Early Day Motions

Heating oil prices

That this House notes with concern the sudden and severe rise in heating oil prices as a result of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, with prices almost trebling in a week; recognises that around a third of rural households rely on oil-fired heating and already face higher levels of fuel pover

Water bills

That this House notes with concern the news that the Competition and Markets Authority has agreed to allow water companies including Anglian, Northumbrian, Southern, Wessex, and South East Water to increase bills by an additional 3% on average, compared with the amount agreed by the regulator Ofwat;

Fruit and vegetable aid scheme

That this House regrets the Government’s decision to close the fruit and vegetable aid scheme in December 2025; further regrets the lack of clarity for the sector about funding arrangements beyond this date; understands this scheme previously supported increased productivity and innovation in the se

Support for farmers

That this House recognises with deep concern the Chancellor’s 2025 Spending Review decision to cut the DEFRA budget in real terms by 2.3% annually, with a real terms cut to the farming budget of around £100 million; understands budget cuts will have potentially devastating consequences for the envir

Implications for rural communities of the Autumn Budget 2024

That this House recognises the vital contribution that British farmers make to our economy, environment and food security; understands that the farming industry has suffered from the botched trade deals that the former Conservative Government negotiated and the poorly managed transition to environme

Zero carbon homes

That this House believes that all new homes should be built to a zero carbon standard; urges the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to grant local councils and national park authorities the powers to enforce the future home standard for all new homes; calls for all new

Gambling harms

That this House notes the crisis caused by gambling harms, with approximately 2.5% of the adult British population suffering from problem gambling and a further 11.5% experiencing a lower level of harm or elevated risk; further notes with deep concern that an estimated 1.2% of 11 to 17-year-olds are

Reform of monetary limits on charity lotteries

That this House acknowledges the role played by Britain’s charity lottery sector in providing some £450 million in vital funds for good causes each year at no cost to the Government; recognises the unique nature of charity lottery fundraising, which is centred on long-term, unrestricted giving; ackn

Speech and Language Therapy for Autistic Children

That this House recognises that speech and language therapy is currently failing many autistic children and young people in England; notes that hundreds of autistic individuals and their families have shared lived experience testimony demonstrating that their specific communication needs are not bei

Proportional representation for general elections

That this House believes that the first past the post system should be replaced with a system of proportional representation for elections to the House of Commons.

Mental Health Awareness Week 2026

That this House recognises that Mental Health Awareness Week, coordinated by the Mental Health Foundation, is between 11 and 17 May 2026; notes that the theme for this year is action; believes that, while awareness is vital, real change comes when people take action too; further believes that indivi

Madeley Parish Council elections 2026

That this House notes that the 2026 Parish Council Elections in Madeley, Newcastle-under-Lyme scheduled for 7 May 2026 were uncontested; acknowledges the work of all parish councillors who served in the previous term led by the Chair of the Parish Council, Cllr Stephenson and the Vice Chair of the P

Direct train connection between Stoke-on-Trent railway station and Manchester Airport

That this House supports calls for the establishment of a direct train connection between Stoke-on-Trent railway station and Manchester Airport; notes the benefits this would bring for businesses operating in Newcastle-under-Lyme, the City of Stoke-on-Trent and across North Staffordshire; recognises

Dunfermline in Scottish Cup Final

That this House congratulates Dunfermline Athletic Football Club on reaching the Scottish Cup Final which will take place at Hampden Park on 23 May; notes that this is the first time the club have reached the centre piece of the Scottish football season since 1968 when they won the trophy, winning 3

Care for people with depression and bipolar disorder

That this House notes that depression and bipolar disorder are major causes of disability, with substantial implications for patients' quality of life; further notes the impact of depression and bipolar on employment opportunities, the UK economy and the NHS; recognises that although innovative trea

Ember wins Scottish Street Food Award

That this House congratulates Duncan McLachlan on being named champion at the Scottish Street Food Awards; notes that his live fire food truck, Ember, regularly operates across St Andrews and North East Fife constituency with regular pop-up locations; recognises Duncan has over 20 years of experienc

81st anniversary of VE Day

That this House notes with gratitude, and respect, the 81st anniversary of VE Day on Friday 8th May 2026; commemorates Victory in Europe on 8 May 1945, the day Nazi Germany officially surrendered to Allied Forces; gives thanks to the generation of women and men who sacrificed so much for the freedom

The Right Rev. Lord Harries of Pentregarth

That this House notes with the greatest sadness the death of the Right Rev. Lord Harries of Pentregarth on 29 April 2026 at the age of 89; gives thanks for his remarkable service to the Church and to public life in the UK and across the Commonwealth and particularly for his commitment to interfaith

Foster Care Fortnight 2026

That this House recognises Foster Care Fortnight from May 11 to May 25; acknowledges the extraordinary contribution foster carers make and the work they do to ensure children can grow up in safe, loving and caring homes; observes that foster carers improve outcomes for children and that increased st

Dairsie Primary School teacher award

That this House congratulates Shannon Smith of Dairsie Primary School in North East Fife on being awarded a Primary Science Teacher Award by the Primary Science Teaching Trust; notes that this prestigious UK-wide award recognises exceptional commitment to STEM education and that being shortlisted is

Former Councillor Ruth Wright

That this House notes with appreciation the service of Ruth Wright to the people of Newcastle-under-Lyme since her first election to Newcastle-under-Lyme District Borough Council in 2014; acknowledges her service to the people who live, learn and work in Newcastle Town Centre and the surrounding com

Former Councillor Lilian Barker MBE

That this House notes the results of the Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council 2026 Elections; recognises with appreciation the service of Lilian Barker MBE to the people of Chesterton and to Newcastle-under-Lyme since her first election to Newcastle-under-Lyme District Borough Council; and wishes Li

Conviction for speech within a safe access zone

That this House notes a recent Court case in Coleraine, Northern Ireland, where a retired Baptist Pastor was convicted of speaking in July 2024 at a dual carriageway across from Causeway Hospital, which was within a Safe Access Zone; acknowledges that these zones were established for the purpose of

Funding for rural Britain

That this House expresses deep concern at the defunding of rural Britain; notes that the local government settlements, health provision and energy policies of this Labour Government are massively harming Britain's most rural communities; highlights the major cuts to council spending that will be req

Outdoor learning specialist apprenticeships

That this House regrets the proposed defunding of the Level 5 Outdoor Learning Specialist Apprenticeship from 1 September 2026; recognises that this apprenticeship prepares practitioners to design and deliver outdoor learning programmes that support educational achievement, children’s wellbeing, enr