I have tabled a number of Early Day Motions this month which have been triggered by issues encountered by constituents.
An Early Day Motion is technically a motion tabled by an MP for a debate for which no date has been fixed. In reality few EDMs actually get debated but they are an opportunity to draw attention to an issue and even gauge support amongst MPs. They are also useful to highlight to Ministers an issue of interest to backbench MPs.
The first one I tabled this month is about VAT on audiobooks. Someone recently contacted me to tell me that those with sight-loss and dyslexia are charged 20% VAT on audiobooks when printed books and e-books are VAT-free. Audiobooks are a fantastic way for people with sight-loss, dyslexia and physical disabilities that prevent them holding a printed book to access the world of books.
I am now applying to get a Westminster Hall debate on this issue. Westminster Hall debates are allocated by ballot, so it is a bit of a lottery.
Another Early Day Motion I tabled this month is on litter on motorways. I know from first-hand experience and from emails I receive that the level of litter on our motorways and trunk roads is appalling. This is a nationwide problem and I just don’t think that National Highways are giving litter the level of priority it needs. I am working with the Clean Up Britain campaign on this.
Finally, a constituent has contacted me about access to allergen information in restaurants. In the EU, restaurants and takeaways have to display information on the 14 major allergens in their menus, in the UK it only has to be available if you ask for it. Also, in both the UK and the EU, many restaurants use a numbering system, but this system is not standardised between restaurants. Wouldn’t it be better if a standard system was used? If you’re allergic to eggs and eggs is ‘3’, you would only have to look for the number ‘3’ by any menu item to know you need to avoid it. I’ve tabled an EDM on this as well.
I will keep you updated.
Contact Mike:
Web: www.penning4hemel.com
Email: mike.penning.mp@parliament.uk
Telephone: 01442 251126