Early Day Motions

Plastics in the world's seas

That this House notes that according to the UN there will be more plastic in the sea than fish by 2050; calls for the Government to publish a strategy for promoting a circular economy in respect of plastics, including setting targets and measures for the elimination and recycling of single-use plast

Ban on the import of foie gras

That this House condemns the production of foie gras by force-feeding ducks and geese which causes severe physical and psychological pain for the animals involved; welcomes the continued ban on production of foie gras in the UK; and calls on the Government to introduce the promised ban on the import

Redundancies at Reach plc and sustainability of the press

That this House is dismayed at the extent of substantial job cuts announced by Reach plc, publisher of titles including The Mirror, Daily Record, Daily Star, Manchester Evening News, Irish Mirror and Liverpool Echo; notes that the company has indicated an estimated 450 posts will be made redundant

Now or Never winner of Restaurant of the Year at the Lancaster Business Awards 2023

That this House congratulates Nichola and Jeff Marshall, directors for Now Or Never restaurant in Lancaster and their whole team after winning Restaurant of the Year at the Lancaster Business Awards; thanks Now or Never for providing a unique, fine dining experience to the city thus boosting the Lan

Food banks

That this House notes with extreme concern the new figures from The Trussell Trust which showed that 1.5 million food parcels were provided to people between April and September 2023 by food banks in the charity’s UK-wide network, which is a 16% increase on the same period in 2022; highlights that 3

Protections for the green belt

That this House expresses its concern about building developments on green belt land; notes that the Secretary-General of the United Nations has said that humanity is becoming a weapon of mass extinction; further notes that the extinction of wildlife species has a knock-on impact on the wider ecosys

Elective care waiting list and insourcing

That this House expresses concern that latest NHS figures show that there are a record 7.75 million people in England waiting for elective care, with more waiting in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland; fears that waiting lists have the potential to continue to rise; notes the negative consequences

Secretaries of State and membership of the House of Commons

That this House believes that Secretaries of State should be Members of the House of Commons.

Taxation of savings and inheritance

That this House notes recent reports that in the 2023-24 financial year, tax paid on savings income is due to reach more than £6.5 billion, a rise of approximately 100% since 2022, and the expected take through inheritance tax of approximately £8 billion, which has increased over 30% in the same per

Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation, Laudate Deum

That this House welcomes Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation, Laudate Deum, which builds on his encyclical letter Laudato Si’, that calls on world leaders to put global common good ahead of self interest; urges international governments to commit to a transition from fossil fuels that is binding and

175th anniversary of Royal Black Preceptory 18

That this House congratulates the Sir Knights of Royal Black Preceptory (RBP) 18 The First Royals of County Down on reaching their 175th Anniversary; recognises the positive role the Institution has played in the local community down through the years; and wishes RBP 18 a very successful and enjoyab

Breast cancer screening and entitlement to paid leave

That this House notes that the UK, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland Governments all offer breast cancer screening to women aged 50 to 70 every three years; supports such policies as an important preventative health care strategy; calls for employment law to be amended to remove barriers to and e

Wealth taxation and EU Tax Observatory report on global tax evasion

That this House welcomes the EU Tax Observatory inaugural report on global tax evasion; notes that the report indicates that the richest people in the world are operating on the edge of legality to evade paying tax; expresses concern at the findings of the report that the very richest use shell comp

175th anniversary of Rising Sons of William Loyal Orange Lodge 240

That this House celebrates the 175th anniversary of Rising Sons of William LOL 240; notes that it was first founded in 1848; highlights that LOL 240 prides itself on treasuring history, tradition and a preservation of culture; further notes the high standing of the past and present membership and th

Seasonal Worker visa scheme

That this House notes the recent report by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism and the Independent which identified issues of racism, wage theft and threats of being sent back home in 19 farm inspection reports produced by the Home Office between 2021 and 2022; recognises that migrant seasonal wo

Iran's influence in the Middle East

That this House is deeply concerned by the role of the Iranian regime in the deadly conflicts in the Middle East; notes that for over four decades Iran’s regime has adopted a dual strategy of domestic suppression, such as the 1988 massacre of 30,000 political prisoners, mostly supporters of the PMOI

Changes to the Highway Code for vulnerable road users

That this House appreciates the recent changes made to the Highway Code relating to protecting vulnerable road users; understands that new rules 212-215 help ensure that other road users treat these users with care; observes that these rules have been added specifically because the Highway Code prev

Persecution in Pakistan

That this House is deeply concerned by the ongoing attacks, discrimination and persecution faced by Hindus and Sikhs in Pakistan; recognises that these communities are integral members of the Pakistani society and have made significant contributions to its culture, history, and economy; notes with c

Veterans Day bank holiday

That this House wishes to honour the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces with a new bank holiday on the day after Remembrance Sunday; notes that many countries have a dedicated Veterans Day public holiday; recognises that, by international standards, the UK is amongst the countries with the fe

Immediate bilateral ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict

That this House believes that only a two-state solution can deliver the security which both Palestinians and Israelis deserve; further believes that Hamas cannot be allowed to continue in charge of Gaza; condemns the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas in Israel on 7 October 2023; deplores the vi

Refugee campaign groups from the North East

That this House welcomes the lobby of Parliament by refugee groups from the North East of England to be held in Room S of Portcullis House from 2.00pm to 4.00pm on Tuesday 28 November; proudly acknowledges that the UK has, for centuries, provided a haven for those fleeing oppression; understands tha

Jobs at news publisher Reach

That this House recognises the hard work and dedication of Reach journalists in Scotland at local and national news brands such as the Daily Record and Edinburgh Live; notes with dismay that Reach, the UK’s largest commercial news publisher, will cut 450 jobs - about a tenth of its workforce - acros

Myalgic encephalomyelitis research and treatment

This House commends current research being conducted by the Quadram Institute on the Norwich Research Park that builds on recent evidence that conditions like myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), and Long Covid, have a basis in the immune system; notes that ME (sometimes known as ME/CFS) is a severely de

15th anniversary of Future Choices, Aberdeen

That this House congratulates the Aberdeen-based charity, Future Choices, on reaching its 15th anniversary; notes that the charity, founded in 2008, provides much-needed social inclusion and recreational activities for the disabled community in Aberdeen and beyond; recognises and commends the tirele

85th anniversary of Kristallnacht and antisemitism

That this House commemorates the victims of Kristallnacht (Night of Broken Glass), a destructive campaign of violence against Jewish people, on its 85th anniversary; understands that, throughout the night of 9-10 November 1938, the Nazi Party targeted synagogues and Jewish prayer rooms across German