Parliamentary Activity
COVID-19 Inquiry — 234 mentions in Parliament since Jul 2020
BBC local radio programming
That this House condemns the proposed cuts to BBC local radio programming which will see programming shared between regions after 2pm and on weekends; applauds the role of BBC local radio stations in democratic accountability, combating isolation and responding to crises such as covid-19 and local emergencies; questions for what reason the BBC’s digital first strategy is at the expense of a vital part of local media infrastructure; notes with concern that staff whose jobs are at risk found ou...
Disability and the cost of living crisis
That this House congratulates the Greater Manchester Disabled People’s Panel on their recent Big Disability Survey, the largest survey of disabled people in the UK, and the report highlighting the barriers disabled people face; notes its key findings, that disabled people in Greater Manchester are living under a threefold assault on their rights and quality of life: firstly, through austerity, then covid-19 and now as a result of the cost- of- living crisis; further notes its finding that dis...
Celebrating 7th Annual Ayurveda Day on 7 November 2022
That this House celebrates the 7th Annual Ayurveda Day and acknowledges that the covid-19 pandemic underlined the urgent need for cost-effective measures to improve health; notes that only a comprehensive prevention-oriented approach can meet this challenge; further notes that Ayurveda, the ancient and complete system of natural healthcare, offers a timeless tradition of holistic and multi-dimensional approaches to health and well-being; recognises the importance of research on Ayurveda is no...
Derry City's Halloween Festival 2022
That this House recognises the contribution of the Derry Halloween Festival to the life and economy of Derry City; notes the globally renowned annual celebrations across the city have grown from strength to strength, with the original festival beginning over 35 years ago drawing on Derry’s rich mythical, creative, and cultural history; further recognises the festival is Europe’s biggest Halloween festival and that in 2019 it attracted 140,000 visitors; further notes that the covid-19 pandemic...
County lines and child criminal exploitation
That this House is alarmed at the expansion of county lines networks, recently exacerbated by covid-19; calls for clarification of laws to ensure that all young people who are groomed, coerced and controlled into committing crime are recognised as victims of trafficking and exploitation; advocates the adoption of a new public health approach to drug prevention that works with schools, pupil referral units and providers for those outside of mainstream education; notes the need for new local sa...
Global hunger and the UN Sustainable Development Goals
That this House believes the lack of attention paid to global hunger has exacerbated this long-term and widespread issue; is concerned by warnings from the World Food Programme (WFP) of another year of record hunger; notes the number of hungry people globally increased from 282 million to 345 million during 2022; highlights that a fifth of the total population of Africa went hungry in 2021; further highlights that the WFP is currently holding back famine in Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sou...
Stewart Gorman's service with Royal Mail
That this House recognises the career of Stewart Gorman, who has retired from the Royal Mail after 47 years of tireless service; notes that Stewart was the last remaining postman in Ayrshire who worked under the state-operated General Post Office; expresses its gratitude for the tremendous work undertaken by Stewart over several decades ensuring people, communities and businesses were connected, particularly during the covid-19 pandemic; is aware that Stewart is a well known face across the G...
Aroma Coffee and Kitchen in Larkhall
That this House congratulates Aroma Coffee and Kitchen in Larkhall on their nomination in The Food Awards Scotland 2022; recognises the hard work of the excellent team of staff in developing a successful business; celebrates Aroma's offering of artisanal delicacies in the town of Larkhall as well as the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the café; understands the challenges faced by the hospitality industry as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic; and further congratulates Aroma for overcoming the...
Dolffanog Fawr Guest House, Tywyn and Trefeddian Hotel and the Good Hotel Guide 2022
That this House warmly congratulates both Dolffanog Fawr Guest House, Tywyn and Trefeddian Hotel, Aberdyfi for their success in the Good Hotel Guide 2022; notes that Dolffanog Fawr is an 18th Century farmhouse, recently converted into one of the finest small luxury guest houses in Snowdonia and came top in the fishing category; further notes that the Trefeddian Hotel, situated just outside Aberdyfi has been in the Cave-Browne-Cave family for over 100 years and was awarded the Editor's Choice ...
Lee-Ann's Cafe, Larkhall
That this House congratulates Lee-Ann's Café in Larkhall on their success in The Food Awards Scotland 2022; recognises the hard work of owner Lee-Ann Shakir, as well as her excellent team of staff, in developing a successful business; celebrates Lee-Ann's offering of traditional delicacies in the heart of Larkhall as well as the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the café; understands the challenges faced by the hospitality industry as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic; further congratulates Le...
FLEXcon 25th anniversary in business
That this House congratulates FLEXcon Europe on their 25th year of business at their manufacturing site in Glenrothes; highlights that FLEXcon are the leading global manufacturer of coated and laminate films and adhesives which can be found in a huge range of products used globally; recognizes FLEXcon’s work to safeguard their workforce and ensure consumer continuity throughout the Covid-19 pandemic; and thanks all the staff at FLEXcon for their continued hard work and wishes them all the bes...
Pay for civil servants
That this House supports the Public and Commercial Services union’s demand for a fair pay rise for civil servants; expresses concern that, with general inflation at a 40-year high of around ten per cent, the Government’s proposal to give its workers just a two per cent increase is nowhere enough, especially as it comes after over a decade of pay restraint; is alarmed that, according to a recent Public and Commercial Services union survey, 85 per cent of members say the cost-of-living crisis h...
Effect of rising energy costs on small and medium-sized businesses, public sector organisations and charities
That this House recognises the impending cost of the energy crisis facing small businesses, public sector organisations and charities; is dismayed at the delays in offering support and the lack of planning to mitigate against this foreseeable crisis for these sectors; considers the lasting impact of covid-19 and soaring inflation on businesses, public sector organisations and charities to be significant; welcomes moves towards an energy price cap for business, public sector organisations and ...
1st Troon Boys Brigade and 2022 World Pipe Band Championships
That this House congratulates the 1st Troon Boys Brigade Pipe Band on winning first place and becoming Champions in the Grade 4B class at the 2022 World Pipe Band Championships, held at Glasgow Green on 12-13 August 2022 in front of 40,000 spectators; commends the musicians, their families and the band leaders for their commitment and effort in maintaining bagpipe teaching and band practice despite the challenges of the ccovid-19 pandemic; and wishes the band ongoing success in future competi...
Impact of Brexit on UK prosperity
That this House notes with concern the impact of Brexit on inflation; notes research by the UK in a Changing Europe think tank revealed that Brexit has increased food prices by 6 per cent; acknowledges that sterling has lost 10 per cent of its value, leaving households poor by increasing import costs and inflation while lowering wage growth; is aware of research published by the London School of Economics and Resolution Foundation that Brexit has reduced how open and competitive Britain is, l...
Helmi’s and the inaugural East Dunbartonshire hospitality awards
That this House congratulates Bearsden patisserie, Helmi’s, on winning the best hospitality business in the East Dunbartonshire hospitality awards; notes the popular patisserie opened in 2020; further notes the business is owned by the Helmi family who fled the war in Syria and expanded into East Dunbartonshire after enjoying success on the Isle of Bute; understands Helmi’s came top of a final shortlist of five businesses with nearly 1,500 members of the public voting in the final round; reco...
Provision of NHS services
That this House expresses its concern at the crisis unfolding in the National Health Service (NHS); notes that every ambulance service in England has declared critical incident status; further notes that staff shortages have been reported in hospitals across the country; understands that the spike in the number of covid-19 cases is putting additional strain on the health service due to the increased number of patients and staff absences; recognises that the hard working and dedicated NHS staf...
50 years of Ards Swimming Club
That this House notes the celebration of 50 years of Ards Swimming Club (ASC) which was delayed due to the covid-19 pandemic; highlights that ASC is the only club in Ulster to have had swimmers compete in the Commonwealth Games every event since 1994; notes the success of the Club's alumni in the form of Andy Bree who competed in the 2000 and 2008 Olympic Games and more recently the Paralympic Gold Medallist, Bethany Firth, and fellow Paralympic athlete, Barry McClements; and wishes Bethany F...
Highland Wildlife Park 50 year anniversary
That this House congratulates the Highland Wildlife Park on celebrating its 50th anniversary this year; commends the hard work of the team at the Highland Wildlife Park and the continuation of animal conservation and care during the covid-19 pandemic; recognises the importance of their current Saving Wildcats project being led by their Wildlife Conservation Charity and the vital ongoing work to protect and restore native Scottish species as part of their pledge to reverse the decline of 50 sp...
Armed Forces Day 2022
That this House notes that Armed Forces Day took place on Saturday 25 June; celebrates the outstanding commitment of service personnel, reservists, service families, veterans and cadets to our peace and security; recognises the unique skills and expertise that the entire Armed Forces community contribute to the UK and beyond; highlights the work of the Armed Forces in supporting the Covid-19 pandemic response, from facilitating community testing to delivering vaccines; recognises the need for...
Time Deli Hamilton
That this House congratulates Time Deli in Hamilton on their success in the 2022 Lanarkshire Retail Business Awards; recognises the hard work of mother and daughter team Lisa and Linda, as well as their excellent team of staff, in developing a successful business since starting the venture in 2017; celebrates Time's offering of artisan delicacies in the heart of Hamilton as well as the unique artistic atmosphere of the deli; understands the challenges faced by the hospitality industry as a re...
Brake's Kids Walk
That this House celebrates the tireless efforts of countless individuals and organisations, especially community groups, schools, emergency services and road safety professionals, to champion road safety and reduce deaths and serious injuries affecting the young on roads; highlights the 10,125 young people, under the age of 16, killed, seriously injured or slightly injured on roads in the UK in 2020, including 644 in Northern Ireland, despite the covid-19 outbreak reducing traffic and the fac...
National Parent Teacher Association Week 2022
That this House celebrates National PTA Week, which takes place from 20 to 24 June 2022 and was launched by Parentkind, the largest network of Parent Teacher Association fundraisers in the UK; recognises that Parentkind’s 13,000 PTA members raise over £120 million per year, placing them alongside some of the largest charities in the UK; acknowledges the dedication and determination that PTAs have shown in maintaining support for schools throughout the covid-19 pandemic and beyond; and notes t...
Covid-19 Inquiry engagement with ethnic minorities
That this House regrets the adverse impact the covid-19 pandemic has had on black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, including the particular impacts on health and social care workers from these communities; echoes, and urges the Prime Minister to accept, the Inquiry Chair’s recommendation that the draft terms of reference for the long-anticipated COVID-19 Inquiry be reframed to put possible inequalities at its forefront so that investigation into any unequal impacts of the pandemic runs...
Compulsory redundancies and privatisation at the British Council
That this House is concerned that the vital role of the British Council in promoting Cultural Relations and education, arts, and English language training across the globe will be undermined by the current programme of closures, cuts and outsourcing being undertaken as a result of financial pressures; notes that the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the sponsoring department of the British Council, refused to provide a grant to cover a reduction in revenues during the covid...