That this House notes the research from the older people's charity Independent Age, which shows that around three-quarters of councils are currently unable to demonstrate that they protect the families of pensioners from paying top-up fees they cannot afford; welcomes the Department of Health's consultations on the rules that local authorities will be required to follow as part of their responsibilities to provide care and support in England; further notes one significant aspect of the consultation, coming to a close in August 2014, concerns the payment of top-up fees for local authority-supported residents entering care home accommodation; calls on the Department of Health to strengthen the legal framework on charging in residential accommodation; and specifically calls on the Government to ensure local authorities are required to actively monitor which of the residents are able and willing to pay top-ups for residential care so no-one has to make these payments for the essential care that it is councils' responsibility to meet.

That this House notes the research from the older people's charity Independent Age, which shows that around three-quarters of councils are currently unable to demonstrate that they protect the families of pensioners from paying top-up fees they cannot afford; welcomes the Department of Health's consultations on the rules that local...

That this House welcomes MS Week 2014, which takes place from 28 April to 4 May; understands that there are over 100,000 people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) in the UK and that over the last decade the availability of treatments for MS has been instrumental in supporting many people to manage their condition and its symptoms; supports the notion that everyone with MS should be able to access the right treatment at the right time; notes recent research by the MS Society that highlights current barriers to accessing disease modifying treatments and considers that, with three new treatments just authorised by the European Commission, this situation needs to be urgently addressed; further welcomes the MS Society's Treat Me Right campaign, which aims to ensure that licensed treatments for MS are freely available to everyone who needs them and that people with MS are active, informed and equal partners in their care; and further supports the need for fresh thinking on what steps must be taken in England to achieve this goal with the partnership of the Government, the NHS, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, the voluntary sector, industry and people affected by MS.

That this House welcomes MS Week 2014, which takes place from 28 April to 4 May; understands that there are over 100,000 people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) in the UK and that over the last decade the availability of treatments for MS has been instrumental in supporting many people...

That this House welcomes the announcement that the necessary legislative changes have been made to allow advance practice physiotherapists in England to become the first group in the world able to independently prescribe medicines without a doctor authorising their decision; notes that on completion of appropriate training physiotherapists will have similar prescribing responsibilities to those of other non-medical professionals, like nurses and pharmacists; recognises the major improvements in care this development will deliver, with patients being offered quicker and more direct access to the medicines and treatments they need; and urges hon.Members representing constituencies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to work with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and the devolved administrations to facilitate the similar legislative changes required in those countries to ensure all people in the UK have equitable access to the improvements in care this will deliver.

That this House welcomes the announcement that the necessary legislative changes have been made to allow advance practice physiotherapists in England to become the first group in the world able to independently prescribe medicines without a doctor authorising their decision; notes that on completion of appropriate training physiotherapists will have...

That this House notes that there is a serious gap in information on epilepsy mortality and congratulates SUDEP Action, the working name for Epilepsy Bereaved, on the launch of the Epilepsy Deaths Register; recognises that the last national audit of epilepsy-related deaths led by SUDEP Action in 2002 found that 42 per cent of epilepsy-related deaths were potentially avoidable and was a powerful lever for driving improvements in patient care; and calls on the Department of Health and the Ministry of Justice to do all it can to support the development of the Epilepsy Deaths Register.

That this House notes that there is a serious gap in information on epilepsy mortality and congratulates SUDEP Action, the working name for Epilepsy Bereaved, on the launch of the Epilepsy Deaths Register; recognises that the last national audit of epilepsy-related deaths led by SUDEP Action in 2002 found that...

That this House notes that epilepsy is in the top 10 of all causes of premature mortality in the UK; recognises that some 500 of these are sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP); and congratulates Jane Hanna OBE, Chief Executive of SUDEP Action for winning the 2013 international Award for Social Accomplishment in Epilepsy, in recognition by doctor and patient organisations across the world of the impact of SUDEP Action in benefiting people with epilepsy through improvements to awareness, research, services and clinical practice.

That this House notes that epilepsy is in the top 10 of all causes of premature mortality in the UK; recognises that some 500 of these are sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP); and congratulates Jane Hanna OBE, Chief Executive of SUDEP Action for winning the 2013 international Award for...

That this House welcomes the Wandle Valley Regional Park campaign launched by the Sutton and Wimbledon Guardian newspapers and the investment the London boroughs of Sutton, Croydon, Merton and Wandsworth have secured for the Wandle Valley Regional Park; and calls on the Government to amend the legislation that created the Lee Valley Regional Park levy to allow the London Borough of Sutton and other London local authorities the option of investing the money they currently contribute to the Lee Valley Regional Park via the levy into other regional parks.

That this House welcomes the Wandle Valley Regional Park campaign launched by the Sutton and Wimbledon Guardian newspapers and the investment the London boroughs of Sutton, Croydon, Merton and Wandsworth have secured for the Wandle Valley Regional Park; and calls on the Government to amend the legislation that created the...

That this House considers that pleural plaques caused by negligent exposure to asbestos constitute actual harm; calls on the Government to reassess its stance on access to compensation for people suffering pleural plaques caused by exposure to asbestos and allow sufferers to sue their employers where there is proven negligence; and further calls on the Government to adopt the position taken in Scotland whereby sufferers may bring a claim under civil law for compensation where their condition was caused by the negligence of the employer.

That this House considers that pleural plaques caused by negligent exposure to asbestos constitute actual harm; calls on the Government to reassess its stance on access to compensation for people suffering pleural plaques caused by exposure to asbestos and allow sufferers to sue their employers where there is proven negligence;...

That this House notes that in the updated National Strategy for Carers the Government pledged an additional £400 million to the NHS to enable more carers to take well-earned breaks from their caring responsibilities; further notes that there are over six million carers in the UK who are vital to its national system of care and support and that last year, primary care trusts (PCTs) were required to publish plans and budgets on supporting carers in line with the Carers' Strategy and that although some have done so, many have not fulfilled their duties; supports the report recently published by Carers Trust which details the lack of transparency and accountability for carers in terms of how PCTs are supporting them; agrees with Carers Trust that carers could be better supported if clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) worked with local authorities, carers and local carers organisations to refresh local carers strategies and to ensure carers benefit from the funding made available to the NHS up until 2015; and finally calls on the Government and the NHS Commissioning Board to ensure CCGs work in partnership with others to identify clear and accessible ways to present information on how they are supporting carers and allocating funding for carers' breaks.

That this House notes that in the updated National Strategy for Carers the Government pledged an additional £400 million to the NHS to enable more carers to take well-earned breaks from their caring responsibilities; further notes that there are over six million carers in the UK who are vital to...

That this House is concerned that the future of local analogue-based radio stations is being jeopardised by the absence of a clear Government strategy and confusion over what happens when digital switchover is complete; believes that popular local radio stations like Radio Jackie in south west London provide a valuable service which would be threatened by larger regional stations which will not provide radio services with a local focus; and calls on the Government to develop an alternative to digital switchover which allows local radio stations to continue broadcasting on the analogue spectrum.

That this House is concerned that the future of local analogue-based radio stations is being jeopardised by the absence of a clear Government strategy and confusion over what happens when digital switchover is complete; believes that popular local radio stations like Radio Jackie in south west London provide a valuable...

That this House welcomes the publication of the Alzheimer's Research Trust's Dementia 2010 report; notes that dementia affects 820,000 people in the UK; further notes that dementia costs the economy ??23 billion per year, more than cancer and heart disease combined; is concerned that dementia research funding is 12 times lower than that for cancer; welcomes the Government's formation of a Ministerial Advisory Group on Dementia Research; and urges the Government to make dementia research a national priority.

That this House welcomes the publication of the Alzheimer's Research Trust's Dementia 2010 report; notes that dementia affects 820,000 people in the UK; further notes that dementia costs the economy ??23 billion per year, more than cancer and heart disease combined; is concerned that dementia research funding is 12 times...

That this House congratulates the staff and management of Crown Agents for the excellent performance of the organisation in 2009 helping developing countries achieve their development goals; notes that Crown Agents' expertise in public financial management helps governments raise revenue, manage debt and plan expenditure more effectively; further notes that its procurement and supply chain services, together with banking and asset management services, help ensure that wealth generated is spent or invested for the good of all; and congratulates Crown Agents on its role in activities such as helping to reduce malaria deaths in Africa, alleviate poverty and accelerate growth in Morocco, build healthcare capacity in Ethiopia, reduce corruption in Kenya, promote capacity building in Rwanda, support justice reform efforts in Pakistan and strengthen public procurement in Vietnam, which help its clients to improve peoples' lives.

That this House congratulates the staff and management of Crown Agents for the excellent performance of the organisation in 2009 helping developing countries achieve their development goals; notes that Crown Agents' expertise in public financial management helps governments raise revenue, manage debt and plan expenditure more effectively; further notes that...

That this House believes that garden land should be designated as greenfield land and afforded greater protection in national planning guidance; notes that garden land provides vital habitats for wildlife and essential amenities for householders; and calls on the Government to amend planning guidance to protect garden land from predatory developers.

That this House believes that garden land should be designated as greenfield land and afforded greater protection in national planning guidance; notes that garden land provides vital habitats for wildlife and essential amenities for householders; and calls on the Government to amend planning guidance to protect garden land from predatory...

That this House believes that the current arrangements for determining appeals against the refusal of planning permission by local authorities places too much power in the hands of the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and the Planning Inspectorate; further believes the Planning Inspectorate to be remote and its Inspectors not sufficiently aware of the local conditions when determining appeals; congratulates the London Borough of Sutton Council for applying to use powers under the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 to pilot the establishment of an independent local appeals committee to discharge the function of the Planning Inspectorate; and calls on the Government to approve Sutton's application.

That this House believes that the current arrangements for determining appeals against the refusal of planning permission by local authorities places too much power in the hands of the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and the Planning Inspectorate; further believes the Planning Inspectorate to be remote and...

That this House notes that successive Government's have rejected calls for a change in the law to reverse the effect of the Greenwich judgment on the operation of local school admission policy; is concerned that as a result of the court judgment admission authorities are not allowed to take into account administrative boundaries when allocating school places; believes that parents and children living in a local authority area should be able to expect to obtain a place at a local school in that area; and calls on the Government either to bring forward its own legislation to grant local admission authorities the discretion to give priority to the school preferences of parents resident within the local authority area or to support provisions of the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam's Fair Access to School (Admissions) Bill.

That this House notes that successive Government's have rejected calls for a change in the law to reverse the effect of the Greenwich judgment on the operation of local school admission policy; is concerned that as a result of the court judgment admission authorities are not allowed to take into...

That this House believes that the ongoing disruption to First Capital Connect services travelling into London needs to stop; deplores the severe reduction in timetabled services due to mismanagement by First Capital Connect, which has not employed enough drivers to cover the shifts needed; is concerned that commuters are having to find alternate routes into work and school, adding considerable time and expense to their daily journeys; notes the petition on the Number 10 website calling on the Prime Minister to act on this matter; calls on the Secretary of State for Transport to recognise this gross lack of competence; further notes that the current disruption is a breach of the franchise; and further calls on the Secretary of State for Transport to serve immediate notice to terminate the franchise agreement with First Capital Connect and to offer the franchise to a more capable organisation.

That this House believes that the ongoing disruption to First Capital Connect services travelling into London needs to stop; deplores the severe reduction in timetabled services due to mismanagement by First Capital Connect, which has not employed enough drivers to cover the shifts needed; is concerned that commuters are having...

That this House notes that the report of the National Audit Office (NAO) on dementia services found that there has not been a robust approach to implementation of the National Dementia Strategy; is concerned that the NAO concludes that the strategy has not been given the levers or urgency necessary; further notes that there is a lack of joined-up, well-informed commissioning necessary to redirect the resources needed to pay for new dementia services; regrets the lack of progress on basic training of healthcare professionals; and calls on the Government to put in place urgently the mechanisms needed to bring about the large-scale transformation of dementia services that are desperately needed.

That this House notes that the report of the National Audit Office (NAO) on dementia services found that there has not been a robust approach to implementation of the National Dementia Strategy; is concerned that the NAO concludes that the strategy has not been given the levers or urgency necessary;...

That this House notes there were 29.4 per cent. more births in Sutton in 2007-08 than in 2000-01, which represents about 300 children per year; further notes that the increase in demand for reception places in Sutton will peak at nine forms of entry above the borough's present capacity by 2012; congratulates Sutton Council for taking steps to provide additional classes to meet increasing demand at reception and actively planning to add further permanent capacity to meet the initial surge in demand over the period 2011 to 2014; regrets the fact that the council received no allocation from the first round of Basic Need Safety Valve Grants; and calls on the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families to review the council's case for additional capital funds and to make them available to ensure that Sutton children receive a fair deal.

That this House notes there were 29.4 per cent. more births in Sutton in 2007-08 than in 2000-01, which represents about 300 children per year; further notes that the increase in demand for reception places in Sutton will peak at nine forms of entry above the borough's present capacity by...

That this House congratulates Team ASAP for the research project that they undertook as part of the First Lego League Competition; thanks the team's coaches for their voluntary effort; notes that the team conducted interviews with representatives of the emergency services to identify the causes of accidents involving young people; further notes the team's conclusion that high visibility clothing would cut the number of accidents; and calls on the Departments for Children, Schools and Families and for Transport to review the guidance to schools on uniform and include advice on the incorporation of high visibility materials.

That this House congratulates Team ASAP for the research project that they undertook as part of the First Lego League Competition; thanks the team's coaches for their voluntary effort; notes that the team conducted interviews with representatives of the emergency services to identify the causes of accidents involving young people;...

That this House believes that local and regional newspapers have a long track record of serving and being at the heart of their communities; notes that local media are widely acknowledged as the most trusted of all media; further believes that the independence of local media is vitally important to proper scrutiny and accountability; is concerned that local authority subsidy of news can create unfair competition, making local commercial media unviable and pose a threat to free speech; is further concerned that 100 local newspapers across the UK closed in 2009; further believes that the requirement to place statutory notices with publications independent of the placing authority should be preserved; and calls on the Competition Commission and Audit Commission to review the impact of the growth of local authority funded newspapers on the local media market and free speech.

That this House believes that local and regional newspapers have a long track record of serving and being at the heart of their communities; notes that local media are widely acknowledged as the most trusted of all media; further believes that the independence of local media is vitally important to...

That this House notes that 117,400 people in receipt of attendance allowance or disability living allowance have dementia; further notes that this condition and these benefits qualify the recipient for a 25 to 100 per cent. discount on their council tax in a two person household and a 100 per cent. discount in a single person household; regrets that the Department for Work and Pensions has made no estimate of the number of households in receipt of attendance allowance or disability living allowance that take up their entitlement to council tax discount; and calls on the Department for Work and Pensions to examine the introduction of an automatic council tax discount enrolment scheme for those in receipt of attendance allowance or disability living allowance.

That this House notes that 117,400 people in receipt of attendance allowance or disability living allowance have dementia; further notes that this condition and these benefits qualify the recipient for a 25 to 100 per cent. discount on their council tax in a two person household and a 100 per...