40 ingested motions from United Kingdom introduced in 2024. Year filters use the introduced date shown on each card. Walk years back as far as this source still publishes.
That this House commends the residents of Lavender Drive in Newton Mearns for their annual Christmas lights display, in memory of much loved, husband dad, and valued community member Fred Banning; recognises the work Fred Banning carried out during the pandemic in campaigning for the Scottish and UK Governments to consider prioritising those receiving palliative care for the Covid-19 vaccine, so that the terminally ill could make the most of their final days months; notes that Fred Banning received cross-party support on his campaign, and the backing of numerous charities; thanks the residents of Lavender Drive for the money raised each year for Cancer charities such as the Beatson Cancer Charity and Cancer Research UK; and further notes that the money raised for these charities is allowing them to carry out vital work caring for those with cancer and also fighting for a cure.
That this House condemns the Government’s refusal to provide any compensation to women affected by changes to the State Pension age, turning its back on millions of pension-age women who were harmed through no fault of their own; regrets Ministers’ decision to effectively ignore the recommendations of the independent Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman; recognises the damage done to our economy by the previous Conservative Government, but believes that Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) women should not have to pay the price of Conservative mismanagement; notes that the Liberal Democrats have campaigned for years for fair compensation of WASPI women in line with the Ombudsman’s recommendations; and calls on the Government to rethink this heartless decision and give those affected the fair treatment they deserve.
That this House notes with serious concern recent reports of high-profile individuals and international entities exploring avenues to influence UK political parties and elections, raising questions about the robustness of current electoral laws in preventing foreign interference; recognises the essential role of transparent and accountable political financing in preserving public trust in democracy and ensuring that elections remain free from undue external influence; believes that current electoral laws are outdated and inadequate in addressing the threats posed by modern financial and digital technologies, including cryptocurrency, which can facilitate anonymous or foreign donations; highlights the particular, imminent risks posed by wealthy international figures, who, while engaging in lawful activities, may inadvertently or deliberately influence domestic politics contrary to the principle of self-determination; urges the Government to urgently bring forward legislative reforms to strengthen electoral law, including the introduction of a cap on political donations, stricter limitations on overseas donations, mandatory transparency in the origin of political funds, and robust enforcement mechanisms; calls on the Government to work with the Electoral Commission and other relevant bodies to adapt regulatory frameworks to address emerging challenges to democratic integrity in the digital age; and affirms the UK's commitment to safeguarding democracy by ensuring that elections are free, fair, and reflective of the will of the people without interference from foreign entities.
That this House supports the campaigns of women failed by the implementation of UK Government changes to the State Pension Age for women born after 6 April 1950 by way of the 1995 and 2011 Pension Acts; commends the work of campaigners who have fought tirelessly over many years for justice, accountability, and financial redress; notes the recommendations of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman report into the communication of State Pension changes in March 2024, that found maladministration by the Department for Work and Pensions, and recommended compensation at Level 4 of the ombudsman scale, £1,000 to £2,950; condemns the UK Government’s decision to refuse compensation for 1950s women despite that report’s recommendations, and despite acknowledging that maladministration did take place; is disappointed the 2019 promise that a Labour government would create a system of recompense for affected 1950s women has been broken; and calls on the UK Government to reverse this decision, and finally deliver justice for the 3.6 million affected 1950s-born women.
That this House recognises the importance of eating a healthy and nutritious lunch; further recognises that poor diet is now the biggest risk for preventable disease, placing a huge strain on the NHS; notes that the number of food-secure households decreased by 2% according to the UK Food Security Report 2024; recognises the important role British farmers play in putting nutritious food on our plate, but is aware of the financial pressure food producers in the UK are currently facing; is worried further notes that 61% of farmers are concerned they will have to give up their farms within the next 18 months; and calls on the Government to ensure fairness in the food supply chain by strengthening the Groceries Code Adjudicator to protect consumers from unfair price rises and to support food producers.
That this House congratulates award-winning photographer, filmmaker, and zoologist, Sue Flood from Y Bala on being shortlisted for the People’s Choice Award in the Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition 2024; notes that Sue’s image of a Weddell seal resting on an ice floe in Antarctica is one of only twenty-five images chosen from an international entry of 60,000; further notes that Sue is the only UK woman finalist and the only finalist from Wales; recognises that Sue’s travels have taken her to hundreds of destinations across the globe, including the North and South Poles, that she spent eleven years at the BBC’s Natural History Unit, working on acclaimed series such as the Blue Planet and Planet Earth with Sir David Attenborough; acknowledges that Sue has won several prestigious awards including being awarded a Royal Photographic Society silver medal; and wishes Sue the very best in the competition.
That this House notes the success of Chris McCausland and his dance partner Dianne Buswell on their fantastic win on Strictly Come Dancing; highlights the representation that his participation in the show has brought to disability inclusion and that this will inspire many people to do something different and achieve goals they never thought possible; underlines that one in four people across the UK have a disability and that this will shed light on so many conditions; and congratulates Chris on his success and wishes him the very best for the future.
That this House congratulates the Talent 25 programme, led by Dr. Bertha Ochieng at De Montfort University and funded by Arts Council England, which promotes creativity in babies and young children through free workshops in Leicester; recognises the programme’s 25-year longitudinal study measuring the impact of early arts exposure on young people’s life chances and future engagement in the arts; supports Dr. Ochieng's research highlighting the need for inclusive, affordable, and intercultural arts in early years programmes; and calls on the Government to adopt best practices from Talent 25 and fund similar initiatives in deprived areas to promote diversity, culture, and creativity among young people.
That this House recognises the importance of the international human rights framework which underpins the international rules-based order; notes that to mark this year’s International Human Rights Day, the UN has highlighted the critical role of human rights as a preventative, protective and transformative force for good; celebrates the human rights achievements of UK Parliamentarians working with inspiring civil society organisations and activists, including securing the release of wrongfully imprisoned individuals, such as Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori; further recognises the Government’s commitment to building support for victims of gender-based violence in conflict and of modern-day slavery; further notes that UK Parliamentarians have a key role in taking this impressive legacy forward to further justice and democracy, and to support human rights defenders; and also recognises the Government’s commitment to international law and human rights internationally.
That this House commends the hard work of Fraserburgh Academy pupils on projects to inspire new growth in education; recognises their success in representing Scottish schools on a recent visit to Paris to attend the OECD summit; celebrates their successful international collaboration with students from Gunma Province in Japan; applauds their decision to travel by train to reduce their carbon emissions; and further commends their initiative in meeting a senior representative from the Japanese Embassy.
That this House condemns the escalating violence and democratic backsliding in Georgia, including the disproportionate use of force by Georgian authorities against peaceful protesters, journalists, and opposition figures; expresses concern at the arbitrary detentions of civilians, suppression of peaceful assembly, and anti-democratic actions; notes with concern the Georgian Government’s disregard for constitutional and legal norms; further condemns potential foreign interference in Georgia’s democratic institutions; calls on the Government to demonstrate solidarity with the Georgian people by pressing for the protection of democratic and political rights, and working with international partners, including the EU, to investigate the irregularities of the latest elections; and further calls on the Government to follow the actions of the United States and formally suspend the United Kingdom’s strategic partnership with Georgia.
That this House expresses its grave concern over the ongoing use of sexual violence as a weapon of war in Sudan, where women are subjected to systematic rape and sexual abuse by armed groups; condemns the growing reports of women resorting to suicide in an effort to escape the horrific prospect of rape; notes that these atrocities are not only a breach of human rights but also violate international law, including the Geneva Conventions; urges the UK Government to take immediate steps to support international efforts to end impunity for those responsible for sexual violence in conflict; calls for urgent humanitarian aid and psychological support for the survivors of such violence; and further calls on the Government to press for stronger international sanctions against those perpetrating and enabling these crimes, and to advocate for the inclusion of sexual violence in conflict as a priority in peace negotiations.
That this House acknowledges the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria, which has resulted in immense suffering for millions of people due to conflict, displacement, and violations of human rights; reaffirms the principle of self-determination as a fundamental right of all peoples, including the Syrian people; stresses the importance of a Syrian-led political solution, with the full participation of all Syrian communities, to ensure lasting peace and stability in Syria; supports the establishment of transparent, democratic processes within Syria with free and fair elections that respect the political, cultural, and religious diversity of the Syrian population, including marginalized groups; and urges the international community to work together to provide humanitarian aid and support for the rebuilding of Syria, ensuring that the rights and sovereignty of the Syrian people are respected throughout this process.
That this House expresses grave concern over Israel’s military incursions in Syria, including its illegal invasion of sovereign Syrian territory, specifically in the region of Mount Hermon; condemns Israel’s use of an earthquake bomb in its recent attacks, the impact of which was felt on the Richter Scale, which has caused significant damage and loss of life, and is an unacceptable and illegal form of warfare; expresses concern over the ongoing illegal occupation of the Golan Heights, which Israel continues to control despite international condemnation; highlights the creation of a buffer zone around the Golan Heights by Israel as a violation of international law; and notes that Israel’s actions have been widely condemned by regional powers, for exacerbating the already fragile and volatile situation in Syria and undermining efforts for peace and stability in the region.
That this House expresses deep concern over the environmental consequences of Israel’s military actions in the region, particularly in relation to the bombing of Gaza, Lebanon and Syria, and its contribution to climate change and environmental degradation; notes that Israel’s use of explosive weapons, including airstrikes and bombs, has caused significant environmental damage, including the destruction of agricultural land, water resources, and has caused the contamination of soil with toxic chemicals which will have lasting effects; highlights that toxic emissions from bombs are exacerbating air pollution and contributing to climate change; acknowledges the environmental catastrophe caused by the destruction of forests, soil degradation, and contamination of water sources, which threaten both local ecosystems and the livelihoods of civilians; and urgently calls on the government to condemn these actions and push for international accountability for the environmental damage caused by the almost 100,000 tonnes of bombs that have been dropped by Israel in the past year alone.
That this House expresses its deep concern at the scale of violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland; notes with sadness that seven women have lost their lives this year alone, contributing to a total of 25 women murdered since 2020, with many of these killings occurring within their own homes; acknowledges the tragic loss of Karen Cummings in Banbridge, which has caused shock and grief within the local community, as well as the second anniversary of Natalie McNally’s murder in Lurgan, both of which serve as a painful reminder of the urgent need for action; recognises the devastating impact such violence has on families and communities; calls on the Government to work closely with devolved institutions to develop and deliver a joined-up UK-wide strategy to tackle violence against women and girls; urges action to address root causes, improve conviction rates, implement tougher sentencing for perpetrators, and provide greater support for victims; and commits to working towards a society where all women and girls can live free from fear and violence.
That this House commends dedicated Armadale resident and local postie David Reynolds for his bravery in the course of his work; praises his quick thinking and fast action to save the life of a woman found soaked through and collapsed in the snow; recognises the hard work of posties especially at this time of year in all weather; thanks posties for regularly going above and beyond their duty to work against loneliness and isolation; and thanks David Reynolds for his three decades of service and wishes him the very best in the future.
That this House celebrates the recent achievements of West Lothian College at the College Development Network College Awards 2024 where West Lothian College had the highest number of finalists from a single college in Scotland; understands the significance of West Lothian College winning the Sustainability Action Award for their Whole College Approach to Net Zero; praises the work of two particular individuals at West Lothian College, Raymond Bremner who won the Lecturer of the Year Award and Micole Cochrane for winning Professional Services Colleague of the Year Award; recognises the awards for which West Lothian College were nominated, the Health and Wellbeing Award, the Inclusive College Award and the Innovation Award; and praises Jackie Galbraith the Principal of West Lothian College for her fantastic leadership and the care that her staff show to their students, communities and environment.
That this House commends Dedridge Primary School in Livingston for receiving the ADHD Friendly School Award; recognises that this is a commitment to making Dedridge Primary a safe, nurturing, welcoming and exciting place, in which all learners with ADHD can achieve their academic potential; celebrates the hard work of the staff who have undertaken additional training around Understanding and Supporting ADHD; appreciates the importance of awards like this for normalising neurodivergence and incentivising a more inclusive classroom for all children; and, finally, applauds Dedridge Primary School’s establishment of an Inclusion Group of pupil champions who inform and educate their peers and have succeeded in showcasing and promoting the positives of ADHD and other neurodivergent conditions throughout the Livingston constituency.
This House notes that Piccoloco in Newcastle-under-Lyme is a coffee shop, bar and kitchen run by father-son duo Jonathan and Benjamin Hill; congratulates the Hill duo on reaching the first anniversary of the opening of Piccoloco’s first premises on Hassell Street in Newcastle-under-Lyme town centre; recognises that the roots of the Piccoloco Coffee Shop grew out of the collective experience of the pandemic in February and March 2020, when the Hill family embraced coffee; further notes that, over the course of four years, Piccoloco has become a popular coffee shop in Newcastle-under-Lyme, leading to them winning the coffee shop of the year award at the LoveNuL Awards in 2023, all from a converted Piaggio Apé and, later, a converted horse trailer; acknowledges the success that Piccoloco had at the LoveNuL Awards 2024; and gives thanks for the important role played by Piccoloco in supporting and boosting the local economy in Newcastle-under-Lyme and North Staffordshire.
That this House welcomes the Closure Notice issued to the operators of Walleys Quarry landfill site in Newcastle-under-Lyme on Thursday 28 November 2024; acknowledges that the closure notice was issued after an independent and thorough investigation by the Environment Agency as the regulator; recognises the anger, frustration and the mental, physical and emotional impact on local people of the stink emitting from the site; notes that this decision will be welcomed by thousands and thousands of local people who have endured so much for so long; expresses deep appreciation to all those who live, learn and work in Newcastle-under-Lyme who campaigned in the rain, sleet and snow to stop the stink over many years; further acknowledges that the focus must now shift to the remediation and long-term safety of the site; further notes that the restoration of the site must be a priority alongside assessing its condition, addressing contamination, and ensuring it is safely managed for the decades ahead; reaffirms its commitment to ensuring the site is capped and maintained, with proper support in place to protect the community; and further recognises that above all this is a victory for local people in the Ancient Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme and across Staffordshire.
That this House congratulates Irish Community Services on its 40th anniversary in providing support for all parts of the community throughout the Boroughs of Bexley and Greenwich; highlights their work in supporting those who are struggling because of age, infirmity, financial difficulties or social isolation through hosting community events and offering home visits, practical advice and support; commends the work of Aggie’s café and the Irish Food Shop which offer a warm space and community support; thanks the volunteers and staff for their hard work; and wishes Irish Community Services all the best for the future.
That this House expresses grave concern over the ongoing humanitarian crisis and violations of human rights in Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territories; reiterates the urgent need for all parties to adhere to international law and the principles of proportionality in the use of force; calls for the UK Government to work closely with European partners to push for a sustainable peace settlement based on a two-state solution, where Israel and Palestine are recognised as independent, viable, and democratic states with secure borders based on pre-1967 lines; recognises the critical role of the European Union in fostering peace through diplomatic initiatives and humanitarian aid; urges the UK Government to adopt a policy of presumption of denial for arms exports to countries with poor human rights records, as identified in the FCDO’s Human Rights and Democracy Report; highlights the importance of ensuring that UK and EU arms exports do not contribute to violations of international law or exacerbate conflicts, including the Israel-Gaza conflict; and calls on the UK to prioritise collaboration with European allies to strengthen global accountability for human rights violations and uphold the values of liberalism, internationalism, and the rule of law.
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.