Contents

Published – Friday 29 November 2024

Early Day Motions tabled on Thursday 28 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

475Lobby of Parliament by refugee groups

Tabled: 28/11/24 Signatories: 1

Ian Lavery

That this House welcomes the lobby of Parliament by refugee groups including Northumberland County of Sanctuary; acknowledges that the UK has, for centuries, provided a safe haven for those fleeing oppression; understands that many people seeking asylum display qualities of great courage and resilience and have abilities which can serve this country well; and further acknowledges the need to hear from those inside the asylum system about important ways to reduce the costs of asylum, smash the illicit market in human traffic by enabling safe routes to get to the UK, and to treat human beings with dignity and fairness ahead of the forthcoming borders, asylum and immigration bill.

476Dean Pritchard - winner of two gold medals at the Irish Taekwon-Do Championships

Tabled: 28/11/24 Signatories: 1

Alex Easton

That this House celebrates the remarkable achievement of Dean Pritchard from Bangor, who won two gold medals at the Irish Taekwon-Do Championships in Limerick, becoming a double national champion in the patterns and sparring categories; recognises Dean’s inspiring journey in Taekwon-Do, having started the sport at the age of 20 and progressing to a third-degree black belt; commends his dedication to the community through teaching Taekwon-Do for over a decade and establishing Elite Taekwon-Do NI at the Aurora Leisure Centre earlier this year; further acknowledges the success of one of his students, 10-year-old Kristians Frisbergs from Newtownards, who also secured a gold medal in patterns in the blue belt division; applauds the efforts of all competitors in a tournament featuring over 1,200 participants from six nations; and wishes Dean and his students continued success in their endeavours, inspiring young people across North Down and beyond.

477Celebrating the achievements of Terry Kirby and the inclusivity of golf

Tabled: 28/11/24 Signatories: 1

Brian Leishman

That this House applauds the remarkable achievements of Terry Kirby, a paraplegic golfer from East Yorkshire, who will represent Europe in the 30th Phoenix Cup at St Andrews, Scotland, next week; commends Mr Kirby for his extraordinary resilience and dedication to golf, having continued to excel in the sport despite paraplegia caused by a spinal tumour and a prior motorbike accident; notes his impressive record as a six-time national wheelchair golf champion and his pioneering role as the first seated golfer to captain a club; celebrates his work as Chair of the Handigolf Foundation, where he supports and inspires others with disabilities to take up the sport; recognises the Phoenix Cup as an exceptional showcase of the inclusivity of golf, demonstrating how players of all abilities can compete together through the handicap system; and wishes Mr. Kirby and Team Europe every success as they prepare to compete on the historic Old Course at St Andrews.

478Great British Bake Off 2024 Winner

Tabled: 28/11/24 Signatories: 1

Ann Davies

That this House congratulates Georgie Grasso for winning the 2024 series of the Great British Bake Off; notes that the paediatric nurse from Carmarthenshire is the first contestant from Wales to win in the history of the show; highlights that Georgie delighted judges in the final with her showstopper, a hanging tiered celebration cake including elderflower and lemon sponge with strawberry and champagne confit and a lemon curd and elderflower buttercream; commends Georgie for raising awareness of people with ADHD; praises the contestants, crew, judges, and presenters on an excellent series; and wishes Georgie 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.

409Triple negative breast cancer

Tabled: 14/11/24 Signatories: 25

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.

412Amy Adair, world medal in karate

Tabled: 18/11/24 Signatories: 3

Alex Easton

Jim Shannon

Mr Gregory Campbell

That this House congratulates Amy Adair from Conlig on her outstanding achievement at the IKU World Karate Championships in Buenos Aires, where she proudly represented Karate Northern Ireland and returned with her first-ever world medal in kumite (sparring); notes that Amy, a committed member of the Mizukara clubs in Newtownards and Bangor, has demonstrated exceptional dedication and perseverance, training tirelessly and competing on the international circuit since her previous world championship participation at the WUKF event in Dundee last year; commends her coach, David Brashaw, for his guidance and for fostering an inspiring environment that has contributed to Amy’s success, despite the lack of government funding for athletes from Northern Ireland, which led Amy to personally fund most of her trip with additional support from a GoFundMe campaign; wishes Amy and her fellow Mizukara karate students every success at the forthcoming Karate Ireland National Championships on 24 November; and recognises the continued commitment of the Mizukara clubs to karate in Northern Ireland, as they prepare to celebrate their 13th anniversary on 8 December with Sensei Ian Cuthbert from Karate England.

414Disclosure and Barring Service checks for hon. Members and Peers

Tabled: 18/11/24 Signatories: 12

Jo White

Tonia Antoniazzi

Andrew George

Cat Eccles

Kate Osborne

Peter Lamb

That this House believes that all Parliamentarians should be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check when they take their place in the House of Commons or House of Lords.

417200 years of Carrickmannon Primary School

Tabled: 18/11/24 Signatories: 2

Jim Shannon

Gavin Robinson

That this House celebrates the 200th birthday of Carrickmannon Primary School, in the village of Ballygowan which lies in the constituency of Strangford; notes that Carrickmannon is a controlled Primary School, with a current enrolment of 87 children and the building itself, opened in 1825, is noted of historical interest, which the School have been able to renovate and extend, providing modern classroom facilities and a resource area; highlights the school's aspiration to provide children with the opportunity to become successful, confident learners whilst providing a safe and supportive environment to help children reach their full potential; underlines the commitment of staff who go above and beyond each day to teach pupils and give them the tools necessary to succeed; and wishes Carrickmannon all the very best for the future.

418200 years of Danske Bank

Tabled: 18/11/24 Signatories: 2

Jim Shannon

Gavin Robinson

That this House celebrates the 200th birthday of Danske Bank, formerly Northern Bank, a local organisation firmly rooted in Northern Ireland; notes its construction in 1824 as Northern Bank, situated in Custom House Square Belfast, to help businesses and customers grow and maintain their financial goals; highlights that Danske Bank support over 50% of the Top 100 Northern Ireland Businesses, allowing for great insight into the NI business market; underlines the large range of businesses Danske Bank support, from all different sectors and all different sizes; thanks the staff and Chief Executive for their dedication to supporting people and businesses to take control of their finances; and wishes Danske Bank all the very best for the future.

41950th anniversary of the Birmingham pub bombings

Tabled: 18/11/24 Signatories: 10

Jim Allister

Jim Shannon

Andrew Rosindell

Alex Easton

Liam Byrne

Tahir Ali

That this House notes with real sadness the 50th anniversary of the Birmingham Pub Bombings which took place on 21 November 1974 in which 21 people were killed and 220 injured, the most deadly terrorist attack on British soil and largest unsolved mass murder; further notes that it is widely recognised that, despite their never having accepted responsibility, this was a brutal act of IRA terrorism; praises the work of Julie Hambleton, sister of Maxine Hambleton who was killed in the bombings, in setting up Justice 4 the 21; and calls on the Government to honour the calls of Justice 4 the 21 for a public inquiry out of respect for the memories of the 21, all those who were injured, and their families.

421Rory McIlroy, DP World Tour Championship and Race to Dubai

Tabled: 18/11/24 Signatories: 4

Alex Easton

Jim Shannon

Tristan Osborne

Gavin Robinson

That this House congratulates Rory McIlroy on his outstanding victory at the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai; recognises this achievement as his third DP World Tour Championship title and his sixth Race to Dubai triumph, equalling the record set by Seve Ballesteros; acknowledges the dedication and resilience demonstrated by Mr. McIlroy throughout the 2024 season, culminating in this significant accomplishment; and commends his continued contributions to the sport of golf, serving as an inspiration to athletes across the United Kingdom and beyond.

422Puppy smuggling bill

Tabled: 18/11/24 Signatories: 26

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.

425D-Day veteran George Chandler

Tabled: 18/11/24 Signatories: 15

Alison Bennett

Richard Burgon

Jim Shannon

Sir Julian Lewis

Steve Darling

Steff Aquarone

That this House notes with deep sadness the passing in October 2024 of World War 2 Navy veteran and Mid Sussex constituent George Chandler at the age of 99; expresses gratitude for his extraordinary life of service and his dedication to world war education and remembrance; recognises that with the passing of each veteran we are a step closer to World War 2 ceasing to be within living memory; wishes to highlight George’s advice for people to have more compassion for each other; calls on the Government and all educational institutions to redouble efforts to ensure that the lessons of the world wars are never forgotten; and further calls that future generations remain vigilant against intolerance, prejudice and violence in all its forms, continuing the vital legacy left by George Chandler and so many of his fellow war heroes.

42625th anniversary of the Somme Memorial Flute Band

Tabled: 19/11/24 Signatories: 4

Alex Easton

Andrew Rosindell

Jim Shannon

Gavin Robinson

That this House celebrates the 25th Anniversary of the Somme Memorial Flute Band, formed in September 1998 in Bangor, County Down, with a mission to promote traditional Corps of Drums-style flute band music, provide a social outlet for its members and their families and honour those who fell at the Battle of the Somme during the Great War; notes that the band built a distinguished legacy as a melody flute band, performing not only across Northern Ireland but also in Scotland, France, Belgium, and the Republic of Ireland, including a St. Patrick’s Day event in Mullingar in 2008; further notes that the band marked the Centenary of the Ulster Tower in November 2021, receiving a civic reception in Armentières and commemorating the late David Wilsdon with a bench in Mesnil-Martinsart, France, in his memory; highlights the fact that during their 25th anniversary year, the band attended 26 public performances, from loyal order parades to Remembrance events with organisations like the Royal British Legion; recognises that the anniversary year was launched with a memorable event at Parliament Buildings, Stormont Estate, featuring presentations, speeches by founder members, and letters from supporters in Scotland, England, and France; and also highlights the fact that the band has grown from a membership of 20 to over 40 active members, continuing to flourish and strengthen its role in preserving heritage, fostering community engagement, and advancing flute band music.

429Ocean Oarsmen’s Atlantic Rowing Challenge

Tabled: 19/11/24 Signatories: 11

Mr Joshua Reynolds

Jim Shannon

James MacCleary

Wendy Chamberlain

Manuela Perteghella

Dr Danny Chambers

That this House commends Ben and Harry, known as the Ocean Oarsmen, for their extraordinary commitment in undertaking the challenge of rowing across the Atlantic Ocean to raise £50,000 for the Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice, a cause that provides essential support to children with life-limiting conditions and their families; recognises the physical and mental endurance required for such a formidable journey of 3,000 miles; and wishes them every success in their endeavour, celebrating their efforts to bring attention to and support for this vital charity.

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

Tabled: 20/11/24 Signatories: 14

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.

444Violence against women and girls

Tabled: 21/11/24 Signatories: 22

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.

448Insourcing of cleaning staff at City St George’s College

Tabled: 25/11/24 Signatories: 5

John McDonnell

Jim Shannon

Mary Kelly Foy

Jon Trickett

Richard Burgon

That this House recognises that the cleaning staff at City St George’s, University of London are an integral part of the university community and that that they play a pivotal role in the student experience, making sure that the university is a clean and pleasant environment to work and study; expresses its thanks for their selfless commitment during the Covid pandemic when these workers were the first back on the campus, risking their own health and wellbeing, to ensure that university learning and working spaces were clean and safe; regrets they are presently outsourced and employed through a private company and as a result that they do not have the same pay, rights and benefits as staff employed directly by the university; and urges the City St George’s, University of London to respond positively to Unison’s call for the college to follow the example of King’s College, LSE, SOAS, Goldsmiths, LSHTM and Birkbeck to end the two-tier workforce and bring cleaning services in house when the contract with the current cleaning company ends in the summer of 2025.

450Suspension of Israel from international sports competitions

Tabled: 25/11/24 Signatories: 8

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.

451Ulster Scots Language Week, 25 to 30 November

Tabled: 25/11/24 Signatories: 3

Mr Gregory Campbell

Jim Shannon

Gavin Robinson

That this House notes November 25th 2024 begins Ulster Scots Language Week and acknowledges the range of activities including talks, walking tours, poetry, writing competitions, conferences etc that are being held to help demonstrate the growing awareness of the Ulster Scots language, culture and traditions across many communities both in Northern Ireland and in border counties of the Irish Republic; expresses the hope that this will continue to grow; and wishes the Ulster Scots Agency and all those associated with the week's events every success.

453Emergency response to Storm Bert in the South West

Tabled: 25/11/24 Signatories: 18

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.

454Reducing the age for bowel cancer screening offered on the NHS

Tabled: 25/11/24 Signatories: 14

Mr Joshua Reynolds

Jim Shannon

Wera Hobhouse

Christine Jardine

Ian Roome

Steve Darling

That this House recognises the hard work of Stephen Rippington, who whilst battling against bowel cancer, was active in raising awareness for the disease both within his local area and online, and his wife Jessica who has raised over £10,000 for bowel cancer research; notes that 1 in 4 diagnoses occur among people aged under 50; and, following Stephen's passing earlier this year, calls for the age eligibility of screening tests for bowel cancer offered by the NHS to be reviewed.

455Closure of Rathbones Bakery, Wakefield

Tabled: 25/11/24 Signatories: 15

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.

457National Insurance contributions rise exemption for childcare providers

Tabled: 25/11/24 Signatories: 23

Munira Wilson

Jim Shannon

Wera Hobhouse

Christine Jardine

Tom Gordon

Ian Sollom

That this House notes that the increase to the rate of employers' National Insurance contributions announced in the Autumn Budget will lead to higher childcare fees for families, along with probable closures of early years and childcare settings; further notes that early years and childcare provision has faced years of underfunding under the previous Government, leading to families facing very high fees and a lack of available places; and calls on the Government to reconsider these National Insurance proposals so that early years and childcare providers are exempted from the National Insurance tax increase.

460Variety Disability Sports Awards

Tabled: 26/11/24 Signatories: 9

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: 4

Carla Lockhart

Chris Law

Sorcha Eastwood

Gavin Robinson

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.

463Newburgh Christmas lights 2024

Tabled: 26/11/24 Signatories: 3

Wendy Chamberlain

Chris Law

Christine Jardine

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: 10

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.

46565 years of Sydenham Bypass

Tabled: 26/11/24 Signatories: 2

Jim Shannon

Gavin Robinson

That this House notes 65 years of the Sydenham Bypass in Northern Ireland, one of Northern Ireland's busiest roads; highlights that the dual carriageway opened in November 1959 and that despite only being three miles long, the road was built to near-motorway standard; underlines that to this day, these roads have the lowest death tolls due to eliminating the allowance of certain manoeuvres; further highlights that construction on the bypass was interrupted in 1939 when war broke out and that there was no money to finish the project until the late 1950s; and further notes the improvement of the Bypass in 1966 and that this road gets over 60,000 cars per day where they need to be.

467Fuel Poverty Awareness Day

Tabled: 26/11/24 Signatories: 21

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: 3

Zöe Franklin

Helen Maguire

Christine Jardine

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.

470Cuba

Tabled: 27/11/24 Signatories: 17

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: 11

Daisy Cooper

Steve Darling

Anna Sabine

Ian Roome

Wendy Chamberlain

Helen Maguire

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.

474Assistance and access for disabled people at railway stations

Tabled: 27/11/24 Signatories: 10

Adam Dance

Ian Roome

Steve Darling

Helen Maguire

Mr Paul Kohler

Edward Morello

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.