Contents

Published – Wednesday 18 December 2024

Early Day Motions tabled on Tuesday 17 December 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

572Sue Flood and Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition

Tabled: 17/12/24 Signatories: 4

Liz Saville Roberts

Ben Lake

Llinos Medi

Ann Davies

That this House congratulates award-winning photographer, filmmaker, and zoologist, Sue Flood from Y Bala on being shortlisted for the People’s Choice Award in the Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition 2024; notes that Sue’s image of a Weddell seal resting on an ice floe in Antarctica is one of only twenty-five images chosen from an international entry of 60,000; further notes that Sue is the only UK woman finalist and the only finalist from Wales; recognises that Sue’s travels have taken her to hundreds of destinations across the globe, including the North and South Poles, that she spent eleven years at the BBC’s Natural History Unit, working on acclaimed series such as the Blue Planet and Planet Earth with Sir David Attenborough; acknowledges that Sue has won several prestigious awards including being awarded a Royal Photographic Society silver medal; and wishes Sue the very best in the competition.

573Chris McCausland Strictly success

Tabled: 17/12/24 Signatories: 1

Jim Shannon

That this House notes the success of Chris McCausland and his dance partner Dianne Buswell on their fantastic win on Strictly Come Dancing; highlights the representation that his participation in the show has brought to disability inclusion and that this will inspire many people to do something different and achieve goals they never thought possible; underlines that one in four people across the UK have a disability and that this will shed light on so many conditions; and congratulates Chris on his success and wishes him the very best for the future.

574Talent 25 programme and children's creativity

Tabled: 17/12/24 Signatories: 1

Shockat Adam

That this House congratulates the Talent 25 programme, led by Dr. Bertha Ochieng at De Montfort University and funded by Arts Council England, which promotes creativity in babies and young children through free workshops in Leicester; recognises the programme’s 25-year longitudinal study measuring the impact of early arts exposure on young people’s life chances and future engagement in the arts; supports Dr. Ochieng's research highlighting the need for inclusive, affordable, and intercultural arts in early years programmes; and calls on the Government to adopt best practices from Talent 25 and fund similar initiatives in deprived areas to promote diversity, culture, and creativity among young people.

575International Human Rights Day

Tabled: 17/12/24 Signatories: 1

Fabian Hamilton

That this House recognises the importance of the international human rights framework which underpins the international rules-based order; notes that to mark this year’s International Human Rights Day, the UN has highlighted the critical role of human rights as a preventative, protective and transformative force for good; celebrates the human rights achievements of UK Parliamentarians working with inspiring civil society organisations and activists, including securing the release of wrongfully imprisoned individuals, such as Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori; further recognises the Government’s commitment to building support for victims of gender-based violence in conflict and of modern-day slavery; further notes that UK Parliamentarians have a key role in taking this impressive legacy forward to further justice and democracy, and to support human rights defenders; and also recognises the Government’s commitment to international law and human rights internationally.

576Fraserburgh Academy visit to OECD summit

Tabled: 17/12/24 Signatories: 1

Seamus Logan

That this House commends the hard work of Fraserburgh Academy pupils on projects to inspire new growth in education; recognises their success in representing Scottish schools on a recent visit to Paris to attend the OECD summit; celebrates their successful international collaboration with students from Gunma Province in Japan; applauds their decision to travel by train to reduce their carbon emissions; and further commends their initiative in meeting a senior representative from the Japanese Embassy.

577Democratic violations and violence in Georgia

Tabled: 17/12/24 Signatories: 1

James MacCleary

That this House condemns the escalating violence and democratic backsliding in Georgia, including the disproportionate use of force by Georgian authorities against peaceful protesters, journalists, and opposition figures; expresses concern at the arbitrary detentions of civilians, suppression of peaceful assembly, and anti-democratic actions; notes with concern the Georgian Government’s disregard for constitutional and legal norms; further condemns potential foreign interference in Georgia’s democratic institutions; calls on the Government to demonstrate solidarity with the Georgian people by pressing for the protection of democratic and political rights, and working with international partners, including the EU, to investigate the irregularities of the latest elections; and further calls on the Government to follow the actions of the United States and formally suspend the United Kingdom’s strategic partnership with Georgia.

578Sexual violence in Sudan

Tabled: 17/12/24 Signatories: 1

Shockat Adam

That this House expresses its grave concern over the ongoing use of sexual violence as a weapon of war in Sudan, where women are subjected to systematic rape and sexual abuse by armed groups; condemns the growing reports of women resorting to suicide in an effort to escape the horrific prospect of rape; notes that these atrocities are not only a breach of human rights but also violate international law, including the Geneva Conventions; urges the UK Government to take immediate steps to support international efforts to end impunity for those responsible for sexual violence in conflict; calls for urgent humanitarian aid and psychological support for the survivors of such violence; and further calls on the Government to press for stronger international sanctions against those perpetrating and enabling these crimes, and to advocate for the inclusion of sexual violence in conflict as a priority in peace negotiations.

579Syrian self-determination

Tabled: 17/12/24 Signatories: 1

Shockat Adam

That this House acknowledges the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria, which has resulted in immense suffering for millions of people due to conflict, displacement, and violations of human rights; reaffirms the principle of self-determination as a fundamental right of all peoples, including the Syrian people; stresses the importance of a Syrian-led political solution, with the full participation of all Syrian communities, to ensure lasting peace and stability in Syria; supports the establishment of transparent, democratic processes within Syria with free and fair elections that respect the political, cultural, and religious diversity of the Syrian population, including marginalized groups; and urges the international community to work together to provide humanitarian aid and support for the rebuilding of Syria, ensuring that the rights and sovereignty of the Syrian people are respected throughout this process.

580Israel’s military action in Syria

Tabled: 17/12/24 Signatories: 1

Shockat Adam

That this House expresses grave concern over Israel’s military incursions in Syria, including its illegal invasion of sovereign Syrian territory, specifically in the region of Mount Hermon; condemns Israel’s use of an earthquake bomb in its recent attacks, the impact of which was felt on the Richter Scale, which has caused significant damage and loss of life, and is an unacceptable and illegal form of warfare; expresses concern over the ongoing illegal occupation of the Golan Heights, which Israel continues to control despite international condemnation; highlights the creation of a buffer zone around the Golan Heights by Israel as a violation of international law; and notes that Israel’s actions have been widely condemned by regional powers, for exacerbating the already fragile and volatile situation in Syria and undermining efforts for peace and stability in the region.

581Environmental impact of Israel’s bombing

Tabled: 17/12/24 Signatories: 1

Shockat Adam

That this House expresses deep concern over the environmental consequences of Israel’s military actions in the region, particularly in relation to the bombing of Gaza, Lebanon and Syria, and its contribution to climate change and environmental degradation; notes that Israel’s use of explosive weapons, including airstrikes and bombs, has caused significant environmental damage, including the destruction of agricultural land, water resources, and has caused the contamination of soil with toxic chemicals which will have lasting effects; highlights that toxic emissions from bombs are exacerbating air pollution and contributing to climate change; acknowledges the environmental catastrophe caused by the destruction of forests, soil degradation, and contamination of water sources, which threaten both local ecosystems and the livelihoods of civilians; and urgently calls on the government to condemn these actions and push for international accountability for the environmental damage caused by the almost 100,000 tonnes of bombs that have been dropped by Israel in the past year alone.

582Violence against women in Northern Ireland

Tabled: 17/12/24 Signatories: 2

Carla Lockhart

Claire Hanna

That this House expresses its deep concern at the scale of violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland; notes with sadness that seven women have lost their lives this year alone, contributing to a total of 25 women murdered since 2020, with many of these killings occurring within their own homes; acknowledges the tragic loss of Karen Cummings in Banbridge, which has caused shock and grief within the local community, as well as the second anniversary of Natalie McNally’s murder in Lurgan, both of which serve as a painful reminder of the urgent need for action; recognises the devastating impact such violence has on families and communities; calls on the Government to work closely with devolved institutions to develop and deliver a joined-up UK-wide strategy to tackle violence against women and girls; urges action to address root causes, improve conviction rates, implement tougher sentencing for perpetrators, and provide greater support for victims; and commits to working towards a society where all women and girls can live free from fear and violence.

583Local postie David Reynolds

Tabled: 17/12/24 Signatories: 1

Kirsteen Sullivan

That this House commends dedicated Armadale resident and local postie David Reynolds for his bravery in the course of his work; praises his quick thinking and fast action to save the life of a woman found soaked through and collapsed in the snow; recognises the hard work of posties especially at this time of year in all weather; thanks posties for regularly going above and beyond their duty to work against loneliness and isolation; and thanks David Reynolds for his three decades of service and wishes him the very best in 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.

501Certificate of Common Sponsorship

Tabled: 3/12/24 Signatories: 23

Neil Duncan-Jordan

Mary Kelly Foy

Andrew George

Carla Denyer

Richard Burgon

Ellie Chowns

That this House believes that migrant health and care workers on Tier 2 visas play an essential role in the delivery of UK health and care services; recognises that current rules tie these workers to a single employer, and that if a worker loses their job they may face financial hardship, debt, lost investment and the possibility that their partner will also lose the right to work; further believes that the dependency on a single employer creates a significant power imbalance; notes that it also contributes to potentially exploitative and unsafe working conditions, with workers reluctant to report concerns for fear of retaliation or deportation; further notes that employers may exploit these fears by making unfair demands, and that many migrant workers report feeling trapped in bonded servitude with constant job insecurity; acknowledges the negative impact that this situation can have on mental health and wellbeing; agrees that migrant workers deserve the freedom to change employers within the sector; supports UNISON’s campaign for a Certificate of Common Sponsorship for health and care workers on Tier 2 visas as a way of breaking the exclusive link between a single employer and a worker’s visa status; and calls on the Government to begin the process of introducing such as scheme as part of the overall drive to reform and improve the social care sector.

50975th anniversary of National Parks

Tabled: 6/12/24 Signatories: 18

Alex Sobel

Ellie Chowns

Jim Shannon

Jon Trickett

Mary Kelly Foy

Andy MacNae

That this House celebrates the 75th anniversary of the creation of National Parks in England and Wales, established following the passage of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, a landmark achievement of the post-war Labour government led by Clement Attlee; acknowledges the pioneering vision of Labour ministers, including Lewis Silkin, who championed the creation of these protected areas; recognises the vital role that National Parks play in conserving and enhancing the natural beauty, wildlife, and cultural heritage of some of the most cherished landscapes in the UK; commends the invaluable contributions of National Parks in promoting public access to the countryside, fostering environmental education, and supporting sustainable farming; acknowledges the dedicated work of National Park Authorities, the Campaign for National Parks, local communities and volunteers in preserving these treasured spaces for future generations; and calls on the Government to set out a bold vision for our National Parks, with reforms that drive climate action, biodiversity restoration and prohibit damaging activities, and enhance inclusivity and access for all.

510SCIAF's Real Gifts Campaign 2024

Tabled: 6/12/24 Signatories: 6

Patricia Ferguson

Dr Scott Arthur

Brian Leishman

Jim Shannon

Mary Kelly Foy

Kirsteen Sullivan

That this House welcomes the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund’s (SCIAF) 2024 Real Gifts campaign ahead of the festive season; notes the generosity of the Scottish public in directly supporting families and communities around the world living in poverty by giving ethical gifts during the festive season; welcomes the work done by SCIAF and others to provide communities with the tools they need to combat poverty and the horrors of a climate crisis they have not caused; and recognises that it is only with significant financial investment and global policy changes that we can achieve long-term development progress for all people across the world.

521Impact of the Work Capability Assessment on disabled people

Tabled: 9/12/24 Signatories: 12

John McDonnell

Jim Shannon

Jon Trickett

Mary Kelly Foy

Ian Lavery

Claire Hanna

That this House notes the shocking evidence published by John Pring in his recent book of the harm, too often leading to fatalities, inflicted on disabled people by the Department of Work and Pensions since the introduction of the Work Capability Assessment; and calls on the Government to establish an independent public inquiry into the role played by Ministers, civil servants and advisers and their culpability for the suffering identified in this research.

524Review into breast cancer screening

Tabled: 9/12/24 Signatories: 42

Wera Hobhouse

Caroline Voaden

Helen Morgan

Liz Jarvis

Helen Maguire

Edward Morello

That this House recognises the worrying rise in breast cancer cases in younger women; notes with concern that breast cancer accounts for 43% of all cancers diagnosed in women aged 25-49, yet women wait until they are 50 or older to begin routine screening; urges everyone to work together to dispel the misconception that breast cancer only affects older women; commends the medical professionals who provide top class care to patients once diagnosed; and calls on the Government to review the current arrangements for breast cancer screening, including the merits of reducing the minimum age at which women are invited for regular breast cancer screening.

527Anniversary of the murder of Kenneth Smyth and Daniel McCormick

Tabled: 10/12/24 Signatories: 4

Jim Shannon

Carla Lockhart

Bob Blackman

Robin Swann

That this House notes the anniversary of the murder of Kenneth Smyth and his colleague Daniel McCormick on 10 December 1971 as they travelled to work; notes that Kenneth was off duty and that Daniel had left the UDR and they were slaughtered as they headed to work together; further notes that no one has ever been brought to justice for this evil terrorist murder that saw these men brutally slain for no other reason than serving Queen and Country in the UDR and that the families still mourn their loss; and urges Government to consider cases like Kenneth’s, when reforming legacy legislation to ensure criminals, like the perpetrators of this atrocity, are brought to justice.

53325th anniversary of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust

Tabled: 10/12/24 Signatories: 22

Grahame Morris

Ian Lavery

Jon Trickett

Rebecca Long Bailey

Andy McDonald

Jo White

That this House congratulates the Coalfields Regeneration Trust (CRT) on its 25th anniversary; commends its outstanding contribution to supporting former coalfield communities across the UK in the aftermath of the devastating pit closure programme; recognises the dedication and tireless efforts of CRT staff and volunteers, whose work has transformed thousands of lives by addressing health, skills, and employment challenges to combat economic inactivity; and encourages the Government to work in partnership with the CRT to deliver their shared missions and the long-overdue regeneration that former mining towns and villages deserve.

541UK support for the global effort to feed children at school

Tabled: 11/12/24 Signatories: 7

Ellie Chowns

Jim Shannon

Mrs Sharon Hodgson

John McDonnell

Kim Johnson

Richard Burgon

That this House welcomes the growing international commitment to providing children with a healthy meal every day at school; notes that 418 million children benefited from school meals in 2022, an increase from 388 million in 2020; congratulates the School Meals Coalition, a partnership of over 105 countries and 135 organisations spanning diverse geographies and income levels, for driving this progress; recognises the transformative impact of well-designed school meal programmes on child development, education, social protection, agriculture, climate resilience, and gender equality; further welcomes the UK Government’s plans to expand free breakfast provision to every primary school in England; and calls on the Government to join the School Meals Coalition and commit to supporting its goal of ensuring every child worldwide has access to a free nutritious meal in school by 2030.

545Bonnybridge railway station

Tabled: 11/12/24 Signatories: 7

Euan Stainbank

Tracy Gilbert

Jim Shannon

John McDonnell

Richard Burgon

Brian Leishman

That this House supports the campaign to re-establish a railway station in Bonnybridge, recognising the community’s long-standing efforts over the past 25 years to improve transport connectivity; notes the significant population growth in the area and the pressing need for better public transport links to boost local economic development and reduce reliance on cars; acknowledges the strong local support for this initiative, including from councillors and community leaders; and calls on the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland to review the business case for the project and take decisive steps to deliver this vital infrastructure for Bonnybridge and the wider Falkirk area.

548Ofwat price review

Tabled: 11/12/24 Signatories: 17

Clive Lewis

Dr Roz Savage

Kim Johnson

Cat Eccles

Mary Kelly Foy

Neil Duncan-Jordan

That this House condemns the provisional approval by Ofwat of an average 21% above-inflation rise in water bills over five years designed to fund £88 billion in sewage infrastructure upgrades; notes that this follows water companies extracting £85 billion in shareholder profits since privatisation, while amassing £64.4 billion in debt; further notes that since privatisation, in real terms, shareholders have withdrawn almost 60% of the original shareholder capital instead of investing; also notes that water companies have been lobbying for bill rises of an average of 40%; expresses concern that 40% of households surveyed by the Consumer Council for Water say they would already struggle to afford the provisionally approved 21% bill hikes, with many indicating they would cut back on essentials like food to pay their water bills; further condemns record levels of sewage spills, including 10 million litres pumped into Lake Windermere by United Utilities in February, continuous sewage discharges from a Thames Water facility in Oxfordshire, and the failure of Southern Water to provide water to 32,000 households over five days due to a burst main; calls on the Government to stop bill rises and suspend Ofwat’s price review process until its own Commission has reported in 2025; further calls on the Government to hold water companies to account, including banning dividends and bonuses until sewage discharges are resolved; and also calls on the Government to declare water a basic right, ensuring affordability and sustainability for all.

552Cuckooing awareness

Tabled: 12/12/24 Signatories: 8

Jon Trickett

Bob Blackman

Ellie Chowns

John McDonnell

Richard Burgon

Neil Duncan-Jordan

That this House expresses its concern about the practice of cuckooing, which is when people take over a person’s home and use the property to commit crimes; notes that cuckooing commonly facilitates crimes involving drugs, weapons and sexual exploitation; recognises that cuckooing is often a hidden crime that targets the most vulnerable in society; acknowledges the work the Government is doing to identify instances of cuckooing through the county lines programme; believes that national and local government agencies should do more to raise awareness of cuckooing so that the public is better able to see the signs of this cruel exploitation when it takes place in their community; and calls on the Government to examine whether a new criminal offence is required to clamp down on cuckooing.

555Flood recovery framework

Tabled: 12/12/24 Signatories: 25

Claire Young

Adam Dance

Helen Maguire

Helen Morgan

Dr Roz Savage

Ellie Chowns

That this House notes the work of the emergency services and first responders in the wake of Storms Bert and Darragh; acknowledges that resources for emergency services remain under immense pressure; further acknowledges that future incidents of poor weather and flooding will become more common due to the impacts of climate change; calls on the Government to set out a clear framework for support for communities in the wake of such incidents; and praises the work of local authorities in helping those affected to rebuild.

556Dr Mackay appointed Scotland's new Makar

Tabled: 12/12/24 Signatories: 6

Wendy Chamberlain

Helen Maguire

Calum Miller

Chris Law

Jim Shannon

Adam Dance

That this House congratulates Dr Peter Mackay on being appointed Scotland’s new Makar; notes that Dr Mackay’s appointment as Scotland’s Makar, the National Poet for Scotland, is a historic milestone because he is the first Makar to write primarily in Gaelic; celebrates the deep connection to Scotland’s linguistic and cultural heritage that this appointment symbolises; understands that Dr Mackay is currently a Senior Lecturer at the University of St Andrews and notes that now, as the Makar, he will also be tasked with producing work reflecting significant national events and fostering a deeper appreciation of poetry throughout the country; and wishes Dr Mackay all the best for this role and for the future.

558West Lothian College

Tabled: 16/12/24 Signatories: 2

Gregor Poynton

Jim Shannon

That this House celebrates the recent achievements of West Lothian College at the College Development Network College Awards 2024 where West Lothian College had the highest number of finalists from a single college in Scotland; understands the significance of West Lothian College winning the Sustainability Action Award for their Whole College Approach to Net Zero; praises the work of two particular individuals at West Lothian College, Raymond Bremner who won the Lecturer of the Year Award and Micole Cochrane for winning Professional Services Colleague of the Year Award; recognises the awards for which West Lothian College were nominated, the Health and Wellbeing Award, the Inclusive College Award and the Innovation Award; and praises Jackie Galbraith the Principal of West Lothian College for her fantastic leadership and the care that her staff show to their students, communities and environment.

559Dedridge Primary School, winner of ADHD Friendly School Award

Tabled: 16/12/24 Signatories: 2

Gregor Poynton

Jim Shannon

That this House commends Dedridge Primary School in Livingston for receiving the ADHD Friendly School Award; recognises that this is a commitment to making Dedridge Primary a safe, nurturing, welcoming and exciting place, in which all learners with ADHD can achieve their academic potential; celebrates the hard work of the staff who have undertaken additional training around Understanding and Supporting ADHD; appreciates the importance of awards like this for normalising neurodivergence and incentivising a more inclusive classroom for all children; and, finally, applauds Dedridge Primary School’s establishment of an Inclusion Group of pupil champions who inform and educate their peers and have succeeded in showcasing and promoting the positives of ADHD and other neurodivergent conditions throughout the Livingston constituency.

560First anniversary of Piccoloco in Newcastle-under-Lyme

Tabled: 16/12/24 Signatories: 2

Adam Jogee

Jim Shannon

This House notes that Piccoloco in Newcastle-under-Lyme is a coffee shop, bar and kitchen run by father-son duo Jonathan and Benjamin Hill; congratulates the Hill duo on reaching the first anniversary of the opening of Piccoloco’s first premises on Hassell Street in Newcastle-under-Lyme town centre; recognises that the roots of the Piccoloco Coffee Shop grew out of the collective experience of the pandemic in February and March 2020, when the Hill family embraced coffee; further notes that, over the course of four years, Piccoloco has become a popular coffee shop in Newcastle-under-Lyme, leading to them winning the coffee shop of the year award at the LoveNuL Awards in 2023, all from a converted Piaggio Apé and, later, a converted horse trailer; acknowledges the success that Piccoloco had at the LoveNuL Awards 2024; and gives thanks for the important role played by Piccoloco in supporting and boosting the local economy in Newcastle-under-Lyme and North Staffordshire.

561Closure Notice issued to Walleys Quarry

Tabled: 16/12/24 Signatories: 2

Adam Jogee

Jim Shannon

That this House welcomes the Closure Notice issued to the operators of Walleys Quarry landfill site in Newcastle-under-Lyme on Thursday 28 November 2024; acknowledges that the closure notice was issued after an independent and thorough investigation by the Environment Agency as the regulator; recognises the anger, frustration and the mental, physical and emotional impact on local people of the stink emitting from the site; notes that this decision will be welcomed by thousands and thousands of local people who have endured so much for so long; expresses deep appreciation to all those who live, learn and work in Newcastle-under-Lyme who campaigned in the rain, sleet and snow to stop the stink over many years; further acknowledges that the focus must now shift to the remediation and long-term safety of the site; further notes that the restoration of the site must be a priority alongside assessing its condition, addressing contamination, and ensuring it is safely managed for the decades ahead; reaffirms its commitment to ensuring the site is capped and maintained, with proper support in place to protect the community; and further recognises that above all this is a victory for local people in the Ancient Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme and across Staffordshire.

56240th anniversary of Irish Community Services

Tabled: 16/12/24 Signatories: 3

Daniel Francis

Clive Efford

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates Irish Community Services on its 40th anniversary in providing support for all parts of the community throughout the Boroughs of Bexley and Greenwich; highlights their work in supporting those who are struggling because of age, infirmity, financial difficulties or social isolation through hosting community events and offering home visits, practical advice and support; commends the work of Aggie’s café and the Irish Food Shop which offer a warm space and community support; thanks the volunteers and staff for their hard work; and wishes Irish Community Services all the best for the future.

563The EU and the arms trade, human rights, and the Israel-Gaza conflict

Tabled: 16/12/24 Signatories: 8

James MacCleary

Helen Maguire

Steve Darling

Adam Dance

Dr Roz Savage

Jess Brown-Fuller

That this House expresses grave concern over the ongoing humanitarian crisis and violations of human rights in Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territories; reiterates the urgent need for all parties to adhere to international law and the principles of proportionality in the use of force; calls for the UK Government to work closely with European partners to push for a sustainable peace settlement based on a two-state solution, where Israel and Palestine are recognised as independent, viable, and democratic states with secure borders based on pre-1967 lines; recognises the critical role of the European Union in fostering peace through diplomatic initiatives and humanitarian aid; urges the UK Government to adopt a policy of presumption of denial for arms exports to countries with poor human rights records, as identified in the FCDO’s Human Rights and Democracy Report; highlights the importance of ensuring that UK and EU arms exports do not contribute to violations of international law or exacerbate conflicts, including the Israel-Gaza conflict; and calls on the UK to prioritise collaboration with European allies to strengthen global accountability for human rights violations and uphold the values of liberalism, internationalism, and the rule of law.

564Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell

Tabled: 16/12/24 Signatories: 13

Steve Darling

Alison Bennett

Helen Maguire

Mr Joshua Reynolds

Adam Dance

Wera Hobhouse

That this House congratulates comedian Chris McCausland for his outstanding victory as the first blind contestant on Strictly Come Dancing, alongside his dance partner Dianne Buswell; commends McCausland for his determination and warmth, which endeared him to millions of viewers, with more than 8 million watching the final; acknowledges that McCausland, who lost his sight due to retinitis pigmentosa, overcame significant challenges throughout the competition; celebrates his inspiring victory speech, in which he dedicated his win to his professional partner and to all those who had been told they could not achieve their dreams, where he also identified the three key elements for his success as opportunity, support and determination; recognises the positive impact his victory will have for people with disabilities, with charities such as the Royal National Institute of Blind People and Guide Dogs UK praising his achievement as a landmark moment for diversity and inclusion; further acknowledges the vital conversations sparked by McCausland’s success, particularly around dispelling myths about disabilities; calls for continued support for initiatives that promote greater inclusion of people with disabilities; and echoes the Changing Attitudes, Changing Lives report in calling for the Government to implement a Disability Employment Strategy that will improve employer attitudes and increase the number of blind and partially sighted people in work.

565St Albans Interfaith League and support for inter-faith initiatives

Tabled: 16/12/24 Signatories: 10

Daisy Cooper

Layla Moran

Alex Sobel

Helen Maguire

Adam Dance

Steve Darling

That this House recognises that events abroad can and do have an impact on community tensions and cohesion in the UK; condemns rising levels of antisemitism and Islamophobia; regrets that a number of inter-faith networks and initiatives have broken down in recent months; praises the leadership shown by faith and community leaders in St Albans who have made a joint statement entitled 5 Principles for Dialogue: why Jews and Muslims refuse to be enemies and are working together to educate, counter misunderstanding and forge community cohesion in the city and neighbouring areas by jointly attending schools and community events; welcomes the formation of the St Albans Interfaith League (SAIL); congratulates SAIL on the launch of the podcast A is for Abraham - Muslim, Jewish, Christian points of view; and calls on the Government to actively engage with and promote new inter-faith initiatives with a view to emulating them across the UK.

566Impact of the EU General Product Safety Regulation on the UK internal market

Tabled: 16/12/24 Signatories: 3

Jim Allister

Mr Gregory Campbell

Jim Shannon

That this House notes that multiple e-commerce sites are arranging for sellers in GB to stop selling to Northern Ireland because of the impediments and cost of the EU's General Product Safety Regulation; and calls on the Government to stand up for Northern Ireland businesses whose supply chain depends on GB, for Northern Ireland consumers who depend on GB, and for GB small businesses who should have the same opportunity to trade with NI as any other part of the UK, by asserting the rights and primacy of the UK internal market over foreign EU rules.

567Christmas

Tabled: 16/12/24 Signatories: 3

Jim Shannon

Mr Gregory Campbell

Jess Brown-Fuller

That this House celebrates the Christmas season; remembers the true purpose of Christmas as a time to celebrate the greatest gift of God towards those he created; is mindful of the wonderful work carried out by those who love Christ in charitable and community work throughout the year; and urges the general public to use the opportunity to tell people near and dear that they are loved as we seek to emulate Christ in giving freely of ourselves for others.

568Renewal of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme

Tabled: 16/12/24 Signatories: 8

Adam Dance

Steve Darling

Wera Hobhouse

Dr Roz Savage

Jim Shannon

Ian Roome

That this House notes with concern that the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme is due to expire in March 2025; notes that the scheme enables congregations of all faiths to recover the Value Added Tax costs of vital repairs to their listed buildings, making it the most universal and accessible source of relief; also notes that almost half of all Grade I listed buildings in England are historic churches; acknowledges that for 23 years the grant scheme, run by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, has provided a vital lifeline to congregations throughout the UK as they struggle to raise sufficient funds to repair their historic places of worship; recognises the success of the scheme in maintaining places of value to local communities and the nation’s heritage for future generations, such as St Mary Magdalene Church in Barwick, East Corker Village Church, and Holy Trinity Church in Yeovil; also recognises the scheme has received cross-party support across successive governments; and calls on the current Government to ensure the renewal of the scheme as a matter of urgency.

569Sage House Dementia Hub

Tabled: 16/12/24 Signatories: 13

Jess Brown-Fuller

Alison Bennett

Helen Morgan

Dr Al Pinkerton

Helen Maguire

Steve Darling

That this House recognises with gratitude the outstanding dedication and service provided by Sage House Dementia Hub in Tangmere; commends its bespoke, modern, and functional approach as a community hub that brings together local dementia support services under one roof; notes with concern the latest statistics showing that one in three people will, at some point in their lifetime, care for someone with dementia, with 944,000 people currently living with dementia in the UK, a figure projected to rise to over 1.6 million by 2040; further notes that the Sage House model has demonstrated its capacity to cut the cost of dementia care by 38%, improve quality of life for those living with dementia and their families, and has the potential to save the NHS £1.5 billion annually if rolled out nationally; celebrates its success in West Sussex and its potential as a blueprint for community-based dementia care across the UK; and urges the Government to support the wider adoption of this innovative model to ensure better outcomes for individuals living with dementia and their carers while delivering significant cost savings to the NHS.

570World Darts Championship

Tabled: 16/12/24 Signatories: 6

Max Wilkinson

Helen Maguire

Dr Roz Savage

Ian Roome

Jim Shannon

Jess Brown-Fuller

That this House notes the contribution of the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace; recognises the tournament's positive impact on the festive sporting and television schedule; and further recognises the importance of darts to the sporting and cultural life of our nation.

571Prison maintenance insourcing

Tabled: 16/12/24 Signatories: 23

Kim Johnson

Cat Smith

Mohammad Yasin

Mary Glindon

Liz Saville Roberts

Siân Berry

That this House notes with alarm the rising levels of squalor and disrepair in prisons, with the National Audit Office estimating the maintenance backlog has doubled to £1.8 billion in the past four years; further notes with alarm recent reports by the Independent Monitoring Boards highlighting how broken and outdated windows make it easy for drones to deliver drugs and weapons, while prisoners are bitten by rats and venomous false widow spiders, yet there is little accountability when maintenance providers’ performance falls short; believes that the privatisation of prison maintenance a decade ago is at the heart of this shameful situation, with profit-hungry contractors and a corporate-style GovCo formed after the collapse of Carillion driving a dangerous race to the bottom in living and working conditions across the prison estate; welcomes the recent agreement by ministers that all options need to be looked at in order to ensure the best possible value for money for the public purse, but recognises that outsourcing of prison maintenance has proved to be a false economy, with the taxpayer picking up the tab for contractors’ costly failures; and calls on the Government to cancel plans for retendering these contracts and to bring all prison maintenance back in-house at the earliest opportunity, in keeping with its pre-election pledge to oversee the biggest wave of insourcing for a generation.