That this House, recognising that sixth form colleges provide better value for money by delivering better outcomes, providing a wider range of courses and educating more disadvantaged students than schools and academies at a lower cost to the public finances, urges the Government to reduce the huge and unfair inequality in funding which exists between the different types of 16 to 18 providers by refunding the VAT and insurance costs of sixth form colleges, as they do for schools and academies, and also to give them 100 per cent capital grant for their buildings, as they do for schools and academies, so that all 16 to 18 year olds receive the same level of investment in their education irrespective of where they study.

That this House, recognising that sixth form colleges provide better value for money by delivering better outcomes, providing a wider range of courses and educating more disadvantaged students than schools and academies at a lower cost to the public finances, urges the Government to reduce the huge and unfair inequality...

That this House, noting the launch of the Pound Campaign, a non-partisan group to initiate debate on the effects of the UK exchange rate on British manufacturers and exporters, recognises that exporting is vital for Britain and fundamental to generating sustainable UK economic growth; further recognises the need to boost and strengthen manufacturing to rebuild a healthy broad-based economy; notes the persistence and scale of the UK trade deficit on goods and that Britain has not had an overall trade surplus since 1983 as a result; further notes the link between the level of UK exchange rate and the profitability of manufacturing and exporting for UK-based companies; and therefore calls on the Government to investigate the impact of the current rise in the exchange rate of the pound on the sustainability and profitability of UK-based manufacturers and exporters.

That this House, noting the launch of the Pound Campaign, a non-partisan group to initiate debate on the effects of the UK exchange rate on British manufacturers and exporters, recognises that exporting is vital for Britain and fundamental to generating sustainable UK economic growth; further recognises the need to boost...

That this House believes in the excellent contribution made by sixth form colleges in providing students with a wide range of courses, subjects and an atmosphere akin to that of a university; emphasises the view of the National Audit Office that sixth form colleges are the most successful and cost-effective providers of post-16 education; urges the Government to end the present discrimination against colleges in favour of sixth forms in schools; feels that colleges and school sixth forms should be put on an equal funding basis by the Government reversing its decision to withhold the VAT rebate proposed from colleges and by restoring the cuts which have been made to tutorial and support funding, to enrichment and careers education, as well as the cuts in the overall funding for students over 16 and, now the proposed 17.5 per cent reduction in funding for students aged 18; further emphasises that this vulnerable group of 18 year olds is in a critical year of transition and includes students who have lost time through illness, a change in career plans, students who have had to repeat their level 2 qualifications and students who have been excluded from sixth forms in schools; and points out that the Government's pledge not to cut education budgets is not being honoured by these cuts.

That this House believes in the excellent contribution made by sixth form colleges in providing students with a wide range of courses, subjects and an atmosphere akin to that of a university; emphasises the view of the National Audit Office that sixth form colleges are the most successful and cost-effective...

That this House recognises the need for journalists to pursue difficult stories in the public interest without fear of prosecution; is concerned about the situation facing journalists who have been arrested and charged in relation to charges of conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office; believes that such charges, levied against individuals who had no role in the authorisation of payments nor responsibility for a workplace culture where such payments were institutionalised and where trade union recognition was not allowed, do nothing to tackle the real issue of corporate responsibility for any alleged wrongdoing; regrets that it is ordinary working journalists who are being targeted, whilst senior executives and the companies themselves escape blame; further regrets that to discount the public interest defence in bringing legal proceedings sets a very damaging precedent for the industry; and therefore calls on the Director of Public Prosecutions to ensure that a consistent and fair approach is taken in regard to such cases.

That this House recognises the need for journalists to pursue difficult stories in the public interest without fear of prosecution; is concerned about the situation facing journalists who have been arrested and charged in relation to charges of conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office; believes that such charges,...

That this House notes that the hundredth anniversary of the Bradbury Pound on 7 August 2014 is a welcome reminder of the historic precedent for public credit as the sound basis for debt-and interest-free Treasury money and therefore the sound alternative to the national debt and interest-bearing bank money; congratulates the Forum for Stable Currencies for having promoted the public credit since 2002; and urges HM Treasury to follow John Bradbury's model and address social, economic and political issues across party lines in one fell swoop and avoid wholly unnecessary austerity cuts.

That this House notes that the hundredth anniversary of the Bradbury Pound on 7 August 2014 is a welcome reminder of the historic precedent for public credit as the sound basis for debt-and interest-free Treasury money and therefore the sound alternative to the national debt and interest-bearing bank money; congratulates...

That this House notes the longstanding position of the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency that depending on the way in which glucosamine products are formulated and marketed, they may correctly be considered in some cases as food products and in others as medicinal products with a licence; appreciates that this approach has ensured consumer access to a wide range of safe and popular glucosamine products; fully supports the Agency's defence of its position against a challenge by one company that seeks to have all glucosamine products designated as medicines so driving up prices, reducing consumer choice and limiting the way in which the benefits of such products may be promoted; and encourages Consumers for Health Choice to keep up it's campaign to defend consumer choice in natural health products.

That this House notes the longstanding position of the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency that depending on the way in which glucosamine products are formulated and marketed, they may correctly be considered in some cases as food products and in others as medicinal products with a licence; appreciates that...

That this House recognises that the bedroom tax, spare room subsidy, is unjust, discriminates against disabled and sick people, carers, separated parents, grandparents, the low paid and the poorest, will not reduce homelessness or housing benefit spending as claimed, and puts financial and social strain on communities, landlords and local authorities; and calls on the Government to suspend the policy pending a review of its impact and effectiveness, which should consider writing off the tenant and landlord arrears it has caused.

That this House recognises that the bedroom tax, spare room subsidy, is unjust, discriminates against disabled and sick people, carers, separated parents, grandparents, the low paid and the poorest, will not reduce homelessness or housing benefit spending as claimed, and puts financial and social strain on communities, landlords and local...

That this House notes with concern that, as documented in the new edition of the book about Hilda Murrell’s murder, A Thorn in Their Side, by her nephew Commander Robert Green, Royal Navy (Retired), key forensic and other evidence was not disclosed at the 2005 trial and the 2006 appeal of Andrew George, who was convicted of the abduction and murder of the internationally renowned rose grower and anti-nuclear campaigner in 1984; further notes Michael Mansfield QC’s view that the book raises serious and substantial doubts about the criminal investigations to date into this controversial case; supports Mansfield’s call for a Commission of Inquiry into the case along similar lines to the Hillsborough Independent Panel; and recommends that all relevant papers be published by the Home Office and the West Mercia Police.

That this House notes with concern that, as documented in the new edition of the book about Hilda Murrell’s murder, A Thorn in Their Side, by her nephew Commander Robert Green, Royal Navy (Retired), key forensic and other evidence was not disclosed at the 2005 trial and the 2006 appeal...

That this House is deeply concerned by the findings of Dinah Rose QC's Respect at Work review and the evidence it has revealed about the culture of bullying which has existed at the BBC; notes that the threat of redundancies under the Delivering Quality First agenda has further exacerbated a culture of fear in the Corporation; further notes that the problem is not exclusive to the BBC, but exists more broadly across the media industry and in newspapers; welcomes the campaign launched by the Federation of Entertainment Unions, which represents journalists, writers, actors, entertainers, broadcasting technical staff, musicians and footballers, to combat bullying in the media and entertainment industries; and calls on employers across the industry to engage with the unions to initiate reforms to improve working practices as suggested in the Rose review, to minimise the culture of bullying in the creative industries and to ensure that anti-bullying policies are effectively monitored and enforced.

That this House is deeply concerned by the findings of Dinah Rose QC's Respect at Work review and the evidence it has revealed about the culture of bullying which has existed at the BBC; notes that the threat of redundancies under the Delivering Quality First agenda has further exacerbated a...

That this House believes that changes to the Government's 24+ Advanced Learner Loans Policy will have a serious impact on students aged 24 and above studying for level 3 or higher qualifications, including A Levels, BTECs and higher level apprenticeships at the Grimsby Institute and elsewhere; notes that the Government has acknowledged the need to invest in training and education and supporting people who want to re-skill later in life; further believes that the current policy will compel people working as higher level apprentices to take on loans of up to £10,000, which will act as a disincentive; further notes that mature students can face heavier burdens through marriage, children and even home ownership than younger students, and often need help and support to gain qualifications or advance their careers later in life than the average student and thus benefit both themselves and the nation; and calls on the Government to reconsider the policy of public contributions towards tuition costs for the learners affected.

That this House believes that changes to the Government's 24+ Advanced Learner Loans Policy will have a serious impact on students aged 24 and above studying for level 3 or higher qualifications, including A Levels, BTECs and higher level apprenticeships at the Grimsby Institute and elsewhere; notes that the Government...

That this House is concerned that the BBC is refusing to enter into meaningful negotiations with the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) on behalf of its members and is instead insisting on compulsory redundancies of BBC journalists rather than the redeployment of posts under an agreed scheme as requested by the NUJ; notes that despite extensive efforts by NUJ representatives and officials, a number of workers across BBC Scotland, the Asian Network, Newsbeat, News, Five Live, the Big Screens, the World Service and English Regions still risk compulsory redundancy as part of the Delivering Quality First programme which plans more than 2,000 job losses across the corporation; believes that in externally advertising six-month contracts to journalists who do not work for the corporation, at the same time as failing to secure redeployment opportunities for workers at risk of compulsory redundancy, some managers, such as those at BBC Scotland are failing to uphold key aspects of the redeployment agreement, let alone the spirit of the deal; and therefore calls on the BBC to enter into genuine and meaningful negotiations with the NUJ as a matter of urgency in order to resolve this dispute and considers that failing that strike action on 18 February 2013 by NUJ members in the BBC would be both inevitable and justified.

That this House is concerned that the BBC is refusing to enter into meaningful negotiations with the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) on behalf of its members and is instead insisting on compulsory redundancies of BBC journalists rather than the redeployment of posts under an agreed scheme as requested by...

That this House welcomes Sainsbury's Switch the Fish campaign which encourages its customers to widen their shopping repertoire by trying one of five underutilised species of fish; recognises that the overwhelming-majority of fish consumed within the UK is from one of five species (cod, haddock, tuna, salmon and prawns) and that, in the future, to consume fish sustainably the UK must use more of its underutilised species; further recognises the need to do more to put in place robust management plans for the big five species and to make more data on their stocks available; encourages other retailers to join Sainsbury's in making a wider range of sustainable fish species both available and attractive to their customers; and urges hon. Members to support the campaign and switch the fish they buy.

That this House welcomes Sainsbury's Switch the Fish campaign which encourages its customers to widen their shopping repertoire by trying one of five underutilised species of fish; recognises that the overwhelming-majority of fish consumed within the UK is from one of five species (cod, haddock, tuna, salmon and prawns) and...

That this House condemns the continued imprisonment of approximately 76 journalists in Turkey, the highest number in the world, on what appear to be politically motivated terror charges; expresses alarm over the arbitrary nature of these prosecutions and the lack of due process or fair treatment in the courts received by these journalists; holds deep concerns that a number of journalists in prison are on indefinite hunger strike; expresses apprehension over the deterioration in media freedom in Turkey, in particular the Kurdish media and those who are critical of government policy; and echoes the call of the European Federation of Journalists that Turkey should make urgent reforms to protect press freedom and drop charges against journalists being prosecuted under anti-terror and anti-state laws.

That this House condemns the continued imprisonment of approximately 76 journalists in Turkey, the highest number in the world, on what appear to be politically motivated terror charges; expresses alarm over the arbitrary nature of these prosecutions and the lack of due process or fair treatment in the courts received...

That this House notes that there has been no investigation of the tax avoidance industry in this country; urges the Government to appoint an independent committee of inquiry to investigate the whole industry and particulary the role of the big four accountancy houses - PriceWaterhouseCoopers, KPMG, Deloitte and Ernst Young - in devising, marketing and implementing abusive tax avoidance schemes, several of which have been declared unlawful by UK tax tribunals and courts; and suggests that that committee should make recommendations on the legislative, regulatory and tax steps necessary to ensure that the rich pay their fair share of tax here and that all profits made in this country are properly and effectively taxed here, so that the nation, its people and its Government are not deprived of the tax revenues necessary to reduce the deficit, maintain public services and infrastructure at a time of austerity when all should pay their fair share because we're all in it together.

That this House notes that there has been no investigation of the tax avoidance industry in this country; urges the Government to appoint an independent committee of inquiry to investigate the whole industry and particulary the role of the big four accountancy houses - PriceWaterhouseCoopers, KPMG, Deloitte and Ernst Young...

That this House registers its concern about the working conditions and labour rights abuses at the radio station, Radio Bar Kulan(RBK), run by British PR company Albany Associates with funding from the UN; notes that a petition to the UN Secretary General's special representative for Somalia, Ambassador Augustine Mahiga and the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has been signed by over 40 journalists' and trade union associations, including the International Federation of Journalists, International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa), the Trades Union Congress of Great Britain and the Federation of Somali Trade Unions; and supports the petition's call to end these labour rights violations at RBK, to restore a working atmosphere that enhances respect for workers and human rights and to compel Albany to engage in genuine negotiations with the legitimate leadership of the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) for the defence and representation of RBK workers in Kenya and Somalia, in particular regarding those sacked or forced to resign and to stop attacks on NUSOJ by Albany Associates.

That this House registers its concern about the working conditions and labour rights abuses at the radio station, Radio Bar Kulan(RBK), run by British PR company Albany Associates with funding from the UN; notes that a petition to the UN Secretary General's special representative for Somalia, Ambassador Augustine Mahiga and...

That this House, in the light of the huge boost given to athletics and sport of all kinds by the success of the London 2012 Olympics, sees the need to develop and upgrade sporting and athletic facilities all over the UK to build on that legacy to improve the health of the nation, to absorb the energies of young people and to maintain Britain's success in international competitions; therefore considers that in order to achieve this the UK needs a national drive to develop sports facilities of all kinds, all over the country; is disappointed to see that sports fields and school grounds are still being sold off and that more than a third of councils have been forced by financial stringency to cut or close sporting facilities in the last three years; believes that this process must now be reversed and that help and support should be provided to councils to develop sport; notes the proposal by North East Lincolnshire Council to close its competition-sized pool at Scartho Road and transfer swimming to a smaller and less well-equipped facility pool, yet to be built or fully costed and lacking the diving and sauna facilities of the present pool; and urges that this closure be reconsidered and the council helped to develop a bigger and better swimming centre which can provide better swimming training for the south bank of the Humber whose nearest 50-metre pool is in Sheffield.

That this House, in the light of the huge boost given to athletics and sport of all kinds by the success of the London 2012 Olympics, sees the need to develop and upgrade sporting and athletic facilities all over the UK to build on that legacy to improve the health...

That this House is deeply concerned by the National Audit Office report, The management of adult diabetes services in the NHS, which found that NHS diabetes services in England are delivering poor performance against expected levels of care, high numbers of avoidable deaths and are not delivering value for money; notes that in 2009-10, there were an estimated 3.1 million people aged 16 years and older with diabetes in England, of which 2.34 million were diagnosed and 760,000 were undiagnosed; further notes that NHS spending on diabetes services in 2010 was at least 3.9 billion, or around 4 per cent of the NHS budget; and calls for the introduction of a new national diabetes strategy to replace the National Service Framework for Diabetes which is due to expire in 2013 to make diabetes a health service priority and deliver improvements in diabetes prevention and in the quality of care for patients.

That this House is deeply concerned by the National Audit Office report, The management of adult diabetes services in the NHS, which found that NHS diabetes services in England are delivering poor performance against expected levels of care, high numbers of avoidable deaths and are not delivering value for money;...

That this House notes with dismay the email sent to all BBC staff working in the Global News department from Peter Horrocks, the Director of BBC Global News, which asks staff to generate money making ideas for the BBC; further notes that the email states that staff will be required to exploit new commercial opportunities as part of their appraisal process; condemns such an idea as threatening the ethos at the heart of the BBC's public service broadcasting; believes that ordering staff to focus on commercial ideas will distort the Corporation's fundamental news-gathering and reporting objectives; further believes that journalists working for the Global News Service, which includes the BBC World Service, work in some of the most challenging terrain in the world and can only carry out their work as impartial reporters rather than money gatherers; and calls on the BBC to abandon this ill conceived initiative.

That this House notes with dismay the email sent to all BBC staff working in the Global News department from Peter Horrocks, the Director of BBC Global News, which asks staff to generate money making ideas for the BBC; further notes that the email states that staff will be required...

That this House supports local newspapers as a valued part of the community across all parts of the UK; believes they should be designated as community assets under the Localism Act 2012; supports such an extension under the Act as it will allow threatened newspapers to explorealternative ownership models; further believes that local newspapers are able to report on and hold to account local politicians in ways that the national media is not able to do and that local newspapers are essential to local business through advertising; and calls on the Government to convene discussions with local newspaper groups and the National Union of Journalists in order to safeguard this invaluable source of local news across the country.

That this House supports local newspapers as a valued part of the community across all parts of the UK; believes they should be designated as community assets under the Localism Act 2012; supports such an extension under the Act as it will allow threatened newspapers to explorealternative ownership models; further...

That this House notes that the recently published minutes of the 30 April 2012 meeting of the EU Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health record that many Member States are pressing the European Commission to bring forward the setting of maximum permitted levels for vitamins and minerals in food supplements; recalls that on every previous occasion this project has been commenced it has threatened the continued availability of many safe and popular food supplements used by millions of British consumers to help them achieve and maintain good health; observes that such products are already regulated by the Food Safety Act and that no further legislation is necessary; further notes that successive governments have robustly resisted such moves to restrict consumer choice and have so defended the interests of specialist manufacturers and retailers; and invites the Secretary of State to reassure the House that he, his Ministers and his officials will do all within their power to prevent such unnecessary and burdensome meddling in British markets.

That this House notes that the recently published minutes of the 30 April 2012 meeting of the EU Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health record that many Member States are pressing the European Commission to bring forward the setting of maximum permitted levels for vitamins and minerals...