Commons business papers

Contents

Published – Wednesday 26 February 2025

Early Day Motions tabled on Tuesday 25 February 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

830Youth Olympics success

Tabled: 25/02/25 Signatories: 1

Graham Leadbitter

That this House congratulates freestyle snowboarder Emily Rothney, from Carrbridge and downhill skier Tia Freshwater, from Kincraig, on their recent success at the Youth Olympics in Georgia; recognises that Emily won a gold medal for Team GB with a total score of 156.75 after scoring an impressive 83 points on her last attempt; further recognises that Tia secured 18th place; congratulates both Emily and Tia on their hard work and successes; and wishes them the best of luck with their sporting careers going forward.

831Cairngorm Brewery award success

Tabled: 25/02/25 Signatories: 1

Graham Leadbitter

That this House congratulates Cairngorm Brewery in Aviemore on their recent success at the Great British Beer Festival Winter 2025; recognises their Black Gold session stout, 4.4% ABV, was awarded the title of Champion Winter Beer of Britain; commends the dedication and craftsmanship of the brewery team, including Sales Director Merlin Sandbach and Head Brewer Liam Anderson, in consistently producing high-quality beers; acknowledges the significance of this accolade in highlighting the excellence of Scottish brewing on a national stage; and encourages support for local breweries to ensure the continued success and diversity of the UK's independent brewing industry.

832National Railway Heritage Awards success

Tabled: 25/02/25 Signatories: 1

Graham Leadbitter

That this House congratulates Jillian and David Robertson on their recent success at the 44th National Railway Heritage Awards in London; notes that they were recognised with a Highly Commended certificate in the commercial restoration category for their work in transforming former council offices at Kingussie railway station into a boutique hostel, the Railway Rooms; and commends the Robertsons for their commitment to preserving and enhancing the region's railway heritage while providing quality accommodation for visitors.

833Calum Langmuir ski success

Tabled: 25/02/25 Signatories: 1

Graham Leadbitter

That this House congratulates Calum Langmuir, an Alpine ski racer from Nethy Bridge, on his recent success at the 2025 FIS Alpine Ski World Championships in Saalbach, Austria; notes his impressive fifth-place finish in the Giant Slalom qualifiers, securing his spot among the top 25 out of 130 competitors; acknowledges his resilience following a significant crash during the Team Parallel event, from which he has fortunately recovered; commends his dedication and progression from training on Cairngorm Mountain and at the Lecht to representing Great Britain on the world stage; recognises his status as one of only two Scots in the GB senior squad; and finally, wishes Calum continued success with his sporting career in future.

834Homelessness

Tabled: 25/02/25 Signatories: 1

Vikki Slade

That this House recognises there is a rough sleeping emergency; highlights with concern the Rough Sleeping Inquiry's findings, published on 14 February 2025, of gaps between public institutions and housing support which put vulnerable people at greater risk of rough sleeping following discharge from health care settings or prison; notes that the inquiry reports that young people in particular are struggling to receive in-person assessments from councils which delays their access to temporary accommodation; agrees with the inquiry’s recommendation for the Government to provide local authorities with long-term funding to tackle homelessness; regrets that the current funding system for rough sleeping prevention is fragmented; further recognises that the loss of affordable social rent and the increase in the number of long-term empty homes are key factors in the rise in homelessness; urges the Government to increase the building of new social homes to 150,000 per year; calls on the Government to assess the capacity of local authorities to address homelessness, especially following the additional financial pressures on their budgets following the Government’s changes to National Insurance Contributions; further urges the Government to introduce a somewhere safe to stay legal duty to ensure that everyone who is at risk of sleeping rough is provided with emergency accommodation and an assessment of their needs; and further calls on the Government to publish a cross-Whitehall plan to end all forms of homelessness.

83550th anniversary of Community Advice Newtownards

Tabled: 25/02/25 Signatories: 1

Jim Shannon

That this House celebrates 50 years of Community Advice Newtownards, formerly Citizens Advice, in Strangford constituency; notes that Community Advice has been instrumental in the local community for providing practical and reliable information to help residents with their problems; highlights the large range of topics Community Advice are able to assist with, which can range from parking tickets to support with benefit forms, and that this advice is free, independent, impartial and for everyone; and thanks Community advice and their incredible staff for all they do to serve the people of Newtownards and surrounding areas and wishes them all the very best for the future.

836Norther Ireland Football Training Centre of Excellence

Tabled: 25/02/25 Signatories: 1

Jim Allister

That this House welcomes the announcement of the joint venture between the Irish Football Association and Galgorm Resort, whereby a state of the art football training facility will be provided for the Northern Ireland Football Teams, both male and female, at Galgorm, County Antrim; notes that this project will fill a long existing void in national football provision and preparation, as well as affording community use and involvement; commends the commitment, foresight and dedication of all involved in promoting this project; and encourages the Government to play its part in bringing the proposal to fruition.

837Regional Inequalities in energy pricing

Tabled: 25/02/25 Signatories: 1

Mr Angus MacDonald

That this House acknowledges the severe disparity in energy costs between mains gas and electricity, which disproportionately affects rural communities and high rise buildings across the UK; notes that while renewable electricity is cheaper to generate, market structures result in electricity consumers paying significantly more than those using mains gas; further notes that many areas lack access to mains gas, forcing reliance on costly alternatives; highlights the Environmental and Social Obligation taxes that apply to electricity but not gas; and calls on the Government to decouple energy pricing to ensure fairer costs for all.

838Energy price cap increase

Tabled: 25/02/25 Signatories: 1

Shockat Adam

That this House notes with concern the further increase of the energy price cap by Ofgem from April 2025; further notes at 6.4%, or an average £111 per year, this is higher than expected and higher than the rate of inflation and average pay increases; acknowledges the research by Citizens Advice which shows the energy network owners have made excess profits of nearly £4 billion over four years after Ofgem miscalculated their costs; and calls on the Government to step in to prevent these damaging rises, either through introducing an emergency windfall tax on these excess profits and the introduction of targeted energy bill support or by instructing Ofgem to ensure they put the protection of consumer interests first and reverse the price cap rises and pass the costs onto the owners of the energy network.

839Recognition and justice for the victims of the Khojaly tragedy

Tabled: 25/02/25 Signatories: 1

Bob Blackman

That this House extends condolences to the people of Azerbaijan as they commemorate, on 26 February 2025, the 33rd anniversary of the Khojaly massacre where Armenian armed forces, with the backing of the Russian 366th Motor Rifle Regiment, brutally slaughtered 613 Azerbaijani civilians in Khojaly, including 106 women, 63 children, and 70 elderly people; reflects on this atrocity committed against citizens of Azerbaijan amid conflict in the region; and welcomes the commitment of both parties to a lasting peace.

840Closure of the Musician Pub in Leicester

Tabled: 25/02/25 Signatories: 1

Shockat Adam

That this House notes with regret the closure of the Musician Pub in Leicester; recognises its citation in a recent survey as one of the top 10 most active music venues in the country; congratulates owner Darren Nockles for his 25 years of service showcasing music from Leicester and around the world; further notes a 2024 report from the Music Venue Trust that represents UK grassroots music venues, which found cities such as Leicester had fallen off itineraries of live music tours and that the number of live music shows nationwide have fallen by 8.3% since 2023; and calls on the Government to support live music and its venues across all parts of the country by supporting LIVE’s policy platform to empower the £6.1 billion UK live music industry.

841Kings Oak Primary School Eco-Council

Tabled: 25/02/25 Signatories: 1

Mohammad Yasin

That this House recognises the tremendous work being done by the Eco-Council at Kings Oak Primary School in Bedford in raising awareness for for the environment and seeking to make the school and their local area a better place; acknowledges the success of primary school aged children in reducing single-use plastic around the school, educating peers on the topics of the consumption of energy and disposable goods and undertaking litter picks to maintain the school environment; notes the support of their teachers for these endeavours; recognises the wider work the Eco-Council would like to undertake in their local community; and celebrates the efforts and enthusiasm of all involved.

842Western Gateway Rail Deal

Tabled: 25/02/25 Signatories: 1

Catherine Fookes

That this House notes the publication of the Western Gateway Rail Deal, which sets out ways to capitalise on new funding to connect an extra 248,000 people to a new local train station across South Wales and Western England, including five new Burns Stations, which if delivered, could add £17bn of economic benefits to the UK; recognises the importance of cross-border collaboration for achieving the realisation of the investments set out in the Rail Deal; and commends the work of the Western Gateway, Transport for Wales, GWR, Network Rail and all other stakeholders involved in bringing the Rail Deal together.

843Content warnings for infant mortality

Tabled: 25/02/25 Signatories: 1

Cameron Thomas

That this House notes with concern the lack of content warnings in film and television broadcasting relating to infant mortality; recognises that adequate trigger warnings exist in other fields including violent scenes, sexual assault, drug and alcohol use, tobacco products, foul language, yet a subject as distressing as infant mortality is rarely addressed; further notes that simply labelling it with trauma, grief or death as a content warning is insufficient and that it should clearly specify if it involves an infant to ensure clarity; and calls for the Government to review these warnings, ensuring that content and trigger warnings are proportionate and allow viewers to make informed choices.

844Status of Scotch Whisky

Tabled: 25/02/25 Signatories: 1

Jamie Stone

That this House recognises the English Whisky Guild’s application to obtain Geographical Indication status; acknowledges that the application includes a different definition of Single Malt; notes that the current definition of Single Malt Whisky denotes the production at a single distillery using a single variety of malted barley grain; further notes that, altering this definition will damage the reputation of the Single Malt category, thus devaluing the Scotch Single Malt Whisky market; further acknowledges that the Scotch Whisky industry contributed £7.1bn to the UK economy in 2022 and supported 66,000 jobs; highlights that the industry generated £3 in every £100 of Scotland’s Gross Value Added; and calls for the protection of the existing Single Malt category, outside of the English Whisky Geographical Indication in order to ensure the special reputation of Scotch Whisky remains undamaged.

845British Science Week

Tabled: 25/02/25 Signatories: 1

George Freeman

That this House marks British Science Week - a ten-day celebration of science, research and innovation – featuring thousands of events and activities across the UK for people of all ages; commends the efforts of the British Science Association to inspire and enable schools, community groups, cultural organisations, research institutions and businesses to celebrate science, research and innovation and its crucial role in our lives; and recognises the support of UK Research and Innovation for making British Science Week possible.

846Stratford upon Avon Boat Club

Tabled: 25/02/25 Signatories: 1

Manuela Perteghella

That this House congratulates Stratford upon Avon Boat Club for winning the inaugural Environmental Sustainability Award at the British Rowing Awards 2024; notes its proactive, collaborative approach to reducing its environmental footprint through the formation of a Sustainability Working Group, the adoption of eco-friendly cleaning practices, the installation of a bee café, and the active engagement of its junior, adaptive, and masters’ sections in workshops and community initiatives; and expresses its support for further grassroots environmental projects, including the planned second-hand kit sale and Club Clean-Up Day, recognising that every action can collectively make a significant contribution to preserving the River Avon and the wider local environment in Stratford-on-Avon and beyond.

847National Fish and Chip Awards 2025

Tabled: 25/02/25 Signatories: 1

Steve Darling

That this House celebrates the National Fish and Chip Awards 2025, recognising the vital role of fish and chip businesses in the economy, hospitality sector, and local communities; acknowledges the National Federation of Fish Friers (NFFF) for its work in supporting and promoting the fish and chip industry; congratulates Pier Point Fish & Chips and Lorraine Arnold on being named among the Top Five in the Restaurant of the Year category, demonstrating excellence in the industry; further congratulates Charlie James of Pier Point Fish & Chips for reaching the Top Eight in the prestigious Drywite Young Fish Frier category, reflecting his dedication and skill; recognises the hard work, commitment, and contribution of small hospitality businesses in strengthening local economies, creating jobs, and enhancing high streets across the UK; and wishes all nominees success at the awards ceremony on 26 February 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.

739Wheelchair services provided by AJM Healthcare

Tabled: 4/02/25 Signatories: 20

Daisy Cooper

Daniel Francis

Steve Darling

Dr Roz Savage

Adam Dance

Jim Shannon

That this House notes with deep concern the poor performance of AJM Healthcare, the leading provider of NHS wheelchair services, as set out in news reports and experienced by an increasing number of constituents; expresses its disappointment that responses to enquiries to that organisation are not forthcoming to its users, Integrated Care Boards, or their Members of Parliament; agrees with users that the waiting times for wheelchairs provided by AJM Healthcare are unacceptably long and are impacting users’ mental and physical wellbeing; regrets that the Government does not have specific plans to solicit feedback from Integrated Care Boards on the performance of AJM Healthcare in their areas; further regrets that the Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board has stated that there was some way to go before they have AJM Healthcare providing the level and responsiveness of service patients and their families need; further notes with alarm that AJM Healthcare is one of the largest national wheelchair providers supplying approximately 150,000 registered users and representing around 20% of all wheelchair service needs for NHS England; calls on AJM Healthcare to respond promptly to enquiries from its customers, Integrated Care Boards, and their Members of Parliament; and calls on the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to invite AJM Healthcare to answer to all concerned hon. Members for its failures in providing essential wheelchair services.

753LGBT+ History Month 2025

Tabled: 4/02/25 Signatories: 38

Christine Jardine

Steve Darling

Dr Roz Savage

Claire Young

Adam Dance

Jess Brown-Fuller

That this House celebrates February as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) History Month 2025; recognises that this year's theme is activism and social change, highlighting the contributions of LGBT+ people who helped advance society for all; notes that LGBT+ History Month can facilitate conversations around the continuing struggle for LGBT+ rights; regrets that there are a growing number of anti-LGBT+ laws in place across the world in nations including Russia, Hungary and Uganda; acknowledges the progress made for LGBT+ rights in the UK, but regrets that many inequalities still persist; notes with concern that nearly two-thirds of LGBT+ people in the UK have experienced violence or abuse; welcomes the Government's announcement of a draft Bill to ban conversion practices; and calls on all Rt hon. and hon. Members of this House to work together to tackle discrimination and achieve equality for all LGBT+ people.

756Injury on Duty Award Scheme

Tabled: 5/02/25 Signatories: 28

Tom Morrison

Ellie Chowns

Adam Dance

Christine Jardine

Zöe Franklin

Jim Shannon

That this House acknowledges the inherent risks undertaken by police officers, firefighters, paramedics and other members of the emergency services in the line of duty; notes that severe injuries sustained in the line of duty can prematurely end their careers; further notes with concern that current recognition for such sacrifices is insufficient as existing gallantry awards are seldom conferred due to stringent criteria; highlights the case of Cheadle resident Jane Notley, a dedicated police officer whose legs were crushed while protecting the public, leading to her medical discharge; commends the initiative by retired Sussex Police Officer Tom Curry, who has launched a campaign seeking official recognition for officers injured on duty, as detailed by the National Association of Retired Police Officers; supports the Fire and Rescue Services Association's campaign advocating for medal recognition for all emergency service workers who are severely injured and medically retired from service; and calls on the Government to establish an official Injury on Duty Award Scheme to honour and acknowledge the sacrifices of these brave individuals.

757Proposals to forcibly displace and ethnically cleanse Palestinians from Gaza

Tabled: 5/02/25 Signatories: 56

Richard Burgon

Imran Hussain

Apsana Begum

Andy McDonald

Zarah Sultana

Nadia Whittome

That this House rejects the proposals for Gaza by President Trump on 4 February 2025; deplores the inhumanity and illegality of any efforts to forcibly displace and ethnically cleanse Palestinians from Gaza; affirms the provisions of Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, that individual or mass forcible transfers or deportations of protected persons from occupied territory are prohibited, regardless of their motive; expresses grave concern over the risk of destabilisation not only of the recently achieved ceasefire agreement but of wider regional peace; and calls on the Government unequivocally to reject such proposals and take action to oppose any efforts to forcibly displace and ethnically cleanse Palestinians from Gaza.

757A1 [Amendment]

Tabled: 6/02/25 Signatories: 1

at end add 'and urges the Government immediately to recognise Palestine as a state on the 1967 borders and accordingly to advance a two-state solution.'.

758116th anniversary of the 1909 West Stanley Pit Disaster

Tabled: 5/02/25 Signatories: 14

Luke Akehurst

Mary Kelly Foy

Josh Newbury

Mrs Sharon Hodgson

Grahame Morris

Mary Glindon

That this House acknowledges that 16 February 2025 marks the 116th anniversary of the 1909 West Stanley Pit Disaster; remembers the 168 men and boys who died in the explosion and its aftermath and those who risked their lives to rescue survivors; notes that the disaster was the worst in the history of the Durham coalfield and one of the worst coal mining disasters in British history; pays tribute to the resilience, courage and spirit shown by the community of Stanley; recognises that the disaster continues to have profound importance in the local community’s collective memory; and honours the tremendous sacrifices made by miners and their families.

780Royal Mail's universal service obligation

Tabled: 10/02/25 Signatories: 33

Anna Sabine

Ayoub Khan

Christine Jardine

Wera Hobhouse

Neil Duncan-Jordan

Jim Shannon

That this House expresses its concern over Ofcom’s proposed changes to Royal Mail’s universal service obligation which would allow Royal Mail to alternate second-class deliveries, scrap second-class deliveries on Saturday and reduce delivery targets for first and second-class post; acknowledges the importance of a reliable Royal Mail service for rural communities, the elderly, disabled and the vulnerable; laments that many households are not receiving an adequate level of postal and parcel service, often missing important post including medical appointments, prescriptions and bills; calls on the Government and Ofcom to work with Royal Mail to improve the quality of service, delivery targets and staff retention; and further acknowledges all the work that postal works and deliverers do for the community.

782Coroner’s finding on SAS soldiers

Tabled: 11/02/25 Signatories: 8

Jim Allister

Robin Swann

Alex Easton

Charlie Dewhirst

Bob Blackman

Andrew Rosindell

That this House notes the coroner’s ruling in the case involving the death of four fully armed IRA terrorists who had launched a murderous attack on a police station; thanks the SAS for their courageous service in tackling terrorism in Northern Ireland; further notes the utilisation of the coronial service and lawfare to vilify the security forces; and calls on the Government to stand up for those who risked their lives to defeat terrorism.

785Military sexual trauma

Tabled: 11/02/25 Signatories: 12

Cameron Thomas

Ayoub Khan

Helen Maguire

Ian Roome

Jess Brown-Fuller

Christine Jardine

That this House notes that military sexual trauma refers to rape, sexual assault or sexual harassment experienced during military service; further notes that it is distinct owing to the self-contained nature of military life, the unique pressures of military training environments and operational theatres, professional and social hierarchical structures and loyalty to the service; also notes that these, amongst other factors, may leave personnel and family members uniquely vulnerable to manipulation and exploitation, cut off from regular avenues of support and unable to create distance between themselves and the perpetrators; and believes that the Ministry of Defence has a duty to (a) recognise military sexual trauma and its unique contributory factors, (b) take appropriate steps to safeguard those vulnerable to manipulation and exploitation, (c) support victims and (d) take action against perpetrators.

786Abolition of district councils

Tabled: 11/02/25 Signatories: 5

Ayoub Khan

Ellie Chowns

Iqbal Mohamed

Carla Denyer

Shockat Adam

That this House notes with concern the Government's proposals as outlined in the English Devolution White Paper to abolish district councils across England; acknowledges that the Government has no electoral mandate to implement such sweeping changes to local governance as it was not in the Labour Party’s 2024 manifesto; further notes the lack of evidence supporting claims that these proposals will result in cost savings or more efficient decision-making processes for local communities; believes that this plan would remove crucial decision-making powers from local communities, significantly reduce the number of councillors representing local interests, and instead concentrate power into the hands of a small number of elected Mayors with authority over vast geographical areas; asserts that the abolition of district councils would undermine the principles of local democracy by distancing decision-making from those it directly affects; calls on the Government to reconsider these proposals and engage meaningfully with local stakeholders to ensure that any devolution plans truly empower communities rather than dilute their influence; and urges all hon. Members to advocate for a model of local governance that maintains local accountability, local accessibility, and local effectiveness.

795Local Government

Tabled: 12/02/25 Signatories: 22

Mrs Kemi Badenoch

Kevin Hollinrake

Rebecca Harris

Paul Holmes

David Simmonds

Lewis Cocking

That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, praying that the Local Authorities (Changes to Years of Ordinary Elections) (England) Order 2025 (SI, 2025, No. 137), dated 10 February 2025, a copy of which was laid before this House on 11 February 2025, be annulled.

798Leasehold reform

Tabled: 12/02/25 Signatories: 16

Gideon Amos

Ayoub Khan

Wera Hobhouse

Adam Dance

Helen Maguire

Jim Shannon

That this House believes reform to the leasehold system is long overdue; notes that Liberals and Liberal Democrats have campaigned to end leasehold since the reforms David Lloyd George laid down in the People's Budget 1909; regrets that the Conservatives in government failed to protect leaseholders from dangerous cladding or ban leaseholds; further notes that leaseholders make up over 20% of the housing stock in England which suffer from poorly regulated management charges and uncapped ground rents; recognises that many leaseholders have faced large service charge increases, including an 11% rise during 2024; understands with concern that increases in service charge have left many leaseholders trapped in their properties and unable to sell; also notes that some freeholders face similar charges through unmanaged and unregulated estate management fees; is therefore deeply concerned that the Government has so far failed to honour its manifesto commitment by further delaying leasehold reform; asks the Government to urgently provide leaseholders with management rights to protect them from unregulated charges; and calls on the Government finally to abolish leasehold tenancies for all current and new residential properties.

799Refusal of Citizenship to refugees who have made irregular crossings

Tabled: 13/02/25 Signatories: 55

Nadia Whittome

Ms Diane Abbott

Olivia Blake

Abtisam Mohamed

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

Clive Lewis

That this House expresses deep concern over the refusal of citizenship to refugees who have made irregular crossings to the UK; notes that this policy further punishes individuals whose claims of fleeing war, persecution, and danger have been upheld by the asylum system; further notes that, due to a lack of alternative safe routes, many people are forced to make unsafe crossings in order to claim asylum in the first place; notes with concern that the refusal of citizenship denies these same individuals security and a safe, permanent home; and urges the Government to reconsider this policy.

801Edinburgh Zoo's capybaras

Tabled: 13/02/25 Signatories: 9

Christine Jardine

Tom Gordon

Wendy Chamberlain

Adam Dance

Helen Maguire

Dr Roz Savage

That this House celebrates the recent addition of two seven-month-old capybaras, yet to be named, to Edinburgh Zoo; recognizes the work of Edinburgh Zoo towards conservation, education and the promotion of biodiversity; commends the outstanding conservation efforts of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), who run Edinburgh Zoo, to reverse the decline of at least 50 endangered species by 2030; hopes the capybaras' addition will increase awareness of the pioneering work carried out by the RZSS at Edinburgh Zoo; and wishes all the best for their zookeepers, the entire Edinburgh Zoo Community and the two siblings in their new habitat.

802Inspection of Hyndland Secondary School

Tabled: 13/02/25 Signatories: 2

Patricia Ferguson

Jim Shannon

That this House notes that Hyndland Secondary School in the Glasgow West constituency has been rated as excellent in two categories in a recent inspection report by Education Scotland; further notes that the school received these grades in the areas of learning, teaching and assessment and in raising attainment and achievement; recognises that the school is the first Scottish school in almost a decade to receive an excellent rating for teaching, learning and assessment; also notes that the twenty-five percent of the school students are from the most deprived data zones and that, for a high proportion, English is a second language; and congratulates the entire school community for its hard work and success.

803UAE imprisonment of Ryan Cornelius

Tabled: 13/02/25 Signatories: 6

Munira Wilson

Calum Miller

Helen Maguire

Ellie Chowns

John McDonnell

Jim Shannon

That this House notes with concern that Ryan Cornelius, a British citizen, remains imprisoned in the United Arab Emirates, notwithstanding a finding by the United Nations that he has been arbitrarily detained, and notwithstanding a finding by the United Nations that Mr Cornelius should be immediately released and provided with compensation and other reparations in accordance with international law; calls upon the UAE government to release Mr Cornelius in accordance with international law; further calls upon the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs to secure the release of Mr Cornelius; and asks the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs to raise this matter with his Emirati counterpart.

804Prostate cancer screening and men's health support

Tabled: 13/02/25 Signatories: 14

Manuela Perteghella

Tom Gordon

Helen Maguire

Ben Lake

Ellie Chowns

Ian Roome

That this House acknowledges the vital work of the South Warwickshire Prostate Cancer Support Group in raising awareness of prostate cancer and supporting those affected; recognises the urgent need for a National Prostate Cancer Screening Programme to improve early detection and save lives; calls for enhanced GP training on PSA testing to ensure timely and accurate diagnoses; stresses the importance of greater mental health resources for men and their families coping with a prostate cancer diagnosis; further supports the Boys Need Bins campaign, advocating for sanitary bins in male toilets across public and private venues to improve hygiene and dignity for those managing medical and personal needs; and urges the Government to take immediate action to implement these crucial reforms to improve men's health and well-being across the UK.

805120 years of Boroughmuir High School

Tabled: 13/02/25 Signatories: 2

Dr Scott Arthur

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates Boroughmuir High School on its recent celebration to mark 120 years since the school's; recognises the longstanding success of the school and its alumni; and wishes it well for many more years to come.

806Centenary of Murrayfield Stadium

Tabled: 13/02/25 Signatories: 7

Christine Jardine [R]

Adam Dance

Helen Maguire

Dr Roz Savage

Patricia Ferguson

Mr Angus MacDonald

That this House celebrates the 100th anniversary of the opening of Murrayfield Stadium on 21st March 1925; notes that the first event held at Murrayfield was a Five Nations match between Scotland and England, which saw Scotland win the Calcutta Cup during their first Five Nations Grand Slam; further notes the Stadium has remained the home of the Scottish Rugby Union ever since; notes the stadium has welcomed a number of other major sporting events including football, American football and matches three Rugby World Cups; celebrates the wide range of musicians which have performed at the Stadium including David Bowie, Taylor Swift, the Spice Girls and Oasis, as well as the final Live 8 concert in 2005; further celebrates the positive economic impact of these events on the city, with events between June and December 2024 adding £120.4 million to the economy; further notes the economic impact of visitors from outside Scotland to the Stadium was £41.9 million; and wishes the Scottish Rugby Union and the team at Murrayfield continued success in the future.

807Hill farming

Tabled: 24/02/25 Signatories: 6

Tim Farron

Ian Roome

Adam Dance

Mr Angus MacDonald

Jim Shannon

Dr Roz Savage

That this House recognises hill farming to be critical to the protection and restoration of beautiful British upland farmland; acknowledges the world class standards of animal husbandry and food production practised by British upland farmers; notes that hill farmers work to improve biodiversity through sheep grazing and the protection of wetlands and woodlands; further recognises the efforts of hill farmers to improve water quality and reduce water run-off across their land, which provides vital natural flood mitigation; also recognises the flood mitigation work of upland farmers in Longsleddale and Kentmere protecting homes in Kendal, Staveley, and Burneside from devastating floods; understands hill farmers protect peatlands which capture and store carbon; remembers that when UNESCO gave the Lake District World Heritage Status, they gave equal credit for landscape formation to hill farmers as they did the glaciers; further notes therefore with concern that, despite this, hill farmers’ livelihoods are at risk from delays to new Government higher-tier support schemes, and are receiving only 8% of the Government’s Sustainable Farming Incentive despite the uplands occupying around 15% of England’s area; urges the Government to consider the vital benefits of hill farming for environment and national cultural heritage when assessing competing demands on land through the Land Use Framework; and calls on the Government to dedicate further support to upland farmers to reflect their vital work to protect natural landscapes.

808Cash acceptance

Tabled: 24/02/25 Signatories: 3

Neil Duncan-Jordan

Jim Shannon

Richard Burgon

That this House is concerned at the rapidly increasing trend for UK businesses, local authorities and leisure facilities, including those supported by taxpayer funding, to refuse to accept cash for payments; appreciates that this issue is of ever-increasing importance to the 16 million British adults who run their household budgets using cash, along with many of the 13 million UK citizens over 65 struggling to make ends-meet; recognises that the estimated 4 million people in the UK at risk in abusive relationships may use discretely saved cash as an escape route from abuse; deplores the fact that the imposition of app-only payment, including for car parking and other travel-related purchases, severely threatens the financial inclusion of the 8 million plus adults who do not own smart phones; notes that most of the UK’s European neighbours, including Belgium, France, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and Spain, have already put cash acceptance legislation in place; understands that a recent survey by YouGov established that 71% of British adults want similar legal measures introduced in the UK; and calls on the Government to introduce legislation to require all businesses in the UK to accept cash for payment.

809LGBTQI+ people in immigration detention

Tabled: 24/02/25 Signatories: 4

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

Neil Duncan-Jordan

Richard Burgon

Shockat Adam

That this House welcomes the ongoing review of the Home Office's Adults at risk in immigration detention policy; notes that LGBTQI+ people face heightened levels of harassment, discrimination, abuse, and physical and sexual violence in immigration detention; recognises that the bullying of and discrimination against LGBTQI+ people in detention can re-traumatise those who have fled persecution; believes that immigration detention is costly and punitive, and that cheaper and more humane alternatives to detention exist; further welcomes the community-based Alternative to Detention pilots undertaken by the Home Office and supports their wider expansion; calls on the Government to include being gay, lesbian, bisexual or queer in the Adults at risk in immigration detention policies indicators of risk and to remove the categorisation of vulnerability based on evidence levels; and supports the greater use of community-based alternatives to detention.

810Increases in rail fares

Tabled: 24/02/25 Signatories: 9

James MacCleary

Adam Dance

Steve Darling

Tom Gordon

Jim Shannon

Wera Hobhouse

That this House deeply regrets the Government’s decision to increase rail fares by 4.6%, at a time when performance on the rail network continues to decline; notes with concern that this increase fails to incentivise train use, undermining efforts to promote public transport as an affordable and sustainable alternative; expresses concern that an annual season ticket for a commuter travelling from Lewes to London Victoria now costs an eye-watering £5,432; condemns the worsening reliability of services, with persistent delays, cancellations, and overcrowding making rail travel increasingly frustrating for passengers; and believes that commuters and families should not be forced to pay more for a service that continues to deteriorate.

811160th anniversary of SeeScape

Tabled: 24/02/25 Signatories: 2

Richard Baker

Jim Shannon

That this House recognises the remarkable achievements of Seescape, which celebrates its 160th anniversary this year; acknowledges the depth and scope of the charity’s vital role in supporting people with visual impairment across Fife, previously as Fife Society for the Blind and now as Seescape, helping people with sight loss to live independently, improve their health and wellbeing, to access work, study and social opportunities and live their lives to the full, with notable clients including former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Paralympic climber Garry Morrison; further recognises the many volunteers whose vital contributions throughout the years make Seescape the success is it today; and calls on hon. and Rt hon. Members to continue to work towards reducing employment access inequality for people with disabilities.

812Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide charity

Tabled: 24/02/25 Signatories: 18

Layla Moran

Steve Darling

Tom Gordon

Mr Angus MacDonald

Jim Shannon

Wera Hobhouse

That this House recognises the important work done by the charity Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide; notes that for every person who dies by suicide, there are up to 135 people who are impacted by the death; further notes Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide's aim to set up groups across the country to be a network of support for those who have lost loved ones to suicide; recognises current bereavement services fall short due to a lack of funding; and calls on the Government to act urgently and step up support for those experiencing bereavement by suicide.

813Supporting British farmers

Tabled: 24/02/25 Signatories: 18

Edward Morello

Ian Roome

Adam Dance

Steve Darling

Tom Gordon

Mr Angus MacDonald

That this House recognises the vital contribution of British farmers to food security, environmental protection, and rural communities; notes with great concern that 30% of farms failed to make profit in 2023/24 and the UK has seen a 5.8% decline in dairy producers; acknowledges farmers are being forced to diversify due to poor profitability; calls on the Government to support farmers’ efforts to diversify alongside their work in food production; further calls on the Government to increase the farming budget by £1 billion a year; also calls for fairer trade deals post-Brexit that protect farming standards and ensure British farmers are not undercut; highlights the urgent need to support farmers facing extreme weather events caused by climate change, such as flooding and droughts, to maintain national food security; further notes the financial strain on family farms due to Inheritance Tax changes, and understands that the new exemption of only the first £1 million in agricultural and business assets leaves many family farms vulnerable; further highlights the case of a brother and sister in West Dorset, who are seventh generational dairy farmers, who will face a tax bill of £400,000 upon their mother's passing, which will exceed their annual profits; calls on supermarkets to prioritise paying farmers fairly rather than prioritising profit; and further calls for the introduction of a fairer food supply chain, greater investment in agricultural technology, stronger mental health support for farmers, and protections for high-quality farmland to support domestic food production.

814Earls High School and Project Gambia

Tabled: 24/02/25 Signatories: 2

Alex Ballinger

Jim Shannon

That this House commends Earls High School for their longstanding support of the charity Project Gambia; congratulates their efforts in increasing student participation in the charity; praises the 32 Year 10 students who will be travelling to Gambia at the end of the month to volunteer with young children in various schools; commends the charitable work the Year 10 students have already engaged in before the trip, helping raise funds to support the construction of classrooms, purchase equipment and collect hygiene products; and thanks Mrs Sevier, Mrs Narrowmore and Mr Butler for all their efforts in organising this educational, unique and charitable trip.

815Edinburgh Integrated Joint Board funding for third sector groups

Tabled: 24/02/25 Signatories: 2

Dr Scott Arthur

Jim Shannon

That this House notes the significant concern by elected representatives, service users, and the 64 affected national and local charities providing services to the community in Edinburgh at the reported plan by the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (EIJB) to end its £4.5 million charity grant programme; urges the EIJB to further engage with the affected charities and to reconsider the scrapping of this programme; and calls on the EIJB to work with NHS Lothian, the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership and the City of Edinburgh Council to ensure the continuation of the vital services delivered by the 64 charity providers to protect the thousands of vulnerable people they support across the city.

81655th anniversary of Drumchapel Credit Union

Tabled: 24/02/25 Signatories: 2

Patricia Ferguson

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates Drumchapel Credit Union on reaching its 55th anniversary; notes that, having been formed in 1970, it is the first credit union in Scotland; recognises the credit union’s significant contribution to the local community in Drumchapel and Glasgow West constituency, and the vital role it has played in providing accessible financial services and support to its members; acknowledges its commitment to financial inclusion and education, helping to provide citizens across the area with the tools needed to manage their finances effectively; and commends the dedication of its staff and volunteers, whose hard work and enduring support has ensured the long running success of the credit union.

817Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919

Tabled: 24/02/25 Signatories: 6

John McDonnell

Neil Duncan-Jordan

Jim Shannon

Richard Burgon

Shockat Adam

Jon Trickett

That this House notes the horrific events that took place on the 13 April 1919 where more than 1500 unarmed children, women, men and the elderly were brutally shot and murdered and more than 6,000 were injured without any warning or reason under the order of Brigadier General R.E.H. Dye; further notes the massacre and the humiliations that followed are a deep stain and scar on British history; and calls on the Government to make a formal apology which would give some solace to the victims, their families and the people of the Indian subcontinent.

818Commemorating 200 years of the modern railway

Tabled: 24/02/25 Signatories: 3

Karl Turner

Jim Shannon

Jon Trickett

That this House celebrates the bicentenary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, opened on 27 September 1825, marking the beginning of the modern railway era; notes that this was a transformative innovation, born in Britain, which rapidly spread across the globe, connecting places, people, ideas and fundamentally transforming the fabric of society; acknowledges Railway 200, a year-long nationwide partnership-led campaign commencing in January 2025; aims to honour this legacy by showcasing rail’s monumental past, its vital role today, and its crucial importance to a sustainable future; recognises the significant impact of rail in contemporary times, with UK railways carrying 1.4 billion passengers across 9,864 miles and moving over 15.7 billion tonnes of freight, effectively reducing road congestion and promoting a greener economy; further notes that the Railway 200 initiative is being meticulously developed by a cross-industry partnership dedicated to engaging young people from diverse backgrounds and encouraging volunteerism within heritage railways; applauds the ongoing efforts to modernise the UK rail network; commends major improvement projects such as HS2, the Trans Pennine Route Upgrade, and East West Rail; further acknowledges the important role of heritage railways, which span 600 miles and are maintained by the dedication of 22,000 volunteers and 4,000 staff, offering enriching experiences to 13 million visitors annually; and urges all members and constituents to support Railway 200 and participate in celebrating the pivotal role of rail in past, present, and future progress.

819Lancashire Police Museum

Tabled: 24/02/25 Signatories: 3

Cat Smith

Jim Shannon

Richard Burgon

That this House congratulates Lancashire Police Museum on receiving a Judges' Commendation at this year’s Lancashire Tourism Awards for contributing to the local economy and the quality of life in Lancashire; thanks the team of volunteers at the museum for their dedication to providing visitors with a brilliant museum, showcasing some of Lancaster’s rich and interesting history; commends the museum for welcoming more than 60,000 visitors including groups from schools, colleges and universities, since it opened in 2022; recognises their achievements since opening their doors and especially this year at the Lancashire Tourism Awards; and pays tribute to their continued success and to the longevity of this fantastic museum for drawing in visitors to the benefit of local businesses and residents.

820Wellbeing of home educated children

Tabled: 24/02/25 Signatories: 6

Gideon Amos

Adam Dance

Jim Shannon

Wera Hobhouse

Helen Maguire

Dr Roz Savage

That this House recognises that for many children and their families, personalised home education is the best choice, and therefore affirms the rights of parents to choose home education where it is in their child’s best interest; notes that, in and of itself, home education does not present a safeguarding risk; further notes that existing child protection frameworks should be strengthened; believes that the implementation of a register of children not in school should not impose burdensome or disproportionate levels of oversight on home educators; further believes that details required within that register must be limited to those strictly necessary to safeguarding the wellbeing of the home educated child; is concerned at the potential for home education provision to be unjustly denied in cases where it is most appropriate for the child, particularly for children with SEND diagnoses; also notes the lack of support offered to home educating families in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill; urges the House to support amendments to that Bill to make examination free to home educated children; and further urges the Government to engage meaningfully to strengthen not weaken the wellbeing and life chances of home educated children.

821Barton Grange garden centre

Tabled: 24/02/25 Signatories: 2

Cat Smith

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates Barton Grange garden centre on being named Destination Garden Centre of the Year at the Garden Centre Association’s 2024 Awards; recognises the prestige of this accolade, which reflects the hard work, dedication and passion of the entire team at Barton Grange; commends the garden centre for its outstanding commitment to excellence across all areas, including its extensive product range, high-quality offerings, accessible disabled facilities, sustainability initiatives, and exceptional garden care department; notes the centre’s impressive houseplant and seasonal plant selections, which continue to inspire and delight visitors; celebrates its success in providing an exceptional shopping experience, drawing visitors from across the region, and contributing to the local economy; and pays tribute to Barton Grange’s continued achievements and its reputation as a leading destination for gardeners and visitors alike.

822Striking workers at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts sixth form

Tabled: 24/02/25 Signatories: 10

Kim Johnson

Ian Byrne

Paula Barker

Neil Duncan-Jordan

Jim Shannon

Richard Burgon

That this House stands in solidarity with staff at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), who are embarking on a two-week strike demanding union recognition; recognises the dedication and hard work of the teaching staff at LIPA Sixth Form and their vital role in providing high-quality education to students; notes with concern that staff have been left with no choice but to take strike action due to inefficient management practices and health and safety concerns; further stands in solidarity with the striking staff and their union representatives in their fight for fair treatment and recognition of the National Education Union (NEU); and calls on the Multi-Academy Trust to immediately sign a Trade Union Recognition Agreement and engage in meaningful negotiations with staff to resolve the dispute and ensure fair working conditions for all employees.

823Acts of violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Tabled: 24/02/25 Signatories: 3

Jim Shannon

Robin Swann

Mr Gregory Campbell

That this House notes with sadness that 70 Christians have been found beheaded in church in the DRC; underlines that on 13 February 2025, suspected militants from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) based in the countries North East region, a group with ties to the Islamic State, approached homes in Mayba in the territory of Lubero to which twenty Christian men and women came out and were captured; further notes that the ADF surrounded the village and captured a further 50 Christians, took them to a Protestant Church in Kasanga and murdered them; highlights that this is a heinous act of violence against civilians and that the perpetrators must be held accountable for these widespread violations of human rights; calls upon the government and their international counterparts to prioritise civilian protection in DRC where armed groups are operating; and further calls upon those of faith to remain in prayer for vulnerable communities and these grieving families.

824Plant Health

Tabled: 24/02/25 Signatories: 2

Jim Allister

Mr Gregory Campbell

That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, praying that the Official Controls (Plant Health) and Phytosanitary Conditions (Amendment) Regulations 2025 (SI, 2025, No. 13), dated 7 January 2025, a copy of which was laid before this House on 8 January, be annulled.

825Citizenship for refugees

Tabled: 24/02/25 Signatories: 20

Lisa Smart

Helen Morgan

Wendy Chamberlain

Steve Darling

Olly Glover

Tom Gordon

That this House notes with concern the new Home Office guidance issued this month, which states that anyone who enters the UK irregularly will be refused naturalisation, regardless of how long they have lived in the UK; further notes that this policy could permanently bar many refugees from becoming British citizens; regrets that the former Conservative government closed safe and legal routes to sanctuary, leaving many desperate people with no choice but to make perilous journey in the control of criminal smugglers and traffickers; believes that this policy will not deter dangerous Channel crossings or disrupt criminal trafficking networks, but will instead hinder refugee integration and undermine the UK’s obligations under international law, which protect refugees from being penalised for illegal entry; and calls on the Government to bring forward new guidance that ensures a path to citizenship for refugees, enabling refugees to fully integrate into our communities and contribute to our economy, while providing safe and legal routes to sanctuary for refugees.

826International Mother Language Day

Tabled: 24/02/25 Signatories: 4

Shockat Adam

Jim Shannon

Neil Duncan-Jordan

Jeremy Corbyn

That this House celebrates International Mother Language Day and observes the importance of promoting linguistic and cultural diversity; recognises the historical significance of International Mother Language Day, especially in Bangladesh, where the day is observed as a national holiday in remembrance of the 1952 language movement martyrs who gave their lives defending the right to speak Bengali as their mother language; calls on the Government to ensure that linguistic diversity is embraced; and urges continued global cooperation in preserving languages, particularly those at risk of extinction.

827UK-Ukraine voluntary aid groups

Tabled: 24/02/25 Signatories: 3

Luke Myer

Mr Angus MacDonald

Jim Shannon

That this House expresses its deep gratitude to all those who volunteer across the United Kingdom to provide aid for Ukraine; commends the individuals, community groups, and businesses who have donated medical supplies, toiletries, and other essential goods and transported them to Ukraine; and recognises the contribution of voluntary aid groups such as SUKS in East Cleveland, which has made over ninety aid runs to reach those in need.

828Cornwall Air Ambulance

Tabled: 24/02/25 Signatories: 6

Ben Maguire

Ian Roome

Mr Angus MacDonald

Jim Shannon

Helen Maguire

Dr Roz Savage

That this House congratulates Cornwall Air Ambulance for its outstanding achievements in 2024, having successfully completed over 1,000 missions, including 445 trauma-related incidents, 327 medical emergencies, and 274 cardiac arrests; recognises the invaluable work of the charity's critical care team, which has also delivered 19 blood transfusions at the scenes of emergencies; expresses sincere gratitude to the crews for their life-saving work in airlifting patients; further acknowledges the charity’s significant fundraising efforts, including their current Heli2 Appeal; calls on the Government and the public to support the charity and the efforts they undertake; and further recognises the hard work of dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly to raise funds and keep their vital service going.

829St Charles Primary School receives the Leader in Me Lighthouse award

Tabled: 24/02/25 Signatories: 2

Martin Rhodes

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates St Charles Primary School on receiving the Leader in Me Lighthouse award; recognises that this is the first school in Glasgow and one of a handful in Scotland to win this prestigious national award; celebrates the hard work of the staff and pupils in successfully implementing the Leader in Me programme, which signifies the school has made significant progress in fostering leadership skills and exemplifying a leadership culture; recognises the young leaders who have followed the seven habits model; highlights the school’s success in providing their pupils the opportunity to become confident future leaders whilst providing a supportive environment for the pupils to learn, which appreciates the different variations and manifestations of success; and wishes the staff and pupils at St Charles every success for the future.