Commons business papers

Contents

Published – Tuesday 25 March 2025

Early Day Motions tabled on Monday 24 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

984The Advisory Group’s Glasgow Banking Steering Committee

Tabled: 24/03/25 Signatories: 1

Martin Rhodes

That this House commends the work of The Advisory Group’s Glasgow Banking Steering Committee in highlighting the significant challenges faced by communities in accessing essential banking services, including financial discrimination, restricted access to cash, and the dwindling number of free-to-use ATMs; recognises the dedication and tireless efforts of Committee Chairperson Rebecca, alongside Committee Members Andy, Christine, Clare, Dylano, and Laura, in advocating for fairer, more inclusive banking provisions that serve the needs of all members of society; welcomes the ongoing efforts to ensure these concerns are meaningfully addressed through the development of Banking Hubs in Scotland, providing accessible, community-focused financial services; and acknowledges the importance of community-led initiatives in shaping an inclusive and accessible banking system for all.

985Access to football pitches for women and girls

Tabled: 24/03/25 Signatories: 1

Helen Maguire

That this House expresses concern over ongoing inequalities in access to quality training facilities for women’s and girls’ football; notes that women's and girls’ teams are often allocated pitches in worse locations and poorer conditions than their male counterparts; further notes reports from local clubs that training slots for women's teams are frequently being taken by men’s teams, limiting opportunities for women and girls to participate in the sport; believes that equal access to quality facilities is essential for gender equality in football; and calls on the Government, local authorities, and sporting bodies to take urgent action to ensure fair distribution of pitches and training resources for players at all levels.

986Fee waivers for ILR applications

Tabled: 24/03/25 Signatories: 1

Kim Johnson

That this House supports the Refugee and Migrant Forum of Essex and London’s call for a fee waiver to be introduced for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) applications for those on family and private life visas; notes that ILR provides security and stability, yet the £2,885 fee is unaffordable for many despite costing the Home Office just £646 to process; regrets that this denies many people, including UK born children and parents of British children, permanent status and forces them into financial hardship and repeated visa renewals; believes this system is counterproductive, creating unnecessary administrative burdens for both individuals and the Home Office; and calls on the Government to introduce a fee waiver to ensure financial barriers do not prevent people securing permanent immigration status after completing their qualifying periods.

987Retrospective awarding of the Humanitarian Medal

Tabled: 24/03/25 Signatories: 1

Dr Lauren Sullivan

That this House acknowledges the achievements of those firefighters historically who have responded to international disasters, especially those who were inspired in December 1989 to respond to the earthquake in Armenia after seeing the scenes of suffering and devastation there, and who have responded to other international disasters since in countries such as Bosnia, Tanzania, Japan and Ukraine; commends the efforts of retired firefighter Michael Evenson, now living in the Gravesham constituency, to raise awareness of what he and his colleagues did, especially those who have now died; and calls on the Government to make the Humanitarian Medal retrospective so that they can be duly honoured.

98810th anniversary of the reinterment of King Richard III

Tabled: 24/03/25 Signatories: 1

Shockat Adam

That this House celebrates the 10th anniversary of the reinterment of King Richard III in Leicester South; recognises the historic significance of his discovery by the University of Leicester in 2012 and his reburial in Leicester Cathedral in 2015; commends the work of the local archaeologists, historians and the local community in uncovering and preserving this important chapter of British history; notes the continued cultural and educational impact, with the King Richard III Visitor Centre welcoming over 300,000 visitors since its opening; and recognises the importance of heritage-led regeneration in strengthening a city’s identity, tourism economy and community engagement.

98950th anniversary of the Odenwald Association

Tabled: 24/03/25 Signatories: 1

Euan Stainbank

That this House congratulates the Odenwald Association on its 50th anniversary in 2025; recognises the significant contribution made by the Association in fostering friendship, cultural exchanges and mutual understanding between Falkirk and Odenwald since its founding; commends the Association's continued efforts to promote Scottish-German relations through educational, musical and community events; and wishes the Odenwald Association continued success in strengthening these important international bonds for many years to come.

990Hyndland Secondary School reading championship

Tabled: 24/03/25 Signatories: 1

Patricia Ferguson

That this House congratulates the two teams from Hyndland Secondary School that competed in the Scottish heats of the National Literacy Trust’s Reading Champions Quiz; notes that, out of twenty five competing teams, one Hyndland team secured second place and the other placed twelfth; celebrates this achievement and recognises the hard work and dedication of the pupils in achieving this success; acknowledges the importance of supporting and celebrating a reading culture within schools, encouraging young people to enjoy reading, and enhancing their reading stamina and diversity; and commends the National Literacy Trust for organising the Reading Champions Quiz, which is now in its fifth year and has a recognised and lasting impact with over 80% of past participants reporting it boosted their confidence and encouraged them to read more.

991Corpus Christi Primary School's Big Brew coffee afternoon

Tabled: 24/03/25 Signatories: 1

Patricia Ferguson

That this House commends Corpus Christi Primary School in Glasgow West for hosting a Big Brew coffee afternoon to raise money to support fairer trade and climate justice; congratulates the work of the P6 Fairtrade Committee for organising this event; further commends the pupils who worked hard on the day to make the event a success, from serving tea, coffee and treats, to selling raffle tickets and the can you guess numbers game, and speaking so well about the issue of farmers’ pay and the impact of switching to Fairtrade products; notes that in hosting this event, the pupils drew attention to an important issue, raised awareness of the small changes we can make in order to consume in a smarter, fairer and greener way; and acknowledges the work of Transform Trade in organising the Big Brew 2025 Campaign, providing fun activities and ideas for hosting these events, as part of their important fundraising work.

992Boghall Butchers

Tabled: 24/03/25 Signatories: 1

Kirsteen Sullivan

That this House celebrates the achievement of Bathgate's Boghall Butchers whose kebab pie was crowned champion at the British Pie Awards in Melton Mowbray; acknowledges the creativity and dedication of Christine and Paul Boyle in developing the award-winning pie, featuring a doner kebab filling; recognises the significance of this victory among 900 entries from across the UK, involving many diverse and unique competitors; commends the Boyle family's butcher shop, which has been serving the community for 50 years; further recognises the butchers as a point of pride for the Bathgate community; and wishes Boghall Butchers well in future.

993Bridgend Pet Supplies

Tabled: 24/03/25 Signatories: 1

Kirsteen Sullivan

That this House celebrates the success of Bridgend Pet Supplies, a social enterprise initiated by Bridgend Primary School in collaboration with the Social Enterprise Academy; notes the project's origins in addressing the local community's need for accessible pet supplies; praises the innovative approach taken by the learners, who conducted market research and utilised their skills in sewing and crocheting to create products; thanks the support received from parents and the generous donations of sewing machines and food mixers following the first Partnership Event; congratulates the learners on their entrepreneurial spirit, demonstrated by selling their products at school events, other schools' fayres, and the Social Enterprise Awards; further notes the enterprise's profitability and the learners' commitment to using their profits for a social cause; wishes them well with their plan to create a garden area for growing vegetables and establishing a community cafe to foster social interaction among local residents; and further celebrates all initiatives that empower young people, train crucial entrepreneurial skills and strengthen community ties.

994Petty crime

Tabled: 24/03/25 Signatories: 1

Ayoub Khan

That this House acknowledges the increasing concerns of constituents in Birmingham and the West Midlands regarding the rise in petty crime, which undermines community safety and confidence; recognises the impact of these offences on individuals, local businesses, and the overall quality of life; calls upon the Government to implement a robust strategy to tackle petty crime effectively across the country, including through supporting local police forces with additional resources and funding, and fostering stronger collaborations between the police, local councils, and community groups to address the root causes of petty crime; and urges the Home Office to review and significantly strengthen existing policies to act as a deterrent against such offences, so protecting the Government's commitment to the safety and security of all citizens.

995Repair of Hammersmith Bridge

Tabled: 24/03/25 Signatories: 1

Ayoub Khan

That this House calls upon the Government to urgently put in place the work necessary to repair Hammersmith Bridge to reopen the bridge for all users, including motor vehicle users, recognising the vital importance of Hammersmith Bridge as a key transport link in London; and believes that the residents in the vicinity and users of the bridge have been failed by successive governments and stakeholders, and deserve action to put in place a repair without delay.

996Second anniversary of Eco Action Hub for Maidenhead and Windsor

Tabled: 24/03/25 Signatories: 1

Mr Joshua Reynolds

That this House celebrates the second anniversary of Eco Action Hub for Maidenhead and Windsor, a remarkable community organisation dedicated to promoting environmental sustainability and resilience in the Maidenhead and Windsor areas; recognises the invaluable contributions of Eco Action Hub for Maidenhead and Windsor in fostering a greener and healthier borough through their diverse initiatives, including the Repair Café, Library of Things, and educational workshops; commends their efforts in bringing local people together to take positive action in the Climate Emergency, helping individuals make small but impactful changes in their lives to combat climate change and loss of biodiversity; applauds their commitment to creating a vibrant and enjoyable space that inspires the community to contribute towards a more sustainable future; and wishes Eco Action Hub for Maidenhead and Windsor continued success in their mission to reduce carbon, increase nature, and improve wellbeing for all residents.

997Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance 25th anniversary

Tabled: 24/03/25 Signatories: 1

Edward Morello

That this House recognises the brilliant work of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance on its 25th anniversary of dedicated service; further recognises the extraordinary contribution of its pilots, volunteers, paramedics, and doctors in providing lifesaving pre-hospital critical care to people in need, particularly in remote, coastal and rural areas; notes that the service has responded to nearly 3,000 incidents in the past year alone; acknowledges the vital role the air ambulance plays in transporting patients to Dorset County Hospital; pays tribute to the first patient treated by the charity 25 years ago, who has spoken of his gratitude and the service’s lifesaving impact; applauds the unwavering support of the public, whose donations have enabled the service to grow from small beginnings to a vital emergency response resource; and expresses profound gratitude for the dedication and commitment of all those who have contributed to the continued success of Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance in saving lives across the region.

998Expansion of Willowbrook Foods in Killinchy

Tabled: 24/03/25 Signatories: 1

Jim Shannon

That this House notes the wonderful expansion of Willowbrook Foods, who have announced major investment into new bulk storage facilities for its rapeseed oil, which will support the companies plans for creating new jobs in the local area as well as enhancing operational efficiency and sustainability; highlights that the new storage facilities will scale up production and meet growing demand for locally sourced oil; underlines that Willowbrook has noticed a considerable increase in production volumes, which will also result in increased business opportunities for local suppliers; further notes the work of manager Eamon McKay and all staff, who go above and beyond to supporting food production in the local community; and wishes Willowbrook foods many more years of continued success.

999Linfield FC and the Irish Premier League

Tabled: 24/03/25 Signatories: 1

Jim Shannon

That this House notes the fantastic achievement for Linfield FC to win the Irish Premiership Title with six matches remaining; highlights that Linfield secured their 57th Gibson Cup on Tuesday after nearest challengers Glentoran were held to a 2-2 draw by Larne; underlines that Linfield have not won the league for the past two seasons and that credit must be given to Killyleagh man David Healy, the Manager and his team, for this remarkable success; congratulates Linfield on this success; and wishes them all the very best for the future.

1000Ensuring stability for Ukrainian refugees in the UK

Tabled: 24/03/25 Signatories: 1

Pippa Heylings

That this House believes that Ukrainian refugees fleeing war must be treated with compassion in the UK; recognises that the war in Ukraine still wages on, more than three years after Putin first invaded; notes with concern recent reports that some Ukrainian refugees have faced losing their homes and jobs due to uncertainty around their visa extensions; acknowledges that Ukrainian refugees deserve certainty, enabling them to rebuild their lives in the UK if they wish and fully contribute to our economy; further acknowledges that certainty regarding visa extensions would grant young Ukrainians the opportunity to complete their education in the UK to protect and enhance their future; and calls on the Government to give Ukrainian refugees the certainty they deserve by automatically extending their visas and setting out a pathway for obtaining Indefinite Leave to Remain.

1001Changes to Great Western Railway ticket offices and stations

Tabled: 24/03/25 Signatories: 1

John McDonnell

That this House is alarmed that First Group rail operator Great Western Railway (GWR) has proposed a number of changes to its stations and ticket offices which include reducing ticket office windows and opening hours; is shocked that it should propose these changes despite the unprecedented and overwhelming public opposition to plans in 2023 to close around 1,000 ticket offices, including at GWR, which demonstrated the importance of ticket offices and station staff for many rail passengers; recognises that the recent Transport Committee report found that the ticket office closure plans risked significantly damaging people’s access to rail and the presence of staff is often a crucial determinant as to whether disabled people are able to travel by rail; is concerned that GWR’s proposals will undermine the role of ticket offices, to the detriment of passenger safety, security and accessibility; understands that the RMT union, which represents GWR station staff, is opposed to these proposals and has expressed concerns about a lack of proper negotiation by the company; notes that GWR paid out dividends of £24.3m in 2024; further notes that GWR is operating under a National Rail contract managed and funded by the Government; and calls on the Government to instruct GWR to scrap its proposed changes to ticket offices and stations and commit to retaining all ticket office and station staffing levels, operating hours and window provision.

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.

918Plastic pollution

Tabled: 10/03/25 Signatories: 20

Gideon Amos

Helen Maguire

Zöe Franklin

Dr Roz Savage

Wera Hobhouse

Jim Shannon

That this House commends the pupils of West Monkton Primary School for their advocacy in highlighting the urgent issue of plastic pollution; recognises the importance of educating and empowering young people to take action in protecting the environment; acknowledges the detrimental impact of plastic waste on marine life, ecosystems, and communities; supports measures to ban single-use plastics, improve recycling infrastructure, and promote a circular economy; and calls on the Government to accelerate efforts to tackle plastic pollution to secure a cleaner and more sustainable future for the next generation.

924Staffing at Brunel University

Tabled: 10/03/25 Signatories: 7

John McDonnell

Jim Shannon

Brian Leishman

Apsana Begum

Jeremy Corbyn

Jon Trickett

That this House expresses its deep concern at the large scale cuts in staffing being imposed by Brunel University amongst academic and professional services staff with 125 academic staff at risk of losing their jobs by the end of March and 239 professional services staff at risk of losing their jobs by the end of June; notes that this massive programme of cuts threatens to undermine the long term viability of the university; and urges the management of the university to engage with the University College Union to give serious consideration to options to address the university's financial challenges other than redundancies.

927World Kidney Day 2025

Tabled: 11/03/25 Signatories: 22

Daisy Cooper

Ian Roome

Jim Shannon

Helen Maguire

Mr Joshua Reynolds

Andrew George

That this House acknowledges that World Kidney Day takes place on Thursday 13 March 2025; recognises that an estimated 3.5 million people are living with later stage, 3-5, chronic kidney disease (CKD), although many remain undiagnosed; further recognises the mental health impacts of severe CKD, evidenced through 67% of patients living with CKD reporting symptoms of depression; regrets the financial impacts on patients due to multiple trips to hospital per week for life sustaining treatment, the inability to work regular hours, and increased utility bills due to energy intensive medical equipment negatively impacting patients’ finances; understands that CKD cases are often preventable, and by detecting CKD early, it is possible to slow or stop the progression of the disease, and prevent it from reaching the stages at which it is most severe; commends charities, such as Kidney Care UK, and their work on the Bloody Amazing Kidneys campaign, which raises awareness of the disease and encourages people most at risk of chronic kidney disease to get tested; notes that half of the 135,000 people who took the Bloody Amazing Kidneys campaign kidney health check were at risk of kidney disease, mainly because of high blood pressure; and calls on the Government to prioritise the early detection of kidney disease, and develop guidelines so that other services and support vital for kidney patients, including transport, social care, and mental health support, are uniformly available, with no postcode lotteries.

928Tackling the climate and nature crisis

Tabled: 11/03/25 Signatories: 34

Edward Morello

Pippa Heylings

Ian Roome

Wera Hobhouse

Jim Shannon

Helen Maguire

That this House recognises the urgent need for the UK to take world-leading action on climate change and environmental protection; notes that climate change poses the greatest threat to global stability, public health, and ecological preservation; further notes that the UK has an opportunity to lead in the transition to a net-zero economy, with renewable energy now significantly cheaper than fossil fuels, and calls on the Government to ensure these savings are reflected in energy bills for consumers; expresses deep concern over the UK’s ongoing nature crisis, and calls on the Government to double the size of the Protected Area Network and commit to planting at least 60 million trees annually; urges this Government to strengthen protections, including by passing a Clean Air Act, enhancing the powers of the Office for Environmental Protection, and tackling air pollution; further notes that Dorset’s National Landscape covers 40% of the county, underscoring the need for strong national policies to protect natural landscapes; condemns the ongoing sewage scandal, which has led to devastating pollution of UK rivers and coastal waters, and calls on the Government to impose stricter penalties on water companies that fail to prevent sewage dumping; acknowledges that while other nations contribute heavily to environmental destruction, the UK must take a leadership role in developing solutions and setting high standards for climate and environmental policy; and further urges the Government to take bold, immediate steps to halt the decline of Britain’s natural environment for the benefit of future generations.

929Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Tabled: 11/03/25 Signatories: 16

Jim Shannon

Andrew George

Tom Morrison

Ayoub Khan

Carla Denyer

Ellie Chowns

That this House notes that March is Prostate Cancer awareness month; highlights that prostate cancer has become the most common cancer in England, with a massive 25% increase in cases between 2019 and 2023 and a further 1,100 men being diagnosed each year in Northern Ireland; underlines the importance of awareness campaigns and the difference they have, leading to thousands more men getting an early and lifechanging diagnosis; further notes that despite the huge increase in prostate cancer cases, there is still no national screening programme and as the disease often has no symptoms in its earlier stages, this situation means too many men find out they have cancer only after it’s spread and become harder to treat; and calls upon the Government to update NHS guidelines so that more can be done to increase early diagnosis and save more lives.

934Workplace disabilities and sickle cell disease

Tabled: 12/03/25 Signatories: 17

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

Jim Shannon

Jon Trickett

Ayoub Khan

Carla Denyer

Ellie Chowns

That this House regrets that despite being a serious lifelong condition, sickle cell disease is not consistently recognised in workplaces; notes that many employers still lack awareness of how the condition affects daily life, resulting in individuals living with sickle cell disease finding it difficult to secure flexible working, reasonable adjustments or medical leave without penalty; calls on the Government to take steps to protect the workplace rights of people living with sickle cell disease by recognising it as a workplace disability requiring clearer guidance under the Equality Act 2010; encourages the Department for Work and Pensions to promote a programme of sickle cell disease awareness training for employers, HR teams, and occupational health providers so employees are not subjected to misunderstanding or mistreatment; and further calls on the Government to expand Access to Work support so that employees with sickle cell disease can receive financial assistance for transport, workplace adjustments, and flexible working options.

936Future of the adoption and special guardianship support fund

Tabled: 12/03/25 Signatories: 48

Jess Brown-Fuller

Wera Hobhouse

Adam Dance

Steve Darling

Cameron Thomas

Dr Al Pinkerton

That this House expresses deep concern over the future of the adoption and special guardianship support fund (ASGSF), which is set to expire on 31 March 2025; recognises the vital role the fund plays in providing essential mental health services to adopted children and those under special guardianship orders, supporting nearly half of the work undertaken by organisations such as Beacon House in Chichester; notes with alarm the uncertainty surrounding its continuation, which is causing significant anxiety among families and service providers who rely on this critical support; acknowledges the importance of stable, long-term funding for these vulnerable children to ensure they receive the therapeutic and mental health services they need to thrive; and calls on the Government to provide urgent clarification on the future of the ASGSF and commit to securing its continuation beyond March 2025.

938Provision of essential humanitarian supplies, electricity and water sanitation in Gaza

Tabled: 12/03/25 Signatories: 21

Ellie Chowns

Carla Denyer

Siân Berry

Ayoub Khan

Adrian Ramsay

John McDonnell

That this House condemns the Israeli Government’s decision of 3 March 2025 to halt the entry of all humanitarian aid and commercial supplies, including fuel and food, to Gaza, and its decision of 9 March 2025 to cut off electricity to Gaza’s main desalination plant; recognises that these actions violate international humanitarian law and amount to collective punishment of 2.2 million people in Gaza for the terrible crimes committed against Israeli and other citizens by Hamas; records that Gaza was already experiencing a water and sanitation catastrophe following overwhelming damage and destruction of water and sanitation infrastructure due to the Israeli Defence Force’s military operations and the ongoing unlawful blockade; further recognises that Amnesty International has described these actions as inhumane and unlawful; considers these actions to be evidence that the Israeli Government is deliberately imposing conditions of life calculated to bring about the physical destruction of Palestinians in Gaza, an act prohibited under the Genocide Convention; and calls on the UK Government to take steps to prevent genocide, as it is obligated to do, including through implementing a full arms embargo on Israel, working to secure comprehensive sanctions against Israel and other actions to hold Israel accountable for grave breaches of international law.

943Three promotion places from the National League

Tabled: 13/03/25 Signatories: 9

Kate Osborne

Jon Trickett

Grahame Morris

Ian Lavery

Nadia Whittome

Margaret Mullane

That this House recognises the importance of the pyramid system in English football; welcomes efforts to distribute revenue more fairly across the system, and acknowledges the vital role of the 72 National League clubs as the top tier of non-League football in England; applauds the National League’s adoption of the Salary Cost Management Protocol next season to align with the English Football League (EFL), helping maintain the record of no National League club entering liquidation since 2013; supports the National League’s 3-Up campaign for three promotions into the EFL, welcoming the EFL’s willingness to discuss this, noting that it aligns with the Independent Football Regulator’s three objectives; and calls for the regulator to use its backstop to ensure both financial and promotional fairness within the National League system.

944Wellbeing benefits of outdoor education to young people

Tabled: 13/03/25 Signatories: 24

Tim Farron

Ian Roome

Martin Wrigley

Helen Maguire

Adam Dance

Edward Morello

That this House recognises the significant benefits of outdoor learning for children and young people; urges the Secretary of State to undertake a review of the value of those benefits; notes that more time learning outdoors provides an opportunity for children to learn skills and characteristics to cope with many of the societal problems of climate change, worsening child mental health, and high child obesity levels; further notes that there is significant evidence that outdoor learning and youth work enables better engagement with education, builds pro-environmental behaviours from a young age, and establishes team work and resilience in young people; and recognises that these practices build on a long heritage of outdoor learning in the UK.

946SEND in schools

Tabled: 14/03/25 Signatories: 16

Mr Lee Dillon

Wera Hobhouse

Steve Darling

Adam Dance

Mr Joshua Reynolds

Zöe Franklin

That this House recognises the need for further classroom provisions to be implemented for children with SEND; notes with concern that resources for pupils with SEND are very limited and that there is a need for extra school places for such pupils; congratulates Castle School in Newbury for the commencement of a project that will create 32 extra classroom spaces for children with SEND; recognises the vital role that West Berkshire Council played in the investment of this project, highlighting its commitment to improving SEND education; and calls on the Government to support projects such as the one at Castle School to improve education for children with SEND.

949Reductions in welfare spending

Tabled: 14/03/25 Signatories: 24

Siân Berry

Carla Denyer

Kim Johnson

Sorcha Eastwood

Nadia Whittome

Liz Saville Roberts

That this House believes that the welfare system should be based on dignity and respect; further believes that years of damaging austerity inflicted upon public services and welfare provision by previous Conservative Governments has brought our communities to breaking point, with people in receipt of health-related benefits already facing inordinate hardships as a result; notes that the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights has called on the UK Government to take corrective measures to address the immense negative impact of welfare cuts made since 2010; is concerned that 50 per cent of people claiming Universal Credit who have limited capability for work are unable to heat their homes or pay their bills and have low food security; is further concerned that, according to Scope, an added 700,000 disabled households will be pushed into poverty by the cuts rumoured to be set out in the forthcoming Green Paper on welfare reform; considers there is no moral case for making these cuts, the impact of which would be catastrophic for millions of disabled people; calls on the Government to address the root issues that lead to welfare claims, namely housing insecurity, poor quality jobs, huge wage inequality and a soaring mental health crisis; and further calls on the Government not to scapegoat disabled people by cutting the welfare payments on which they depend.

950Royal Television Society and withdrawal of award to journalists in Gaza

Tabled: 14/03/25 Signatories: 16

John McDonnell

Ben Lake

Liz Saville Roberts

Llinos Medi

Ann Davies

Neil Duncan-Jordan

That this House expresses its strong concern at the decision by the Royal Television Society to scrap a special recognition award for journalists in Gaza; further expresses its support for the demand by nearly 400 people, including many prominent journalists, for full transparency about how the Society arrived at this decision; and also expresses its regret that this act by the Society displayed an appalling failure to respect the sacrifices made by journalists in Gaza, including the loss of 170 lives.

953Independent advisory panel on Department for Work and Pensions-related deaths

Tabled: 17/03/25 Signatories: 15

John McDonnell

Andrew George

Brian Leishman

Neil Duncan-Jordan

Ayoub Khan

Jim Shannon

That this House is alarmed by the continued use of the fatally flawed work capability assessment, adopted by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to limit the access of disabled people to long-term disability benefits and that is linked to a growing public mental health crisis and suicides; is concerned that the chronically ill and disabled community are living in fear of DWP as they are threatened with additional cuts to the welfare budget, guaranteed to cause more human suffering on a vast scale; highlights the devastating consequences of these punitive policies, which have forced people into poverty, mental distress, and, tragically, even to their deaths; and calls on the Government to establish an independent advisory panel with full powers to investigate DWP-related deaths and suicides caused by the DWP's failed systems.

954Sharrington phone box

Tabled: 17/03/25 Signatories: 8

Steff Aquarone

Helen Maguire

Ian Roome

Martin Wrigley

Wendy Chamberlain

Alison Bennett

That this House recognises the importance of the K6 telephone box in the village of Sharrington, North Norfolk; notes with deep concern that BT have proposed the closure of this telephone box; acknowledges that Sharrington lacks a reliable mobile phone signal; appreciates the worries of the local population, especially the elderly residents who feel a sense of security from this guaranteed connectivity; congratulates the 50 local residents who took direct action on 14 March by queueing up to make calls and prove the importance of the phone box; celebrates the tireless campaigning work of Sharrington resident Derek Harris, who has lived in the village for 50 years; calls on Historic England to list the phone box to recognise its importance; and further calls on BT to reverse their decision and maintain the Sharrington phone box.

955Carbon monoxide safety

Tabled: 17/03/25 Signatories: 7

Jim Shannon

Andrew George

Brian Leishman

Ayoub Khan

Siân Berry

Ellie Chowns

That this House recognises the dozens of British lives lost to carbon monoxide poisoning each year; expresses concern at the underreporting of carbon monoxide incidents, due to low awareness, diagnosis and death classification; notes the additional risks of carbon monoxide poisoning to those travelling abroad, due to weaker appliance standards; identifies the life-saving importance of carbon monoxide alarms, which should be installed wherever combustion appliances are used indoors and taken travelling as a precaution; further notes the concerning availability online of substandard alarms; and urges members of the public to follow UK carbon monoxide alarms regulations and use only British standard-compliant alarms.

959Honouring the life of Ray Merlin Rutter

Tabled: 17/03/25 Signatories: 7

Sarah Dyke

Helen Maguire

Dr Roz Savage

Jim Shannon

Steve Darling

Jeremy Corbyn

That this House celebrates the life and legacy of Ray Merlin Rutter, who has sadly passed away at the age of 77; recognises Merlin’s singular contribution to the Glastonbury community, where he was a beloved and well-known figure, often seen wearing his distinctive blue robes and wizard hat; acknowledges that Merlin offered rune readings to visitors from across the world outside Glastonbury Abbey, enhancing the town’s reputation for inclusivity and community spirit, and appreciates his unwavering commitment to bringing joy to others, making him a key part of Glastonbury’s cultural fabric; expresses gratitude for Merlin’s dedication as a volunteer and advocate for the Love Glastonbury Community Fridge, a vital local initiative that redirects fresh food destined for landfill to community members in need to tackle food poverty whilst simultaneously battling food waste; commends the lasting positive impact that Merlin had on the town through his warmth and kindness; and extends condolences to his family, friends, and the wider community, recognising his presence in Glastonbury will be deeply missed, and his legacy fondly remembered.

963Chronic urinary tract infections and women's health

Tabled: 17/03/25 Signatories: 22

Helen Maguire

Helen Morgan

Dr Roz Savage

Luke Taylor

Andrew George

Wera Hobhouse

That this House recognises the urgent need for improved care and support for those suffering from chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs), a debilitating condition that significantly impacts quality of life; notes with concern the lack of awareness, research, and effective treatment options available to patients; acknowledges that women's health as a whole demands greater attention, funding, research and care from the Government; and calls on the Government to prioritise investment in women's health, improve access to specialist care, and ensure that those affected by chronic UTIs or other debilitating conditions receive the diagnosis and treatment they deserve.

965Coalfields Regeneration Trust funding

Tabled: 18/03/25 Signatories: 39

Grahame Morris

Elaine Stewart

Ian Lavery

Adam Jogee

Paul Davies

Steve Yemm

That this House recognises the invaluable contribution of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust (CRT) in supporting economic regeneration, employment, and growth in coalfield communities across the UK; notes that the CRT was established in 1999 by the then Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott to address the economic and social challenges resulting from the closure of coal mines in the 1980/90s; acknowledges that the CRT received direct Government funding between 1999 and 2015 and has since developed an innovative community wealth-building model that reinvests rental income from industrial units into local economic and social initiatives; further notes that the CRT is requesting £10 million per annum in capital funding over the next five years to develop a minimum of two industrial unit projects per year, providing 500,000 square feet of new industrial space and generating over 1,000 new jobs upon completion, alongside hundreds of construction jobs and additional supply chain benefits; further recognises that this investment would generate up to £4 million annually in self-sustaining revenue for coalfield communities; highlights the independent evaluation by the Centre for Local Economic Strategies which found that the CRT delivers an annual economic benefit of £413 million, generates £7.50 in local community returns for every £1 invested, and provides £35.4 million in annual cost savings to the state; and urges the Government to approve the CRT’s funding request as a key part of its mission to bring growth to every part of the UK and as part of the Government’s neighbourhoods and communities strategy.

971Bank closures

Tabled: 19/03/25 Signatories: 24

Alex Brewer

Wera Hobhouse

Steve Darling

Jim Shannon

Helen Maguire

Adam Dance

That this House notes with concern that Santander is set to close its Fleet High Street branch at the end of June 2025;believes that this closure, along with others across the country, will greatly impact many in our community who rely on high street bank branches for essential services, particularly the elderly, disabled, and those without transport; further notes that many residents from surrounding rural villages already face significant challenges in accessing banking services, and that this closure will exacerbate those difficulties; acknowledges the disproportionate impact of branch closures on rural communities, where public transport options are limited and alternative banking facilities are scarce; and calls on the Secretary of State to urgently engage with banks and local MPs to prevent further branch closures before the establishment of adequate banking hubs in these areas.

975DARC in Wales

Tabled: 19/03/25 Signatories: 12

Liz Saville Roberts

Helen Maguire

Jeremy Corbyn

Siân Berry

Ellie Chowns

Steve Witherden

That this House notes with deep concern the proposed US-UK-Australian military radar project, DARC (Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability), which would install 27 21m-high, 15m-wide parabolic radar dishes within sight of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park; believes this would severely harm the visual landscape, local tourism, and the internationally recognised natural ecology of the area; further notes the concerns regarding potential health risks posed by radiofrequency signals, as indicated by scientific studies, on residential populations located less than a kilometre from the site; highlights that DARC, as part of the AUKUS Treaty, is in violation of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty’s prohibition on the national appropriation of space and undermines international law; warns that the deployment of anti-satellite weaponry, for which DARC is a crucial targeting device, threatens to destabilise the civilian satellite network by generating hazardous space debris of a volatile and unpredictable nature which increases the probability of damage to essential infrastructure; urges the Government to recognise that DARC lacks strategic military necessity compared to other priorities; and calls on the government to permanently withdraw its planning application for the Pembrokeshire site and any alternative UK location.

976Funding for schools in South Cambridgeshire

Tabled: 20/03/25 Signatories: 5

Pippa Heylings

Helen Maguire

Charlotte Cane

Dr Roz Savage

Jim Shannon

That this House notes with concern that fairer funding is needed for schools in South Cambridgeshire constituency, which have consistently received less schools block funding than the Cambridge region and the rest of England; further notes that there is a difference of over £400 per pupil in schools block funding between South Cambridgeshire and England in the 2024–25 period, as well as in previous years; recognises that schools across the country are facing a funding crisis due to spiralling inflation in their costs; further recognises that school and college funding per pupil should increase above the rate of inflation every year; also notes with concern that mainstream schools’ core funding is due to fall next year to its lowest level in over 15 years; notes that special schools in England have faced £419 million of cuts since 2010, with local authorities expecting to have a cumulative £5 billion SEND deficit by March 2026; highlights that there has been a 72.8% increase in the number of EHC plans in South Cambridgeshire from 2019 to 2024, compared to 62.7% across England, demonstrating the urgent need for fairer funding; and calls on the Government to provide fairer funding for schools in South Cambridgeshire, including significant investment in capital funding and high needs funding.

977Lagan Valley’s Special Olympics gold medallists

Tabled: 20/03/25 Signatories: 2

Sorcha Eastwood

Jim Shannon

That this House sends its biggest congratulations to Caolán McConville and Lucy Best from Lagan Valley on their brilliant achievements at the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025 in Italy; celebrates Caolán winning gold in the giant slalom and Lucy winning gold in the novice division, which were amazing accomplishments especially given the lack of snow sports facilities in Northern Ireland; recognises their hard work, dedication, and talent in representing their community on the world stage; applauds them for inspiring others to get involved in sport; and wishes them all the best for the future.

978Rory McIlroy's victory at the 2025 Players Championship

Tabled: 20/03/25 Signatories: 2

Alex Easton

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates Rory McIlroy on his outstanding victory at the 2025 Players Championship, marking his second triumph at this prestigious event; recognises his extraordinary talent, skill and unwavering dedication to the sport of golf, showcased by his exceptional performance in overcoming challenging conditions at Sawgrass; applauds his resilience, remarkable consistency and excellence in securing his 28th PGA Tour title, a testament to his continuing growth as a golfer, affirming that he is now a more complete and accomplished player than at any previous point in his illustrious career; acknowledges the pride and positive recognition he consistently brings to Northern Ireland through his achievements on the international stage; highlights the inspirational role he plays for aspiring athletes around the world, demonstrating the values of determination, professionalism and sportsmanship; and extends best wishes and support for his continued pursuit of further success, particularly in achieving his long-standing goal of completing the career Grand Slam at the Masters in Augusta.

979Scottish Tourism Month 2025

Tabled: 20/03/25 Signatories: 4

Jamie Stone

Wendy Chamberlain

Jim Shannon

Graham Leadbitter

That this House recognises that March is Scottish Tourism Month; notes the importance of the tourism industry in the Highlands, welcoming over two million visitors every year; highlights the significance of the tourism and hospitality sector to the economy and culture of the Far North, bringing in £762 million from international and domestic visitors in 2023; acknowledges that the Highlands possess some of the most unique, diverse, and breathtaking scenery in the United Kingdom; celebrates the hard work of all of those working in the tourism industry; and recommends that all enjoy the beauty and adventure that Scotland has to offer.

980Service of Rob Nixon as Chief Constable of Leicestershire Police

Tabled: 20/03/25 Signatories: 3

Amanda Hack

Shockat Adam

Jim Shannon

That this House applauds Rob Nixon for his 32 years of service in Leicestershire Police as he announces his retirement; notes that for the last three years Rob has served as Leicestershire Polices’ Chief Constable; commends his tireless commitment to reforming the criminal justice system to best support victims; acknowledges his work in overseeing a restructure of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit; and thanks him for a career defined by a commitment to service, innovation and collaboration.

981Congratulating Alan Hansen on receiving an MBE

Tabled: 20/03/25 Signatories: 2

Brian Leishman

Jim Shannon

That this House congratulates Scottish football legend Alan Hansen on being awarded an MBE for his outstanding services to football and broadcasting; recognises that Hansen, born in Sauchie, Clackmannanshire, began his career with Partick Thistle before becoming one of Scotland’s greatest footballing exports, winning eight First Division titles, three European Cups, and two FA Cups with Liverpool during the 1970s and 1980s; commends his contribution to the Scottish national team, earning 26 caps; acknowledges his highly respected and influential role as a pundit on BBC’s Match of the Day for over two decades, where his expert analysis shaped football coverage and debate in the UK; notes his recovery from serious illness last summer and wishes him continued good health; and celebrates his lasting contribution to Scottish and British football, both on and off the pitch.

982Support for young disabled people after education

Tabled: 20/03/25 Signatories: 16

Max Wilkinson

Ellie Chowns

Helen Maguire

Tom Gordon

Liz Jarvis

Claire Young

That this House acknowledges the findings in the National Star and the Together Trust’s report entitled What Comes After Education; recognises the report’s key findings, including that young people do not feel listened to, feel worried about leaving education, need access to meaningful activities, want to choose where they live and who they live with, want to be able to work, want meaningful relationships, need reasonable adjustments to attend university, and that transition plans must be proactive and involve the young person and their family; urges the Government to consider the report’s findings when deciding on changes to welfare policy; and calls on the Government to enact the report’s recommendations when enacting welfare changes.