Early Day Motions

Protecting free access to cash

That this House calls on the Government to take urgent action to protect free access to cash for people across the UK, which the UK’s largest cashpoint network, Link, has warned will collapse within two years without immediate intervention; understands that since January 2018, one in five free to us

Closure of the HMRC office at International House in Ealing

That this House notes that the pressures on HMRC arising from the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, including the possibility of greater variation in customs and tariff arrangements, makes it imperative that retention of staff expertise is prioritised; further notes that the proximity of HMRC’s Ealing of

Shawlands Academy SP Energy Networks Warriors Championship

That this House congratulates Shawlands Academy for winning their semi-final of the 2020 SP Energy Networks Warriors Championship; recognises that the school won eight of their 12 matches, losing just two and scoring a total of 56 tries; notes that Glasgow Warriors’ official Community Partner, SP En

Six Nations Rugby broadcasting rights

That this House notes press reports that rugby union's Six Nations tournament could be put behind a TV pay wall after decades on free to air public broadcasting services; believes the annual tournament should be placed in the Government's Category A of sporting events which must be made available li

Home Office ruling and the adverse impact on non-EU players

That this House is concerned by reports that changes by the Home Office to Tier 4 visa regulations have adversely impacted many teams in the Scottish Women’s Premier League and potentially those in other sports; notes the changes have resulted in non-EU international students already studying in the

Television coverage of Six Nations tournament

That this House notes with concern that Six Nations organisers have refused to rule out the possibility of the tournament going behind a £300 million pay per view paywall in 2022 following the start of a new broadcast rights period; believes that by ruling out joint bids by terrestrial broadcasters

East Lothian resident's 106th birthday

That this House wishes Ella Vlandy, East Lothian's oldest resident, a very happy 106th birthday; notes that Ella celebrated her birthday on 6 February 2020 surrounded by family and friends in East Lothian at the Dirleton Arms; and sends Ella all the very best wishes.

Exposure of workers in drive-through restaurants to air pollution

That this House is concerned by the investigation carried out by BBC One’s Inside Out programme screened on 24 February 2020 into the levels of exposure to air pollutants experienced by workers in drive-through fast-food restaurants; notes that research by Professor Anitha K Chinnaswamy of the Cent

Effect of the bedroom tax on foster carers

That this House notes that 56,160 children were living with foster families in 2019; further notes that the under-occupancy penalty (the so-called bedroom tax) was introduced in April 2013 under the Welfare Reform Act 2012; condemns the bedroom tax policy; expresses concern about the bedroom tax’s e

Death of Harry Gregg

That this House notes with great sadness the passing of Northern Ireland and Manchester United Legend Harry Gregg; highlights the bravery of Mr Gregg who, at the Munich air disaster, ran into fire to save team mates and women and children; further highlights the wonderful sportsman he was and wonder

World Obesity Day 2020

That this House notes World Obesity Day 2020; recognises that weight stigma has a negative effect on the lives of people with obesity and exacerbates levels of obesity overall; understands that action is needed to change the way people view obesity to recognise that it is not always the fault of the

Best British kebab

That this House congratulates Besnik Hajdari, owner of The Frying Scotsman in Musselburgh for being the only East Lothian business shortlisted for the Best British Kebab Award 2020; and wishes him every success in the competition.

Community Fund Awards in Edinburgh West

That this House congratulates the Edinburgh West community groups which have received over £170,000 in grants from The National Lottery Community Fund; acknowledges that the four grant recipients make a meaningful difference by providing new opportunities for people to lead and thrive in their commu

97th anniversary of Newtownards Baptist Church

That this House notes the 97th anniversary of Newtownards Baptist Church; further notes the tremendous community spirit that has been shown in the church over the years with their youth work, support network for young mothers, ministries with the elderly and the faithful preaching of the gospel ever

Fury's victory

That this House notes the victory of Tyson Fury over his competition, Deontay Wilder on 22 February 2020; congratulates Mr Fury on the tremendous level of work that he has put in to overcome his addiction issues and to get back to fighting fit; and wishes Mr Fury every success as he considers his ne

International law and trade with illegal Israeli settlements

That this House recognises the publication of the UN’s database of companies operating in Israeli settlements; acknowledges that all Israeli settlements are illegal and that the transfer of a civilian population to an occupied territory is a war crime under international law; notes that complicity i

Higher Education pay and working conditions

That this House notes that workers in Higher Education (HE) have suffered a 17 per cent pay cut since 2009, a 15.1 per cent gender pay gap and a 26 per cent black and minority ethnic pay gap; further notes that in some Higher Education Institutions, 40 percent of staff are employed on temporary or c

Pink Tax

That this House highlights that it is unacceptable that in 2020 women and girls pay more than men for basic products, including toiletries, clothes, and haircuts; notes that products marketed at women are, in some cases, 34 per cent more expensive than those aimed at men; further notes that the unfa

Scottish Women's Hockey team winners of EuroHockey Championship II

That this House notes that the Women's EuroHockey Championship II took place in Glasgow in August 2019; notes that the Scottish Senior Women's team, captained by Kaz Cuthbert, won the championship after beating Italy 2-1 in the final; believes that the success of women's hockey in Scotland creates p

Community language services

That this House notes that community language services help provide young people with an understanding of their first language and culture, raise educational attainment, celebrate diversity and linguistic plurality, and promote social cohesion across communities; is concerned that, at a time when ma

Kingsbarns Distillery success

That this House congratulates Kingsbarns distillery whose Dream to Dram whisky was named Best Lowlands Scotch in the 12 years and under category at the World Whiskies Awards in February; notes Kingsbarns’ commitment to using local barley in their production process; further congratulates the distill

CuparNow success

That this House congratulates CuparNow’s success at the UK’s Good Retail Awards for digital impact; notes that the Digital Improvement District model used by the programme is unique; calls upon other communities around the country to adopt similar models; celebrates that CuparNow is backed by busine

Football mascot costs

That this House notes recent reports of the cost to families for young people to perform the role of mascot at top flight Premier League matches; regards some of the charging structures of between £400 and £700 for one game as exceptionally expensive, and calls upon the clubs to review charging so t

28th anniversary of the Khojaly massacre

That this House extends condolences to the people of Azerbaijan as they commemorate the 28th anniversary of the Khojaly massacre on 26 February 2020; reflects on this atrocity committed against citizens of Azerbaijan amid conflict in the region; and supports calls for a resolution to the conflict, w

Safe inside prisons charter

That this House notes with alarm the record-high levels of violence against prison staff, with over 10,000 reported annual assaults compared with less than 3,000 a decade ago; welcomes the new Safe Inside Prisons Charter launched by the Joint Unions in Prisons Alliance, a coalition of nine national