That this House welcomes the RSPCA report Bang Out Of Order which investigates the distress caused to pets by fireworks; is concerned that 62 percent of dogs, 54 percent of cats and 55 percent of horses show signs of distress as a result of the use of fireworks which means thousands of animals are affected by unplanned and random fireworks each year; supports the recommendations of the report to limit public sales of fireworks closer to the agreed traditional dates, the reduction of the maximum noise levels, the licensing of all public displays, the conduct of further research on the impact of fireworks on animals; and urges the Government to review existing legislation in line with these proposals in order to protect animals across the UK.

That this House welcomes the RSPCA report Bang Out Of Order which investigates the distress caused to pets by fireworks; is concerned that 62 percent of dogs, 54 percent of cats and 55 percent of horses show signs of distress as a result of the use of fireworks which means...

That this House welcomes the announcement that Cancer Research UK will work with UK universities and in the US to investigate how cancer is formed to facilitate the earliest possible treatment.

That this House welcomes the announcement that Cancer Research UK will work with UK universities and in the US to investigate how cancer is formed to facilitate the earliest possible treatment.

That this House is concerned about the increasing risk of extinction to Asian elephants; notes that in India and South East Asia some Asian elephants are snatched from the wild when very young, deprived of food and water for months whilst tightly confined in cages, beaten and stabbed with iron hooks to break their spirits for easy use in tourism and tortured throughout their lives; further notes that these stressed animals sometimes attack and kill tourists; observes that such tourism is in part driven by companies advertising to the UK market; and calls on the Government to prohibit the advertising of elephant attractions other than genuine sanctuaries.

That this House is concerned about the increasing risk of extinction to Asian elephants; notes that in India and South East Asia some Asian elephants are snatched from the wild when very young, deprived of food and water for months whilst tightly confined in cages, beaten and stabbed with iron...

That this House condemns the appalling racism at the Haringey Borough v. Yeovil Town FA Cup game on 19 October; applauds the Haringey players and management for their brave and principled decision to walk off in the face of such abuse; calls on the Football Association to ensure that those players do not face disciplinary action for their decision; further calls on the Football Association and the Government to increase their efforts to stamp out racism in all its forms from football in light of this incident and the scenes in Bulgaria involving the English national team.

That this House condemns the appalling racism at the Haringey Borough v. Yeovil Town FA Cup game on 19 October; applauds the Haringey players and management for their brave and principled decision to walk off in the face of such abuse; calls on the Football Association to ensure that those...

That this House condemns the attack and the ideology that radicalised the attacker in Halle, Germany; shows sympathy towards those who were tragically murdered, recognises that had it not been for the protective security measures at place in the synagogue, then it is likely that the death toll and the subsequent impact on the local and other Jewish communities would have been significant; recognises the tireless work that the Community Security Trust engages in to secure UK Jewish communities; and praises the UK's efforts in seeking to share expertise with non-Jewish communities in the UK.

That this House condemns the attack and the ideology that radicalised the attacker in Halle, Germany; shows sympathy towards those who were tragically murdered, recognises that had it not been for the protective security measures at place in the synagogue, then it is likely that the death toll and the...

That this House notes with concern the urgent warnings from the world's scientific community on the need to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees celsius; commends Greta Thunberg and other climate protesters across the world for their work in raising global awareness of the Climate Emergency; further commends the campaigning efforts of thousands of UK school children; notes the positive impact that increased public awareness of the Climate Emergency has had on political action; and calls on the Government to take the lead in driving public engagement by establishing a Citizens' Climate Assembly, tasked with debating climate policy and delivering recommendations directly to Government.

That this House notes with concern the urgent warnings from the world's scientific community on the need to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees celsius; commends Greta Thunberg and other climate protesters across the world for their work in raising global awareness of the Climate Emergency; further commends the campaigning...

That this House expresses deep concern at the Government’s announced plans to prevent people from voting unless they can provide photographic identification at the next election; notes that of the 44.6 million votes cast in 2017, there were just 28 allegations of in-person voter fraud and one conviction; recognises that some 11 million citizens do not possess a passport or driving licence and that people aged between 17 and 30 and black and minority groups are 15 per cent less likely to own driving licences; expresses concern that this policy will introduce widespread voter dropout among vulnerable and disadvantaged groups if rolled out; and calls on the Government to urgently review its proposals.

That this House expresses deep concern at the Government’s announced plans to prevent people from voting unless they can provide photographic identification at the next election; notes that of the 44.6 million votes cast in 2017, there were just 28 allegations of in-person voter fraud and one conviction; recognises that...

That this House welcomes the recommendation in the Committee on Climate Change report on Net Zero for a significant increase in tree planting rates in the UK, as one part of delivering the UK target of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, in addition to rapid, deep and sustained emissions reductions in all parts of the economy; notes the significant role trees play in enhancing accessible green spaces, improving air quality, boosting agricultural productivity, restoring and protecting soil health, providing construction material and wood products, creating wildlife habitat, mitigating flood risk and benefiting public health; recognises the role of government, alongside others, in the doubling of forest cover during the past century in the UK; calls on the Government rapidly to develop and deploy policy levers and funding mechanisms to deliver a major increase in tree planting including agroforestry and improved tree conservation, to assist in securing the net zero goal in an environmentally-friendly way; further calls on the Government to establish a legally binding target, with appropriate interim targets, which at least match the Committee on Climate Change recommendation to deliver 19 per cent forest cover by 2050, with an ambition for another doubling in UK forest cover building on that achieved in the last century.

That this House welcomes the recommendation in the Committee on Climate Change report on Net Zero for a significant increase in tree planting rates in the UK, as one part of delivering the UK target of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, in addition to rapid, deep and sustained emissions...

That this House expresses concern that the Prime Minister plans to move the UK away from EU standards on workers’ rights and health and safety in the workplace; believes that this would pose a risk to EU workers’ rights currently enjoyed by UK workers such as paid holiday rights; recognises that the Prime Minister’s proposals do not command support from the TUC and the wider trades union movement; and urges the Government to keep UK workers’ rights and health and safety standards aligned with those contained in EU law after the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.

That this House expresses concern that the Prime Minister plans to move the UK away from EU standards on workers’ rights and health and safety in the workplace; believes that this would pose a risk to EU workers’ rights currently enjoyed by UK workers such as paid holiday rights; recognises...

That this House expresses its concern at the collapse of Thomas Cook; recognises the detrimental impact that the collapse of Thomas Cook has had on both its staff and its customers; urges former Thomas Cook executives to repay their bonuses in order to fund support for former Thomas Cook staff and customers; believes that the Government could have intervened to help avert the collapse of Thomas Cook; and calls for an independent inquiry into the collapse of Thomas Cook.

That this House expresses its concern at the collapse of Thomas Cook; recognises the detrimental impact that the collapse of Thomas Cook has had on both its staff and its customers; urges former Thomas Cook executives to repay their bonuses in order to fund support for former Thomas Cook staff...

That this House notes with concern the decision by ASDA to proceed with proposals to put all hourly paid employees on flexible contracts (Contract 6) despite considerable concern about the proposed changes to employee terms and conditions; further notes that the flexibility clause in Contract 6 will force employees to work at any time, any place, anywhere which risks a hugely damaging effect on the part-time, low-paid workforce who need flexibility that works for them; notes that employees would be potentially losing up to eight paid holidays a year under new entitlement; notes with concern that the requirement for flexibility and a change in shift patterns would see any rise in hourly pay rendered meaningless if staff work fewer hours because of the new contract, potentially costing some employees hundreds of pounds; highlights reported heavy handed tactics on the part of ASDA with staff being told to accept the terms and conditions or their contract would be terminated; supports the work of the GMB in seeking further negations to highlight the vast majority of its members employed by ASDA asked in a consultative ballot who responded with the view that they did not agree with Contract 6; and urges ASDA to further meet with trade unions and employees and give the workforce a fair deal with the aim of becoming a market leader in employee terms and conditions.

That this House notes with concern the decision by ASDA to proceed with proposals to put all hourly paid employees on flexible contracts (Contract 6) despite considerable concern about the proposed changes to employee terms and conditions; further notes that the flexibility clause in Contract 6 will force employees to...

That this House is extremely concerned by the Government of Turkey's military invasion of an area in north east Syria controlled by the Syrian Kurds, which is also known as Rojava, and the negative humanitarian consequences of that invasion following the unexpected announcement of the withdrawal of US military forces from that area; notes the crucial role played by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in the fight against Islamic State in Syria, which resulted in the loss of more than ten thousand of their fighters; believes that the invasion will inevitably force the Kurds into alliance with Bashar al-Assad and his Russian backers, and will revive and strengthen Islamic State, thousands of who are held by the Syrian Defence Forces, further notes that the invasion will undermine the security and stability of Syria and the region; and calls on the Government to suspend all arms exports to Turkey, to urge the Turkish Government with other NATO members to end military action in Syria immediately and to pursue its security concerns through political and diplomatic means and to ensure that vital humanitarian support is provided to those in need.

That this House is extremely concerned by the Government of Turkey's military invasion of an area in north east Syria controlled by the Syrian Kurds, which is also known as Rojava, and the negative humanitarian consequences of that invasion following the unexpected announcement of the withdrawal of US military forces...

That his House notes that hospital cleaning workers employed by the private contractor Compass Group PLC at Blackpool Victoria are currently in dispute with Compass over that company's failure to award them a decent pay rise to give them the same hourly rates as the NHS colleagues they work alongside, which is an unfairness experienced by other Compass workers in St Helens; believes that a multi-national outsourcing company that made £1.5 billion profit last year is able to afford an 82 pence an hour pay rise for its lowest-paid staff; deplores Compass' failure to engage properly to resolve the dispute for the past six months and that it is pressurising staff that have spoken out about difficulties in supporting families on their current pay and threatening them with disciplinary action; supports those staff and UNISON in their strike action; and calls on Compass to engage with a decent offer that addresses these workers' grievances.

That his House notes that hospital cleaning workers employed by the private contractor Compass Group PLC at Blackpool Victoria are currently in dispute with Compass over that company's failure to award them a decent pay rise to give them the same hourly rates as the NHS colleagues they work alongside,...

That this House recognises the dangerous working conditions in the Prison Service; expresses concern at the increasing number of violent assaults on prison staff; believes that prison officers approaching the age of 70 should not be expected to deal with violent and dangerous criminals aged in their twenties, thirties and forties; considers the demands placed on prison officers, as uniformed emergency workers, to be similar to police officers and firefighters, who can retire at 60 in recognition of the unique nature of their roles; and calls on the Government to show its thanks and appreciation for our prison staff through practical action to improve prison safety, enhance terms and conditions and align prison officers' pension age with other uniformed emergency services.

That this House recognises the dangerous working conditions in the Prison Service; expresses concern at the increasing number of violent assaults on prison staff; believes that prison officers approaching the age of 70 should not be expected to deal with violent and dangerous criminals aged in their twenties, thirties and...

That this House is concerned that not all the women living in England who are affected by the 2011 changes to state pension age are entitled to a free bus pass; notes that a free bus pass is a small concession, given that women born in the 1950s have lost tens of thousands of pounds in pension payments; further notes the merits of a free bus pass in sustaining high streets, public transport and the environment; and calls on the Government to provide free bus passes to all women born in the 1950s who have reached the age at which they would have been entitled to a bus pass before the introduction of the Pensions Act 2011.

That this House is concerned that not all the women living in England who are affected by the 2011 changes to state pension age are entitled to a free bus pass; notes that a free bus pass is a small concession, given that women born in the 1950s have lost...

This House notes with concern the findings of Zurich Municipal that 67 per cent of English schools are rated as poor for fire protection systems and that only 5 per cent of English schools are rated as excellent compared with 29 per cent of schools rated as excellent in Scotland; further notes that according to the study the five biggest fire risks are lack of fixed fire protection including sprinklers, building combustibility and lack of modern construction methods, fire detection, arson and housekeeping and smoking controls; commends regulations in Scotland and Wales, where sprinkler systems are legally required in all new and major refurbished schools; urges the Government to legislate to require the mandatory installation of sprinklers in new and major refurbished schools in England; and calls on the Department for Education to ensure the removal of combustible materials in schools such as classroom noticeboards that are not fire compliant and require them to be replaced with noticeboards that are fire safe to European BS EN 13501 class B standard.

This House notes with concern the findings of Zurich Municipal that 67 per cent of English schools are rated as poor for fire protection systems and that only 5 per cent of English schools are rated as excellent compared with 29 per cent of schools rated as excellent in Scotland;...

That this House notes with concern the sale of detox tea products containing senna and other strong laxative ingredients to young people; further notes that these ingredients are usually used in medication to treat constipation and can have significant detrimental health impacts if used regularly primarily for weight loss; observes that detox teas are aggressively marketed through social media with a focus on unproven health benefits without reference to their harmful ingredients; further observes that detox teas are currently unregulated and can be purchased by people of any age; highlights that these products can exacerbate mental ill-health and eating disorders; and calls on the Government to ban the use of laxative medication in teas and to introduce a stronger regulatory framework and safeguards for the marketing of weight-loss products on social media.

That this House notes with concern the sale of detox tea products containing senna and other strong laxative ingredients to young people; further notes that these ingredients are usually used in medication to treat constipation and can have significant detrimental health impacts if used regularly primarily for weight loss; observes...

That this House recognises that intimidation experienced by those in public life poses a threat to the diversity, integrity, and vibrancy of representative democracy in the UK and that tackling intimidation is a cross-party issue; notes that abuse and intimidation know no political boundaries; welcomes the ongoing work on developing a joint standard of conduct for all political parties, which was one of the key recommendations in the Intimidation in Public Life Report published by the Committee on Standards in Public Life (CSPL) in December 2017; further welcomes the partnership between the CSPL and the Jo Cox Foundation to expedite this work; calls on all party leaders to commit in principle to the joint standard of conduct and to undertake to uphold the joint standard of conduct alongside their parties’ existing internal frameworks; further calls on all party leaders to do all in their power to facilitate mutual agreement of the terms of the joint standard of conduct before the next general election; further notes that polls show that the British public reject the current toxicity of discourse and debate; and believes that a common, cross-party commitment to the joint standard of conduct will send a powerful, positive and hopeful message at a time when it is sorely needed.

That this House recognises that intimidation experienced by those in public life poses a threat to the diversity, integrity, and vibrancy of representative democracy in the UK and that tackling intimidation is a cross-party issue; notes that abuse and intimidation know no political boundaries; welcomes the ongoing work on developing...

That this House expresses alarm on learning that Barclays bank has decided to withdraw from a key element of the banking framework agreement with Post Office Ltd, which allows personal and business customers to access their bank accounts via 11,500 post office locations across the UK; notes that the banking framework is a central component of the Government's financial inclusion policy having been developed by Liberal Democrat Ministers during the coalition and is critical to many vulnerable customers and small businesses; understands that Barclays's customers currently undertake around 1.4 million cash withdrawals in post offices every month, while Barclays has closed more than 400 bank branches in the last five years; is deeply concerned about the detrimental effect that this withdrawal will have on individuals, business and communities across the UK; recognises with concern that the withdrawal will also reduce footfall and revenue for post offices, potentially undermining the network modernisation programme; welcomes the decision by all other banks to reconfirm their commitment to their customers irrespective of their location and circumstances through this agreement with Post Office Ltd, which further brings into question Barclays's decision; calls on Barclays bank to reverse its decision immediately and on the Government to intervene if Barclays does not do so; and further calls on the Government to introduce a new regulation to require banks, as part of their retail licence, to make their core banking service accessible to their customers through the post office network and overseen by the Payment Systems Regulator.

That this House expresses alarm on learning that Barclays bank has decided to withdraw from a key element of the banking framework agreement with Post Office Ltd, which allows personal and business customers to access their bank accounts via 11,500 post office locations across the UK; notes that the banking...