 25/11/24 Signatories: 13

Jon Trickett

Kim Johnson

Jim Shannon

Ian Lavery

Jeremy Corbyn

Richard Burgon

That this House is disturbed by news that Rathbones bakery site in Wakefield looks set to close following a decision by the owners, supermarket chain Morrisons, to cease production; deeply regrets the consequence of this decision on the jobs of 400 loyal staff from across the Wakefield District, with further impacts on the supply chain and on agency workers; notes that Morrisons was taken over by private equity firm Clayton Dubilier and Rice in 2021 and fears that the new owners are asset-stripping the firm and prioritising short-term yields over the long term interests of the business; further notes the company has indicated it could look at keeping open the production of morning goods, but only by operating a de facto policy of fire-and-rehire with the remaining workers kept on with inferior pay, terms and conditions; supports the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union in insisting that workers should not pay the price for the destructive business model adopted by private equity concerns; and calls on government both to provide all necessary support to the workers involved and to undertake an urgent investigation into the impact of private equity takeovers and acquisitions on the UK groceries market.

456St Andrew's Book Festival

Tabled: 25/11/24 Signatories: 4

Wendy Chamberlain

Jim Shannon

Christine Jardine

Chris Law

That this House celebrates St Andrew’s Book Festival which is taking place this week from 25 November until 1 December; recognises that the event is organised by Scots in London and was established in 2017 to bring together Scottish organisations across London, including Scotland House London, the Scottish Business Network, churches, charities, clubs and the Scottish military; and notes that this is the first Scottish themed book festival in London with the admirable goal of bringing Scottish talent to new audiences, fostering cross-country connections and supporting debut Scottish writers.

460Variety Disability Sports Awards

Tabled: 26/11/24 Signatories: 6

Max Wilkinson

Wendy Chamberlain

Steve Darling

Helen Maguire

Chris Law

Adam Dance

That this House celebrates the Variety Disability Sports Awards 2024, which took place on 25 November 2024; congratulates each of the award winners and nominees for their achievements, whether that be as an athlete, coach or innovator; notes the importance of equal access to sport and physical activity for all; praises the work done by Variety to support young disabled people in accessing sport; offers thanks to everyone involved, including @sohoplace Theatre, Adam Hills, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, and Channel 4; and celebrates the work of Variety, the Children’s Charity, in its 75th year.

46150th anniversary of Banbridge Performing Arts Festival Speech and Drama section

Tabled: 26/11/24 Signatories: 3

Carla Lockhart

Chris Law

Sorcha Eastwood

That this House celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Banbridge Performing Arts Festival Speech and Drama section, which has provided an invaluable platform for children and young people to showcase their talent, develop their confidence, and nurture their creativity over five decades; recognises the extraordinary dedication of Pat and Frank Mulligan, who have been integral to the festival’s success since its inception, as well as the many volunteers who have contributed to its continued growth and excellence; notes the positive impact this festival has had on countless participants, schools, and the wider community; and congratulates all involved in reaching this remarkable milestone, while wishing the festival continued success for many years to come.

462Friends of Scottish Settlers, winners of the the King’s Award for Voluntary Service

Tabled: 26/11/24 Signatories: 3

Euan Stainbank

Jon Trickett

Chris Law

That this House congratulates Friends of Scottish Settlers (FOSS) for winning the King’s Award for Voluntary Service; notes that Friends of Scottish Settlers won this award for their inspiring support for people arriving in this country; further notes that FOSS is an organisation of local people extending a hand of welcome and solidarity to newcomers to the Falkirk district; understands that they began in 2016 as a community group welcoming Syrian families seeking refuge here; recognises that FOSS volunteers extend dignity, humanity and practical responsiveness to people navigating the asylum system, refugees, as well as those simply moving to the area to live and work; and celebrates that, in so doing, they support the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of community-members who arrive in often incredibly difficult circumstances, embrace the potential and contributions of these new locals, and make human rights real in our communities.

463Newburgh Christmas lights 2024

Tabled: 26/11/24 Signatories: 2

Wendy Chamberlain

Chris Law

That this House celebrates the Newburgh Christmas lights which were lit up on Sunday 17 November; recognises the tradition is two decades old and showcases the incredible creativity of primary school children across Newburgh; notes the range of wonderful designs from the dinosaur with a star on its head to the happy carrot; congratulates 10 year old Lochlan Aitken on creating the winning design of a goose wearing a Christmas hat; acknowledges the designs were brought to life by the incredible specialists at Ladybank based Blachere Illuminations; thanks Newburgh Action Group who organise the lights and have this year launched an online fundraiser to help continue the tradition; and looks forward to many more years of this wonderful, festival tradition.

464International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls

Tabled: 26/11/24 Signatories: 7

Jim Shannon

Ellie Chowns

Jon Trickett

Neil Duncan-Jordan

Wera Hobhouse

Chris Law

That this House celebrates International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls, marked on November 25; notes that for at least 51,100 women in 2023, the cycle of gender-based violence ended with one final and brutal act, their murder by partners and family members, meaning a woman was killed every 10 minutes; highlights that since 2020, 24 women have been violently killed in Northern Ireland, each one of them was a daughter, the majority of them mothers; underlines that violence against women and girls remains largely unreported due to the perceived impunity for perpetrators, silence, stigma and shame surrounding it; and further notes the fantastic charities across the UK providing support for those victims of violence and that all efforts must be made to put a stop to violence against women and girls.

466Union derecognition by RELX at LexisNexis and LexisNexis Risk Solutions

Tabled: 26/11/24 Signatories: 11

Rebecca Long Bailey

John McDonnell

Kim Johnson

Grahame Morris

Jeremy Corbyn

Liz Saville Roberts

That this House strongly condemns the decision by RELX to issue notices to the National Union of Journalists and communications to journalists at LexisNexis and Lexis Nexis Risk Solutions terminating longstanding trade union recognition agreements crucial to successful negotiations and strengthened agreements on pay and terms and conditions; believes this backwards and ultimately futile action to remove collective bargaining rights from editorial and journalistic staff is ill-judged and must be reversed; further believes that coming from a company which promotes legal services and aims its content at professionals including those working in human resources, this naked hostility to basic democratic rights can only be damaging to the brand’s reputation, running contrary to stipulated values; commends the ongoing resolve of the National Union of Journalists to defend the rights of its members whilst challenging proposals to prevent the diminishing of workers’ rights; and supports the union in its recruitment and organising efforts.

467Fuel Poverty Awareness Day

Tabled: 26/11/24 Signatories: 16

Pippa Heylings

Ellie Chowns

Ian Roome

Edward Morello

Wera Hobhouse

Angus MacDonald

That this House notes that Wednesday 27 November marks Fuel Poverty Awareness Day; remarks with grave concern that this winter will leave thousands of people cold and hungry; further notes that homelessness in the UK is at a record high and an estimated six million households are in fuel poverty; recognises UK housing stock is the oldest in Europe and among the least energy efficient; regrets the growing number of vulnerable people who are living in poorly insulated homes and struggling to choose between heating and eating; further regrets that food banks and local services are overwhelmed; also regrets that the former Conservative government failed to commit to an ambitious programme to support renewable energy or decent homes standards to bring down energy bills, reduce emissions and improve public health; also regrets the Government’s decision to cut Winter Fuel Payments during the cost of living crisis; notes with concern Ofgem’s decision to increase the fuel poverty cap by 1.2% in January 2025; observes that new decent homes standards have been further delayed; regrets that the Government’s Warm Homes Plan is not due until next year; and calls on the Government to urgently implement a ten-year emergency home insulation programme and to reduce energy bills and protect vulnerable households this winter.

468New University of Surrey United Nations CIFAL Centre

Tabled: 26/11/24 Signatories: 2

Zöe Franklin

Helen Maguire

That this House congratulates the University of Surrey, Guildford, on the opening on 25 November 2024 of their new CIFAL International Training Centre for Authorities and Leaders, in partnership with the United Nations; commends its aim of capacity-building, facilitating knowledge sharing between civil society organisation representatives, public servants, decision-makers and stakeholders locally and working internationally to strengthen capacities, improve decision-making processes and promote sustainable development; and notes the significant impact the centre will have locally, nationally and globally through its work.