Session 2014-15
House of Commons
23rd October 2014
Notices of Motions for which no days have been fixed
('Early Day Motions')
The figure following this symbol is the number of Members who have added their names in support of the Motion, including the Member in charge of the Motion.
After an Early Day Motion (EDM) has been printed for the first time, it is only reprinted when names are added or amendments tabled; only the first six names and any names added since the last printing are included. After the week in which a Motion is first printed and the following week, added names and amendments appear only in a separate paper, Mature EDMs, distributed the next Thursday. In the meantime, they are available for inspection by Members in the Table Office and the Library or on the EDM database at edmi.parliament.uk
345 INTRODUCTION OF THE ROONEY RULE TO ENGLISH FOOTBALL 13:10:14
15That this House believes that the extremely low number of black and ethnic minority managers means that English football is missing out on a great deal of talent; notes the success of the Rooney Rule in ensuring that black and ethnic minority candidates are represented in the interview process for head coaching positions in the National Football League (NFL); recognises that this has led to a welcome increase in the number of black and ethnic minority coaches in the NFL; and calls for the introduction of the Rooney Rule into English football with immediate effect to ensure that the national game becomes more representative of the wider society.
349 HOMECARE WORKERS AND THE NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE 14:10:14
45That this House is shocked to note that the National Audit Office reported earlier in 2014 that up to 220,000 care workers in England are illegally paid below the national minimum wage (NMW); further notes that an investigation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) of care providers between 2011 and 2013 found that 48 per cent were guilty of non-compliance with the NMW; further notes that homecare workers in particular are consistently not paid for travel time or training, too often have illegal deductions made from their pay and are frequently put on zero-hours contracts to deny them their legal rights; recognises that these arrangements have a deleterious impact on quality of care through high turnover of staff and shortened care visits; calls for a statement from the Government on what measures it is proposing to tackle the illegal under-payment of homecare workers; strenuously suggests that HMRC launch a programme of proactive investigations into the sector to help end non-compliance with the NMW, with adequate resources to ensure a thorough and sustained effort; requests that the Government names and shames care providers and councils who fail to pay or commission the NMW as well as name and praise those care providers and councils who have signed up to UNISON's Ethical Care Charter; and further calls for a change in the law to make local authorities and care providers jointly and severally liable for non-payment of the NMW as well as the introduction of stringent regulations under the Care Act 2014 to ensure that care workers are paid at least the national minimum wage.
351 ERIC MORECAMBE STATUE 14:10:14
11That this House notes that on 11 October 2014 an individual tried to cut into and steal the Eric Morecambe statue in Morecambe; further notes that Eric had to be taken down by Lancaster City Council for safety reasons; deplores the acts of an individual who carried out this atrocious act; congratulates Lancashire Police for its swift action at detaining a suspect; further congratulates CEO Mark Cullinan and his team at Lancaster City Council for taking action to ensure the statue can be repaired by the sculptor, Graham Ibbeson, who originally designed the statue, as soon as possible, with full funding from the insurance company; and hopes that Eric can be restored and back on the promenade where he belongs by Christmas.
352 SAFEGUARDING JOURNALISTS AND THEIR SOURCES 14:10:14
26That this House is gravely concerned about recent reports that police forces have used powers contained in the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) to access journalists' sources and materials; notes that unlike requests made under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 there is no public record of these requests or their frequency, extent or even the existence of these applications, and there is no judicial oversight or independent process to grant permission to use these powers; further notes and welcomes the Interception of Communications Commissioner's new inquiry that will be asking all chief constables how many applications under RIPA have been granted since 2000 to access journalists' communications, and calls on these findings to be made public; shares the view of Gavin Millar QC that the use of such powers contravenes Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights on freedom of expression that enshrine the rights of journalists and news organisations; shares the concern of the National Union of Journalists and other press freedom and privacy campaigners that this constitutes an attack on the press which will make whistleblowers reluctant to speak to journalists and also make it more difficult to report in the public interest; and therefore calls on the Government to take urgent steps to legislate to ensure there are protections for professions whose communications must be subject to strict confidentiality.
353 PROSECUTION OF BANKERS 15:10:14
13That this House strongly agrees with the argument of the Governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, that banking directors and top executives should be made more responsible for any reckless behaviour because reforms to curb bank pay were not enough to prevent another financial crisis; and calls on the Attorney General and regulatory bodies to bring forward evidence to permit prosecution by the Crown Prosecution Service of senior bankers and ex-bankers who undermined the British economy by their reckless and irresponsible behaviour.
354 HERITAGE LOTTERY FUNDING FOR FIRST WORLD WAR CENTENARY COMMEMORATIONS 15:10:14
16That this House welcomes the Heritage Lottery Fund's (HLF) contribution to the commemorations of the First World War Centenary and recognises that that Fund has already invested over £60 million in projects, large and small, helping communities across the UK to mark the Centenary of the First World War; notes that the HLF will continue to make at least £1 million available per year until 2019 and will provide grants between £3,000 and £10,000 enabling communities and groups around the UK to explore, conserve and share their First World War heritage; and further welcomes this opportunity for people to deepen their understanding of the impact of the conflict and to mark the Centenary over the next four years.
355 GOOD MONEY WEEK 15:10:14
16That this House welcomes Good Money Week 2014, which takes place from 19 to 25 October 2014 and aims to raise awareness of sustainable and responsible finance options for everyone; celebrates the rebranding of the campaign from National Ethical Investment Week to make it more relevant and accessible; notes that research commissioned by the UK Sustainable Investment and Finance Association shows that 77 per cent of the public want clearer and simpler financial information from the Government and from businesses; further notes with concern that one in five people said they could not explain what a bank was; and urges the Government to recognise the positive impact responsible and sustainable investment practices can have on the economy, the environment and society as a whole.
360 EU DIRECTIVE ON SULPHUR CONTENT OF MARINE FUELS 15:10:14
12That this House notes that EU Directive 2012/33/EU regarding the sulphur content of marine fuels from 1 January 2015 will require ships in the Sulphur Emission Control Area to use fuel with a sulphur content that cannot exceed 0.1 per cent; further notes that the Sulphur Emission Control Area covers the English Channel, the North Sea and the Baltic Sea and therefore has a particularly adverse effect on the UK shipping industry in particular; considers that as a result fuel prices and the cost of shipping will increase; is concerned that these increased costs are likely to be passed on to the consumer and are already costing jobs in the shipping industry; further notes that jobs have already been lost in the shipping industry, that additional jobs are under threat, and that this is detrimental to coastal communities; further notes that the Government has been consulted on the implantation of this directive; and calls on the Government to demand exemptions to protect jobs in British shipping and British ports, reflecting that the UK is unique in the EU as an international maritime trading nation.
As an Amendment to Mr Bernard Jenkin's proposed Motion (Eu Directive On Sulphur Content Of Marine Fuels):
2Line4, leave out from second 'Sea' to end and add '; therefore looks forward to less sea water pollution and improved marine life; and highlights that the directive applies equally to all countries and its adoption should be encouraged in other continents.'. 16:10:14(a1)
361 CONTACT THE ELDERLY'S POWER OF CONTACT CAMPAIGN 15:10:14
29That this House shares Mother Teresa’s view that being alone and unwanted is the world’s greatest disease; endorses the view of the Secretary of State for Health that lonely and isolated people are a forgotten million who live amongst us, ignored to our national shame; notes that in the last 50 years Contact the Elderly has provided regular face-to-face contact via volunteers, currently numbering 7,000, from all walks of life, who give their time to create positive social change; further notes that Contact the Elderly’s regular renewal of friendship nationwide restores health and happiness, and saves taxpayer costs by reducing hospital and GP visits; further notes that there is much more to be done in expanding Contact the Elderly’s reach around the country to enable it to double the number of older people that it supports; and calls on hon. Members and the Government to support Contact the Elderly’s Power of Contact campaign to raise £1 million in the Golden Jubilee year to enable the charity to extends its vital hand of friendship to, and create face-to-face happiness links with, many more of the neglected million older people.
362 BLOOD BRICKS CAMPAIGN 15:10:14
38That this House notes with concern the conditions of brick labourers in India; emphasises the fact that many of these labourers see abuses of minimum wage rates and health and safety regulations; further notes that many work up to 16 hours a day; further notes that children as young as four years old are also working in these conditions; further notes that such labour is often bonded labour and that a recent BBC report brought to light examples of workers having their hands cut off when trying to escape; welcomes the work by Union Solidarity International in highlighting these abuses through its Blood Bricks campaign; highlights the 2011 UN and OECD guidelines specifying that multinational companies should have direct responsibility for human rights abuses anywhere in their supply chains; is concerned that these guidelines are not being enforced; stresses that any and every industry using new buildings in India should be under scrutiny; and calls on the Government to bring forward legislation to enforce these guidelines in UK law and to raise these issues in international negotiations.
363 FAIR TRIAL FOR GHONCHEH GHAVAMI 15:10:14
23That this House is extremely concerned over the current condition of Miss Ghoncheh Ghavami, a 25 year old British Iranian woman who has been detained since June 2014 by the Iranian authorities, after attending a protest outside an all-male volleyball match against the ban of women at such sporting events in Iran; notes that for long periods of her arrest without trial she had been in solitary confinement and without access to her family or a lawyer; and encourages pressure on the Iranian government to release Miss Ghoncheh Ghavami who has reportedly been on hunger strike since 1 October 2014, to ensure her safety and a fair trial.
364 CHURCH IN ALGERIA 15:10:14
11That this House recognises the continuing growth of the church in Algeria which owes a great deal to Lilias Trotter who followed her call from God to minister to Algerians and established the first church there; notes that 135 years on from Lilias' call to Algeria, the church is still flourishing; and recognises the fantastic impact that Lilias, as well as other pioneers, have had on current and future generations.
366 CITIZENS ADVICE SCOTLAND REPORT, VOICES FROM THE FRONTLINE: PERSONAL INDEPENDENCE PAYMENTS 15:10:14
20That this House welcomes the publication of Citizens Advice Scotland's report entitled Voices from the Frontline: Personal Independence Payments, which examines the roll-out of personal independence payment to replace disability living allowance; notes that claimants are having to wait an average of six months to receive a decision and in some cases over a year; further notes that such delays prevent people from receiving certain passported benefits, payment of some of which cannot be backdated; considers the cumulative impact of Government policy on disability benefits to have been damaging to many of the most vulnerable people in society; and urges the Department for Work and Pensions to take on board Citizens Advice Scotland's recommendations.
369 HIGHER RATE TELEPHONE NUMBERS USED BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS 16:10:14
17That this House welcomes the guidance from the Cabinet Office published in December 2013, on higher rate telephone lines to government departments stating that it is inappropriate for callers to pay substantial charges for accessing core public services; commends the government departments who no longer use higher rate telephone numbers; notes the Department for Work and Pensions as the least compliant with the guidance as it operates more higher rate lines than the other government departments combined and is in contact with some of the most vulnerable in society; calls on the Government and the Cabinet Office to set a deadline of 31 December 2014 for the phasing out of higher rate telephone numbers in all government departments; and further calls on the Government to ensure that arm's-length bodies and private contractors who deliver public services adhere to the same guidance as central Government.
370 NHS PAY 16:10:14
20That this House condemns the Government's decision to reject the Independent Pay Review Body's recommendation that all NHS staff receive a one per cent cost of living pay increase; recognises the incredible dedication and hard work of NHS staff in often difficult circumstances and is dismayed at the Government's decision to penalise public sector workers; recalls the Chancellor of the Exchequer's promise in 2012 that there would be a one per cent rise in public sector pay by 2015; regrets that the actions of the Government have restricted pay rises for nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants for over four years; notes that the NHS would have had a much better financial outlook had the Government not spent £3 billion on an unpopular and unsuccessful NHS reorganisation; and fears for the morale of the NHS workforce, which is the lowest it has ever been and the negative effect this will have on the aspirations of young people to become nurses, midwives or healthcare assistants.
372 EXPULSION OF UN HUMAN RIGHTS DIRECTOR FROM DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO 20:10:14
14That this House is gravely concerned by the continuing assault on human rights in Congo, and in particular the Kabila regime's decision to expel Scott Campbell, director of the UN's Joint Human Rights Office in Congo, for publishing a report implicating the Congolese National Police in the summary execution of at least nine civilians and the enforced disappearance of 32 others in Kinshasa between November 2013 and February 2014; notes that Save the Congo has described this as Kabila's latest attempt to silence human rights defenders in Congo; supports Save the Congo's call to the Minister for Africa to make urgent representation to the Kabila regime over these issues; and urges the Government to report to the House on the results of the representations as soon as practical.
374 CHILD ABUSE INQUIRY 20:10:14
13That this House notes the instigation of an independent inquiry into historic child abuse by the Home Office which aims to investigate concerns that public bodies and other institutions have failed in their duty to protect vulnerable children from sexual abuse; further notes that the terms of reference as set out by the Home Secretary propose that the inquiry will not take evidence from individual victims, instead collating previous reviews to produce a lessons learnt report; believes that, unless revised, this approach will severely compromise the ability of the inquiry to achieve its stated aims; calls for the terms of reference to be amended to focus on hearing evidence from survivors of organised abuse; further calls for the inquiry to include the creation of a dedicated police team at the National Crime Agency to take evidence alongside the inquiry to investigate and prosecute offenders; further calls for the inquiry to stipulate that it will hold those who have failed in their professional duty, covered up allegations, or been obstructive to account; and further calls on the Government to find a new chair of the inquiry who has palpably demonstrated its willingness to challenge all quarters of the establishment to ensure that it can achieve its aims of providing justice to the victims of historic child abuse.
375 EAST TIMOR MEDIA ACT 20:10:14
11That this House notes that the East Timor (Timor-Leste) Parliament has voted to create a Media Act governing press freedoms; further notes that this bans outlets from employing journalists who have not been approved by a government-funded panel; further notes that it would require all foreign journalists to submit to the approval of this panel before entering the country; recognises that these provisions amount to dramatic restrictions on the freedom of the press in East Timor; further notes that Article 41 of the East Timor Constitution explicitly guarantees freedom of the press; further notes that the President and Court of Appeal of East Timor have both found the law to be unconstitutional; further notes that the Parliament is now required to revise or withdraw the law; therefore condemns this law and supports the call of the National Union of Journalists and International Federation of Journalists for the Government to make representations to East Timor Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão stressing the need to respect the right of journalists to freedom of expression guaranteed by East Timorean and international law; and urges the Parliament of East Timor to withdraw the bill immediately.
376 UK PENSION SCHEMES INVESTMENT IN CLUSTER MUNITIONS 20:10:14
13That this House notes that the UK is a signatory to the Convention on Cluster Munitions; believes that the UK should not directly or indirectly support the manufacture of cluster munitions; further notes that the UK pension firms often make investments through third party funds managed by external bodies not bound by UK law; further notes that this includes the Local Government Pension Scheme; further notes that primary responsibility of local authority pension schemes is the return from investment; calls for the Government to investigate providing a framework to advise councils how to approach ethical issues; and calls on the Government to explore ways to prevent UK pension forms investing in the overseas manufacture of cluster munitions.
377 OCCUPY MOVEMENT IN PARLIAMENT SQUARE 20:10:14
8That this House notes with regret that, at a time when all political parties are encouraging greater democratic engagement, the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 is being used to prevent the use of Parliament Square by the Occupy movement as a venue for a week of discussion and debates on the nature of our democracy; further notes with concern that the Act and local byelaws are being used to hinder this exercise in people's democracy by banning the use of amplification, banners and even tarpaulins for participants to sit on; calls for a halt to arbitrary and disproportionate police action; and urges all the relevant authorities to co-operate with Occupy to facilitate rather than hinder democracy on Parliament's doorstep.
379 GOUGH WHITLAM 21:10:14
15That this House deeply regrets the death of Gough Whitlam, the former Labour Prime Minister of Australia; notes his rare blend of principle and pragmatism exemplified by his withdrawal of Australian troops from Vietnam; further notes his dismissal by the Governor General under Crown powers; expresses the hope that Mr Whitlam's legacy and memory will long be cherished and celebrated; and offers condolences and sympathy to his family and many friends.
As an Amendment to John Cryer's proposed Motion (Gough Whitlam):
1Line3, after 'Vietnam;', insert 'acknowledges that indigenous affairs was a policy area the Whitlam government prioritised, empowering indigenous people via a policy of self-determination, land claims, and other social justice issues.'. 22:10:14(a1)
380 CARERS IN THE UK 21:10:14
23That this House is aware that there are currently more than six and a half million carers in the UK providing unpaid care and support to ill, older or disabled relatives and friends, many of whom get no or only limited help to do so; notes that most have to give up work, either partially or completely, to fulfil their roles and consequently experience debt and financial hardship in their lives; realises that if they were to desist from their tasks it would cost the Government £326 million per day - £119 billion per year - to deliver these services; and calls on the Government to introduce measures to end carers' financial hardship, prevent carers' health breakdowns and to find other ways to help them in their magnificent endeavours.
381 MODERN LAWS FOR ANIMAL WELFARE 21:10:14
13That this House notes that legislation concerning the breeding and selling of animals in the UK needs updating to bring them into line with the Animal Welfare Act 2000 so as to significantly raise the minimum standards governing the breeding industries in Britain; and calls on the Government to introduce modern comprehensive laws to cease the illegal trade in animals, with improved enforcement, monitoring and a legal accountability set in stone to ensure proper welfare conditions apply to any breeder.
383 RESPONSE TO HOMOPHOBIA ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT 21:10:14
9That this House condemns the fact that a gay couple was ordered by a bus driver to leave a London bus as a result of their sexual orientation and that the couple were subject to sustained homophobic abuse; recognises that this is in direct contravention of the Equality Act 2010 which prohibits any sort of discrimination or victimisation in wider society including on public transport; welcomes the urgent investigation undertaken by TFL into this matter; and urges the Greater London Authority to conduct a thorough review of the level of equality and diversity training for the staff of all public bodies and executive agencies.
384 IMPROVEMENTS TO THE A1 CARRIAGEWAY 21:10:14
14That this House recognises the tireless work over many years of the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed to bring much needed improvements to the A1; notes the Government's decision last year to undertake a feasibility study into considering improvements to the carriageway north of Newcastle; further notes the economic and safety benefits that this would bring; and calls on the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, as the Minister responsible for infrastructure spending, to include funding for the dualling of the A1 in the forthcoming Autumn Statement.
385 BURN INJURY AWARENESS DAY 21:10:14
20That this House notes that 22 October 2014 marks Burn Injury Awareness Day which seeks to raise awareness of the damage caused by burn injury and encourage its prevention; recognises the important work that the British Burn Association does in the field of burn injury through disseminating knowledge in this area to the general public, researching the scientific, clinical and social aspects of burn injury and promoting education in all aspects of burn care; further notes that 330 people are seen in emergency departments with a burn every day in England and Wales, 110 of which are children and that burn injury often creates scars which surgery and treatment can never remove; and calls on the Government to invest in research into burn injury prevention and to improve support for those affected.
386 PANCREATIC CANCER AWARENESS MONTH 2014 22:10:14
8That this House notes that November 2014 is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month across the UK and that 13 November 2014 has been designated the first World Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day; congratulates all pancreatic cancer charities and their supporters for the various activities being carried out to raise awareness of the disease during November 2014, including Purple Lights For Hope which aims to light up as many public landmarks as possible on 1 November; recognises that pancreatic cancer is the fifth largest cause of cancer deaths in the UK and is predicted to overtake breast cancer as the fourth largest by 2030; further notes that 8,800 people are diagnosed with, and around 8,600 die from, pancreatic cancer each year; acknowledges that the disease has the worst five-year survival rate of the 21 most common cancers, at less than 4 per cent a figure which has remained virtually unchanged over the past 40 years; and urges the Government to do all it can to bring about long overdue improvements to pancreatic cancer awareness, diagnosis, treatment, care and research.
387 NATION OF LIFESAVERS CAMPAIGN 22:10:14
8That this House is aware that every year in the UK approximately 30,000 cardiac arrests occur outside a hospital environment, 80 per cent of which happen in people's homes, with only one in 10 of recipients surviving to be later discharged from a hospital; commends the British Heart Foundation's National Lifesavers Campaign which aims to train people, especially amongst the young, in life-saving (CPR) skills; and calls on the Government to give this organisation its full support and to take action to encourage schools to include such learning as part of all children's education.
388 EU PORT SERVICES REGULATION 22:10:14
9That this House notes the outcome of the latest EU Council of Ministers meeting on transport on the proposed EU Regulation on market access to port services and financial transparency of ports; further notes that it is the Government's stated preference, 'that proposals for regulation applicable to the UK in this area - in which earlier proposals have twice been rejected by the European Parliament - should not be taken forward'; also notes that the Government did not oppose the general approach text of the Regulation at the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council meeting on 8th October 2014 is concerned that the provisions and concessions secured by the Government in its negotiations may be removed by the European Parliament or undermined by the European Court of Justice and the European Commission; further notes that the UK port industry is not persuaded that the legislation is acceptable despite these concessions; further notes the continuing opposition of the UK port industry and trade unions to the proposed Regulation in its totality; calls on the Government to ensure that this proposal is debated and voted on the floor of the House, as recommended by the European Scrutiny Committee, within the next three weeks; and also calls on the Government to abide by the will of the House in all future legislative stages of this Regulation.
389 JEAN-BERTRAND EWANGA 22:10:14
5That this House expresses its gravest concern at the sentencing of the hon. Jean-Bertrand Ewanga, an Opposition Member of the Democratic Republic of Congo's Parliament, to one year of imprisonment on charges of insulting the President, the Government and Parliament, based on his declaration against the extension of constitutional presidential terms limits at a rally in August 2014; notes that Save the Congo considers him to be a prisoner of conscience, alongside the hon. Eugène Diomi Ndongala, on the basis of his opposition to the current government of Democratic Republic of Congo; and urges the Government to make representations to secure the immediate release of these parliamentarians and other Opposition prisoners jailed on politically-motivated charges in Congo.
390 SCIENCE IN SCHOOLS 23:10:14
1That this House is aware of the importance of science to the nation; notes, however, that in many schools, chemistry teachers do not even have a chemistry degree, there also being an acute shortage of specialist science subject leaders; further notes that evidence shows that teachers who have a specialist background in the subject they teach have a positive impact on a child's education, particularly in science; and calls on the Government immediately to invest in this sector to ensure children are offered science education at a more qualified and specialised level.
391 GOVERNMENT INVESTMENT IN SCIENCE 23:10:14
1That this House is aware that science helps to drive the UK's economy, with the nation being home to a number of extremely innovative high-tech small and medium-sized enterprises and companies, and our universities being well regarded for their production of world class research, while also at the same time delivering high levels of education and training for the benefit of both national and regional companies; notes, however, that UK investment in science has been held flat since 2010 whilst our international competitors are actively and strategically increasing their overall spend in these areas; and urges the Government immediately to make a long-term commitment to our knowledge and economy by raising its investment in research and development to at least that of the EU average by the end of the next Parliament.
392 MODERN SLAVERY 23:10:14
1That this House believes that British citizens would prefer that the goods and services they purchase from UK companies were free as far as possible from involvement in aspects of modern slavery in either their production or supply; notes that the Government's current proposed legislation is limited in its objectives to ensure that UK supply chains are slavery-free; and calls on the Government, where necessary, to strengthen mechanisms to end this blight in our society.
393 DRIVING AND DIABETES 23:10:14
2That this House welcomes the new report from the Transport Research Laboratory on the forgotten risk of hypoglycaemia among drivers with type 2 diabetes; notes with concern its findings that drivers are not being provided with adequate advice to prevent hypoglycaemic incidents which, as a result of road safety risks associated with debilitating symptoms, can cause them to lose their driving licence and sometimes livelihood; further notes that hypoglycaemia is a side effect of certain types of oral medication for type 2 diabetes; and calls on the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, employers and health care providers to ensure drivers are receiving the right treatment and advice to prevent hypoglycaemia and manage diabetes effectively in order to keep them healthy and on the road.
394 ST MUNGO'S BROADWAY PAY DISPUTE 23:10:14
1That this House supports workers at the homeless organisation St Mungo's Broadway in defending their terms and conditions and the service that they deliver to some of the most vulnerable in our society; condemns the significant pay rises to the executive including one to the Chief Executive of over £30,000; contrasts this rise with a claim that front line pay must be removed from collective bargaining and cut by 19 per cent, thus ignoring the union representing the majority of the workforce and imposing these unnecessary changes via a retrospective consultation and following the provision of highly questionable financial information; notes that the future of supported housing should not be left in the hands of individuals who undermine front line worker pay whilst raising their own salaries and who attempt to justify this by claiming they are simply following the market; and calls on the executive and board of St Mungo's Broadway to honour their recognition agreement with Unite and act to resolve this dispute immediately.
395 FUEL POVERTY ACTION'S ENERGY BILL OF RIGHTS 23:10:14
2That this House welcomes the Energy Bill of Rights put forward by Fuel Poverty Action as people-centred proposals to end the scandal of fuel poverty; endorses the campaign for a right to affordable energy to meet basic needs, a right to community and publicly-owned energy generation, a right to energy that does not threaten the climate, water, air or the local environment, and a right to properly insulated, well-repaired housing; believes that these are reasonable, achievable goals offering a clear alternative to centralised profit-driven energy policy; welcomes in particular the proposed right not to be forced to have a pre-payment meter, which often leave vulnerable people in the cold and dark; further welcomes the demand for a fair energy pricing system without standing charges, which can hit the poorest hardest by imposing an unfair burden on people who use less energy to save money and cut carbon emissions; calls on the Government to recognise that, this autumn, many constituents are turning on heating for the first time and finding that, before they can access any gas, they must start paying huge arrears that built up over the summer while they were not using heating; and urges Ministers to consider the Energy Bill of Rights as part of a radically more ambitious approach to tackling fuel poverty and transforming our energy system in the public interest.
396 PRISON CRISIS 23:10:14
7That this House is concerned by recent reports regarding the rise of suicides in prisons in England and Wales over past 12 months; is alarmed that self-inflicted deaths have risen by 69 per cent in 2013-14 resulting in 88 deaths in custody - the highest level for 10 years; notes that the latest annual report by the Chief Inspector of Prisons, Nigel Hardwick, highlights the increasing pressures in the prison system caused by shortages of experienced staff and resources coupled with the growing size of the prison population; further notes that the Howard League for Penal Reform estimate that prison officer numbers are down by 41 per cent in public sector prisons since 2010; is aware that there has also been an increase of 14 per cent in the rate of assaults by male prisoners; believes that the rise in the prison population to almost full capacity has put unsustainable pressure on both staff and inmates; and calls on the Government to launch an independent enquiry into the current crisis in the prison system and to urgently commit to further staffing in all prisons in England and Wales to ensure the safety of prisoners and staff.