Early Day Motions

National Consumer Week 2020

That this House commends National Consumer Week 2020 which runs from the 16 to 22 November; pays tribute to the excellent work undertaken by Advice Direct Scotland which runs Scotland's national consumer advice service, consumeradvice.scot, Trading Standards Scotland and Citizens’ Advice Scotland to

Electrical Fire Safety Week

That this House notes that the 23rd to the 29th of November is Electrical Fire Safety Week (EFSW) which is run by the charity Electrical Safety First in co-operation with the Home Office’s Fire Kills campaign; commends the Charity’s work to reduce fires caused by electricity of which there are more

Safeguarding the small brewers relief scheme

That this House notes the positive impact that the small brewers relief scheme has had on the survival and growth of the UK’s small independent breweries; notes that this could be undermined by the Treasury’s proposed changes to the scheme to reduce the 50 per cent rate from 5,000hl to 2,100hl and t

Anniversary of the Bhopal poisonous gas leak

That this House remembers the terrible disaster that took place on 2 December 1984 in Bhopal, India, when a major poisonous gas leak from the Union Carbide pesticide plant resulted in more than 600,000 people being exposed to the highly toxic methyl isocyanate gas, thousands of people dying and many

Global Islamophobia

That this House draws attention to Islamophobia in the UK and worldwide; supports Islamophobia Awareness Month; draws attention to the fact that Rohingya Muslims have been driven out of Myanmar and now seek refuge in Bangladesh; that two mosques were simultaneously attacked in New Zealand in 2019; t

Let LIVE Thrive campaign

That this House recognises the existential crisis facing the live events industry in the UK as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; notes the significant contribution that music, theatre, sport and other live events make to the economy; recognises the potentially dire consequences for industry organis

Misuse of fireworks

That this House notes the unplanned use of fireworks can cause considerable distress to animals and vulnerable people in communities and notes the petition supported by over 252,000 people calling for limits on the sale and use of fireworks to licensed displays; and calls for a Government review of

The potential merits of a Care Leaver Department for Work and Pensions marker

That this House recognises that Care Experienced people experience unique challenges in childhood that often mean they require additional support as they transition into adulthood; understands that when Care Experienced people leave care, they can face homelessness and financial difficulty resulting

Care-Experienced bursary

That this House understands that Care Experienced people’s education is often interrupted in childhood as a result of being removed from home; recognises that statistically, Care Experienced people are less likely than their peers to attend further and higher education; appreciates that many Care Ex

The right to breathe clean air campaign

That this House acknowledges that long term exposure to air pollution causes between 28,000 and 36,000 deaths per year; expresses the belief that people across the United Kingdom and beyond should have an inalienable right to breathe clean air; notes that poor air quality is one of the greatest publ

Virtual participation in debates

That this House notes with deep concern that some Members have not been able to take part virtually in debates, which means that those Members have been disenfranchised; further notes that this, in effect, disenfranchises those constituents who are left without a voice in House of Commons debates; r

Closure of suicide forums

That this house notes with sadness the death of Joe Nihill, a popular young man and former army cadet from Whinmoor in East Leeds who, following three bereavements, tragically took his life at 23 years old after accessing online forums that encourage suicide; is concerned that these forums, which co

Ryan Christie scores qualifying goal

That this house congratulates former Inverness Millburn Academy pupil and former Caledonian Thistle Football Club academy graduate, Ryan Christie, on scoring the qualifying goal to take the Scotland National men's football team to a successful penalty shoot out, and to qualification for the European

Scottish Youth Parliament elects Josh Kennedy as chair

That this House congratulates the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) on their recent election of a chair; notes that the Parliament elected Josh Kennedy to chair the 160 elected members who sit as the Parliament; notes that Josh is another product of the outstanding education at Trinity High School, Re

Support for small businesses with Pay for Postage Scheme

That this House recognises the need to support small businesses due to the continued impact of covid-19 and lockdown restrictions; welcomes the idea of a Pay the Postage Scheme to help small businesses compete with larger retailers during the lucrative Christmas season; notes that free postage offer

Living Wage Week in Scotland

That this House recognises that 9-15 November is Living Wage Week 2020; appreciates that the real living wage of £9.50 per hour is determined each year by the Resolution Foundation on an analysis of the wage that employees need to earn in order to afford the basket of goods required for a decent sta

International Day of People with Disabilities

That this House recognises 3 December is the International Day of People with Disabilities, a day to celebrate disabled people and champion their abilities; supports the United Nation’s work surrounding this campaign, notes this year’s theme is entitled not all disabilities are visible, which aims t

High Life Highland covid-19 response

That this House commends High Life Highland (HLH) management and staff for their outstanding efforts to support Highland communities throughout the covid-19 outbreak; notes that hundreds of staff volunteered in communities across the Highlands with many supporting vital community and key worker hubs

Health and safety protections for gig economy workers

That this House welcomes the finding of the High Court that the UK Government has failed to properly implement EU health and safety directives and has failed to transpose important EU health and safety protections into UK law; notes that the case was taken to court by the Independent Workers’ Union

White Ribbon Day 2020

That this House recognises White Ribbon Day 2020 which takes place on Wednesday 25 November; notes that this is a day for people to stand up, speak out and say no to violence against women; further recognises the significance of this day during a year which has seen an increase in violence, harassme

Potential merits of statutory bereavement leave

That this House supports the introduction of statutory bereavement leave for those who suffer the loss of an immediate family member; recognises that bereavement has a tremendous impact on physical and mental health; acknowledges that while many employers voluntarily offer compassionate leave for st

Israeli annexation of Palestinian land

That this House is deeply alarmed by the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements; notes that, despite the temporary suspension of formal annexation plans, Israel has accelerated the construction of illegal settlements across the West Bank to its fastest pace since 2012; recognises that settlement e

Demolition of Palestinian homes

That this House strongly condemns Israel’s destruction of the entire Palestinian village of Khirbet Hamsa al-Foqa; is appalled that 73 people, including 41 children, have been made homeless in the largest incident of forced displacement in the West Bank for years; notes that 2020 has seen the highes

Linktown Christmas Gifts

That this House praises the efforts of Linktown Tenants and Residents Association for their initiative to deliver gifts of pyjamas, toiletries, sweets and socks to a local care home for Christmas 2020 as part of the Linktown Community Aid project to bring a smile to residents’ faces during the covid

High Street Heroes

That this House recognises Cowdenbeath bagpiper Dean Saunders for his charity work throughout the covid-19 outbreak; congratulates Dean on achieving Highly Commended status as one of Scotland Loves Local’s High Street Heroes; and also congratulates Kirkcaldy businesspeople Amanda Allan of Heavenly S