Early Day Motions

Eighteenth anniversary of Strathaven being named the first Fairtrade town in Scotland

That this House celebrates the eighteenth anniversary of Strathaven being named Scotland’s first Fairtrade town by the Fairtrade Association, a milestone that takes place on 27 November 2020; remembers all the tremendous cooperation that took place between local churches, businesses, primary schools

Human Rights in Sri Lanka and the Relocation of the BBC Sinhala Service

That this House notes the recent Foreign and Commonwealth and Development Office reports that the human rights environment in Sri Lanka worsened, with the continuation of surveillance and intimidation of activists and human rights defenders, the detention without charge of a high profile human right

Delivering Joy campaign

That this House commends the staff of the Clydebank Dunelm Mill store for their altruistic and generous work with the company’s non-profit Delivering Joy campaign; notes that some members of staff have worked tirelessly above and beyond their contracted working hours on a voluntary basis to encourag

Loch Lomond Brewery and the Scottish Beer Awards

That this House congratulates Loch Lomond Brewery for winning brewery of the year at the prestigious Scottish Beer Awards, understands that it was also successful in winning the best branding award and believes that its success is thoroughly deserved; notes that those involved in Loch Lomond Brewery

Effect of night flights on residential areas

That this House recognises that night flights taking off and landing at airports in highly residential areas are having a negative impact on the lives of local residents; acknowledges that an eight hour period of uninterrupted sleep is necessary for physical and mental wellbeing; notes that the elde

Prevent strategy

That this House commends the efforts of all agencies keeping Britain safe from terrorist attacks but believes that the Prevent strategy is not fit for purpose and notes the unacceptable delay from the Government of its overdue independent review of the strategy; further notes that the lower threshol

Human and trade union rights in Pakistan

This House is alarmed at reports that Amar Fayaz, a Progressive Youth Alliance activist in Pakistan, was allegedly taken in to custody by security services on 8 November 2020 outside Liaqat Medical University in Jamshoro, and still has not reappeared; expresses solidarity with his family, wife and d

Post offices and sub-postmasters

That this House believes that sub-postmasters and their staff provide financial services that ensure the physical and psychological wellbeing of 300,000 vulnerable people; that the ongoing covid-19 pandemic has made this a very difficult time for post offices; thanks sub-postmasters for their hard w

Agricultural payments in Wales

This House notes that the 2019 Conservative Party Manifesto stated that the Government would guarantee the current annual budget to farmers in every year of the next parliament; notes that the pro Leave campaign during the EU Referendum promised that Wales would not lose a penny as a result of leavi

Jobs at the Rolls Royce Barnoldswick site

That this House is angered by the decision by Rolls-Royce to cut 350 highly skilled jobs at its site in Barnoldswick, Lancashire, and offshore this work to Singapore; condemns the company’s decision to lock workers out of the site until after Christmas without any meaningful consultation or negotiat

Closure of BBC Sinhala Radio Service

That this House notes with concern the decision of BBC World Service to close the Sinhala radio broadcast service, which serves the Sinhalese majority in Sri Lanka who constitute around three-quarters of the population; notes that Sri Lanka has experienced much unrest in the last several decades, an

The work of Kim McLachlan

That this House recognises the life and work of Kim McLachlan a UNISON activist throughout her 37 year career in housing, who died on 16 November 2020; recognises her work as a steward in Glasgow City Branch and her work at the heart of the trade union and community campaign to oppose the Glasgow Ho

Winner of The Booker Prize 2020

That this House congratulates Scottish-American author Douglas Stuart on winning the Booker Prize 2020 for his debut novel, Shuggie Bain, a raw and beautifully tender story based on his own experiences growing up in poverty in 1980s Glasgow with a mother battling addiction; further congratulations h

30th Anniversary of Castle Espie Centre in Comber

That this House notes the 30th Anniversary of Castle Espie Centre in Comber; congratulates the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Centre, who do phenomenal work in biodiversity and protecting the natural environment, on reaching this wonderful milestone; and extends best wishes for the future of this wonde

Paid helpline for gas and electricity suppliers

That this House draws attention to the issue of paid helplines for gas and electricity suppliers; highlights that the use of 03 numbers in this context can cost up to £0.35p a minute; condemns this excessive price, as it excludes customers on a low income or universal credit from being able to addre

Covid-19 and fuel poverty

That this House notes with concern that 2.4 million households are living in fuel poverty, with research by National Energy Action finding that an average of 9,700 deaths a year in the UK are caused by living in a cold house; further notes with concern that thousands of household are facing increase

Financial support for self employed people during the covid-19 outbreak

That this House notes with concern research from the National Audit Office which has found that 2.9 million freelancers, contractors and newly self-employed are excluded from the Government's Self-Employment Income Support Scheme and analysis from the Institute for Fiscal Studies, which estimates th

£20 weekly increase to universal credit

That this House acknowledges that the £20 a week uplift in Universal Credit has provided much-needed, vital support to millions of people during the covid-19 outbreak; expresses disappointment that there was no commitment to making this increase permanent in Spending Review 2020; notes with concern

Endometriosis and access to statutory support

That this House congratulates the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Endometriosis and Endometriosis UK for their important inquiry into the challenges faced by those with the condition and the publication of their report entitled Endometriosis in the UK: Time for Change; notes that endometriosis is a

Statue of Baroness Thatcher

That this House commemorates the thirtieth anniversary of the departure from office of Margaret Thatcher as Prime Minister of the UK on 28 November 1990; recognises that Mrs Thatcher was one of the longest serving British Prime Ministers in history, as well as being the first female Prime Minister o

Girlguiding Scotland’s Media Mindful campaign

That this House congratulates Girlguiding Scotland on the launch of its Media Mindful campaign to support girls and young women to challenge sexism in the media; understands this campaign has been created by the charity’s Speak Out champions, a group of young women age 14-25; notes the campaign stem

Belle Vue Greyhound Stadium

That this House recognises the historic Belle Vue Greyhound Stadium in Manchester was the first purpose-built dog track in the United Kingdom when it opened in 1926; notes that it has also been used for speedway and stock car racing; understands that it is now subject to closure due to the current c

The 0.7 per cent overseas aid commitment

That this House expresses concern and condemnation of any attempt by the Government to reduce aid spending by ending the UK’s commitment to spend 0.7 per cent of Gross National Income (GNI) on Overseas Development Assistance; notes that the 0.7 per cent target was adopted by the UN General Assembly

Logan Street Tenants and Resident’s Association

That this House congratulates the Logan Street Tenants and Residents Association in Blantyre on their hard work this year working together with local agencies and South Lanarkshire Council to improve living conditions in and around Logan Street in Blantyre; notes the vital support the Association ha

Carers Rights Day 2020

That this House acknowledges the estimated 13.6 million people across the UK who are providing unpaid care; recognises the importance of Carers Rights Day 2020, taking place on 26 November 2020, in raising awareness of the work of unpaid carers and ensuring they are informed about their rights and e