That this House recognises the extraordinary work of There But Not There, an art installation project which commemorates the fallen heroes of the First World War; notes that the project has raised £4 million for six military charities; further notes that £800,000 of the funds raised will be paid as tax to HM Revenue and Customs; recalls that four years ago the Government refunded a sum of £1.1 million to compensate for VAT paid on the sale of commemorative poppies from the Tower of London to support services charities; and calls on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to follow that previous example and refund VAT on all funds raised by There But Not There for the benefit of charities supporting UK veterans and serving armed forces and their families.

That this House recognises the extraordinary work of There But Not There, an art installation project which commemorates the fallen heroes of the First World War; notes that the project has raised £4 million for six military charities; further notes that £800,000 of the funds raised will be paid as...

That this House is concerned that the sale of membership of timeshare schemes and products often involves practices which are psychologically manipulative, use misleading information and unfairly exploit vulnerable, often elderly, consumers, leading to those consumers taking out very expensive borrowing commitments which they cannot afford; notes that the sale of membership of such schemes also ties consumers into very long-term commitments to pay large annual fees to the timeshare companies whether or not these consumers are able to make use of the schemes often leading to financial and emotional crisis and even physical illness; and is further concerned that the present UK legislative framework needs revising and improving to provide adequate protections from these practices and a method by which consumers can leave these schemes and bring their liabilities under them to an end.

That this House is concerned that the sale of membership of timeshare schemes and products often involves practices which are psychologically manipulative, use misleading information and unfairly exploit vulnerable, often elderly, consumers, leading to those consumers taking out very expensive borrowing commitments which they cannot afford; notes that the sale...

That this House notes that in the 2018 holiday season many hon. Members' constituents may be visiting countries where the likelihood of a carbon monoxide incident is far more common than in the UK; and urges all holidaymakers to purchase a portable carbon monoxide detector before embarking on their holiday.

That this House notes that in the 2018 holiday season many hon. Members' constituents may be visiting countries where the likelihood of a carbon monoxide incident is far more common than in the UK; and urges all holidaymakers to purchase a portable carbon monoxide detector before embarking on their holiday.

That this House acknowledges with great sadness the deaths of two young festival-goers after taking drugs at the Mutiny Festival in Portsmouth; notes that a further 15 people reportedly attended hospital with drug-related symptoms; regrets that such tragic and needless loss of life is an annual feature of the summer festival season; recognises the potential of drug testing services, which analyse the content and safety of recreational drugs, to reduce the risk of serious harm and death associated with drug use; further notes evidence from drug testing services such as The Loop which shows that many drug users decide not to take an illegal substance, or decide to take less than originally intended, after learning what it contains; strongly welcomes the announcement by Bestival that it will offer drug testing at this year's festival in an effort to prevent drug-related deaths; believes that drugs policy should be led by the overarching principle of harm reduction; and therefore urges the Government to work with local authorities, police services and festival organisers to facilitate and encourage the roll-out of drug testing at all summer festivals, in recognition of the fact that such a simple step will ultimately save lives.

That this House acknowledges with great sadness the deaths of two young festival-goers after taking drugs at the Mutiny Festival in Portsmouth; notes that a further 15 people reportedly attended hospital with drug-related symptoms; regrets that such tragic and needless loss of life is an annual feature of the summer...

This House notes that pubs are at the heart of communities across the UK; welcomes ongoing cross-party efforts to protect the British pub; acknowledges that an increasing number of pubs are diversifying in order to provide an ever more valuable and enjoyable offer to their customers; further notes that pubs provide employment for over 900,000 people and contribute £23 billion to the economy; however, acknowledges that latest research by the Campaign for Real Ale highlights that 18 pubs are still closing every week; recognises that recent changes in planning law and taxation have helped the industry, but more still needs to be done to help pubs; and therefore calls on the Government to take further steps to support pubs which reduces the tax burden will enshrine the valuable role the great British pub plays in UK society.

This House notes that pubs are at the heart of communities across the UK; welcomes ongoing cross-party efforts to protect the British pub; acknowledges that an increasing number of pubs are diversifying in order to provide an ever more valuable and enjoyable offer to their customers; further notes that pubs...

That this House commends the previous council administration in Northumberland for its profit for social purpose development company Arch and its formation of a charity called Active Northumberland to ensure that leisure and cultural provision in Northumberland was not damaged by significant cuts to the council's central government grant; notes that since 4 May 2017 there have been a number of changes to both Arch and Active; and calls on the Government to seek an independent review of the actions so far which have cost the council taxpayer over £36 million in connection with the changes at Arch and Active Northumberland.

That this House commends the previous council administration in Northumberland for its profit for social purpose development company Arch and its formation of a charity called Active Northumberland to ensure that leisure and cultural provision in Northumberland was not damaged by significant cuts to the council's central government grant; notes...

That this House notes that predatory purchasing of pubs by supermarkets remains a significant problem, with supermarkets targeting pubs due to permitted development rights that allow a pub to be converted into a supermarket without planning permission; further notes that these rights mean that communities and councils have no say over the closure of pubs or the imposition of supermarkets and is leading to the loss of viable and profitable pubs against the wishes of local communities and publicans; praises Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) branches around the country who work so hard to protect their local pubs, including against the threat of supermarket conversions; notes that the Cooperative are converting pubs to supermarkets against the wishes of communities up and down the country; notes the agreement between the CAMRA Head Office and the Cooperative signed in 2014; notes that a representative from the Cooperative gave a clear assurance to hon. Members in March 2016 that the Cooperative would no longer take at face value the word of pubcos on pub viability and notes with dismay that they have broken their word on this; notes that CAMRA's agreement is failing but also giving cover for the Cooperative to close and convert pubs; and believes that the continued existence of this failed agreement is letting down hardworking CAMRA branches and members and must now be ripped up by CAMRA Head Office who should instead act in the interests of pubs and CAMRA members and properly take the Cooperative to task for their deliberate destruction of viable pubs.

That this House notes that predatory purchasing of pubs by supermarkets remains a significant problem, with supermarkets targeting pubs due to permitted development rights that allow a pub to be converted into a supermarket without planning permission; further notes that these rights mean that communities and councils have no say...

That this House shares the concerns of the Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph and Theatre Union on the treatment of staff by Cineworld Cinemas; is concerned that Cineworld Cinemas staff do not all receive the Living Wage, as set by the Living Wage Foundation, company maternity or paternity pay, or company sick pay, despite Cineworld Cinemas reporting a post-tax profit of £83.8 million in 2015; is further concerned about lack of competition in the cinema industry following Cineworld Cinemas' acquisition of Empire Cinemas Ltd; and calls for Cineworld Cinemas to increase investment in worker welfare and pay all picturehouse staff the Living Wage, as set by the Living Wage Foundation.

That this House shares the concerns of the Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph and Theatre Union on the treatment of staff by Cineworld Cinemas; is concerned that Cineworld Cinemas staff do not all receive the Living Wage, as set by the Living Wage Foundation, company maternity or paternity pay, or company sick...

That this House is deeply concerned about the planned increases in business rates and the damage they will do to many small businesses; notes the impact that those changes will have on pubs, with some pubs seeing rises of up to 300 per cent and with London pubs seeing an average rise of 43 per cent in business rates; further notes with dismay that the calculations that have created those proposed rises are based on turnover figures from 2008; notes that the situation facing pubs has changed dramatically since that time so that those figures are now hugely unrealistic and such rate rises would cause many pubs to become unviable; calls on the Government to take urgent action to cap business rate rises for pubs and restaurants as has been announced in Scotland; further calls on the Government to halt this ill-considered business rate rise until a full and proper re-evaluation has taken place which takes in to account the current state of the economy in the pub sector; notes that pubs currently pay over five times their fair share of business rates; calls on the Government to recognise the important role pubs play in communities and local economies and to acknowledge this when making future calculations for business rates for pubs; believes that in the longer term pubs need a different form of business taxation that is not predicate on turnover or size of a pub, neither of which work for pubs and threatens otherwise viable pub businesses.

That this House is deeply concerned about the planned increases in business rates and the damage they will do to many small businesses; notes the impact that those changes will have on pubs, with some pubs seeing rises of up to 300 per cent and with London pubs seeing an...

That this House supports plans being drawn up to build a major new international games design studio in the heart of Dundee's £1 billion Waterfront development, which would combine digital facilities with on-site accommodation to provide games designers with a fully immersive live-in experience; and notes that the studio, which would be funded by a private sector developer as well as the Tay Cities Deal, is estimated to contribute around £70 million to the local economy over 10 years and become a major attraction in its own right, enhancing Dundee's reputation as an international games design hub and would also attract creative talent to Dundee from around the UK and internationally.

That this House supports plans being drawn up to build a major new international games design studio in the heart of Dundee's £1 billion Waterfront development, which would combine digital facilities with on-site accommodation to provide games designers with a fully immersive live-in experience; and notes that the studio, which...

That this House celebrates the 2nd International Day of Yoga, on 21 June 2016, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015; recognises that yoga is a multi-dimensional approach to encouraging well-being, which appreciates the link between physical and psychological health and lifestyle; appreciates that yoga is a reflective and non-invasive practice, which is appropriate in all stages of life; recommends yoga to be included as part of mindfulness and well-being initiatives for NHS staff and for yoga to be integrated within treatment for patients; and urges the Department for Education to introduce yoga in the school physical education curriculum.

That this House celebrates the 2nd International Day of Yoga, on 21 June 2016, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015; recognises that yoga is a multi-dimensional approach to encouraging well-being, which appreciates the link between physical and psychological health and lifestyle; appreciates that yoga is a reflective and...

That this House welcomes the report from the charity Sense, Making the Case for Play; notes that early intervention through play is vitally important for children with complex needs and their families, and brings a wide range of developmental and emotional benefits; regrets that children with complex needs face significant barriers to accessing play, such as a chronic lack of accessible settings, a substantial additional financial cost when seeking to secure play opportunities, and the poor training of staff and negative attitudes of other parents; and calls on the Government to ensure there is a nationwide policy of funding for children with special educational needs in early years education, with notional funding being provided for settings to invest in accessible premises and staff training.

That this House welcomes the report from the charity Sense, Making the Case for Play; notes that early intervention through play is vitally important for children with complex needs and their families, and brings a wide range of developmental and emotional benefits; regrets that children with complex needs face significant...

That this House notes the appointment of the Pubs Adjudicator; expresses concern about the choice of Paul Newby due to conflict of interest and financial links with the large pubcos the Adjudicator should regulate; further notes that he is a Director of Fleurets, which derives substantial income from these companies, and that his entry on the Pubs Independent Rent Review Scheme website states that he acted for Enterprise Inns, Marstons and Punch Taverns in the last five years; notes that his term is four years and that if he returned to surveying he could be threatening his and Fleuret's future work for pubcos if he criticised and fined pubcos they act for; is concerned that the Minister for Small Business, Industry and Enterprise says he is already helping the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) despite currently acting for pubcos he will be regulating and that this could influence the Code's content, noting the opposition of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors to parallel rent assessments, something BIS had previously indicated would be in the Code and no longer is; believes he cannot be viewed as impartial by tenants and tenants groups who criticise and oppose this appointment; further believes there would rightly have been an outcry had the Groceries Code Adjudicator been a surveyor to a large supermarket chain; therefore believes that Mr Newby's appointment will command no confidence amongst tenants; and calls on Ministers to withdraw this appointment, restart the recruitment process in a transparent manner and appoint a neutral and independent Adjudicator who will command confidence whilst carrying out the important duties of this crucial role.

That this House notes the appointment of the Pubs Adjudicator; expresses concern about the choice of Paul Newby due to conflict of interest and financial links with the large pubcos the Adjudicator should regulate; further notes that he is a Director of Fleurets, which derives substantial income from these companies,...

That this House is concerned that despite cuts in duty, the UK retains the second-highest level of beer duty in Europe, with the nation paying almost 40 per cent of all EU excise despite consuming around 12 per cent of produced beer within its boundaries; believes that cutting such duty could play a crucial role in helping struggling pubs stay open, create jobs and support local communities, increase investment in brewing and pubs and keep a lid on price increases; and calls on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to review present arrangements and to examine how to support both the industry itself and those who live and work in its shadows.

That this House is concerned that despite cuts in duty, the UK retains the second-highest level of beer duty in Europe, with the nation paying almost 40 per cent of all EU excise despite consuming around 12 per cent of produced beer within its boundaries; believes that cutting such duty...

That this House welcomes the ending of the beer duty escalator and the impact of the unprecedented three successive beer duty cuts in the 2013, 2014 and 2015 Budgets in supporting the growth of Britain's breweries and underpinning confidence in the UK's pubs; notes that this has led to an additional 19,000 vital jobs compared to the duty escalator and over £1 billion of investment in the sector expected in 2015-16; and urges the Government to sustain this momentum by considering a further cut in beer duty in the 2016 Budget which would secure pub jobs and help reduce the cost of living for hard-working people.

That this House welcomes the ending of the beer duty escalator and the impact of the unprecedented three successive beer duty cuts in the 2013, 2014 and 2015 Budgets in supporting the growth of Britain's breweries and underpinning confidence in the UK's pubs; notes that this has led to an...

That this House notes the consultation on the draft Pubs Code launched on 29 October 2015, due to the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act requiring the code to be in place by June 2016; expresses dismay that the market rent only option in the code is not the one voted for by the House on 18 November 2014 and does not constitute a meaningful market rent only option at all, which is giving tied tenants of the large pub companies the right to choose, in specific circumstances, stated in the legislation, to request and opt to pay an independently assessed market rent without forced purchasing obligations; expresses disbelief that the code seeks to negate this right through the inclusion of paragraph 8.12; notes the reference to wholesale pricing as a benchmark, when in reality this is pubco tied pricing, so must be removed; notes the phrase MRO offer from a pubco, which may not be genuine market rent and undermines the legal definition, so must be removed; notes that removal of parallel rent assessments, which must be reinserted; believes that the code undermines the legislation and the will of Parliament and is incompatible with the Act and therefore legally challengeable; notes the commitments of Ministers to introduce the MRO option, found in the Act; and calls on the Department to rewrite the code in line with the Act and to maintain its commitment to introducing the MRO option as envisaged by the Fair Deal for Your Local campaign and voted for by Parliament.

That this House notes the consultation on the draft Pubs Code launched on 29 October 2015, due to the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act requiring the code to be in place by June 2016; expresses dismay that the market rent only option in the code is not the one...

That this House is concerned with the disproportionate business rates being paid by British pubs, with the pub sector paying the second highest business rates bill in the UK; notes that the pub sector's total tax bill comes to £7.3 billion, or £140,000 per pub; is frustrated that pubs, which form a core part of many communities and create local jobs and business, are paying such a high amount, £800 million more than the gambling and betting sector; recognises the threat the disproportionate business rates pose to community pubs, and the damage losing these pubs will have on communities across the UK; notes that the pub sector pays six times the justifiable amount of business rates, the sector accounting for 0.5 per cent of the UK's turnover, but paying 2.8 per cent of the UK's total business rates bill; welcomes previous reductions on beer duty but notes that this is on beer and on beer sold anywhere, so calls on HM Treasury to reduce the unfair and onerous burden of business rates on British pubs by freezing the business rate multiplier, extending Small Business Rates Relief and applying Retail Relief, which would provide pubs with a rateable value of £50,000 with a discount and to look again at the way pub business rates are calculated; and calls on the Government to look at further ways directly to support British pubs through the tax system considering their importance to local communities as well as the local and national economy.

That this House is concerned with the disproportionate business rates being paid by British pubs, with the pub sector paying the second highest business rates bill in the UK; notes that the pub sector's total tax bill comes to £7.3 billion, or £140,000 per pub; is frustrated that pubs, which...

That this House notes that a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses was included in the manifestos of the Conservative, Labour and Green parties at the recent general election, showing the unified support across the House on this animal protection issue; recalls that 94 per cent of respondents to a Defra public consultation supported a ban and the House of Commons voted unanimously in favour of such a ban in 2011; further notes that currently two circuses with fewer than 20 wild animals are touring England and Wales; notes that a deadline of December 2015 was included in the Government's draft Wild Animals in Circuses Bill; notes that the UK has fallen behind 31 countries which have introduced similar national measures; notes the work of Animal Defenders International highlighting circus suffering in the UK and currently assisting the Peruvian government to enforce a ban; and calls on the Government to bring forward this manifesto commitment at the earliest opportunity

That this House notes that a ban on the use of wild animals in circuses was included in the manifestos of the Conservative, Labour and Green parties at the recent general election, showing the unified support across the House on this animal protection issue; recalls that 94 per cent of...

That this House recognises that local restaurants and public houses are facing very challenging conditions in the current economy and are being put under further pressure by the rise of large supermarkets that enjoy preferential value added tax (VAT) treatment; notes that these businesses lie at the heart of their local communities, economically and socially; further notes that 13 EU member states, including the Republic of Ireland, have introduced a reduced rate of VAT within their tourism and hospitality sectors for restaurants and public houses, and 22 have done so for hotel accommodation, and that such measures have had a positive impact; calls on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to undertake a review of similar sector-specific VAT reduction measures to help businesses in the UK; and further recognises that such a move would encourage growth in the wider economy, support job creation and generate investment in local businesses.

That this House recognises that local restaurants and public houses are facing very challenging conditions in the current economy and are being put under further pressure by the rise of large supermarkets that enjoy preferential value added tax (VAT) treatment; notes that these businesses lie at the heart of their...

That this House recognises and values the social and economic contribution of British beer and community pubs, which support almost 900,000 jobs and contribute £22 billion to UK GDP; believes that well-run pubs are an important community meeting place and the best place to enjoy alcohol responsibly; notes that more than 1,100 candidates supported the Campaign for Real Ale's beer and pub pledges ahead of the 2015 General Election, committing to support well-run community pubs, promote Britain's breweries and represent pub-goers and beer drinkers; welcomes this genuine cross-party consensus on the need to protect community pubs and breweries; and therefore encourages the Government to implement a package of measures to support community pubs and real ale.

That this House recognises and values the social and economic contribution of British beer and community pubs, which support almost 900,000 jobs and contribute £22 billion to UK GDP; believes that well-run pubs are an important community meeting place and the best place to enjoy alcohol responsibly; notes that more...