Contents

Published – Wednesday 8 January 2025

Early Day Motions tabled on Tuesday 7 January 2025

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

600Alloa's Football Memories initiative

Tabled: 7/01/25 Signatories: 1

Brian Leishman

That this House celebrates the success of Alloa's Football Memories group, founded by John Glencross, Alloa Athletic’s club historian, to support people living with dementia; notes that the initiative began in March 2023 with just six attendees and has since grown to a remarkable 40 regular members, offering companionship and community through shared memories of the beautiful game; commends John Glencross for his dedication in establishing and hosting the monthly meetings at Alloa’s Ochil Lounge, with support from Alloa Athletic Football Club; recognises the importance of initiatives like Football Memories in improving the wellbeing of individuals living with dementia by stimulating recall and fostering social connections; further applauds Alloa manager Andy Graham and club legend Neil Parry for attending the group’s December meeting to share entertaining stories and engage with attendees; and calls on the Government to expand support for community initiatives like Football Memories, recognising their critical role in dementia care and in building compassionate, inclusive communities.

601Detainment of Dr Hussam Abu Safiya

Tabled: 7/01/25 Signatories: 1

Shockat Adam

That this House condemns Israel’s raid and destruction of Kamal Adwan Hospital, one of the last functioning hospitals in Gaza; expresses deep concern over the detention of Dr Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of the hospital and a paediatric specialist; calls for his immediate release along with other detained medical personnel in accordance with international humanitarian law which safeguards medical workers from detention and harm in conflict settings; condemns Israel's systematic and deliberate targeting of healthcare facilities and personnel in Gaza; further calls on the government to exert pressure on Israel to uphold the rights of medical professionals and ensure the protection of healthcare facilities; and expresses solidarity with all those working to provide medical care and humanitarian aid in Gaza.

602Postural Tachycardia Syndrome

Tabled: 7/01/25 Signatories: 1

Cat Smith [R]

That this House notes that Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS) is an autonomic nervous system abnormality which causes chronic illness and significant disability, often in young people, in some cases leaving people bed ridden; further notes that the average time from first presentation of symptoms to diagnosis is seven years; also notes that while there is currently no cure for PoTS, studies indicate that 90% of affected people improve with medically guided treatments and lifestyle changes but awareness of the condition is still low and there are few specialist services in many regions of the UK and no care pathways for patients anywhere in the UK; and believes that this indicates a need for increased support offered to those who suffer from PoTS.

603World Darts Champion Luke Littler

Tabled: 7/01/25 Signatories: 1

Charlotte Nichols

That this House recognises the astonishing performance of Luke Littler in winning the 2025 World Championship, becoming the youngest world champion in darts history at 17 years and 347 days old; recognises that his remarkable successes in the past year see him ranked as the number two player in the world; rejoices that he has inspired huge numbers across the country to follow and take up darts for the first time; proudly celebrates these achievements by a favourite son of Warrington; and wishes Luke The Nuke the best of success as he hopefully goes from strength to strength in 2025.

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.

528Medicinal cannabis

Tabled: 10/12/24 Signatories: 10

Jim Shannon

Chris Law

Mary Kelly Foy

Wera Hobhouse

Christine Jardine

Bob Blackman

That this House recognises the benefits of prescribed medical cannabis for people suffering with epilepsy and a variety of other conditions; welcomes the legalisation around the use of prescribed medical cannabis on 1 November 2018; regrets the inconsistent MHRA guidelines that risk product availability for patients; further regrets the restrictions on electronic prescriptions for the issuing of medicinal cannabis products; and calls on the Government to use every means necessary to ensure greater consistency from the MHRA to ensure patients suffering from long-term and chronic conditions are aware of medical cannabis as a treatment and incur as little disruption and inconvenience as possible when obtaining it.

540British Nuclear Testing Programme veterans

Tabled: 11/12/24 Signatories: 8

Rebecca Long Bailey

Sir John Hayes

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck

Mary Kelly Foy

Ellie Chowns

Jim Shannon

That this House honours and thanks the veterans of the British Nuclear Testing Programme, veterans’ relatives, indigenous peoples whose lands were used as testing grounds, clean-up operatives, scientists and others involved both directly and indirectly to the programme; acknowledges the contribution of this programme to our defence capabilities and knowledge; notes that some peer-reviewed scientific research publications have identified test veterans to be at risk of specific increased health risks associated with exposure to ionising radiation and that many British personnel have reported the lack of personal protective equipment and safety protocols; and therefore calls on the Government to support these veterans in accessing their military health and scientific medical testing records, and delivering a programme of national recognition, education, and compensation accordingly.

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

Tabled: 11/12/24 Signatories: 12

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.

542Water quality in Sri Lanka

Tabled: 11/12/24 Signatories: 12

Munira Wilson

Helen Maguire

Adam Dance

Jess Brown-Fuller

Christine Jardine

Steve Darling

That this House expresses concern regarding water quality in northern Sri Lanka; is concerned by reports that the Sri Lankan government refused to allow independent assessments of water quality in the region; notes that the consumption or use of water contaminated by waste oil has been linked to many diseases and birth defects; calls for steps to be taken to allow all citizens in northern Sri Lanka, the majority of whom are Tamils, to have access to clean drinking water; further calls for the area around the Chunnakam power plant complex to be subjected to a full independent investigation; believes that organisations responsible for pollution of ground water in Chunnakam should have a duty to carry out remedial works; and further believes that all citizens affected by water contamination should be provided with competent medical follow-up and be compensated adequately by the Sri Lankan government.

546Sale of the Observer newspaper

Tabled: 11/12/24 Signatories: 18

Rebecca Long Bailey

John McDonnell

Grahame Morris

Jon Trickett

Ian Lavery

Liz Saville Roberts

That this House expresses serious concerns about the speed of the process and the substantive issues at stake in relation to the proposed sale of the Observer newspaper to Tortoise Media; considers that The Observer, first published in 1791, is a historical national institution known as a source of quality journalism which must be protected for future generations; believes that the deal appears to be being rushed through, without due consideration of alternatives; regrets that the Guardian Media Group and the Scott Trust have not engaged in meaningful consultation with journalistic and editorial staff; condemns the decision to announce in principle support for the sale during the first industrial action taken by members of the National Union of Journalists at the Guardian/Observer for over fifty years called in response to concerns at the deal; believes that the disappearance of Observer content behind an online paywall would be detrimental to the public interest by restricting access to accurate news and a plurality of opinions; and therefore calls on Government to issue a Public Interest Intervention Notice, to allow for further regulatory consideration of the sale’s likely impact.

548Ofwat price review

Tabled: 11/12/24 Signatories: 22

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.

549Public toilets

Tabled: 12/12/24 Signatories: 9

Mohammad Yasin

John McDonnell

Richard Burgon

Shockat Adam

Jim Shannon

Ellie Chowns

That this House recognises the profound but often uncelebrated impact of adequate public toilet provision, enabling mobility, promoting dignity and ensuring the accessibility of public spaces to everyone, particularly the elderly, people with disabilities and families with young children; and congratulates Bedford Borough Council’s recent investment in public toilets in Russell Park.

550Democracy and human rights in Myanmar

Tabled: 12/12/24 Signatories: 24

Helen Maguire

Adam Dance

Steve Darling

Zöe Franklin

Mr Will Forster

Luke Akehurst

That this House notes with grave concern the ongoing human rights abuses perpetrated by the Myanmar military; recognises the urgent need to restore democracy and uphold the rights of the people of Myanmar; acknowledges the pivotal role of the UK as the penholder on Myanmar at the UN Security Council; calls on the Government to take immediate and decisive action by recognising the National Unity Government of Myanmar as the legitimate government of the country, pressing for an international arms embargo to prevent the military junta from accessing weapons, and accelerating the implementation of targeted sanctions against the financial interests of the junta; further calls on the Government to work in concert with international allies to delegitimise the military junta and make clear that its actions are unacceptable; and urges the Government to strategically support emerging democracies and democratic movements worldwide, including in Myanmar, Sudan and Iran, to counter the global trend of authoritarianism and strengthen democratic governance.

55120 years of service at the Highway Avenue Post Office

Tabled: 12/12/24 Signatories: 7

Mr Joshua Reynolds

Ben Maguire

Adam Dance

Jess Brown-Fuller

Jim Shannon

James MacCleary

That this House recognises with gratitude the outstanding dedication and service provided by Misters Harminder and Harpit Sambi to the community of Maidenhead over the past two decades as operators of the Highway Avenue Post Office; commends their unwavering commitment to supporting local residents and fostering a sense of community; wishes them every success in their future endeavours; and expresses its appreciation for the invaluable contributions of all community champions who run small shops, post offices, and similar establishments, acknowledging their essential role in sustaining and enriching the social fabric of our communities.

552Cuckooing awareness

Tabled: 12/12/24 Signatories: 13

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.

553Cirencester Signpost’s King’s Award for Voluntary Service

Tabled: 12/12/24 Signatories: 9

Dr Roz Savage

Adam Dance

Helen Maguire

Ben Maguire

Cameron Thomas

Calum Miller

That this House congratulates Cirencester Signpost, based in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, and serving the South Cotswolds, on being awarded the prestigious King’s Award for Voluntary Service on the occasion of HM The King’s Birthday, 14 November 2024; recognises the invaluable work of Cirencester Signpost in providing support in accordance with Christian principles to relieve poverty and assist those in need within the Cirencester and South Cotswolds community; commends the dedication and efforts of its volunteers, who are among the 281 volunteer groups from across the UK recognised for their exceptional contributions to society; notes the significance of this award as the highest honour given to volunteer groups in the UK; and calls on the Government to continue supporting voluntary organisations like Cirencester Signpost, which play a vital role in addressing poverty, promoting community well-being, and fostering social cohesion across the country.

555Flood recovery framework

Tabled: 12/12/24 Signatories: 33

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: 9

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.

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

Tabled: 16/12/24 Signatories: 22

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: 26

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: 12

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.

567Christmas

Tabled: 16/12/24 Signatories: 6

Jim Shannon

Mr Gregory Campbell

Jess Brown-Fuller

Luke Myer

Cat Smith

Rachael Maskell

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: 19

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: 19

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: 10

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: 35

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.

575International Human Rights Day

Tabled: 17/12/24 Signatories: 15

Fabian Hamilton

Jim Shannon

Jon Trickett

Luke Taylor

Ayoub Khan

Shockat Adam

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.

577Democratic violations and violence in Georgia

Tabled: 17/12/24 Signatories: 18

James MacCleary

Adam Dance

Wera Hobhouse

Helen Maguire

Richard Foord

Jim Shannon

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: 16

Shockat Adam

Jim Shannon

Ayoub Khan

Andrew George

Mr Adnan Hussain

Neil Duncan-Jordan

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: 9

Shockat Adam

Jim Shannon

Ayoub Khan

Andrew George

Mr Adnan Hussain

Ellie Chowns

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: 8

Shockat Adam

Jon Trickett

Ayoub Khan

Mr Adnan Hussain

Ellie Chowns

Iqbal Mohamed

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: 9

Shockat Adam

Jon Trickett

Ayoub Khan

Andrew George

Mr Adnan Hussain

Ellie Chowns

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.

584Government response to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman report on communication of changes to women’s State Pension age

Tabled: 18/12/24 Signatories: 36

Steve Darling

Wendy Chamberlain

Clive Jones

Tom Morrison

Cameron Thomas

Dr Al Pinkerton

That this House condemns the Government’s refusal to provide any compensation to women affected by changes to the State Pension age, turning its back on millions of pension-age women who were harmed through no fault of their own; regrets Ministers’ decision to effectively ignore the recommendations of the independent Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman; recognises the damage done to our economy by the previous Conservative Government, but believes that Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) women should not have to pay the price of Conservative mismanagement; notes that the Liberal Democrats have campaigned for years for fair compensation of WASPI women in line with the Ombudsman’s recommendations; and calls on the Government to rethink this heartless decision and give those affected the fair treatment they deserve.

585Reform of electoral law

Tabled: 18/12/24 Signatories: 23

Sorcha Eastwood

Jon Trickett

Sarah Olney

Ben Lake

Neil Duncan-Jordan

Wendy Chamberlain

That this House notes with serious concern recent reports of high-profile individuals and international entities exploring avenues to influence UK political parties and elections, raising questions about the robustness of current electoral laws in preventing foreign interference; recognises the essential role of transparent and accountable political financing in preserving public trust in democracy and ensuring that elections remain free from undue external influence; believes that current electoral laws are outdated and inadequate in addressing the threats posed by modern financial and digital technologies, including cryptocurrency, which can facilitate anonymous or foreign donations; highlights the particular, imminent risks posed by wealthy international figures, who, while engaging in lawful activities, may inadvertently or deliberately influence domestic politics contrary to the principle of self-determination; urges the Government to urgently bring forward legislative reforms to strengthen electoral law, including the introduction of a cap on political donations, stricter limitations on overseas donations, mandatory transparency in the origin of political funds, and robust enforcement mechanisms; calls on the Government to work with the Electoral Commission and other relevant bodies to adapt regulatory frameworks to address emerging challenges to democratic integrity in the digital age; and affirms the UK's commitment to safeguarding democracy by ensuring that elections are free, fair, and reflective of the will of the people without interference from foreign entities.

587Healthy lunches

Tabled: 18/12/24 Signatories: 19

Sarah Dyke

Ellie Chowns

Wendy Chamberlain

Helen Morgan

Dr Roz Savage

Sarah Gibson

That this House recognises the importance of eating a healthy and nutritious lunch; further recognises that poor diet is now the biggest risk for preventable disease, placing a huge strain on the NHS; notes that the number of food-secure households decreased by 2% according to the UK Food Security Report 2024; recognises the important role British farmers play in putting nutritious food on our plate, but is aware of the financial pressure food producers in the UK are currently facing; is worried further notes that 61% of farmers are concerned they will have to give up their farms within the next 18 months; and calls on the Government to ensure fairness in the food supply chain by strengthening the Groceries Code Adjudicator to protect consumers from unfair price rises and to support food producers.

58970th anniversary of the Parish of St Mary's Church Duntocher

Tabled: 6/01/25 Signatories: 2

Douglas McAllister

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates St Mary's Parish Church Duntocher on the occasion of its 70th anniversary; notes that on 14 November 1954 the new church was formally opened and dedicated by Archbishop Donald Campbell, and that on 15 November 2024 Archbishop William Nolan celebrated Holy Mass at St Mary's to celebrate the 70th anniversary; recognises the significant contribution of the church to the spiritual wellbeing of its parishioners and the wider community of Duntocher; commends St Mary's and its parishioners who have maintained the church and parish life over 70 years; further congratulates Mr James Brown and Mr and Mrs James and Phyliss Smith on receiving the Archdiocesan Medal in recognition of their service to St Mary's Church; and wishes the Church and Parish of St Mary's Duntocher every success in the years ahead.

590Mr Owen Sayers MBE, 60 years Scouting

Tabled: 6/01/25 Signatories: 2

Douglas McAllister

Jim Shannon

That this House celebrates the presenting of Mr Owen Sayers MBE with his 60 Years Service to Scouting Award in 2024 by the Chief Volunteer of Scouts Scotland; recognises that Owen Sayers became a Scout leader at the age of 18, and that further leadership roles over the next 60 years included Section Leader, Group Scout Leader, District Commissioner and County Commissioner; commends Owen Sayers for his dedication to scouting, volunteering, and service to young people across West Dunbartonshire; further commends Owen Sayers for his unwavering commitment to serving local communities and the country; and congratulates Mr Owen Sayers MBE on his 60 Years Service Award and wishes him and the 1st Glen Lusset Scout Group every success in the future.

591Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s new memorial in South Africa

Tabled: 6/01/25 Signatories: 3

Adam Jogee

Jim Shannon

Rachael Maskell

That this House welcomes the imminent inauguration of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s new memorial in South Africa on Wednesday 22 January 2025 by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal; acknowledges the sacrifice, valour and service of South African military labourers who served in campaigns during the First World War in East Africa; notes that this memorial will commemorate by name over 1,700 South Africans who died during World War One; thanks all those involved in the research, design and creation of this memorial; recognises the contribution made to Britain's military effort and success in both world wars of men and women from right across the Commonwealth; and celebrates the bonds of solidarity that remain strong and indivisible between our United Kingdom and our Commonwealth family.

592President Jimmy Carter

Tabled: 6/01/25 Signatories: 4

Adam Jogee

Jim Shannon

Rachael Maskell

Ben Lake

That this House expresses its sorrow at the death of President Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, on Sunday 29 December 2024 at the age of 100; gives thanks for his good, long life of service to the citizens of the United States and to people right across the world; remembers his service as a member of the Senate of the State of Georgia from 1963-1967 and as the 76th Governor of the State of Georgia from 1971-1975; salutes the pivotal role President Carter played in securing the Camp David Accords; celebrates his commitment to peace, decency, respect and the truth; notes that he was the only US President to receive a Nobel Peace Prize for his work to monitor more than 100 elections in nations right across the world and to help build and repair thousands of homes in countries across the globe with Habitat for Humanity; acknowledges the strong bond he had with the late former First Lady Mrs Rosalynn Carter and her own public service; commits to standing up for those most in need at home and abroad as President Carter did; and sends its deepest condolences to the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of President Jimmy Carter.

593Knighthood for Sir Ian Dudson

Tabled: 6/01/25 Signatories: 9

Adam Jogee

Leigh Ingham

Dave Robertson

Dr Allison Gardner

Jacob Collier

David Williams

That this House congratulates His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire, Sir Ian Dudson, on being made a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order for services to the Crown in the December 2024 New Year’s honours list; acknowledges his exemplary service to the county of Staffordshire and all the people who live, learn and work there since his appointment as Lord-Lieutenant on 29 March 2012; notes that Sir Ian Dudson is already a Commander of the Order of the British Empire; gives thanks to Lady Dudson for her committed service to the county of Staffordshire; recognises Sir Ian’s previous service as Deputy Lieutenant of Staffordshire since 2001, High Sheriff of Staffordshire in 2010-11 and Pro-Chancellor of Keele University and Chair of Council from 2005-2012; celebrates his service as President of nine Staffordshire based organisations: Douglas Macmillan Hospice, Tennis Staffordshire, Staffordshire Community Foundation, Staffordshire Branch CPRE, Scouting Staffordshire, SSAFA Staffordshire, St John County Priory Group and Lichfield Festival; and sends its best wishes to Sir Ian and Lady Dudson for the years ahead.

594Rights in Performances

Tabled: 6/01/25 Signatories: 2

John McDonnell

Neil Duncan-Jordan [R]

That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, praying that the Copyright and Performances (Application to Other Countries) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2024 (SI, 2024, No. 1124), dated 6 November 2024, a copy of which was laid before this House on 13 November 2024, be annulled.

596Posthumous Victoria Cross for Blair Paddy Mayne

Tabled: 6/01/25 Signatories: 4

Jim Shannon

John Cooper

Mr Gregory Campbell

Alex Easton

That this House remembers the heroic endeavours of Blair Mayne; believes that these should be acknowledged through the award of a posthumous Victoria Cross; notes that Blair, known as Paddy, Mayne was a native of Newtownards in the constituency of Strangford and that he was a legendary member and officer of the Special Air Service; highlights that he served with considerable valour and distinction throughout the Second World War and will always be remembered for his efforts; and underlines that his legacy shall never be forgotten and that he should no longer be denied the honour of a Victoria Cross for his sensational contribution to the Special Services throughout the War.

597Jim Grant Inspirational Achievement Award

Tabled: 6/01/25 Signatories: 7

Dr Roz Savage

Helen Maguire

Jim Shannon

Wendy Chamberlain

Mr Angus MacDonald

Adam Dance

That this House recognises the work of South Cotswolds constituent, Ben Thornbury, in achieving the Jim Grant Inspirational Achievement Award which was awarded to him at Cirencester College where Ben is a student; praises his work for the community in going above and beyond to clean-up the town, highlight the plight of potholes, and being heavily involved in a national campaign to locate missing people; and calls on the Government to recognise the vital work done by local champions such as Ben Thornbury in communities.

598Active travel

Tabled: 6/01/25 Signatories: 9

Sarah Gibson

Helen Maguire

Ian Roome

Jim Shannon

Wendy Chamberlain

Adam Dance

That this House congratulates the work being led by Active Travel England and specifically the Royal Wootton Bassett Environment Trust which is working to promote active travel in Wiltshire; acknowledges that investment in active travel routes is needed to stimulate local economies; and notes that local authorities need to be empowered so they can leverage the planning system more effectively to deliver local active travel routes.

599England men's cricket team's upcoming fixture against Afghanistan

Tabled: 6/01/25 Signatories: 20

Tonia Antoniazzi

Jim Shannon

Wendy Chamberlain

Sarah Dyke

Tracy Gilbert

Patricia Ferguson

That this House expresses profound concern regarding the England men's cricket team's upcoming Champions Trophy fixture against Afghanistan; understands that this fixture will take place in the context of the banning of female participation in sport by the Taliban in Afghanistan; pays tribute to the Afghanistan women's cricket team who are currently in exile as a result of this ban; acknowledges that this ban is a reflection of the wider erasure of women from daily activities in Afghanistan; recognises that this ban is in direct contravention of International Cricket Council rules that require all test nations to support and fund women's cricket; and strongly urges the ECB to consider a boycott of this upcoming fixture.