That this House recalls with pleasure the fundraising efforts of one of the House of Commons doorkeepers, Paul Kehoe, who raised £1,400 during last year's Movember campaign by growing a luxuriant full-set beard and then having it shaved off; thanks all those who donated and helped Paul to be able to send funds to Cancer UK, Help 4 Heroes and to other charities supporting those with prostate cancer, Alzheimer's and dementia; extends best wishes to Paul in his endeavours to repeat the campaign this year when he will seek to support these same charities, as well those supporting Crohn's and Colitis disease and issues with breast augmentation; and encourages hon. Members to repeat their generosity from 2015.

That this House recalls with pleasure the fundraising efforts of one of the House of Commons doorkeepers, Paul Kehoe, who raised £1,400 during last year's Movember campaign by growing a luxuriant full-set beard and then having it shaved off; thanks all those who donated and helped Paul to be able...

That this House is concerned by the Government's proposed closure of 91 courts and tribunals in England and Wales, and the entirely detrimental impact this will have on access to local justice; believes that the public need to see justice being delivered within the communities it is meant to serve if confidence in the system is to be upheld; is further concerned at inaccuracies relating to a large under-estimation of travel times to alternative courts contained within the HM Courts and Tribunal Service consultation document and the assumption that those attending court have access to their own vehicle, with little or no acknowledgement that many vulnerable families and victims will rely on public transport, particularly in rural areas; further believes that Government proposals to hold court proceedings in local authority-owned buildings could compromise the safety of staff and members of the public as these buildings were not built to cope with such proceedings, and therefore lack the necessary facilities currently present within court buildings; is disappointed that the consultation document remained largely silent on the impact the proposals would have on staff; and urges Ministers to listen carefully to the concerns being raised and not to continue with any closures that would restrict access to justice, remove or reduce staff and public safety and lessen public confidence in local justice delivery.

That this House is concerned by the Government's proposed closure of 91 courts and tribunals in England and Wales, and the entirely detrimental impact this will have on access to local justice; believes that the public need to see justice being delivered within the communities it is meant to serve...

That this House believes that the one per cent four-year public sector pay cap announced by the Chancellor in the Summer Budget will inflict deep damage to public services and unfairly shut out public sector workers from the benefits of growth across the economy; notes that public sector workers have already endured a two-year pay freeze, followed by a three-year one per cent pay cap that has cut thousands of pounds from the real value of wages, followed by this new four-year one per cent pay cap which will cut almost £2,400 from the value of the average public sector wage by 2019 as RPI inflation returns to an annual rate of over three per cent; further notes that this contrasts sharply with economic growth running at 2.5 per cent, average earnings in the private sector predicted to reach close to four per cent within the next two years, the remuneration of FTSE 100 chief executives growing at 21 per cent and corporate profits growing at almost five per cent; notes that this trend is already apparent in a recent Smith Institute survey of HR directors and managers which found that 63 per cent of health trusts are unsure that they have enough staff to meet demand, particularly among highly trained, specialist and experienced staff, while 88 per cent of local authorities state that the continuation of the pay squeeze will impact on their ability to recruit and retain staff; and further believes that the huge gap between public and private sector wage growth is set to create a recruitment and retention crisis that will undermine the standard of care provided by the UK's health service, the quality of education for children in UK schools and care for the vulnerable in UK communities.

That this House believes that the one per cent four-year public sector pay cap announced by the Chancellor in the Summer Budget will inflict deep damage to public services and unfairly shut out public sector workers from the benefits of growth across the economy; notes that public sector workers have...

That this House notes that thousands of people who served in the Royal Navy before 1987 are not entitled to full compensation for being exposed, while under military orders, to asbestos and for when they have contracted mesothelioma; further notes that they will lose out massively when compared with people who contracted the lethal lung disease in civilian life where compensation reaches £180,000, while an estimated 2,500 sailors in this position may only be eligible for £31,000 through their war pension; believes that this is a clear breach of the Armed Forces Covenant, which the Prime Minister rightly described as the promise to the UK's military that, because of the sacrifices they make on the UK's behalf, they should not have less good treatment than other groups of people; agrees with Chris Simpkins, director general of The Royal British Legion, that this is a clear breach of the Armed Forces Covenant; recognises that the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Defence are examining the matter; and urges them and service chiefs to take swift and positive action to resolve this gross anomaly.

That this House notes that thousands of people who served in the Royal Navy before 1987 are not entitled to full compensation for being exposed, while under military orders, to asbestos and for when they have contracted mesothelioma; further notes that they will lose out massively when compared with people...

That this House notes that thousands who served in the armed services before 1987 are not entitled to full compensation for being exposed, while under military orders, to asbestos and to have contracted mesothelioma; further notes that they will lose out massively when compared with people who contracted the lethal lung disease in civilian life where compensation reaches £180,000, while an estimated 2,500 sailors in this position may only be eligible for £31,000 through their war pension; believes that this is a clear breach of the military covenant, which the Prime Minister rightly described as the promise to our military that, because of the sacrifices they make on our behalf, they should not have less good treatment than other groups of people; agrees with Chris Simpkins, Director General of The Royal British Legion, that this is a clear breach of the Armed Forces Covenant; recognises that the Prime Minister and the Defence Secretary are examining the matter; and urges them and service chiefs to take swift and positive action to resolve this gross anomaly.

That this House notes that thousands who served in the armed services before 1987 are not entitled to full compensation for being exposed, while under military orders, to asbestos and to have contracted mesothelioma; further notes that they will lose out massively when compared with people who contracted the lethal...

That this House notes with regret the necessary and strong warning issued by the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) about prosecuting people who attack firefighters while they carry out their life saving work in the light of recent physical attacks; agrees with the TWFRS that attacks on crews not only hinder them from fulfilling their role to make our communities safe but also risk putting emergency equipment out of action which could be needed to save a life at any time, and not least around the time of bonfire night; welcomes their decision to employ CCTV on their vehicles and overt and covert methods to prevent such irresponsible and dangerous attacks; and urges the public to co-operate with the fire and rescue service and the police in encouraging zero tolerance of such behaviour against firefighters in the line of their duty to protect the community.

That this House notes with regret the necessary and strong warning issued by the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS) about prosecuting people who attack firefighters while they carry out their life saving work in the light of recent physical attacks; agrees with the TWFRS that attacks on...

That this House recognises the essential work carried out by support staff in helping the NHS achieve consistently high standards of care and patient experience; believes that everyone who works in the NHS should be properly valued, whatever role they fill; asserts that the media-driven divide between frontline clinical services and so-called back office support services is entirely artificial in the NHS; further believes that without support staff the NHS could not function, as those staff enable clinicians to carry out their jobs to the best of their abilities; further recognises that every day NHS support staff work round the clock to dispense medicines, maintain vital equipment, order medical supplies, book appointments, pay bills, manage computer systems, clean, cook, do the laundry and oversee the day-to-day running of the NHS; notes with concern that support staff jobs are often the first to be cut and that many of the services they provide face the constant threat of outsourcing; recognises that managers in the NHS are also under constant attack, despite the NHS being relatively under-managed compared to the rest of the UK economy; and welcomes UNISON's One Team campaign that seeks to highlight this important issue.

That this House recognises the essential work carried out by support staff in helping the NHS achieve consistently high standards of care and patient experience; believes that everyone who works in the NHS should be properly valued, whatever role they fill; asserts that the media-driven divide between frontline clinical services...

That this House notes the proposal made in the Newcastle Journal by Northern Rock Foundation Chair, Alastair Balls, that the Chancellor of the Exchequer should allocate a reasonable and fair proportion of profits made by the Treasury from Northern Rock's former holdings to the work of the Northern Rock Foundation; further notes that the work of the Foundation has made a real difference to communities and individuals over many years through helping tackle issues such as domestic abuse, investing in the arts and supporting schemes to help disadvantaged people; and agrees with Vera Baird, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria, that the Chancellor has a unique opportunity to ensure the long-term future of the Foundation.

That this House notes the proposal made in the Newcastle Journal by Northern Rock Foundation Chair, Alastair Balls, that the Chancellor of the Exchequer should allocate a reasonable and fair proportion of profits made by the Treasury from Northern Rock's former holdings to the work of the Northern Rock Foundation;...

That this House praises the efforts of Paul Kehoe, one of the House's doorkeepers and a servant of the House for 37 years, in supporting The Big Shave Off in order to raise funds for charities involved with autism, Alzheimer's, Cancer UK, Help the Heroes and prostate cancer; is impressed by the luxuriant growth on his head, upper lip and chin and recognises that he has been the butt of good humour from hon. Members during his time of growth and expansion; looks forward to his moment of relief when The Big Shave Off takes place on 17 June 2015; urges colleagues to support Paul's fundraising efforts; and recognises that several hon. Members support the Movember campaign every year, but is not surprised that one of the House's staff has, as always, gone the extra mile on behalf of others.

That this House praises the efforts of Paul Kehoe, one of the House's doorkeepers and a servant of the House for 37 years, in supporting The Big Shave Off in order to raise funds for charities involved with autism, Alzheimer's, Cancer UK, Help the Heroes and prostate cancer; is impressed...

That this House notes that the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) is increasing its mandatory fees for all 16 regulated professions by a massive 12.5 per cent on 1 August 2015; further notes that this follows a five per cent increase in 2014, breaches an undertaking not to review fees again until 2016, and affects 330,000 dedicated staff, from paramedics to social workers, occupational therapists to physiotherapists, across the UK; further notes that less than a third of the increase is accounted for by a levy on HCPC to fund the Professional Standards Authority (PSA); is aware that these dedicated workers have suffered five years of pay freeze and pay restraint; understands that the overwhelming majority of respondents to a consultation by HCPC were against such a massive increase including 97 per cent of UNISON members surveyed; is astonished that HCPC ran a surplus of £1.3 million and increased its general reserves by nearly £1 million in 2014 but is pressing ahead with little public and no Parliamentary scrutiny; calls on HCPC to delay any rise until the Health Select Committee holds its annual accountability hearing and until it fully considers the cost savings that enactment of the Law Commission draft Bill Regulation of health and social care professionals will enable; and further calls on the Secretary of State for Health to resume central funding of the PSA, to instruct HCPC to reduce the costs of unwarranted investigations and hearings before raising fees and to protect registrants in future from fee increases that exceed registrants’ annual pay awards.

That this House notes that the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) is increasing its mandatory fees for all 16 regulated professions by a massive 12.5 per cent on 1 August 2015; further notes that this follows a five per cent increase in 2014, breaches an undertaking not to review...

That this House welcomes the production by North Eastern playwright Ed Waugh of the play ‘Hadaway Harry', which celebrates the achievements of Harry Clasper and his team who became world rowing champions in June 1845; recognises that their great efforts enabled them to hold their position intermittently over the next 26 years in coxed fours, pairs or as individual scullers; is pleased that the play shows Harry Clasper’s innovative boat design which is still used; notes that Charles Dickens recognised the achievements of the Tyneside scullers; wishes the play huge success; and hopes that it can be seen across our nation as a tribute to these heroes of sport.

That this House welcomes the production by North Eastern playwright Ed Waugh of the play ‘Hadaway Harry', which celebrates the achievements of Harry Clasper and his team who became world rowing champions in June 1845; recognises that their great efforts enabled them to hold their position intermittently over the next...

That this House warmly welcomes the recent inauguration of the Centre for Kurdish Progress' national awards for the most successful Kurds in Britain as a sign of the growing importance and vibrancy of the Kurdish Diaspora in the UK; notes that the award categories include business, role model, social responsibility, art, press and publication, student society and young entrepreneur; congratulates the right hon. Member for Cynon Valley and Gary Kent, Director of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Kurdistan Region in Iraq, for their awards for extraordinary contributions to the Kurdish cause and the hon Member for Stratford on Avon, who won the most successful politician of the year award; and believes that such initiatives do much to help foster connections between Kurds and British people, who appreciate the positive role that Kurds play in resisting the genocidal and misogynistic activities of the so-called Islamic State.

That this House warmly welcomes the recent inauguration of the Centre for Kurdish Progress' national awards for the most successful Kurds in Britain as a sign of the growing importance and vibrancy of the Kurdish Diaspora in the UK; notes that the award categories include business, role model, social responsibility,...

That this House notes the invaluable contribution made by servicemen and servicewomen, past and present, to the security of the UK and the risks they take with their health and lives in defence of freedom; further notes that this unique sacrifice is not fully recognised within the social care system, with veterans who were injured before 6 April 2005 typically finding that all but the first £10 per week of their military compensation is taken to cover the costs of their care; further notes that this is not the case for veterans who were injured after 6 April 2005, or for civilians who have been injured in the workplace, both of whom can retain their compensation awards in full when accessing council support; recognises that the current situation amounts to a clear breach of the Armed Forces Covenant principle of no disadvantage due to Service; and calls on the Government and devolved administrations to harmonise the treatment of injured veterans' compensation payments in social care charging guidance, making additional financial resources available to help local authorities implement this policy change.

That this House notes the invaluable contribution made by servicemen and servicewomen, past and present, to the security of the UK and the risks they take with their health and lives in defence of freedom; further notes that this unique sacrifice is not fully recognised within the social care system,...

That this House welcomes the result of the general election in Greece and accepts the democratic will of the Greek people; wishes the new government well in its efforts to reduce the burden on its population that years of austerity have brought; urges the international community to work positively with the new government and recognise the will of the Greek people; believes that the austerity agenda being foisted on people across Europe and in the UK is ensuring that those least responsible for the financial crash are being forced to carry the heaviest burden; and further believes that it is now time to turn away from austerity and promote an economic system that puts the wellbeing of a nation's citizens before the desires and demands of those who created the economic mess in the first place.

That this House welcomes the result of the general election in Greece and accepts the democratic will of the Greek people; wishes the new government well in its efforts to reduce the burden on its population that years of austerity have brought; urges the international community to work positively with...

That this House registers its concern about the ongoing pay dispute in the NHS in England and the resultant protracted industrial unrest in the health service; notes that current NHS non-medical pay policy and the resultant dispute is damaging the health service both directly, as a consequence of disruption through industrial action and indirectly, through morale, motivation and staffing issues; urges the Secretary of State for Health to engage in urgent discussions with the NHS trade unions about how future pay and rates should be structured with a view to resolving the current pay dispute, delivering the flexible workforce implied by NHS England's Five Year Forward View and addressing the growing gap between NHS pay and costs; and encourages the Secretary of State for Health to reverse plans to prevent the NHS Pay Review Body from making recommendations for pay for non-medical health staff for 2015-16, to recognise that in addition to meeting the NHS's efficiency savings over the last four years pay restraint has been a significant factor in staff shortages and morale issues in evidence in the health workforce, to re-think current plans to repeat last year's pay policy of no cost of living increase to over 60 per cent of NHS staff and to make a 2015-16 pay settlement for NHS staff which reflects the current and forecast levels of inflation as well as the 10 per cent average gap between pay and costs.

That this House registers its concern about the ongoing pay dispute in the NHS in England and the resultant protracted industrial unrest in the health service; notes that current NHS non-medical pay policy and the resultant dispute is damaging the health service both directly, as a consequence of disruption through...

That this House is deeply concerned at the decision of NHS England to halt its assessment of the Duchenne muscular dystrophy treatment, Translarna, whilst it reconsiders how it assesses new treatments; understands that Translarna, which received conditional approval from the European Commission (EC) in July 2014, is the first drug to treat an underlying genetic cause of Duchenne muscular dystrophy; notes that under the terms of the EC's conditional approval Translarna would be made available to boys whose Duchenne is caused by a nonsense mutation, who are over five and can still walk; further notes that NHS England has taken its decision at a very late stage of the assessment process; acknowledges the deep concern of families at this delay, who fear that it could prevent their sons from accessing Translarna before they lose the ability to walk; and joins the calls of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign for NHS England to take emergency steps to ensure that Translarna is made available to the children it could help by April 2015.

That this House is deeply concerned at the decision of NHS England to halt its assessment of the Duchenne muscular dystrophy treatment, Translarna, whilst it reconsiders how it assesses new treatments; understands that Translarna, which received conditional approval from the European Commission (EC) in July 2014, is the first drug...

That this House warmly welcomes the Kurdistan Emergency Appeal launched by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) UK representation, the Kurdish community and the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Kurdistan region; notes that the appeal for funds and goods, such as blankets, has been necessitated by the presence in Kurdistan, whose population is normally five million people, of about 1.5 million refugees and internally displaced people, most of whom arrived with nothing to their name; recognises that the KRG has sought urgently to provide shelter but this has been stymied by an Iraqi federal government decision this year to cut budget payments to the region, UN funding shortfalls and bureaucracy; is concerned that deaths will result from the coming cold winter and rains; and commends the appeal as allowing the British public and the Kurdish diaspora once again to contribute directly to relieving the plight of those escaping from the so-called Islamic State.

That this House warmly welcomes the Kurdistan Emergency Appeal launched by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) UK representation, the Kurdish community and the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Kurdistan region; notes that the appeal for funds and goods, such as blankets, has been necessitated by the presence in Kurdistan, whose...

That this House notes that there are an estimated 6.5 million carers across the UK; is seriously concerned that ongoing cuts to social care budgets are having a huge impact on the demands on individual carers; understands that if the estimated cost of unpaid care and support to ill, older or disabled people was paid by the state it could well be in excess of £100 billion; believes that it is unfair to expect these dedicated people to be forced into debt and financial hardship; and therefore calls on the present and future Governments to pledge to reform carers' benefits, stop cutting support to carers and protect vital support services from further cuts to prevent carer ill-health and isolation.

That this House notes that there are an estimated 6.5 million carers across the UK; is seriously concerned that ongoing cuts to social care budgets are having a huge impact on the demands on individual carers; understands that if the estimated cost of unpaid care and support to ill, older...

That this House warmly congratulates the Derwent Valley Car Club on recently winning a grant of £6,000 from Carplus, a not-for-profit environmental transport non-governmental organisation that promotes accessible and low-carbon alternatives to traditional car use, and the Department for Transport; notes that this will allow the Car Club to research demand for expanding its pioneering service, including a voluntary driver scheme for those who cannot drive; further notes that the Club, which employs an electric car and electric bikes, also uses an array of solar panels, which offsets the electrical charging needed to run the vehicles, making the Club emission-free; welcomes its aim of becoming a member-led Social Enterprise scheme and increasing a scheme that provides a credible alternative to private car ownership with one car potentially replacing as many as 20 cars; and urges others to follow this inspiring example.

That this House warmly congratulates the Derwent Valley Car Club on recently winning a grant of £6,000 from Carplus, a not-for-profit environmental transport non-governmental organisation that promotes accessible and low-carbon alternatives to traditional car use, and the Department for Transport; notes that this will allow the Car Club to research...

That this House recognises that the NHS has to be smarter and enable people to access health more efficiently and cheaply; further recognises that community pharmacists, who receive six million visits each day, could play a greater role if they could access medical records and ensure that information is not fragmented or incomplete; notes that NHS England is undertaking a proof of concept exercise to consider the merits of access to care records and issues of informed consent, liability and accuracy of records, with the results due in March 2015; and encourages Members of both Houses to join a round table meeting on 2 December 2014 in Portcullis House with the London Central Local Practice Forum of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, to discuss the merits of the case for sharing patient records for the NHS, taxpayers and patients.

That this House recognises that the NHS has to be smarter and enable people to access health more efficiently and cheaply; further recognises that community pharmacists, who receive six million visits each day, could play a greater role if they could access medical records and ensure that information is not...