Early Day Motions

WELCOMING ELECTRICITY NETWORK INVESTMENT IN RURAL SCOTLAND

That this House congratulates Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) on its work in the Highlands and Islands helping to keep the lights on and ensuring that vulnerable customers are supported in the event of a power cut; recognises that while the north of Scotland network is resilient 99

IMPORTANCE OF JOURNALISM IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST

That this House celebrates the importance of investigative journalism in the public interest; believes that a free press is critical to the health of democratic society and that freedom of expression is a fundamental human right; is concerned by the arrests of National Union of Journalists members B

FORTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ELPIS CENTRE

That this House congratulates the Elpis Centre based in North Glasgow on its 45th anniversary; recognises the valuable accommodation service that it provides to homeless and vulnerable young women aged 16-25 years in the Ruchill area of the city; understands that the charity provides space for nine

FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF BOWHILL SWIMMING POOL

That this House congratulates everyone at Bowhill swimming pool on the occasion of the pool’s 50th birthday; thanks Fife Sports and Leisure Trust and all the dedicated staff at the pool for ensuring that the facilities have remained an integral part of the community over the years, particularly foll

NORTHERN IRELAND CIVIL SERVICE AGENCY STAFF

That this House expresses concern about the use of agency staff to fill vacancies in the Northern Ireland Civil Service at a cost of more than £30 million in the last two years; and calls on the Northern Ireland Civil Service to fill the vacancies with permanent staff through a major recruiting prog

BEMIS SCOTLAND

That this House congratulates BEMIS Scotland on the finale of their Year of Young People 2018 and Scottish Winter Festivals 2018/19 events that was held in the New Auditorium of the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Saturday the 26 January as part of the world renowned Celtic Connections Festival; consi

OPPORTUNITY MARS ROVER

That this House commends NASA’s Opportunity Mars Rover at the end of its incredible 15-year mission exploring the surface of the red planet; understands that the last communication from the six-wheeled solar-powered robot came on 10 June 2018 just before it was enveloped by a dust storm; acknowledge

EASTER WEEKEND LAKES LINE CANCELLATION

That this House notes that Easter is one of the busiest seasons for tourism in the Lake District; further notes that the Lake District is the country's second most popular tourist destination bringing in £2.7 billion a year; recognises that a significant number of tourists access the Lake District v

UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW CIVIC UNIVERSITY AGREEMENT

That this House welcomes the announcement by the University of Glasgow reaffirming its pledge to work in the interests of Glasgow and Scotland by making the economy and quality of life in the community top priorities; understands that the university has joined 30 other institutions in committing to

CÈILIDH CÒMHLA FOR WOODLANDS COMMUNITY CAFÉ AND PROJECT ELEA

That this House welcomes the collaboration between the Woodlands Community Café, which provides community meals in Glasgow, and Project Elea which supports refugees in the ELEONAS refugee camp in Athens; recognises the success of the Cèilidh Còmhla that took place in Glasgow in November 2018, which

FRIENDS OF INCHYRA PARK

That this House commends the efforts of Friends of Inchyra Park in Grangemouth, an action group that aspire to improve the community’s wellbeing and civic pride through its usage; recognises the recent orchard planting as a first step in the park’s rejuvenation that will serve as a place of recreati

ANIMAL WELFARE STANDARDS (No. 2)

That this House welcomes the assurances from Government that animal welfare standards will be maintained or improved in the event of the UK leaving the European Union and that animal sentience will be recognised in UK law; urges the Government to table the Animals Welfare (Sentience) Bill without fu

SCOTCH WHISKY EXPORTS

That this house commends the Scotch whisky industry for their remarkable success in hitting record high exports last year; recognises the significant contribution this industry brings to the UK economy with exports of £4.7 billion; highlights the role Diageo, based in Edinburgh West, has played in t

HYPED technology

That this House congratulates the University of Edinburgh’s Hyperloop team, HYPED, for their remarkable success in several international competitions; acknowledges their innovative work in developing Hyperloop technology, a new form of transportation, which could make a significant contribution to t

CHANGES TO THE PENSION CREDIT SYSTEM

That this House expresses concern with the Government’s plans to change the pension credit system which could lead to an increase in pensioner poverty; is dismayed that the Government has decided that pension credits will from now on, only be available to couples where both partners have reached pen

CUTS TO CHILDREN'S SERVICES

That this House calls on the Government to reverse its cuts to children's services; believes that local councils are being forced to close children's centres as a result of cuts to grants from central Government; believes that these closures put pressure on other public services such as social servi

BLACKPOOL FOOTBALL CLUB AND THE EFL

That this House notes the decision of the High Court on February to place Blackpool FC into receivership because of the failure of the owners to carry out its instructions; notes that despite the crises produced as a result of this and the conflicts by the previous owners picked with supporters, the

FUEL POVERTY AWARENESS DAY 2019

That this house notes that Fuel Poverty Awareness Day is on 15 February and commends the work of the National Energy Action charity and Energy Action Scotland in working to end fuel poverty and promote Fuel Poverty Awareness Day; further notes that there is strong cross-party recognition on the need

ANNIVERSARY OF M62 IRA BOMBING

That this House notes the 45th anniversary of the M62 bombing which killed 12 people on a coach including a father and mother and their two sons aged five and two; expresses again the most sincere sympathies to the families of those who still grieve and those who were injured; reaffirms absolute con

LOWER EARNINGS LIMIT

That this House recognises that the Government's 2017 pledge to remove the Lower Earnings Limit (LEL) would provide a boost for the retirement pots of low-income workers; understands that the Government has given only a vague timescale commitment to lower the threshold in the mid-2020s; believes tha

GORDON BANKS

That this House notes with deep sadness the passing of Gordon Banks OBE; remembers with fondness the greatest save ever in footballing history with the agility he was renowned for; and extends deepest sympathy to the family of Gordon Banksy who was a national treasure and an international legend.

KHOJALY MASSACRE

That this House extends condolences to the people of Azerbaijan as they commemorate the 27th anniversary of the Khojaly massacre on 26 February; reflects on this atrocity, committed against citizens of Azerbaijan amid conflict in the region; and supports calls for a resolution to the conflict, which

DETENTION OF WOMEN'S RIGHTS ACTIVISTS IN SAUDI ARABIA

That this House is very concerned about the continuing detention of Saudi women's rights activists, including Loujain al-Hathloul, Aziza al-Yousef, Eman al-Nafjan and Samar Badawi, many months after their arrests in 2018; is extremely alarmed by allegations that some activists have been subjected to

REGISTRATION FEES AT THE HEALTH AND CARE PROFESSIONS COUNCIL

That this House notes that the Health and Care Professions Council plans to increase its registration fees by 18 per cent from October 2019; believes that this increase is effectively a tax on practicing, as those who are regulated by the HCPC must pay this annual fee in order to continue doing thei

ANIMAL WELFARE STANDARDS

That this House welcomes the assurances from Government that animal welfare standards will be maintained or improved in the event of the UK leaving the European Union and that animal sentience will be recognised in UK law; urges the Government to table the Animals Welfare (Sentience) Bill without fu