That this House recognises the need for local authorities to play their part in reducing the deficit; calls for an urgent review of the impact on rural areas of the Local Government Finance Settlement announced on 19 December 2012; notes that central Government funding for local authorities is already 50 per cent higher per head in urban areas than rural ones; further recognises that the 50 per cent funding gap is justified by neither need nor cost; further notes the additional expense of delivering services in sparsely populated areas; welcomes the recognition by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) in its consultation in summer 2012 that sparsity weighting should be increased; is concerned that the damping mechanism adopted by DCLG reverses all sparsity gains and increases the rural to urban funding gap by 2 per cent; and urges the Government both to implement a settlement for 2013-2014 which closes the rural to urban funding gap and sets out plans to reduce the rural to urban council funding gap from 50 per cent to no more than 40 per cent by 2020.

That this House recognises the need for local authorities to play their part in reducing the deficit; calls for an urgent review of the impact on rural areas of the Local Government Finance Settlement announced on 19 December 2012; notes that central Government funding for local authorities is already 50...

That this House recognises that static caravans and their associated industries make a significant contribution to the UK economy; notes that more than three million trips were made in owned caravans in 2010, contributing 334 million to UK tourism particularly in rural and coastal areas; further notes that UK static caravan manufacturers make more than 95 per cent of those sold in the UK and that more than 7,000 people work directly for manufacturers and suppliers in addition to 26,500 employed directly by holiday parks; believes that the sale of static caravans is an important element in the survival of holiday parks; further notes with concern that the Government estimates the imposition of VAT on static holiday caravans will reduce demand by 30 per cent; is concerned that such a tax would have a devastating effect on jobs, UK tourism, investment and growth; and therefore calls on the Government to reject plans for a static holiday caravan VAT change.

That this House recognises that static caravans and their associated industries make a significant contribution to the UK economy; notes that more than three million trips were made in owned caravans in 2010, contributing 334 million to UK tourism particularly in rural and coastal areas; further notes that UK static...

That this House notes the unaffordability of premiums charged by many travel insurance firms to cancer patients or people with a history of cancer treatment; regrets that travel insurance can often be more expensive for cancer sufferers than the total of all other travel costs combined; celebrates the fact that more and more people are surviving cancer and living longer; and calls on the Government and insurance companies to work together to ensure that those who survive cancer are not prevented from living their life to the full.

That this House notes the unaffordability of premiums charged by many travel insurance firms to cancer patients or people with a history of cancer treatment; regrets that travel insurance can often be more expensive for cancer sufferers than the total of all other travel costs combined; celebrates the fact that...

That this House recognises the vital role of social work in protecting, helping and empowering children and adults in vulnerable situations at critical times in their lives; notes the 2009 Social Work Taskforce recommendation for the creation of an independent national college of social work, developed and led by social workers; supports the establishment of a College of Social Work which is independent of Government, led by and accountable to social workers and strong enough to influence the development of the profession; and therefore calls on the Government to support the establishment of such a college, without public subsidy, delivering a truly independent voice for the social work profession.

That this House recognises the vital role of social work in protecting, helping and empowering children and adults in vulnerable situations at critical times in their lives; notes the 2009 Social Work Taskforce recommendation for the creation of an independent national college of social work, developed and led by social...

That this House notes that the statutory leaving age will rise to 18 years by 2015; understands that the demand for high quality vocational education will increase; agrees that vocational educationmust be at the heart of the education system; further notes that teachers of vocational subjects in secondary schools are not required to haveexperience of, or expertise in, those subjects; is concerned to have a supply of expert vocational teachers with the specialist knowledge, expertise and passion to teach vocational education; and supports the recommendation of the Skills Commission report on Vocational Education in Teacher Training to introduce a unified teacher training system, and a universal Teacher Training System and Status for all teachers across 14 to 19 education, giving unified status to Qualified Teacher Status and Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills.

That this House notes that the statutory leaving age will rise to 18 years by 2015; understands that the demand for high quality vocational education will increase; agrees that vocational educationmust be at the heart of the education system; further notes that teachers of vocational subjects in secondary schools are...

That this House is concerned that the number of state school children taking languages at GCSE has dropped by a third in seven years to just 362,500 in the summer of 2009; notes that at 31 state secondary schools last year not a single student passed a foreign language GCSE; believes that some schools, particularly in deprived areas, have reduced language teaching in favour of easier subjects in order to improve league table scores; further notes that many companies demand competency in at least one foreign language as a condition of employment; further believes that, as a result, children in deprived areas are placed at a disadvantage; welcomes the Government's plan to introduce compulsory foreign language education for seven to 11 year olds in 2011; and calls on the Government to reverse its decision in 2004 to make the study of foreign languages optional from the age of 14 years onwards.

That this House is concerned that the number of state school children taking languages at GCSE has dropped by a third in seven years to just 362,500 in the summer of 2009; notes that at 31 state secondary schools last year not a single student passed a foreign language GCSE;...

That this House notes that the county of Humberside was abolished on 1st April 1996; further notes that it was replaced by four individual unitary authorities: Kingston-upon-Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire; further notes that almost 12 years on from that day, residents in the East Riding of Yorkshire continue to receive written correspondence marked North Humberside; further notes that this has caused a great deal of frustration amongst local people, who have great affection for the county of Yorkshire and who want to have their place of residence recognised; and calls on the Government to liaise with the Royal Mail Group to have this anomaly corrected at the earliest possible moment.

That this House notes that the county of Humberside was abolished on 1st April 1996; further notes that it was replaced by four individual unitary authorities: Kingston-upon-Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire; further notes that almost 12 years on from that day, residents in the...

That this House notes that Rural Community Councils (RCCs) do an important job in supporting the needs of rural communities; futher notes that core funding support for RCCs has been in place, via a number of different agencies, for over 25 years; further notes, however, that RCCs across the country are currently experiencing a funding crisis; further notes that Humber and Wolds Rural Community Council, in the East Riding of Yorkshire, will receive 10 per cent. less funding this year than they did in 2007; further notes that they will receive no increase to cater for inflation; further notes that as a result, 12 full-time members of staff have recently been made redundant; and calls upon the Government to equip RCCs with the funding and resources needed to make a purposeful difference to rural communities.

That this House notes that Rural Community Councils (RCCs) do an important job in supporting the needs of rural communities; futher notes that core funding support for RCCs has been in place, via a number of different agencies, for over 25 years; further notes, however, that RCCs across the country...

That this House notes that the Humber Bridge was the longest single-span suspension bridge in the world for 16 years; further notes that the original estimated cost of construction was ??28 million, which grew to ??98 million by completion; further notes that, thanks to interest charges, the Humber Bridge Board, which oversees the running of the bridge, saw its debt rise to ??439 million; further notes that the Humber Bridge (Debits) Act 1996, passed by this House to reorganise the Board's debts in order to safeguard the bridge's future maintenance, reduced that debt and that the current debt is ??333 million; further notes that in order to manage the debt, the Board charges a toll which, at ??5.40 for a return car crossing, is the most expensive toll crossing in the country; further notes that local businesses regard this toll as a hindrance to the local economy because it discourages investment; further notes that Richard Kendall, policy executive at the Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce, said recently that `the toll stops businesses on the north bank investing in the south bank and vice versa'; further notes that a petition calling on the Government to write off the debt itself has been signed by over 5,000 people; and calls on the Government to look into the feasibility of writing off the Bridge's debt at the earliest possible date.

That this House notes that the Humber Bridge was the longest single-span suspension bridge in the world for 16 years; further notes that the original estimated cost of construction was ??28 million, which grew to ??98 million by completion; further notes that, thanks to interest charges, the Humber Bridge Board,...

That this House notes that flood and coastal erosion risk management is an important issue facing the East Riding of Yorkshire and other coastal communities in England; further notes that there are large tracts of low-flying, high-quality farmland to the north of the River Humber; is alarmed at the prospect of this land being surrendered on cost of defence grounds; notes that the Netherlands has a positive policy to defend its land; and asks the Government urgently to review its policy of managed retreat.

That this House notes that flood and coastal erosion risk management is an important issue facing the East Riding of Yorkshire and other coastal communities in England; further notes that there are large tracts of low-flying, high-quality farmland to the north of the River Humber; is alarmed at the prospect...

That this House notes that firefighters across the country do a brave and heroic job, often risking their own lives on behalf of others; further notes that they should be rewarded for this service to the public with a fair pension settlement upon retirement; further notes that following the publication of guidance from the Department for Communities and Local Government four firefighters across the country who were in receipt of their pensions and who retired on grounds of ill-health have had their pensions stopped; further notes that this was due to their respective fire authorities telling them that they could perform other duties; further notes that as a result of a shortage of such non-operational duties, the four men were offered no alternative post and have been left with no job and no pension; further notes that firefighters pay a very high level of pension contribution, 11 per cent., to allow for the possibility of early retirement due to ill-health; further notes that this is not an appropriate way to treat former firefighters; and calls upon the Fire Minister to step in and resolve the matter at the earliest possible moment.

That this House notes that firefighters across the country do a brave and heroic job, often risking their own lives on behalf of others; further notes that they should be rewarded for this service to the public with a fair pension settlement upon retirement; further notes that following the publication...

That this House notes that more than 1,200 GP surgeries across the country have installed telephone systems using 0844 numbers; further notes that these systems are more expensive to use than a local call with patients being charged 5 pence per minute from a landline and up to 40 pence per minute from a mobile; further notes that for many people, calling their local GP surgery can be a stressful and worrying time and that high call charges will have a particular impact on the chronically ill, the old, the disabled and those on low incomes; notes that the practice of charging people extra to call their local GP is unsatisfactory; and calls upon the Secretary of State for Health to put an end to it with immediate effect.

That this House notes that more than 1,200 GP surgeries across the country have installed telephone systems using 0844 numbers; further notes that these systems are more expensive to use than a local call with patients being charged 5 pence per minute from a landline and up to 40 pence...

That this House strongly supports the aims of the Royal British Legion's Military Covenant campaign; recognises the extraordinary commitment and bravery of UK armed forces and their families; notes that the Military Covenant states that service personnel will be `called upon to make personal sacrifices, including the ultimate sacrifice, in the service of the nation' and that, in return, they will be able to expect ` fair treatment, to be valued and respected as individuals, and that they (and their families) will be sustained and rewarded by commensurate terms and conditions of service'; questions whether this solemn promise has been upheld by the Government; and calls on Ministers to support the physical and emotional wellbeing of service people and their families and to ensure that bereaved service families are appropriately supported, financially and otherwise, following the loss of loved ones in the line of duty.

That this House strongly supports the aims of the Royal British Legion's Military Covenant campaign; recognises the extraordinary commitment and bravery of UK armed forces and their families; notes that the Military Covenant states that service personnel will be `called upon to make personal sacrifices, including the ultimate sacrifice, in...

That this House notes that, prior to the opening of the Hull Waste Water Treatment Plant at Saltend, East Riding of Yorkshire, in 2000, promises were made by representatives of Yorkshire Water that it would be odour free; further notes that despite the promises by Yorkshire Water, the smell emanating from the plant has proved to be unbearable for many people; further notes that at a meeting in October 2006, the Chief Executive of Yorkshire Water gave assurances that there would be no further major problems by the summer of 2007; further notes that the East Riding of Yorkshire Council passed a motion in July which stated that `the obnoxious stench remains a daily problem'; and urges Ministers at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to put pressure on water companies to ensure that appropriate measures are in place to control the design and operation of this and similar plants in the future.

That this House notes that, prior to the opening of the Hull Waste Water Treatment Plant at Saltend, East Riding of Yorkshire, in 2000, promises were made by representatives of Yorkshire Water that it would be odour free; further notes that despite the promises by Yorkshire Water, the smell emanating...

That this House congratulates the East Riding of Yorkshire Council for having up to now maintained services to those with moderate needs under the Fair Access to Care Services scheme; notes that fewer than one third of local authorities are still providing this service; further notes that the East Riding of Yorkshire Council is increasing its spending on adult care but has nonetheless been forced to stop this service from 2008; and supports the Local Government Association in its campaign to see funding for social care being given priority in the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review.

That this House congratulates the East Riding of Yorkshire Council for having up to now maintained services to those with moderate needs under the Fair Access to Care Services scheme; notes that fewer than one third of local authorities are still providing this service; further notes that the East Riding...

That this House recognises the scale of flooding experienced across the East Riding of Yorkshire, where nearly 72 mm (2.8ins) of rain fell in just 24 hours; notes that hundreds of farmers have been affected, with thousands of acres of land still under water; notes that thousands of pounds worth of cereal, vegetables and pea crops have been destroyed and that some bankruptcies will be inevitable as a result; and calls on the Government to offer assistance, financial or otherwise, to those farmers who have been hit by the flooding.

That this House recognises the scale of flooding experienced across the East Riding of Yorkshire, where nearly 72 mm (2.8ins) of rain fell in just 24 hours; notes that hundreds of farmers have been affected, with thousands of acres of land still under water; notes that thousands of pounds worth...

That this House congratulates the East Riding of Yorkshire Council on the provision of care for dementia sufferers; welcomes the development of a new 40-bed residential home in Walkergate, Beverley; notes that around 700,000 people currently suffer from dementia; further notes that one in 10 people will suffer from dementia at some point in their lives and that the cost to the UK taxpayer of treating dementia currently stands at ??18 billion; further notes that in the East Riding of Yorkshire 4,759 people are suffering from dementia and that this is set to rise to 7,733 by 2021 if current trends continue, an increase of 62 per cent.; welcomes the recent Alzheimer's Society report, Dementia UK, which calls on the Government to make dementia a national priority, increase funding for dementia research, improve dementia care skills, develop community support for those with dementia, guarantee carer support packages, hold a national debate on how the costs of dementia care should be met and develop comprehensive dementia care models; and calls on the Government to act on these recommendations.

That this House congratulates the East Riding of Yorkshire Council on the provision of care for dementia sufferers; welcomes the development of a new 40-bed residential home in Walkergate, Beverley; notes that around 700,000 people currently suffer from dementia; further notes that one in 10 people will suffer from dementia...

That this House notes that, according to the Equal Opportunities Commission, 2.2 million women in the UK are not accruing rights to the basic state pension; further notes that retired men have on average between ??50 and ??100 more private pension income than women of the same age per week; welcomes the commitment in the 2006 Pensions Bill to reduce the number of qualifying years for a full basic state pension to 30 years from 2010 but recognises that those retiring before 2010 are not covered under the Bill and will still require the existing 39 years' contributions for women or 44 years for men; is concerned that almost five million women will be left behind by these changes; and calls on Ministers to consider the plight of poorer female pensioners when considering further reforms of the state pension.

That this House notes that, according to the Equal Opportunities Commission, 2.2 million women in the UK are not accruing rights to the basic state pension; further notes that retired men have on average between ??50 and ??100 more private pension income than women of the same age per week;...

That this House notes with concern the geographical inequality in the provision of orthodontic care and the shortage of training places for orthodontic specialists; further notes that one fifth of orthodontic specialists are due to retire in the next six years; further notes that a shortage of specialists is driving patients to consult practitioners who have insufficient training and experience; further notes that there are only two orthodontic specialists serving the whole of Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire; and supports the British Orthodontic Society's call for the Government to increase the number of funded training posts in UK dental schools.

That this House notes with concern the geographical inequality in the provision of orthodontic care and the shortage of training places for orthodontic specialists; further notes that one fifth of orthodontic specialists are due to retire in the next six years; further notes that a shortage of specialists is driving...

That this House notes that the Government stated in the Health White Paper, `Our Health, Our Care, Our Say', that it intended to fulfil its 2005 General Election manifesto promise to develop a new generation of modern NHS community hospitals over a period of five years; notes that according to the Community Hospitals Association 3,000 community hospital beds have been lost since 1999; notes that 165 hospitals have suffered or are threatened with cuts of closure; notes that community hospital patients and supporters feel let down by the Government's failure to keep its promises on community hospitals including the recent announcement by the hon. Member for Leigh that `there is no target for the number of community hospitals we intend to fund'; and calls on the Government to allow a debate on community hospitals to be held in Government time on the floor of the House.

That this House notes that the Government stated in the Health White Paper, `Our Health, Our Care, Our Say', that it intended to fulfil its 2005 General Election manifesto promise to develop a new generation of modern NHS community hospitals over a period of five years; notes that according to...