Contents

Published – Monday 10 March 2025

Early Day Motions tabled on Friday 7 March 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

915Garforth Residents' Campaign Against Giggle Fibre Telegraph Pole Installations

Tabled: 7/03/25 Signatories: 14

Richard Burgon

Nadia Whittome

Ian Byrne

Steve Witherden

Imran Hussain

Brian Leishman

That this House congratulates Garforth residents for their campaign against the installation of telegraph poles in the area by Giggle Fibre against the wishes of residents; notes this area of Garforth has never previously had telegraph poles and that residents enjoy this aspect of the area and strongly wish to continue to do so; commends the team of residents who organised the recent public meeting in opposition to Giggle Fibre's telegraph pole installations attended by some 200 Garforth residents; thanks the over 900 residents from the area that have signed the Parliamentary Petition regarding the installation of telegraph poles; further congratulates Garforth Community Action website for its role as an online hub for residents to join the campaign; further notes that whilst long-standing law allows companies to install telegraph poles without planning permission, just because a company can do something, doesn't mean a company should do something and believes that local, not just legal, considerations are vitally important and believes the wishes of local residents should come first; also notes the government is reviewing the Cabinet Siting and Pole Siting Code of Practice 2016 it inherited and encourages it to take into account the experience of Garforth residents whilst doing so; advises Giggle Fibre and any companies considering purchasing or using its infrastructure to expect a resident boycott of their services in Garforth; urges Giggle Fibre to stop its installations in Garforth; and supports, and wishes Garforth residents well in their campaign which is a fantastic example of community spirit.

916Convoy of Hope partnership for Ukraine

Tabled: 7/03/25 Signatories: 1

Daisy Cooper

That this House congratulates the International Christian Medical and Dental Association (ICMDA), Mighty Convoy (MC) and the Christian Medical Association of Ukraine (CMAU) on the launch of their new partnership campaign Convoy of Hope to provide vehicles and medical supplies to Ukraine; notes that they have already together raised over £1.3m and sent over 150 lorry loads and over 40 ambulances of purchased and donated medical supplies worth over £10 million to provide vital medical aid to the people of Ukraine since February 2022, including, but not limited to, anaesthetic machines, oxygen concentrators, baby incubators, patient monitors, field dressings, pharmaceuticals, beds and external fixators; further notes the partnerships they have formed with healthcare and logistics companies including Gateshead NHS Trust, Leeds Hospital, Northumbria NHS Trust, Barts NHS Trust, Kimal, Clinisupplies, Circle Health Group, Keswick Group, Dawson Group, Taylor Transport, Clipper Logistics, Bunzl and others; calls on hon. and Rt. hon. Members to promote the Convoy of Hope partnership to relevant people and organisations in their constituencies, and especially hospitals and medical suppliers encouraging them to donate excess medical supplies; recognises the contribution of ICMDA, MC and CMAU in supporting the people of Ukraine against the illegal Russian invasion; and wishes the new partnership the very best in its continued efforts in delivering emergency vehicles and medical supplies to the region.

917Victoria Cross medals at the Imperial War Museum

Tabled: 7/03/25 Signatories: 1

Alex Easton

That this House expresses deep concern over the decision of the Imperial War Museum to permanently close the Lord Ashcroft Gallery, which has displayed around 230 Victoria Cross and George Cross medals; notes that these medals represent the extraordinary bravery and sacrifice of Britain’s service personnel; believes that removing them from public display is a disservice to the memory of those who earned them and to future generations who should have the opportunity to learn from their heroism; recognises the immense historical and educational value of these decorations and their associated stories; calls on the Imperial War Museum to reverse this decision and ensure that these medals remain accessible to the public; and urges the Government to work with relevant stakeholders to safeguard the continued exhibition of these important artefacts in a manner befitting their significance to the nation's history.

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.

817Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919

Tabled: 24/02/25 Signatories: 12

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: 10

Karl Turner

Jim Shannon

Jon Trickett

Rachael Maskell

Martin Vickers

Andy McDonald

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.

850NHS nurse Kate Turner

Tabled: 26/02/25 Signatories: 5

Peter Prinsley

Jim Shannon

Richard Burgon

Andrew George

Dr Scott Arthur

That this House congratulates Kate Turner on her 50 years of service to the NHS as a nurse at the West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds; notes the positive effect her work has had on thousands of people across Suffolk, in hospitals, the community and for many years in cardiac rehabilitation; recognises the role of NHS nurses in delivering quality patient care; and wishes Ms Turner and all staff at West Suffolk Hospital the best.

858Social care day of action

Tabled: 27/02/25 Signatories: 21

Helen Morgan

Alison Bennett

Jess Brown-Fuller

Ellie Chowns

Ian Roome

Adam Dance

That this House notes the unprecedented decision of social care providers to protest outside Parliament; believes this must be a wake-up call for the Government on the disastrous state of adult social care; echoes their plea to save the sector from total collapse; further notes that inadequate social care accounts for one in every eight hospital beds currently occupied; regrets the years of neglect under the last Conservative Government, which saw elderly and disabled people left without care, families at breaking point and an NHS on its knees; further regrets the self defeating and foolish national insurance rise, which will see carers laid off and care homes shut their doors; regrets the decision to postpone cross party social care talks on the basis of scheduling conflicts; urges the Government to ensure the cross party commission finishes its work within a year, so that vital reforms can be implemented to bring social care back from the brink, recognise carers and promote their professional development, recruit more carers to address shortages, and properly support unpaid and family carers; and calls on the Government to recognise that this challenge, which touches on the lives of every family in the country, is of existential importance for our NHS, and for the care, comfort and dignity of all across our country.

85980th anniversary of Operation Open Door

Tabled: 27/02/25 Signatories: 6

Blair McDougall

Douglas McAllister

Tristan Osborne

Jim Shannon

Gavin Robinson

Dr Scott Arthur

This House commemorates the 80th anniversary of Operation Open Door, when the British Royal Navy and Norwegian service personnel rescued 502 civilian refugees from the Nazi-Occupied Island of Soroya, Norway; notes the bravery of the people of Soroya in the face of Nazi brutality; celebrates the heroism of all those who took part in the rescue raid and the merchant seamen who helped take the civilians to sanctuary in Scotland; especially commends the 27 members of the crew and Naval Armed Guard of the Liberty ship, the SS Henry Bacon, who sacrificed their own lives to save those of refugees; further notes that the SS Henry Bacon was the last Allied ship sunk by the Luftwaffe in the Second World War; congratulates the village of Neilston in East Renfrewshire for providing a warm welcome and a happy home to these refugees; further commends the work of Matt Drennan and the Neilston War Memorial Association for developing and maintaining a memorial and information board at Kingston Park where the refugees were housed, including 27 trees planted to commemorate the lost sailors; and resolves to live up to the lessons of heroism and humanity offered by the story of those involved in Operation Open Door.

860Sir Tom Clarke CBE

Tabled: 27/02/25 Signatories: 4

Frank McNally

Luke Akehurst

Katrina Murray

Dr Scott Arthur

That this House commends Sir Tom Clarke CBE for his six years of service as Chair of Coatbridge Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) Board of Trustees; notes that Sir Tom’s stellar career in public and community service spans six decades, with his chairmanship of the Coatbridge CAB succeeding a successful career in local government and thirty-three years as a Member of Parliament; praises the advice and assistance offered to residents of Coatbridge and its outlying villages by Coatbridge CAB’s staff and 29 volunteers, which helped secure £2.7 million for local people last year; and welcomes that while stepping down as chair, Sir Tom will continue to play a role in Coatbridge CAB as an invaluable member of its Board of Trustees.

867National oversight mechanism

Tabled: 27/02/25 Signatories: 17

Carla Denyer

Ellie Chowns

Kim Johnson

Rachael Maskell

Graham Leadbitter

Steve Witherden

That this House believes that the State owes it to bereaved families and victims to learn and implement lessons from deaths involving the State and corporate agencies; notes that the Grenfell Inquiry recognised a failure of the State to follow up on recommendations made by inquests and inquiries; acknowledges the Government’s commitment to a publicly available record of these recommendations as a step in the right direction; urges the Government to also create a national oversight mechanism to ensure that these recommendations are routinely monitored by an independent body to help enact learning and prevent future deaths; further notes that such a Mechanism would go beyond facilitating transparency and ensure accountability, which is desperately needed for bereaved families and for public confidence; and believes that for victims of large scale tragedies such as Hillsborough and Grenfell, as well as victims of individual state failings, the Government must ensure that lessons are learned from their deaths and the same mistakes are not repeated.

875Fibrenest and Persimmon homes

Tabled: 3/03/25 Signatories: 6

David Chadwick

Mr Angus MacDonald

Jim Shannon

Christine Jardine

Andrew George

Dr Roz Savage

That this House expresses concern over the lack of broadband competition in many Persimmon homes estates, where residents are limited to the use of Fibrenest, a broadband provider which is owned entirely by the Persimmon Homes group; highlights that this practice prevents Persimmon homeowners from easily accessing alternative broadband providers and therefore limits consumer choice; notes that this forces consumers into a monopolistic arrangement at the mercy of a company that has full control over service standards and pricing; further notes that this practice has anti-competition, and market fairness implications, eliminating any incentive for service improvement; argues that Ofcom and the Competition and Markets Authority investigate this monopolistic and exploitative practice; and further argues that the Government legislates to ensure that residents of new build estates are allowed free and fair access to decide their own broadband arrangements.

876120th anniversary of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary

Tabled: 3/03/25 Signatories: 23

Graeme Downie

Kim Johnson

Luke Akehurst

Brendan O'Hara

Peter Swallow

Gill Furniss

That this House congratulates the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service (RFA) on the 120th anniversary of its formation as a civilian Merchant Seafarer crewed Royal Navy support service in March 1905; applauds the work of the 1,650 civilian Ratings, Officers and apprentices in the RFA today who play an invaluable and flexible support role, including the UK’s response to grey zone threats to critical subsea energy and communications infrastructure; pays tribute to the hundreds of civilian Merchant Seafarers killed or injured on RFA and Ministry of Defence chartered ships during the major conflicts of the twentieth century, from both World Wars to the Falklands and Gulf conflicts; notes that new solid support and multi-role support ships will not be delivered to the RFA until the 2030s; welcomes the constructive resolution of the 2023-24 pay dispute between the recognised maritime unions and the RFA; notes the importance of UK civilian seafarers to strategic defence capacity; is concerned that UK resident crew only hold 11% of 160,000 jobs in the UK shipping industry; and calls on the Government to work with the maritime trade unions, including the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers, to increase investment in recruitment and retention of civilian Merchant Seafarers and new RFA ships to maintain the UK’s maritime security and the discharge of international responsibilities of safe passage and navigation for the rest of this century.

878Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month

Tabled: 3/03/25 Signatories: 14

Jim Shannon

Helen Maguire

John McDonnell

Graham Leadbitter

Tristan Osborne

Christine Jardine

That this House notes that March is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in the UK, created by Ovarian Cancer Action in 2005; highlights that only three-in-ten women diagnosed with ovarian cancer live beyond ten years and that 7,500 women in the UK sadly receive an ovarian cancer diagnosis each year; underlines that understanding the symptoms is pivotal for early detection and that some of the main symptoms include persistent bloating, pelvic and abdominal pain, fatigue and unexplained weight loss or weight gain; further notes that more progress must be made to reach a vision of ovarian cancer being survivable; and calls on the Government to do more to raise awareness of the impacts of ovarian cancer.

883Baroness Smith of Gilmorehill

Tabled: 3/03/25 Signatories: 12

Graeme Downie

Patricia Ferguson

Tracy Gilbert

Gregor Poynton

Alison Taylor

Douglas McAllister

That this House congratulates Baroness Smith of Gilmorehill on her retirement from the House of Lords; thanks her for her over 30 years of service in the other place promoting social justice, opportunity and the importance of democracy; believes her work in setting up the John Smith Memorial Trust in the name of her late husband, the Rt hon. John Smith MP, has put down the enduring roots of democracy, peace and the rule of law in many former Soviet Republics, including in Ukraine where their work has been vital in helping the country withstand the invasion Russia and build the foundations for a better future; notes the creation of the John Smith Centre for Public Service at the University of Glasgow, which works across political divide and strives to promote the highest levels of public service here in the UK; further notes that both her daughters have a similar commitment to public service, which will continue the incredible family legacy; and wishes Baroness Smith a long and happy retirement.

889In memory of Jack Vettriano

Tabled: 4/03/25 Signatories: 7

Richard Baker

Jim Shannon

Wendy Chamberlain

Cat Eccles

Alison Taylor

Gregor Poynton

That this House expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of Jack Vettriano OBE; recognises his remarkable journey from a self-taught artist in Levenmouth, Fife, to an internationally acclaimed painter whose prints of works, including The Singing Butler, have adorned countless homes worldwide; notes that his early inspiration came from the Kirkcaldy Galleries, where some of his earliest works were later exhibited; acknowledges his significant contribution to Scottish artistic life; celebrates his generous philanthropic work; and further recognises that his loss will be deeply felt across Scotland and beyond.

890Impact of independent sector provision of cataract surgery

Tabled: 4/03/25 Signatories: 30

Ian Byrne

Jim Shannon

Neil Duncan-Jordan

Andrew George

Zarah Sultana

Nadia Whittome

That this House notes the Centre for Health and the Public Interest’s research showing that the percentage of NHS cataract procedures being carried out by the private for-profit sector increased from 24% in 2018-19 to 55% in 2022-23 and that the increase is likely to mean there are fewer resources available to treat other eye care conditions, such as glaucoma and wet macular degeneration, which are generally considered more serious and can lead to irreversible sight-loss; is concerned that in a survey by the Royal College of Ophthalmology 67% of clinical leads in NHS ophthalmology departments reported that the impact of independent sector provision on patient care has been negative, and that clinical leads were most likely to say the impact of independent sector providers on their ophthalmology department had been negative when it came to training opportunities, 73%, funding of their department, 58%, available workforce, 50%, and their ability to deliver comprehensive services, 48%; is further concerned that the use of the independent sector to deliver cataract procedures does not represent value for money in the light of the damage it is doing to the future of universal comprehensive NHS provision; is concerned too that senior clinicians have raised fears of NHS eye care deserts in the future, just as there are with dentistry, and that increasing numbers of people will lose their sight unnecessarily; and calls on the Government to carry out an urgent review of these matters.

891Own Books and World Book Day

Tabled: 4/03/25 Signatories: 11

Manuela Perteghella

Wera Hobhouse

Jim Shannon

Jamie Stone

Helen Maguire

Andrew George

That this House celebrates World Book Day and the vital role of reading in shaping young minds; commends Own Books for its exceptional work in providing free books to children across Warwickshire and beyond, allowing them to take books home to keep and fostering a lifelong love of reading; congratulates the charity on receiving the King’s Award for Voluntary Service, recognising its significant contribution to literacy and education; acknowledges the profound impact that access to books has on children’s confidence, wellbeing, and future opportunities; and calls on the Government to support community-led literacy initiatives that ensure every child, regardless of background, has access to books and the joy of reading.

895Cavendish School Outstanding Ofsted rating

Tabled: 4/03/25 Signatories: 7

Josh Babarinde

Jim Shannon

Helen Maguire

Mr Joshua Reynolds

Jess Brown-Fuller

Mr Angus MacDonald

That this House congratulates Cavendish School in Eastbourne for achieving an 'Outstanding' grade in their Ofsted inspection of 2025; thanks Cavendish School staff, including Headteacher Mr Marchant, and governors for their hard work to secure this result; and recognises the commitment of Cavendish School’s pupils - and parents, guardians and carers of pupils - for contributing to the school’s Outstanding grade.

896Impact Assessments of changes to Official Development Assistance

Tabled: 4/03/25 Signatories: 24

Monica Harding

Wera Hobhouse

Jim Shannon

Calum Miller

Anna Sabine

Brian Mathew

That an Humble Address be presented to His Majesty, that he will be graciously pleased to give directions that there be deposited in the House of Commons Library all impact assessments which His Majesty’s Government have made regarding the impact of the reduction of Official Development Assistance from 0.5% to 0.3%.

897Colleges Week 2025

Tabled: 4/03/25 Signatories: 13

Ian Sollom

Jim Shannon

Ayoub Khan

Claire Young

Wendy Chamberlain

Ian Roome

That this House welcomes Colleges Week 2025 from 3-7 March 2025; celebrates the impact colleges have on local communities across the country in building brighter futures for their students and staff; and calls on the Government to address the persistent underfunding of further education colleges in the forthcoming Spending Review to ensure they can continue to deliver high-quality education and skills training that is vital for individual opportunity and national prosperity.

901Rail fare increase

Tabled: 5/03/25 Signatories: 12

Mr Paul Kohler

Mr Angus MacDonald

Helen Maguire

Wera Hobhouse

Olly Glover

Dr Al Pinkerton

That this House regrets the Government’s decision to increase rail fares by 4.6%; notes that this decision comes while cancellations, delays and overcrowding remain endemic; further notes that the hike will cost many commuters hundreds of pounds a year; further regrets that this decision follows years of rising transport costs under the former Conservative Government and amidst a cost of living crisis; also regrets that the Government’s decision will force people away from public transport, worsen air pollution and emissions; regrets that Great Britain’s railway has been reduced from the envy of the world to a network that is expensive, poorly integrated, dysfunctional and overwhelmed; and calls on the Government to make good on its promise to deliver better passenger standards, freeze rail fares, and deliver the first rate railway service that passengers and businesses so deserve and need.

902European Remembrance Day for victims of terrorism

Tabled: 5/03/25 Signatories: 3

Mr Gregory Campbell

Carla Lockhart

Luke Akehurst

That this House notes 11 March 2025 marks European Remembrance Day for Victims of Terrorism; acknowledges that many innocent victims across the UK and Europe must not be forgotten; also acknowledges the fact that a number of Hon. and Rt. Hon. Members of Parliament were murdered as a result of terrorism over many years; and resolves to ensure that the light of democracy must never by extinguished as a result of acts of violence carried out against the innocents.

903Skilled worker legislation impact on government workers

Tabled: 5/03/25 Signatories: 5

Grahame Morris

Cat Eccles

Neil Duncan-Jordan

Kim Johnson

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

That this House expresses serious concern about the impact of the Skilled Worker Visa legislation on low-paid Government workers; notes that over 500 staff working for the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) alone fall below the current income threshold; further notes that the higher income demand implemented by the previous Government and supported by the new administration means that hundreds of DWP employees will be forced to find higher-paid work elsewhere or seek jobs that have a lower income threshold, or will face deportation from the UK; understands this is causing untold stress for these employees and their families; recognises this situation is worsening the DWP staffing crisis, where workloads are already unsustainable; believes the situation could be avoided if the way DWP calculates the hourly rates of these employees were to be adjusted; acknowledges that, as these Executive Officer grade staff make crucial decisions and give advice and support to claimants seeking employment, this situation illustrates the need to address the fall in the value of pay for Government workers; and urges the Home Secretary to intervene to review the legislation and salary thresholds for individuals working in the civil service, and to allow DWP and other impacted Government departments to adjust the way hourly rates are calculated to avoid the stress suffered by valuable public servants and to avoid compounding the staffing and service crises that currently exist in the Department.

905Ending the sale of tickets to captive orca and dolphin shows

Tabled: 5/03/25 Signatories: 10

Liz Jarvis

Tim Farron

Mr Angus MacDonald

Richard Foord

Helen Maguire

Neil Duncan-Jordan

That this House believes that travel companies should stop selling tickets to shows featuring captive orcas and dolphins; notes with concern that despite mounting evidence of the harm caused to these animals in captivity, over 3,600 cetaceans worldwide remain confined for human entertainment; recognises that captivity severely restricts cetaceans’ natural behaviours, leads to physical and psychological distress, and shortens life expectancy; further notes that leading travel companies, including EasyJet Holidays and Jet2holidays, have already ceased the sale of such attractions in response to public and scientific concern; expresses disappointment that some travel companies continue to sell tickets to captive animal attractions; welcomes the Born Free Foundation’s Tank Free campaign calling on travel operators to end their support for the captive cetacean industry; and urges the Government to work with the travel industry to phase out the promotion and sale of tickets to captive orca and dolphin shows.

906Oversight of homelessness

Tabled: 6/03/25 Signatories: 2

Mr Richard Quigley

Dr Roz Savage

That this House notes recent research carried out by Centrepoint into the scale of youth homelessness; is deeply concerned that youth homelessness across the UK has risen by 10% over the past year, with 118,134 young people approaching their local authorities for support; and supports Centrepoint’s recommendations for increased Government oversight of local authority adherence to the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, a youth-focused chapter in the Government's homelessness strategy, and urgent protections in the Homelessness Code of Guidance to ensure all vulnerable young people receive the support to which they are entitled.

907Recognition of Milngavie in Bloom

Tabled: 6/03/25 Signatories: 15

Susan Murray

Helen Morgan

Wendy Chamberlain

Gideon Amos

Olly Glover

Mr Angus MacDonald

That this House recognises the valuable work of Milngavie in Bloom for improving the environment of the local community of Milngavie; thanks them for 17 years of continued service; notes their particular work in looking after the planters in the town centre, the flowerbeds across town, the verges and green spaces, and other public spaces and local businesses, as well as their Clean Sweep litter-picking initiative; affirms their commitments to improving mental health, lifting community spirits, increasing civic pride, allowing residents to breathe clean air, and providing a space for volunteers to enjoy good company; and expresses gratitude to all of the volunteers, in particular Jenny Overton for her many, many years in support of the organisation and serving the community.

908Annette Tracey

Tabled: 6/03/25 Signatories: 2

Jodie Gosling

Rachel Taylor

That this House recognises the service of nurse Annette Tracey, Clinical Nurse Specialist at George Eliot Hospital’s Breast Care Unit; congratulates her on 51 years of loyal service; applauds her work in the field of nipple tattooing, acknowledging the impact it has on patient’s wellbeing and recovery; commends her dedication in campaigning for the introduction of George Eliot's leading Breast Screening Service; and wishes her the best in her coming retirement.

909Eva Smeddle and Glasgow Chamber Orchestra

Tabled: 6/03/25 Signatories: 3

Wendy Chamberlain

Mr Angus MacDonald

Helen Maguire

That this House celebrates student Eva Smeddle’s music being performed by the Glasgow Chamber Orchestra; notes that the now 18 year old, who is from St Andrews, composed A Nightmare in Argentina at the age of 15 and it will now be debuted by a 45-strong ensemble from the Glasgow Chamber Orchestra on Sunday 9 March; and congratulates Eva on this incredible achievement and wishes her all the best as she pursues a professional career in music performance and composition.

910Covid-19 Day of Reflection 2025

Tabled: 6/03/25 Signatories: 14

Liz Jarvis

Ian Roome

Adam Dance

Mr Angus MacDonald

Dr Roz Savage

Helen Maguire

That this House recognises 9 March as the Covid-19 Day of Reflection, a time to remember the lives lost during the pandemic and to acknowledge the profound impact on families, communities, and frontline workers; pays tribute to those who worked tirelessly to protect public health and support those affected; regrets that insufficient action has been taken to learn from the mistakes of the pandemic response; urges the Government to fully implement the recommendations of public health experts and inquiries to strengthen preparedness for future health crises; and calls on the Government to take all necessary steps to ensure that any future pandemic does not result in preventable loss of life on such a devastating scale.

91250th anniversary of Solace Women's Aid

Tabled: 6/03/25 Signatories: 4

Dr Roz Savage

Mr Angus MacDonald

Helen Maguire

Jess Brown-Fuller

That this House congratulates Solace Women’s Aid on achieving 50 years of support for women and children who are survivors of domestic abuse; notes the crucial role that charities and third sector organisations play in the fight against domestic violence; understands that sexual violence, sexual harassment, and domestic abuse remain endemic in our society; further notes that Saturday 8th March is International Women’s Day; calls for sustained investment in specialist domestic abuse services across England; acknowledges that for women in rural areas, abuse lasts 25% longer, on average, than in urban areas; recognises that abuse in rural areas can be exacerbated by inadequate services, including transport, policing, and a lack of refuges; and urges the Government to raise awareness of rural domestic violence and provide more access to specialised services in rural areas.

913Mobile phone usage in schools

Tabled: 6/03/25 Signatories: 12

Pippa Heylings

Adam Dance

Mr Angus MacDonald

Brian Mathew

Susan Murray

Dr Al Pinkerton

That this House notes with concern the increasing challenge of ensuring children’s safety online, which remains more important than ever; recognises the need to consider whether existing guidance on smartphone use in schools should be put on a legislative footing; acknowledges that such a measure aims to create an environment conducive to learning and free from distractions, rather than restrict freedoms; notes that in certain cases, such as those of young carers or children with health conditions, some access to a mobile phone during the school day may be necessary; further notes that parents across the UK are deeply concerned about the impact of smartphones and social media on their children; highlights recent polling that shows 95% of UK parents believe social media companies should do more to protect young people, with 68% of young people agreeing; and endorses changes such as raising the age of internet adulthood from 13 to 16, to help reduce the addictive nature of smartphones and improve online safety for young people.

914Tree Cities of the World and Wokingham Borough Council

Tabled: 6/03/25 Signatories: 7

Clive Jones

Adam Dance

Mr Angus MacDonald

Dr Roz Savage

Helen Maguire

Mr Joshua Reynolds

That this House congratulates the 27 local authorities across the UK, including Wokingham Borough Council, that have been recognised by the Arbor Day Foundation and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization as Tree Cities of the World; recognises the vital contribution that urban forestry plays in creating liveable, pleasant spaces in our communities; agrees with Trees for Cities' statement that trees offer immense benefits for our health and wellbeing, and are one of our best nature-based solutions for adapting our cities to climate change; and encourages even more local authorities to seek the status of Tree City of the World in coming years.