2,484 ingested motions from United Kingdom. Year filters use the introduced date shown on each card. Walk years back as far as this source still publishes.
That this House congratulates comedian Chris McCausland for his outstanding victory as the first blind contestant on Strictly Come Dancing, alongside his dance partner Dianne Buswell; commends McCausland for his determination and warmth, which endeared him to millions of viewers, with more than 8 million watching the final; acknowledges that McCausland, who lost his sight due to retinitis pigmentosa, overcame significant challenges throughout the competition; celebrates his inspiring victory speech, in which he dedicated his win to his professional partner and to all those who had been told they could not achieve their dreams, where he also identified the three key elements for his success as opportunity, support and determination; recognises the positive impact his victory will have for people with disabilities, with charities such as the Royal National Institute of Blind People and Guide Dogs UK praising his achievement as a landmark moment for diversity and inclusion; further acknowledges the vital conversations sparked by McCausland’s success, particularly around dispelling myths about disabilities; calls for continued support for initiatives that promote greater inclusion of people with disabilities; and echoes the Changing Attitudes, Changing Lives report in calling for the Government to implement a Disability Employment Strategy that will improve employer attitudes and increase the number of blind and partially sighted people in work.
That this House recognises that events abroad can and do have an impact on community tensions and cohesion in the UK; condemns rising levels of antisemitism and Islamophobia; regrets that a number of inter-faith networks and initiatives have broken down in recent months; praises the leadership shown by faith and community leaders in St Albans who have made a joint statement entitled 5 Principles for Dialogue: why Jews and Muslims refuse to be enemies and are working together to educate, counter misunderstanding and forge community cohesion in the city and neighbouring areas by jointly attending schools and community events; welcomes the formation of the St Albans Interfaith League (SAIL); congratulates SAIL on the launch of the podcast A is for Abraham - Muslim, Jewish, Christian points of view; and calls on the Government to actively engage with and promote new inter-faith initiatives with a view to emulating them across the UK.
That this House notes that multiple e-commerce sites are arranging for sellers in GB to stop selling to Northern Ireland because of the impediments and cost of the EU's General Product Safety Regulation; and calls on the Government to stand up for Northern Ireland businesses whose supply chain depends on GB, for Northern Ireland consumers who depend on GB, and for GB small businesses who should have the same opportunity to trade with NI as any other part of the UK, by asserting the rights and primacy of the UK internal market over foreign EU rules.
That this House celebrates the Christmas season; remembers the true purpose of Christmas as a time to celebrate the greatest gift of God towards those he created; is mindful of the wonderful work carried out by those who love Christ in charitable and community work throughout the year; and urges the general public to use the opportunity to tell people near and dear that they are loved as we seek to emulate Christ in giving freely of ourselves for others.
That this House notes with concern that the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme is due to expire in March 2025; notes that the scheme enables congregations of all faiths to recover the Value Added Tax costs of vital repairs to their listed buildings, making it the most universal and accessible source of relief; also notes that almost half of all Grade I listed buildings in England are historic churches; acknowledges that for 23 years the grant scheme, run by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, has provided a vital lifeline to congregations throughout the UK as they struggle to raise sufficient funds to repair their historic places of worship; recognises the success of the scheme in maintaining places of value to local communities and the nation’s heritage for future generations, such as St Mary Magdalene Church in Barwick, East Corker Village Church, and Holy Trinity Church in Yeovil; also recognises the scheme has received cross-party support across successive governments; and calls on the current Government to ensure the renewal of the scheme as a matter of urgency.
That this House recognises with gratitude the outstanding dedication and service provided by Sage House Dementia Hub in Tangmere; commends its bespoke, modern, and functional approach as a community hub that brings together local dementia support services under one roof; notes with concern the latest statistics showing that one in three people will, at some point in their lifetime, care for someone with dementia, with 944,000 people currently living with dementia in the UK, a figure projected to rise to over 1.6 million by 2040; further notes that the Sage House model has demonstrated its capacity to cut the cost of dementia care by 38%, improve quality of life for those living with dementia and their families, and has the potential to save the NHS £1.5 billion annually if rolled out nationally; celebrates its success in West Sussex and its potential as a blueprint for community-based dementia care across the UK; and urges the Government to support the wider adoption of this innovative model to ensure better outcomes for individuals living with dementia and their carers while delivering significant cost savings to the NHS.
That this House notes the contribution of the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace; recognises the tournament's positive impact on the festive sporting and television schedule; and further recognises the importance of darts to the sporting and cultural life of our nation.
That this House notes with alarm the rising levels of squalor and disrepair in prisons, with the National Audit Office estimating the maintenance backlog has doubled to £1.8 billion in the past four years; further notes with alarm recent reports by the Independent Monitoring Boards highlighting how broken and outdated windows make it easy for drones to deliver drugs and weapons, while prisoners are bitten by rats and venomous false widow spiders, yet there is little accountability when maintenance providers’ performance falls short; believes that the privatisation of prison maintenance a decade ago is at the heart of this shameful situation, with profit-hungry contractors and a corporate-style GovCo formed after the collapse of Carillion driving a dangerous race to the bottom in living and working conditions across the prison estate; welcomes the recent agreement by ministers that all options need to be looked at in order to ensure the best possible value for money for the public purse, but recognises that outsourcing of prison maintenance has proved to be a false economy, with the taxpayer picking up the tab for contractors’ costly failures; and calls on the Government to cancel plans for retendering these contracts and to bring all prison maintenance back in-house at the earliest opportunity, in keeping with its pre-election pledge to oversee the biggest wave of insourcing for a generation.
That this House recognises the profound but often uncelebrated impact of adequate public toilet provision, enabling mobility, promoting dignity and ensuring the accessibility of public spaces to everyone, particularly the elderly, people with disabilities and families with young children; and congratulates Bedford Borough Council’s recent investment in public toilets in Russell Park.
That this House notes with grave concern the ongoing human rights abuses perpetrated by the Myanmar military; recognises the urgent need to restore democracy and uphold the rights of the people of Myanmar; acknowledges the pivotal role of the UK as the penholder on Myanmar at the UN Security Council; calls on the Government to take immediate and decisive action by recognising the National Unity Government of Myanmar as the legitimate government of the country, pressing for an international arms embargo to prevent the military junta from accessing weapons, and accelerating the implementation of targeted sanctions against the financial interests of the junta; further calls on the Government to work in concert with international allies to delegitimise the military junta and make clear that its actions are unacceptable; and urges the Government to strategically support emerging democracies and democratic movements worldwide, including in Myanmar, Sudan and Iran, to counter the global trend of authoritarianism and strengthen democratic governance.
That this House recognises with gratitude the outstanding dedication and service provided by Misters Harminder and Hardip Sembi to the community of Maidenhead over the past two decades as operators of the Highway Avenue Post Office; commends their unwavering commitment to supporting local residents and fostering a sense of community; wishes them every success in their future endeavours; and expresses its appreciation for the invaluable contributions of all community champions who run small shops, post offices, and similar establishments, acknowledging their essential role in sustaining and enriching the social fabric of our communities.
That this House expresses its concern about the practice of cuckooing, which is when people take over a person’s home and use the property to commit crimes; notes that cuckooing commonly facilitates crimes involving drugs, weapons and sexual exploitation; recognises that cuckooing is often a hidden crime that targets the most vulnerable in society; acknowledges the work the Government is doing to identify instances of cuckooing through the county lines programme; believes that national and local government agencies should do more to raise awareness of cuckooing so that the public is better able to see the signs of this cruel exploitation when it takes place in their community; and calls on the Government to examine whether a new criminal offence is required to clamp down on cuckooing.
That this House congratulates Cirencester Signpost, based in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, and serving the South Cotswolds, on being awarded the prestigious King’s Award for Voluntary Service on the occasion of HM The King’s Birthday, 14 November 2024; recognises the invaluable work of Cirencester Signpost in providing support in accordance with Christian principles to relieve poverty and assist those in need within the Cirencester and South Cotswolds community; commends the dedication and efforts of its volunteers, who are among the 281 volunteer groups from across the UK recognised for their exceptional contributions to society; notes the significance of this award as the highest honour given to volunteer groups in the UK; and calls on the Government to continue supporting voluntary organisations like Cirencester Signpost, which play a vital role in addressing poverty, promoting community well-being, and fostering social cohesion across the country.
That this House extends its warmest congratulations to Elizabeth Lily Tucker of Bangor on the occasion of her 100th birthday on 18 November 2024; notes her celebration at the Welcome Centre at St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Bangor, surrounded by family, friends, and the congregation; acknowledges the significance of receiving a card from His Majesty King Charles III to mark this incredible milestone; commends her lifelong commitment to her family, community, and church; and joins in celebrating her legacy of kindness, dedication, and inspiration to all who know her; recognises the participation of St Andrew's Sunday School, Kids4Jesus, in presenting Lily with heartfelt artwork made by children, showcasing the intergenerational bonds of the church community; and wishes her continued good health and happiness in the years ahead.
That this House notes the work of the emergency services and first responders in the wake of Storms Bert and Darragh; acknowledges that resources for emergency services remain under immense pressure; further acknowledges that future incidents of poor weather and flooding will become more common due to the impacts of climate change; calls on the Government to set out a clear framework for support for communities in the wake of such incidents; and praises the work of local authorities in helping those affected to rebuild.
That this House congratulates Dr Peter Mackay on being appointed Scotland’s new Makar; notes that Dr Mackay’s appointment as Scotland’s Makar, the National Poet for Scotland, is a historic milestone because he is the first Makar to write primarily in Gaelic; celebrates the deep connection to Scotland’s linguistic and cultural heritage that this appointment symbolises; understands that Dr Mackay is currently a Senior Lecturer at the University of St Andrews and notes that now, as the Makar, he will also be tasked with producing work reflecting significant national events and fostering a deeper appreciation of poetry throughout the country; and wishes Dr Mackay all the best for this role and for the future.
That this House notes with concern the ongoing industrial dispute at Livv Housing Group; further notes that this dispute follows Livv Housing workers facing years of real terms pay cuts; notes the unprecedented cost-of-living crisis faced by Livv Housing workers, including soaring prices of essentials like food and energy; expresses concern that the failure to reach an agreement in the dispute is impacting services for the 13,000 properties managed and maintained by Livv Housing across Liverpool City Region and the North West; expresses further concern about allegations that Livv Housing has engaged in tactics that undermine collective bargaining and trade unions; recognises that the trade unions representing Livv Housing workers, Unite and Unison, are eager to reach a resolution to the dispute; notes that Livv Housing recorded significant surpluses in recent years and reportedly had reserves of £110 million as of March 2024; and therefore calls on Livv Housing to enter into meaningful negotiations with trade unions to resolve the dispute and give workers a fair deal.
That this House congratulates sporting hero Julie Fleeting on her induction to the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame; recognises Julie’s exceptional achievements as a professional footballer, having won 17 major trophies with Arsenal, 121 caps for Scotland, and being the first Scot to play as a full-time professional in the US women’s game; notes that Julie also represented Scotland in basketball and was awarded an MBE in 2008; admires Julie’s talent as a professional footballer, which has seen her star for teams such as Ross County, Arsenal, Celtic and Valur, as well as her native team Kilwinning; praises her many years of service to North Ayrshire as a physical education teacher at Auchenharvie Academy, Stevenston, where she has been teaching since 2008; and understands that Julie’s incredible career is a testament to her remarkable determination, skill, and commitment to sport.
That this House notes that at least 18,000 civilians have already been killed by the bombardment and siege of Gaza alongside an escalating death toll in the West Bank; further notes that 60 per cent of buildings in Gaza have been flattened and hospitals and schools bombed, food, water and medical supplies denied; notes that civilians are being forced into a smaller and smaller area without shelter or aid and that civilian death is escalating through starvation, disease and lack of medical treatment as well as from bombing and shooting; and calls upon the Government to immediately implement a Palestinian Visa Scheme, based upon the Ukraine Visa scheme, that allows those with family in the UK to be given safe passage to the UK and to be allowed to join their families here.
That this House acknowledges the centenary year of St Aidan’s Episcopal Church, Clarkston; welcomes this milestone marking 100 years of the Church playing a pivotal role in the local community; joins the congregation in commemorating this important anniversary; notes that a special centenary service of thanksgiving and commemoration took place on Sunday 3 December at which the Rt Rev Kevin Pearson, Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway preached; recognises the importance of St Aidan’s Church to the community and the broad range of open, welcoming activities which the Church is involved in locally; appreciates the continued care of the congregation for the local community and those further afield; and wishes all involved with St Aidan’s Church the very best for the next 100 years at the heart of the local community.
That this House recognises the importance of the Life in the UK test for applicants and their concern that if something goes wrong they may face severe delays to their settlement, the risk of deportation, the loss of their livelihood and separation from their families; notes with concern that the Government has failed to publish details of adjustments and alternatives to the test for those unable to complete it due to long term mental or physical health conditions; is dismayed by reports of lost evidence and delays to applications and further that the Home Office does not record data relating to requests for exemptions; expresses distinct unease that the Home Office many not be able to monitor its compliance with equalities duties without such information; regrets that the Government has failed to address the concerns in the House of Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee report dated 28 June 2022; and urges the Government to review the functioning of the Life in the UK test, consider means of making the test fully accessible to disabled candidates, publish a range of reasonable adjustments available to candidates who need them and urgently monitor and report on the extent of processing delays and errors for applicants requiring adaptions and take steps to address them.
That this House expresses its admiration for the courage displayed by the women leading the Long March to Islamabad from across Balochistan to raise awareness of the disappearances, abductions and killings associated with the operations of Pakistan's Counter Terrorism Department; notes that there have been violent attacks on the marching protesters by the Police; and calls upon the Government to raise its concerns about the violation of fundamental human rights against the people of Balochistan with the Pakistani government.
That this House remembers the Harrods bombing which took place on 17 December 1983, in which a car bomb placed by the IRA took the lives of three police officers, three civilians and injured more than 90 people; highlights the 37-minute warning which did not give enough time to clear the area on the Saturday before Christmas Eve, the busiest shopping day of the year; expresses our sincere and continuing sympathy to those who live without a loved one and those who live with the physical and emotional impact of that dreadful atrocity designed to take lives and injure as many as possible in the lead up to Christmas; and condemns utterly the actions of the IRA and Sinn Fein who defended them and continue to attempt to justify and eulogise those who engaged in despicable life changing activities.
That this House congratulates Hopscotch Theatre Company, based in Govan in Glasgow South West constituency, on their award of a £24,010 grant from the People’s Postcode Lottery; understands this funding will be used to put on their production of Plop! In the Ocean, which is an ancient Greek comedy for children aged between eight and 12; notes that the show was created using the diaries and experiences of Sarah Mooney, former Roald Dahl Foundation storyteller, sailing across the Atlantic Ocean with a group of twelve female-identifying scientists who were studying the impacts of plastic pollution and ocean toxicity on our seas; supports the aims of the production to educate children and young people, in an age appropriate way, about the dangers of plastic pollution to our oceans and the small everyday actions we can all make to change this; further supports Hopscotch Theatre Company’s plan to tour the production to thirty primary schools in Edinburgh and the North East of Scotland, with each school receiving an hour long performance of Plop! along with a creative resource pack to support pupils learning before and after the production; and wishes Hopscotch Theatre Company good luck with their production and success in all its future endeavours.
That this House celebrates the centenary of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society (RCDS); notes that the RSCDS was founded on 26 November 1923 in what is now the Hardrock Cafe, formerly the Atheneum, on Buchanan Street in Glasgow; appreciates that the RSCDS aims to grow a vibrant worldwide community of Scottish dance and music through local organisations who teach and encourage participation in Scottish country dancing; notes that the RSCDS has 160 branches in Scotland and around the world, including in Australia, Austria, Canada, England, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Northern Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Russia, South African, Sweden, the US and Wales, as well as 235 affiliated groups which include Dundee, Cambridge, St Andrew's, Edinburgh and Oxford universities; acknowledges that the RSCDS also publishes dance books and recording music, creating an archive for the future as well as providing valuable resources to those dancing today; is grateful to the initial founders Mrs Ysobel Stewart, Mr Michael Diack and Miss Jean Milligan for their work in ensuring Scottish country dancing has continued to thrive 100 years after their initial meeting; and wishes all involved in the RSCDS the very best for the future.
That this House congratulates the Parish of St.Bernards R.C. Church, Nitshill, Glasgow on its 60th Anniversary; notes a number of events were carried out throughout the year, including a special mass conducted by Archbishop William Nolan, Archbishop of Glasgow on 3 December 2023; congratulates all in the parish for this significant anniversary; and sends them our best wishes for the years ahead.
That this House welcomes the publication of the Members of Parliament (Oil and Gas Companies) Bill on 13 December 2023; supports the Bill’s aims of prohibiting Members of Parliament from working for or receiving any financial or other benefit from oil and gas companies as well as its call for the divestment of the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund from oil and gas companies; notes that the world faces a climate emergency that has been driven by the fossil fuel industry; further notes that the science is clear that it will be impossible to limit global heating to 1.5°C without the phasing out of all fossil fuels; also notes that for decades fossil fuel companies and their lobbyists have used their financial and political influence to delay, weaken and undermine climate action to protect their profits; believes that as with the tobacco industry in the past, the damaging influence of the fossil fuel industry on democratic processes poses a huge risk to the public; and believes this Bill can play a positive role in creating the necessary firewall to protect democratic institutions and political decision-making from fossil fuel industry interference.
That this House celebrates St Leonards School in St Andrews, Fife for being named Scottish Independent School of the Year for Academic Performance 2024 (A-level) by The Sunday Times’ Good Schools Guide 2024; recognises this ranks the co-educational boarding and day school above every other Scottish independent secondary school; acknowledges that St Leonards were also named Top Independent School in Scotland for IB/A Level results in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2022; and commends the teachers, students and the Head of St Leonards, Simon Brian for their hard work and dedication in order to achieve this award.
That this House celebrates Pratis Barns on winning the Fife and Tayside Venues award at the Your Scottish Wedding Awards in November 2023; understands Pratis Barns is a luxury events venue which specialises in weddings with in-house service such catering headed by Chef Calum and onsite events manager Louise; recognises the owners Nicola and Patrick Gilmour’s commitment to sustainability, such as past couples donating wedding decorations and props that can be re-used to avoid creating waste; commends Business Gateway Fife’s support for Pratis Barns through the Expert Help and Fife Investment Fund; notes that this award is a result of the Gilmours and their team’s passion and dedication for the venue; and welcomes the contribution of Pratis Barns and other hospitality businesses to the local community.
That this House recognises the essential contribution of all staff across the Parliamentary Estate, including, but not limited to, cleaners, caterers, chefs, kitchen stewards, baristas, doorkeepers, clerks, library support specialists, tour guides, police and firefighters, as well as those in Parliamentary offices and Departments, such as the Speaker’s office, the Serjeant at Arms, Health and Wellbeing, Service Delivery, Maintenance, Visitors Assistants, Porterage, Workspace, Members Services, Heritage, Accommodation, Governance, Parliamentary Health and Safety, Broadcasting, Project, Renewal and Restoration, Learning and Development, and Diversity and Inclusion; accepts that, without them, Parliament could not function; notes the vital role they therefore play in ensuring this institution runs safely and efficiently and in upholding our democracy; and acknowledges that all deserve to be respected for their important contribution and treated equally with dignity, kindness and respect.
That this House notes that an annual statement is read out in the Dail to welcome Santa Claus into Irish air space; further notes that the Civil Aviation Authority does not make a similar gesture; recognises the importance of Santa Claus to children; and calls on the Government to acknowledge the contribution of the idea of Santa Claus to Christmas.
That this House expresses its dismay at the number of children in poverty in the UK; believes that as the UK is one of the richest countries in the world, it is shocking that 29% of children in our country are living in poverty and that 71% of those children live in a household where at least one person works; notes the recent UNICEF report which found that child poverty levels in the UK were the worst among the world’s richest nations and have increased faster than all other rich nations; highlights that child poverty has increased because of the huge programme of public service cuts enacted since 2010, the current cost of living crisis and policies such as the two-child limit on claiming welfare benefits; and calls on the Government to tackle child poverty by extending child benefits and restructuring our economy to deliver for working families and children.
That this House congratulates Rotary St Helens on the 100th anniversary of its formation in 1923; notes its commitment to the borough through volunteering, charitable work and community activities; commends it on receiving the Kings Award for Voluntary Service in its centenary year; and wishes its members well as they continue to put Service Above Self locally, nationally and globally.
That this House notes with concern the huge variance in local NHS spending on children’s hospice and palliative care in England, as found in the recent freedom of information requests published by the charity Together for Short Lives; is concerned that the amounts spent by each NHS integrated care board (ICB) varied by as much as £483 per child or young person in 2022-23; is also concerned by the lack of understanding among ICBs on the number of children who need palliative care or the numbers accessing services; calls on the Government to urgently confirm how and when the £25 million NHS England Children’s Hospice Grant will be distributed in 2024-25; further calls on the Government to direct NHS England to hold ICBs to greater account for the way in which they commission children’s palliative care; asks the Government to direct NHS England to ensure ICBs work with neighbouring ICBs in their region to plan and fund children’s palliative care services; and also calls on the Government to commit to a dedicated long-term strategy in the NHS mandate that addresses the palliative care needed by children and young people.
That this House notes with sadness the passing of Councillor Hanzala Malik, who represented Hillhead ward on Glasgow City Council, whose death at the age of 67 was announced on Thursday 14 December 2023; further notes that Councillor Malik served for two periods on the City Council, from 1997 to 2012 and again from 2017, and served as a Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Glasgow Region between 2011 and 2016; notes the many tributes to Councillor Malik that have been paid from across the political spectrum and the wider community in Glasgow, recalling his dedicated service to his local community in Hillhead as well as championing equality, diversity and social justice across the city and region as a board member of the West of Scotland Regional Equality Council; and sends its deepest sympathies and condolences to his family and friends at this sad time.
That this House congratulates Glasgow Rangers for their victory over Aberdeen which has secured them the Viaplay Cup; highlights the tremendous game that was played as Rangers seek to keep their head down and their focus sharp; and wishes them every success in their league and cup goals this year.
That this House notes with concern the announcement by Lloyds Banking Group to close the Bank of Scotland branch on Byres Road in the West End of Glasgow; further notes that the branch has been a long-standing and much-valued presence on the street, and that its closure represents a further significant reduction in the availability of branch-based banking services to the local community, following the closure of other major retail bank branches in recent years; expresses concern about the impact of the closure especially on older, more vulnerable or less computer-literate customers who may have to travel further at greater expense to access alternative provision; and calls on Lloyds Banking Group and the Bank of Scotland, if not willing to reconsider this decision, to ensure that affected customers are fully consulted, engaged and supported in order to be able to use banking services that meet their needs in the future.
That this House acknowledges that to meet net-zero targets significant new electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure will be required; notes that the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero published a revised National Policy Statement (NPS) EN-5 in November 2023, with the aim of setting policy guidance for the required new infrastructure; recognises that there is significant opposition to traditional pylon development for electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure; notes that many European countries are undergrounding new and old infrastructure which may maintain public support for net-zero targets; queries whether cable-ploughing technology offers a way to underground electricity cable infrastructure at a minimised cost and with reduced impact; calls for the removal of paragraph 2.9.20 from NPS EN-5 and a reversal of the Government’s position that overhead lines should be the strong starting presumption for electricity networks developments in general; calls on the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to commission an expert panel to investigate the different undergrounding technologies now available, such as cable ploughing, and to assess the costs and impact comparisons and the feasibility and viability comparisons of all alternative technologies, types and methods available for conveying electricity for transmission and distribution; further calls on the Department to revise and formulate policy on pylons versus undergrounding for conveying electricity once the expert panel has reported and to re-issue guidance accordingly; and also calls on the Government to set aside Government time for a debate on electricity transmission and distribution policy.
That this House expresses concern over the current honours system, which gives power to the Government and its senior Ministers to recommend candidates; highlights the potential misuse of the system as a result, noting the findings of an Electoral Reform Society report, which found that 65% of the public believe that party donors can effectively buy honours; and calls for an overhaul of the honours system, to ensure that big money stays out of the system and that the awarding of political honours is independent and weighted towards the contribution of ordinary British people.
That this House notes that tooth decay is one of the most common causes of hospital admission in young children, despite the fact that it is a largely preventable disease; expresses concern that, according to Government statistics, as of 2022, 23.7% of five year-olds in England experienced dentinal decay, with notable regional disparities, ranging from 19.1% in the South West to 30.6% in the North West; highlights that, in 2022, children living in the most deprived areas of the country were almost three times as likely to have experience of dentinal decay as those living in the least deprived areas; further highlights that poor oral health in children can lead to school absenteeism and that, as the Government has stated, it can cause pain and infection and affect a child’s ability to eat, smile and socialise; calls on the Government to urgently develop a comprehensive national children’s oral health strategy to secure a healthier future for children in England; believes that such a strategy should be led by the Department of Health and Social Care and that there should be collaboration with other Government departments and a wide range of stakeholders, including specialist paediatric dentists, in developing the strategy; and further believes that the strategy should commit to investing in oral health promotion initiatives, that it should outline clear goals to reduce waiting times and should focus on targeted preventive measures, early intervention, and improved access to high-quality dental care for all children, regardless of socioeconomic status or location.
That this House notes the shortage of specialist paediatric dentists in the UK and the prolonged waiting times for children's dental procedures; highlights that specialist paediatric dentists provide comprehensive oral healthcare for children and adolescents, including those with special care needs; further highlights that they undergo three years of additional specialist training, gaining expertise in child psychology, growth and development, pharmacology, pathology, oral diseases, and advanced diagnostic and surgical procedures; draws attention to data which indicates that there are only around 200 full time equivalent specialists in paediatric dentistry working in the UK and that, to meet the demands of the population, there needs to be approximately triple this number; believes that this shortage worsens health inequalities, disproportionately affecting disadvantaged children who are more than twice as likely to face oral health issues than those in the least deprived areas; further believes that timely access to paediatric dental care is a fundamental aspect of children's health and wellbeing; expresses disappointment that the recent Government-backed NHS Long Term Workforce plan makes no specific reference to specialist paediatric dentistry; and calls on the Government to urgently address the shortage of specialist paediatric dentists and improve accessibility to dental care for all children.
That this House expresses its deepest condolences following the death of Lady Prue Penn at the age of 97; understands that Lady Prue’s father was born in St. Andrews and that she spent time living in Carnbee, situated in the East Neuk of Fife; notes her impressive accomplishments working at the Foreign Office and for MI6 in a male-dominated era; acknowledges her services to the royal family as a close friend of the late Queen Elizabeth II, a former lady-in-waiting to the Queen Mother, and a confidante of Princess Margaret; understands this loss is felt widely; and expresses sympathy to her friends and family following the sad news of her passing.
That this House congratulates North East Fife music venue Letham Nights on their nomination for Club of the Year in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards on Saturday 2 December at Dundee’s Caird Hall; understands Letham Nights brings small gigs to Letham Village Hall; recognises they are a member of Scotland’s Green Arts Initiative who promote sustainability; commends them for using their profit from gigs to make Letham Village Hall carbon neutral; celebrates that this is a platform for local talent to shine and local businesses to sell their alcohol and food; and notes the venue opened in 2008 and this nomination is testament to the founders and local community’s support.
That this House is aware that workers at Defence Equipment and Support (DE and S) at Beith in North Ayrshire, an arm’s length body of the Ministry of Defence, are continuing strike action for improved pay and conditions; notes that this strike action is unprecedented, the first in the history of that organisation, and backed by 93 per cent of members; is concerned to hear that non-craft workers preparing arms for shipment at the depot, face discrimination in the payment of bonuses, relative to craft workers who assemble munitions; rejects the fact that retention payments are made to managers and craft workers, while non-craft colleagues earning less than £21,000 a year have been excluded from retention bonuses; understands that the operation of the facility is vital in ensuring the uninterrupted supply of equipment to UK armed forces and the Ukrainian frontline as it fights to protect its territorial integrity and freedom in the face of Russian aggression; is mindful of the fact that the striking workers have not undertaken this action lightly; believes it is essential to stand with these workers who reject a two-tier workforce and support their action for a fairer and more equal working environment where the work of all those at DE and S is respected and recognised with a bonus scheme which is fair to all workers at the site; and calls on the Ministry of Defence to urgently intervene to ensure a fair resolution to the industrial dispute.
That this House celebrates the life of community activism and dedication to others of Kay Latimer and mourns her passing on 18 November 2023; notes Kay’s life of service as a nurse both in England and in Scotland; recalls her care for terminally ill people through her work with the Marie Curie Hospice and latterly her nursing of the elderly and people living with dementia; further notes her passion for sharing her knowledge and skills; celebrates the many younger colleagues who benefited from her support and guidance; recognises her dedication to Balerno Parish, her pastoral care for parishioners, her work as an Elder and the training and support she provided across the Presbytery; gives special recognition and thanks for her pioneering work in Balerno supporting people living with dementia and their carers through the establishment of the People with Advanced Loss of Memory, or PALM, Café and through her enthusiasm and drive spreading this model of dementia care to the neighbouring parishes of Currie and Juniper Green in part through The Meeting Place Community Cafe; gives thanks for the formation of her charity Dementia Friendly Pentlands which fights to improve the quality of life for families and unpaid carers and the people they care for; extends condolences to Kay’s family, her wide circle of friends and all those who continue to benefit from her legacy of devotion and care for others; and is certain she will be missed.
That this House acknowledges the invaluable work carried out by the Graeme Ramage Football Academy in Alexandria in supporting the local community; understands that the Academy provides coaching to over 150 kids and adults each week, which contributes to the health and wellbeing of the local community, and also works closely with Daniel's Wish to support children with complex support needs; notes that this year Graeme and his team are holding a Christmas toy appeal to support over 1,000 families in the area, which is an increase from the 300 families last year; further notes that many local companies have given their support to this appeal which is a testament to the impact of Graeme's work in the community and how well thought of he is; also notes that in addition to supporting families, the Christmas toy appeal will also support local organisations such as Food For Thought, Women’s Aid, West Dunbartonshire FoodShare and many others; and wishes to put on record sincere thanks to Graeme and his team at the Academy for their dedicated service to the local community.
That this House notes with huge concern the figures from National Energy Action which has estimated that the total number of households across the UK in fuel poverty increased from around 4 million in summer 2020 to 6.7 million in October 2022 and expects it to reach 7.5 million households by April 2023; further notes that the Government’s estimates are even higher, estimating that 8.8 million households in England could be classed as fuel poor by the end of 2023; highlights that the number in fuel poverty could continue to increase, as the fuel poverty gap continues to grow, from £338 per fuel poor household in 2022 to a projected £443 in 2023, noting that this would be a new record high, beating the previous record of £354 in 2010; in addition notes that currently five million people are in debt to their energy supplier; raises concerns over the regional spread of fuel poverty, with 17.5% of households in fuel poverty in Yorkshire, compared to the English average of 13.2%; and calls on the Government to urgently protect the most vulnerable in our society and introduce a Emergency Energy Tariff.
That this House expresses its deep concerns about the future of local government funding and the cuts which have been imposed on local authorities by the Government, which on average amount to a 40% decrease in funding; highlights the comments made by some council leaders who have expressed their concerns about how difficult the financial situation could get, particularly those of Wakefield Council leader Denise Jeffery who has said Wakefield could face financial hardship by 2027 without better investment; notes the SIGOMA report which showed that the most deprived council areas have seen three times the cuts at the richest; and urgently calls on the Government to properly fund and invest in local government.
That this House acknowledges the decline in manufacturing in the UK; notes that the number of manufacturing jobs has fallen from 7.8 million in 1971 to 2.3 million in 2022; further notes that most of these cuts to manufacturing have occurred in the North of England, with nearly a million manufacturing employees in Yorkshire in 1971 and only 280,000 such jobs in 2022; also notes the recent Two Nations report by the Social Justice Commission which stated that a key driver of low pay is de-industrialisation, which left a vacuum of good jobs that paid a medium to high wage; and calls on the Government to rebalance the economy and tackle the regional dimension of low pay as well as investing in manufacturing jobs across the country.
That this House expresses its dismay at the number of children in poverty in the UK; believes that as the UK is one of the richest countries in the world, it is shocking that 29% of children in our country are living in poverty, with 71% of children growing up in poverty living in a household where at least one person works; notes the recent UNICEF report which found that child poverty levels in the UK were the worst among the world’s richest nations and have increased faster than all other rich nations; highlights that child poverty has increased because of the huge programme of public service cuts enacted since 2010, the current cost of living crisis and policies such as the two-child limit on claiming welfare benefits; and calls on the Government to tackle child poverty by first extending the two child limit and also by restructuring our economy to deliver for working families and children.