{"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions.json?page=3&parliament=4&state=with_response","first":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions.json?parliament=4&state=with_response","last":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions.json?page=41&parliament=4&state=with_response","next":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions.json?page=4&parliament=4&state=with_response","prev":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions.json?page=2&parliament=4&state=with_response"},"data":[{"type":"archived-petition","id":598986,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/598986.json"},"parliament":{"period":"2019-2024","government":"Conservative","dissolution_at":"2024-05-30T00:01:00.000+01:00","response_threshold":10000,"debate_threshold":100000},"attributes":{"action":"Make it a legal requirement for nightclubs to thoroughly search guests on entry","background":"I would like the UK Government to make it law that nightclubs must search guests on arrival to prevent harmful weapons and other items entering the establishment. This could be a pat down search or metal detector, but must involve measures being put in place to ensure the safety of the public.","additional_details":"There are too many cases of weapons and 'date rape' drugs being used in clubs. It begs the question, why aren't nightclubs required to do more to prevent harmful items making it into their clubs?","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":175075,"created_at":"2021-10-12T22:25:41.123Z","updated_at":"2023-12-21T16:37:14.063Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2021-10-14T09:52:05.970Z","closed_at":"2022-04-14T22:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2021-10-13T07:41:38.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2021-10-15T23:57:08.000Z","government_response_at":"2021-11-04T17:23:01.563Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2021-10-19T18:32:08.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":"2021-11-02","scheduled_debate_date":"2021-11-08","debate_outcome_at":"2021-11-09T12:38:51.464Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2021-11-04","summary":"The law already allows licensing authorities to impose conditions such as searches. Decisions on this should be made locally, taking account of circumstances, and there are no plans to change the law.","details":"The Government takes everyone’s freedoms to feel safe and secure seriously, whether in our communities or in the night-time economy. No person should fear for their safety when going out at night. The reports of the spiking of drinks with substances, and of other attacks on individuals in night-time venues, are very concerning. The use of weapons and ‘date-rape’ drugs is not limited to night clubs and as a Government we aim to keep people safe wherever they are.\n\nThe existing law already enables steps to be taken to prevent these awful crimes. The Act of Parliament that governs the sale of alcohol – the Licensing Act 2003 – allows local authorities to set conditions on any business that wants to sell alcohol, in order to reduce crime. These can include requiring there to be suitably trained and accredited door staff and CCTV. Furthermore, a local licensing authority can, when appropriate, require a licence-holder to enforce entry searches as a condition of a premises licence.\n\nLocal Authorities are best placed to decide what is needed according to local circumstances. It would not be appropriate to impose blanket conditions: for example, to require all licensed premises to have a metal arch on entry – this might be suitable for a large city club but would not be so for a rural pub or restaurant.\n\nIn addition, the Security Industry Authority (SIA) is running a long-term public safety campaign targeted at the private security industry, focussing on the prevention of violence against women and girls. The SIA has recently sent out a direct communication to all front-line licence holders (388,000) reminding them of the vital role they can play in preventing violence against women and girls. This includes identifying and preventing predatory behaviour. The note also reminds them of their training and the duty of care required of them and offers guidance on how to help and support individuals in vulnerable situations. Over the next few weeks, the SIA will be running a social media campaign reinforcing these messages and signposting licence holders to best practice and guidance. The SIA has received positive feedback from the industry on this initiative. It has also received early feedback from training providers who are looking at how they can support the SIA’s campaign in their training.\n\nFrom late November to December SIA operational teams from the Violence Reduction Tactical Delivery Group will be carrying out proactive activity – focussing on Prevent messages around university establishments and associated venues in the night-time economy. Compliance and enforcement work will follow if issues are identified.\n\nMore broadly, the Government’s Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy, published in July, will help: drive long-term change to prevent crimes which disproportionately affect women and girls; bring perpetrators to justice; and ensure victims get the support they need. Action we are taking to support women’s safety in the night-time economy includes launching the £5m Safety of Women at Night Fund, and supporting the SIA’s work to ensure door supervisors’ and security guards’ qualifications include specific content relating to VAWG, and also its campaigns to remind the industry and operatives of its role and responsibility to keep people safe, with a focus on women’s safety. The VAWG Strategy commits to the Home Office working with the SIA to consider what more can be done to strengthen these safeguards further.\n\nHome Office","created_at":"2021-11-04T17:23:01.560Z","updated_at":"2021-11-04T17:23:01.560Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2021-11-08","transcript_url":"https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2021-11-08/debates/5638E4A0-EA45-40CC-A6E3-26B7D9ACB4CB/NightclubSafety","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XN8awuTSXPM","debate_pack_url":"https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2021-0182/","overview":"","public_engagement_url":null,"debate_summary_url":null},"departments":[],"topics":[]}},{"type":"archived-petition","id":552911,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/552911.json"},"parliament":{"period":"2019-2024","government":"Conservative","dissolution_at":"2024-05-30T00:01:00.000+01:00","response_threshold":10000,"debate_threshold":100000},"attributes":{"action":"Lower university tuition fees for students until online teaching ends","background":"Students across the UK have returned to University to be told our learning will be predominantly online for the foreseeable future. The Government should therefore lower our tuition fees and we should receive a partial refund for the effects this will have on our learning and university experience.","additional_details":"Millions of students have been overlooked by the govt throughout this pandemic. Tuition fees remain at 9.2k a year plus interest which hasn’t been addressed. Thousands of 1st year students have been forced into isolation with no consideration to the effects this will have on mental health. Uni students have been told to trust the government through these unprecedented times but we’ve been constantly overlooked. I’m asking the government to lower tuition fees until learning goes back to normal.","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":171137,"created_at":"2020-09-30T14:37:04.000Z","updated_at":"2021-04-16T15:51:44.646Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2020-10-05T10:02:32.289Z","closed_at":"2021-04-05T22:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2020-09-30T14:41:44.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2020-10-13T11:58:54.000Z","government_response_at":"2020-10-30T13:55:06.018Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2020-10-14T13:56:04.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":null,"debate_outcome_at":"2020-11-17T09:45:21.562Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2020-10-30","summary":"Universities are responsible for setting their own fees. Any lowering of fees would be their decision. Government is not considering a temporary change to fee limits, or a programme of refunds.","details":"Government recognises this is a difficult period for students and supports their desire to continue receiving the best possible learning experience from their higher education providers (HEPs). Government also recognises the efforts being made by HEPs and their staff in continuing to deliver education and support during these unprecedented times. \n\nHEPs are open and combining online and in-person teaching in COVID-secure environments to minimise risk. There are innovative examples of high-quality online and blended learning happening across the country, and developing and delivering this provision may be more expensive for HEPs than in-person teaching. Government has been clear that the quantity and quality of teaching, and accessibility for all students, must be maintained. If students are dissatisfied with their HEP, then they have rights under consumer law that they can rely on.\n\nGovernment has been working with the Office for Students (OfS), which published a statement on 9 October outlining measures that it is taking to monitor digital teaching quality. This includes contacting HEPs that have moved predominantly to online provision due to local COVID-19 restrictions. The OfS is monitoring HEPs to ensure they maintain the quality of provision, make every effort to ensure online learning is accessible to all, and have been clear in their communications to students about how arrangements for teaching and learning may change. The OfS will investigate if it has concerns. \n\nThe institutional autonomy of HEPs means that they are responsible for setting their own fees, up to a maximum of £9,250 per year for a standard full-time undergraduate course for those on the Approved (fee cap) part of the OfS register. It is a condition of OfS registration that HEPs must deliver well-designed courses that provide a high-quality academic experience, and enable students’ achievement to be reliably assessed. In deciding whether to continue charging full fees during the pandemic, we expect HEPs to ensure that they are delivering courses that are fit for purpose and are helping students’ progress towards their qualifications. \n\nIf students feel their expectations are not being met, they are entitled to make a complaint. They should first speak to their HEP to see if they can resolve the issue. We expect student complaints and appeals to be dealt with flexibly, accessibly and sympathetically. If a student at a HEP in England or Wales is not satisfied with the response they receive, they can ask the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for HE to consider their complaint. \n\nThe Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published guidance on consumer contracts, cancellation and refunds affected by COVID-19. This sets out the CMA’s view on how the law operates to help consumers understand their rights and help businesses treat customers fairly. Whether an individual student may be entitled to any refund of fees would depend on the specific contractual arrangements between the student and their provider. Government is not considering any temporary changes to maximum fee caps or a write-off of tuition fee loans.\n\nProtecting students’ mental health and wellbeing is vital. The Universities Minister wrote to Vice Chancellors in October stating that student welfare should remain a priority and has convened a working group of representatives from the HE and health sectors to address the issues that students are facing. We encourage students to stay in touch with the student support and welfare teams at their HEP, and we expect HEPs to continue to support their students, including moving services online or making services accessible from a distance. Many HEPs and their staff have shown real resourcefulness in bolstering mental health services and adapting the delivery of these services. \n\nThe OfS-funded Student Space platform bridges gaps in support and is designed to work alongside existing services. Students struggling can also access support from the NHS, Public Health England, and the mental health charity Mind. \n\nGovernment has worked with OfS to clarify that providers can draw upon existing funding to provide hardship funds and support disadvantaged students impacted by COVID-19. HEPs were able to use the funding, worth around £23 million per month for April to July, and £256 million for academic year 2020/21, towards student hardship funds, including the purchase of IT equipment and mental health support, as well as to support access and participation plans.\n\nGovernment has responded to petitions concerning fee refunds for both COVID-19 disruption and strike action (https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/302855), and partial fee refunds for students affected by COVID-19 (https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/324762). \n\nThe Petitions Committee has held an inquiry into the impact of COVID-19 on students. Government responded to its report on 16 September -  https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5801/cmselect/cmpetitions/780/78002.htm \n\nDepartment for Education","created_at":"2020-10-30T13:55:06.015Z","updated_at":"2020-10-30T13:55:06.015Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2020-11-16","transcript_url":"https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2020-11-16/debates/7BF8890F-3E72-44BC-B260-49E74D0B91C7/TuitionFees","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/ukparliament","debate_pack_url":"https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2020-0132/","overview":"","public_engagement_url":null,"debate_summary_url":null},"departments":[{"acronym":"DfE","name":"Department for Education","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education"}],"topics":[]}},{"type":"archived-petition","id":331453,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/331453.json"},"parliament":{"period":"2019-2024","government":"Conservative","dissolution_at":"2024-05-30T00:01:00.000+01:00","response_threshold":10000,"debate_threshold":100000},"attributes":{"action":"Scrap removal of free transport for under-18s from TfL bailout","background":"To not decide to scrap free travel for those who are under 18. As a teenager who has relied so much on free travel, it has allowed for me to go to school without the worry of an extra expense and explore around the beautiful city of London also. Destroying free travel would hurt so many of us.","additional_details":"By scrapping this as part of a £1.6bn TfL bailout package, those from poorer backgrounds will be forced to pay to go to school. This will impact those who cannot freely travel to school (driving, cycling or walking) . As there are fines put in place for children who do not return to school in September 2020, this will further increase economic problems for many families in the UK. This will increase poverty within the UK, causing more people from poorer backgrounds to fall further into debt.","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":171010,"created_at":"2020-07-14T09:33:05.898Z","updated_at":"2024-02-20T16:48:28.694Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2020-07-21T09:09:25.467Z","closed_at":"2021-01-21T23:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2020-07-14T10:11:54.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2020-07-27T07:50:14.000Z","government_response_at":"2020-08-13T12:16:25.768Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2020-08-04T07:54:44.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":"2020-11-24","scheduled_debate_date":"2020-11-30","debate_outcome_at":"2020-12-01T11:59:59.191Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2020-08-10","summary":"The suspension of free travel for 11-17 year olds will help reduce demand for public transport at peak times during the Covid-19 pandemic. This was agreed by the Government and the Mayor of London.","details":"The Covid-19 pandemic has given rise to an unprecedented health and public safety emergency. The £1.6 billion Extraordinary Funding and Financing Agreement agreed by Government and the Mayor of London to enable Transport for London (TfL) to continue operating services contained a series of conditions to facilitate safe travel on public transport in London. \n\nThe suspension of free bus and tram travel for 11-17 year olds will help to reduce demand for public transport so that those who need to use it can do so safely.  \n\nThe Department for Transport continues to work closely with TfL, the Department for Education, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and other key partners on how the suspension can be operationalised, whilst ensuring that any child eligible for free home to school travel under national legislation will still receive it.\n\nDepartment for Transport","created_at":"2020-08-13T12:16:25.765Z","updated_at":"2020-08-13T12:16:25.765Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2020-11-30","transcript_url":"https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2020-11-30/debates/76D6943B-B77E-47CE-A710-E6B46C52A6D5/TransportForLondonFunding","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHx4feo9Dao&feature=youtu.be","debate_pack_url":"https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2020-0150/","overview":"","public_engagement_url":"https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/18671/default/","debate_summary_url":""},"departments":[{"acronym":"DfT","name":"Department for Transport","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-transport"}],"topics":[]}},{"type":"archived-petition","id":619334,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/619334.json"},"parliament":{"period":"2019-2024","government":"Conservative","dissolution_at":"2024-05-30T00:01:00.000+01:00","response_threshold":10000,"debate_threshold":100000},"attributes":{"action":"Include abortion rights in the Bill of Rights","background":"As Parliament considers the Bill of Rights, the Government must reconsider including abortion rights in this Bill. Rights to abortion must be specifically protected in this legislation, especially as the Government has refused to rule out leaving the European Convention on Human Rights.","additional_details":"In the wake of the United States Supreme Court over-turning 'Roe vs. Wade' in a landmark decision; the United Kingdom must enshrine abortion rights in the new UK Bill of Rights.\r\n\r\nAbortion rights are healthcare rights; not just for individuals who do not wish to be pregnant, but also for those who do. For ectopic pregnancies, to finish a natural miscarriage, or if mother or foetus' life is at high risk. There are a multitude of other reasons to seek an abortion and this should be protected as a right to choose.","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":167690,"created_at":"2022-06-29T19:18:39.164Z","updated_at":"2023-01-20T00:00:07.290Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2022-07-05T13:39:41.433Z","closed_at":"2023-01-19T23:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2022-06-29T19:31:59.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2022-08-30T12:30:59.000Z","government_response_at":"2022-09-27T11:21:50.622Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2022-08-31T09:40:29.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":"2022-10-27","scheduled_debate_date":"2022-11-28","debate_outcome_at":"2022-12-01T16:29:24.501Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2022-09-20","summary":"The Government is now looking again at the Bill of Rights to ensure it will deliver the Government’s objectives as effectively as possible.","details":"The Government has decided to look again at the Bill of Rights, to ensure that it delivers the Government’s objectives as effectively as possible.\n\nThis will inform future steps in this area, including any legislation Parliament may be invited to consider in future. \n\nMinistry of Justice","created_at":"2022-09-27T11:21:50.620Z","updated_at":"2022-09-27T11:21:50.620Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2022-11-28","transcript_url":"https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2022-11-28/debates/629FE1B6-A596-4C54-B764-034455EBDAEF/LegalRightsToAccessAbortion","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WcOsmce23Y","debate_pack_url":"https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2022-0203/","overview":"","public_engagement_url":null,"debate_summary_url":null},"departments":[{"acronym":"MoJ","name":"Ministry of Justice","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice"}],"topics":[]}},{"type":"archived-petition","id":575620,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/575620.json"},"parliament":{"period":"2019-2024","government":"Conservative","dissolution_at":"2024-05-30T00:01:00.000+01:00","response_threshold":10000,"debate_threshold":100000},"attributes":{"action":"Ryan's Law: Widen definition of 'death by dangerous driving'","background":"The offence of causing 'death by dangerous driving' should be widened to include: failure to stop, call 999 and render aid on scene until further help arrives.","additional_details":"A hit & run driver left my brother Ryan in the road & he died. Hiding for 36 hours, charged with failure to stop, the driver received a suspended sentence/fine. Failure to stop/careless driving offers lighter custodial sentences & focuses on fines/suspensions. Drivers should STOP, ring 999 & render AID until help arrives. If they do not they should face charges for death by dangerous driving. The Law should require this & aim to reduce the number of hit & runs & roadside deaths. With this definition, a minimum 10 years-max life sentence, citizens would be better protected.","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":167461,"created_at":"2021-02-17T16:23:55.015Z","updated_at":"2024-02-02T12:04:53.953Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2021-03-02T09:47:54.612Z","closed_at":"2021-09-02T22:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2021-02-17T16:37:57.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2021-03-04T20:46:35.000Z","government_response_at":"2021-03-24T17:45:13.896Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2021-05-09T22:30:45.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":"2021-11-02","scheduled_debate_date":"2021-11-15","debate_outcome_at":"2021-11-16T11:06:08.010Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2021-03-24","summary":"It is unacceptable for drivers to fail to stop and report an incident. However, the offence should not be used to punish an offender for a serious, but unproven, offence.","details":"Ministers are aware of the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of Ryan Saltern and extend their sympathy to family and friends.\n\nFailure to stop and report offences are often referred to as “hit and run”, but this is not an accurate reflection of the offence. The offence is designed to deal with behaviour relating to failing to stop, not as an alternative route to punish an offender for a more serious, but unproven offence.\n\nThe vast majority of failure to stop and report offences involve low level traffic incidents, for example where a driver clips the wing mirror of another vehicle in a narrow street.\n\nIn a small number of cases, the failure to stop or report may be related to an incident which leads to the death or serious injury of another person. Where there is evidence the driver caused harm, there is a range of offences for which the driver may be charged including causing death or serious injury from dangerous or careless driving. In these cases, the courts will treat the failure to stop as a further aggravating factor in the sentencing decision. Where there is evidence that the driver tried to frustrate justice or avoid detection, they may also be charged with perverting the course of justice, which carries a life sentence as a maximum penalty.\n\nThe Government takes this issue seriously. The Department for Transport is looking into the issue of such incidents of failure to stop resulting in death or serious injury, and exploring whether there are further options that can be pursued.\n\nDepartment for Transport","created_at":"2021-03-24T17:45:13.894Z","updated_at":"2021-03-24T17:45:13.894Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2021-11-15","transcript_url":"https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2021-11-15/debates/2F33B858-4F79-42CA-9544-790886B089C1/RoadTrafficOffencesFatalCollisions","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YSXmYNhl0T8","debate_pack_url":"https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2021-0181/","overview":"","public_engagement_url":null,"debate_summary_url":null},"departments":[{"acronym":"MoJ","name":"Ministry of Justice","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice"}],"topics":[]}},{"type":"archived-petition","id":623390,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/623390.json"},"parliament":{"period":"2019-2024","government":"Conservative","dissolution_at":"2024-05-30T00:01:00.000+01:00","response_threshold":10000,"debate_threshold":100000},"attributes":{"action":"Make suicide prevention a compulsory part of the school curriculum.","background":"We want suicide spoken about in schools in a safe and age-appropriate way. Speaking about suicide saves lives\r\nThe Dept for Education are conducting a review of the RSHE curriculum; this petition calls on the DfE to include suicide prevention within the statutory guidelines of the new curriculum.","additional_details":"Suicide is the biggest killer of under-35s in the UK and over 200 school-aged children take their lives each year. Yet suicide is not currently referenced in the school curriculum.\r\n \r\nHaving recently been invited to hear the former Secretary of State’s statement regarding the new 10-year Suicide Prevention Strategy, we were heartened to learn how seriously Government was taking this critical subject, but we feel efforts need to go further if we are to save lives.","committee_note":null,"state":"closed","signature_count":160688,"created_at":"2022-09-07T12:21:12.553Z","updated_at":"2026-05-12T11:50:59.294Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2022-09-23T10:58:13.262Z","closed_at":"2023-03-23T23:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2022-09-07T13:12:40.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2022-09-28T20:01:50.000Z","government_response_at":"2022-10-21T17:55:46.991Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2022-10-10T17:13:10.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":"2023-01-25","scheduled_debate_date":"2023-03-13","debate_outcome_at":"2023-03-14T08:21:23.752Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2022-10-21","summary":"Schools can teach about suicide to older pupils in an age-appropriate way. When we review the RSHE guidance we will look at whether there is more we need to do to support them to do so safely.","details":"The death of any child is a tragedy. Our deepest sympathies are with families of those who have died by suicide, and we need to do everything we can to prevent it.\n\nAll pupils in schools are taught about mental health as part of the Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) curriculum, which we made mandatory in 2020 to ensure that all pupils are taught about important topics. Through health education, pupils learn to recognise the warning signs of poor mental health, in themselves and in others, which could lead to self-harm or suicidal thoughts. This includes learning about the common types of mental illness, such as anxiety and depression, understanding that experiencing poor mental health is not uncommon and knowing where and how to seek support for themselves or someone else, whose mental wellbeing they are worried about. \n\nSchools can teach older pupils about suicide in an age-appropriate and sensitive way. The RSHE statutory guidance advises that schools should approach teaching about self-harm and suicide carefully and should be aware of the risks to pupils from exposure to materials that are instructive rather than preventative, including websites or videos that provide instructions or methods of self-harm or suicide. The guidance is clear that where teachers have concerns about a specific pupil in relation to self-harm or suicidal thoughts, they must follow safeguarding procedures immediately.\n\nThe Department for Education (DfE) is committed to review the RSHE statutory guidance, which we plan to start in 2023. As part of the review process, the DfE will undertake a public consultation on proposed changes to the current guidance. Respondents will be able to comment on the proposed changes and to propose additional changes for consideration. We expect to complete the review process and publish the updated guidance in 2024.\n\nWe are also offering a grant of £1,200 for eligible state-funded schools and colleges in England to train a senior mental health lead to develop and implement a whole school or college approach to mental health and wellbeing. Senior mental health leads can support staff training so that schools cover issues that their pupils need to know about in a safe way.\n\nThe DfE continues to work closely with the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) around issues of children and young people’s mental health and how to provide support to pupils as early as possible.\n\nWe are supportive of the important work of Papyrus in suicide prevention and the dept has put together a range of resources so that children and young people, parents, carers, and school and college staff can get the advice and help they need Promoting and supporting mental health and wellbeing in schools and colleges - (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mental-health-and-wellbeing-support-in-schools-and-colleges).\n\nDepartment for Education","created_at":"2022-10-21T17:55:46.989Z","updated_at":"2022-10-21T17:55:46.989Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2023-03-13","transcript_url":"https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2023-03-13/debates/C097CEF6-4C8A-4454-A78D-87A4FE7170DD/SuicidePreventionAndTheNationalCurriculum","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOp5zAd5NO4","debate_pack_url":"https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2023-0060/","overview":"","public_engagement_url":"","debate_summary_url":"https://ukparliament.shorthandstories.com/why-are-mps-debating-suicide-prevention-and-the-national-curriculum/index.html"},"departments":[{"acronym":"DfE","name":"Department for Education","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education"}],"topics":[]}},{"type":"archived-petition","id":564696,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/564696.json"},"parliament":{"period":"2019-2024","government":"Conservative","dissolution_at":"2024-05-30T00:01:00.000+01:00","response_threshold":10000,"debate_threshold":100000},"attributes":{"action":"Cancel GCSE and A-levels in 2021 replace with Course Work and Teacher Assessment","background":"Cancel all standardise testing for year 11 and year 12 students in 2021. By replacing tests with smaller amounts of course work and teacher assessment, students would have a fair chance at achieving their target grades and it would relieve stress for teachers and students.","additional_details":"As a student I know I don't have a fair opportunity to reach the grades predicted for myself or the grades predicted for my peers. Not all schools are equal, for example lack of funding when comparing private and public schools. This means not all students had equal learning opportunities over lockdown if they didn't have access to a computer or learning materials. Course work and teacher assessment ensures that all students are given an equal chance to get their rightful grades.","committee_note":null,"state":"closed","signature_count":157810,"created_at":"2020-12-22T17:02:36.090Z","updated_at":"2021-07-23T11:42:33.963Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2020-12-29T17:04:01.324Z","closed_at":"2021-06-29T22:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2020-12-22T17:26:37.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2021-01-02T17:26:37.000Z","government_response_at":"2021-01-26T19:09:48.062Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2021-01-03T18:34:07.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":"2021-03-15","debate_outcome_at":"2021-03-17T09:03:39.052Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2021-01-26","summary":"Students will not be asked to sit GCSE, AS and A level exams this summer as planned in light of the ongoing impact of the covid-19 pandemic.","details":"Instead, it is the Government’s policy (which it is consulting on jointly with Ofqual) that a form of teacher assessment should be used.\n\nThe Government has announced that, from 5 January 2021, schools and colleges should move to remote provision, except for vulnerable children and children of critical workers. We recognise that Year 11 and 13 students who were due to take exams in 2021, and their parents, carers and teachers, are concerned about the disruption to education caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. \n\nWhile the Department continues to believe that exams are the best way of judging students’ performance, we cannot guarantee all students will be in a position to fairly sit their exams this summer. We have therefore confirmed that GCSEs, A and AS level exams will not go ahead this summer as planned, and we are consulting on options to enable candidates to receive a grade.\n\nThe Government has confirmed that a form of teacher-assessed grades should be used, with training and support provided to teachers to ensure these are awarded fairly and consistently. Working with Ofqual, we are consulting on how to fairly award all pupils, including students taking vocational qualifications, with a grade that ensures they can progress to the next stage of their lives.  \n\nWe will build on the joint stakeholder engagement that Ofqual and DfE undertook last year and engage with as many people as possible in an open and transparent way to consider the main options and their implications, including, seeking the views of the students and their parents. \n\nFurther details of alternative arrangements to exams will be confirmed following the conclusion of the consultation process , providing clarity to the sector and ensuring that students have the confidence that they will be fairly treated in terms of assessment in 2021. \n\nTo help support students and schools during school closures, we have updated the remote education guidance for schools and FE providers to clarify and strengthen expectations while on-site attendance is restricted, drawing on our evolving understanding of best practice in remote education. A comprehensive package of support continues to be available to schools to help them meet these expectations. Schools can find further support via the Get Help with Remote Education page on gov.uk (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/get-help-with-remote-education). \n\nWe have invested £400 million to support access to remote education and online social care, with over 800,000 laptops and tablets delivered to schools and local authorities in 2020.  We are adding to this support by making further laptops available - bringing the total to over 1.3 million laptops and tablets available to support disadvantaged children.  \n\nWe have already announced a package worth £1 billion to ensure that schools have the resources they need to help all pupils make up for lost teaching time. This package includes a universal catch-up premium of £650 million and £350 million for a National Tutoring Programme for disadvantaged pupils. We have also announced a 16-19 Tuition Fund, allocating up to £96m as a one-off, one-year, ring-fenced grant to school sixth forms, colleges and all other 16-19 providers. This will provide small group tutoring activity for disadvantaged 16-19 students whose studies have been disrupted as a result of COVID-19.\n\nThe government is clear that the school curriculum should remain broad and ambitious, and all students should continue to be taught a wide range of subjects, maintaining their choices for further study and employment.\n\nDepartment for Education","created_at":"2021-01-26T19:09:48.060Z","updated_at":"2021-01-26T19:09:48.060Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2021-03-15","transcript_url":"https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2021-03-15/debates/04A8B933-1B55-46A9-9A65-212FC655EA29/Covid-19ImpactOnEducation","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Iz2Jk-KPHE","debate_pack_url":"https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9045/","overview":"","public_engagement_url":null,"debate_summary_url":null},"departments":[{"acronym":"DfE","name":"Department for Education","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education"}],"topics":[]}},{"type":"archived-petition","id":624461,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/624461.json"},"parliament":{"period":"2019-2024","government":"Conservative","dissolution_at":"2024-05-30T00:01:00.000+01:00","response_threshold":10000,"debate_threshold":100000},"attributes":{"action":"Fund 30 hours free childcare from age 1 for families where both parents work","background":"There is often no benefit for both parents to work when childcare costs so much. My wife is working 20 hours a week on just over minimum wage which just covers childcare. Extending free childcare where both parents work would mean working families could better benefit from their employment.","additional_details":"Up the 30 free hours to the age of 1 from 3 for working families. This should encourage more parents to work. This in turn will bring in more tax and should encourage more spending.","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":157591,"created_at":"2022-10-03T17:32:43.013Z","updated_at":"2024-12-27T14:53:26.405Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2022-10-13T17:38:44.833Z","closed_at":"2023-04-13T22:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2022-10-03T20:06:30.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2022-11-04T23:04:10.000Z","government_response_at":"2022-11-25T17:46:10.461Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2022-11-08T11:06:30.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":null,"debate_outcome_at":"2023-10-24T14:14:12.610Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2022-11-25","summary":"The government is not currently planning to extend 30 hours free childcare. We support working parents through a range of childcare offers, including Universal Credit and Tax-Free Childcare.","details":"Education and early years policy in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is devolved. The 30 hours free childcare offer in England aims to support working families of 3- and 4-year-olds with the cost of childcare and to help parents back into work or work more hours should they wish to. We are not currently planning an extension to this early years entitlement.  \n\nThe government recognises the impact that cost of living pressures are having on families. In England, we have spent over £3.5 billion in each of the past three years on our early education entitlements to support families with the cost of childcare. Improving the cost, choice and availability of childcare for working parents is important for this government and we are exploring a wide range of options to achieve this. \n\nIn July, we announced measures to increase take-up of childcare support to ensure that families can access government support to save them money on their childcare bills. You can view the full announcement online at: Drive to reduce the cost of childcare for parents - (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/drive-to-reduce-the-cost-of-childcare-for-parents)\n\nWe are running a communications drive to encourage parents to take up the government childcare offers that they are entitled to. Parents are encouraged to visit https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ for further information on the offers available.\n\nAll 3- and 4-year-olds are eligible for the 15-hour free entitlement regardless of their parents’ circumstances. This is available the term after a child turns 3 and is available for 38 weeks a year during term time.  Parents can stretch their child’s entitlement by taking fewer hours per week over more weeks of the year (hours cannot be compressed into fewer than 38 weeks per year). \n\nOn top of this universal entitlement, an additional 15 hours (often known as ‘30 hours’ childcare) is available to parents who earn at least the equivalent of 16 hours a week at the national minimum/living wage, and under £100,000 per year. This means that parents can be eligible if they earn from just over £7,900 per year, or £152 a week. \n\n30 hours free childcare is making a difference to eligible working families’ lives, helping save eligible families up to £6,000 per child per year. Our 2021 childcare and early years parent survey (https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/childcare-and-early-years-survey-of-parents) found that almost three quarters of parents (73%) reported having more money to spend since they started using 30 hours, and almost two in five (38%) thought that without 30 hours they would be working fewer hours.\n\nThe government also offers 15 hours to disadvantaged 2-year-olds. Working parents on low incomes and in receipt of certain benefits (earning less than £15,400 and in receipt of Universal Credit or earning less than £16,190 and receiving tax credits) can qualify for 15 hours free early education for 2-year-olds.\n\nThe government appreciates that the cost of childcare can pose challenges for many families. But although the 2-year-old entitlement provides some practical support with the cost of childcare, this is not its primary purpose.\n\nThe core purpose of the 2-year-old entitlement is to improve educational outcomes for disadvantaged children from low-income families who are less likely to use formal early education, but who stand to benefit from it the most. National eligibility criteria have been designed to target those groups who the evidence shows will benefit most from early education.\n\nIn addition to the free early education entitlements, across government there are other childcare offers that support working parents who wish to work more hours and need assistance with childcare.\n\nWorking parents on Universal Credit may be eligible for help with up to 85% of their childcare costs through Universal Credit Childcare which can be used in addition to the early education entitlements to support with the costs of childcare. This is subject to a monthly limit of £646 for one child or £1,108 for two or more children for children aged 0-16. \n\nThe government also offers Tax-Free Childcare, which can help parents with an additional 20% contribution towards childcare costs outside the free entitlements. Tax-Free Childcare which can be worth up to £2,000 per year for your child from 0-11, or up to £4,000 per year for disabled children aged 0-16. \n\nDepartment for Education","created_at":"2022-11-25T17:46:10.457Z","updated_at":"2022-11-25T17:48:12.380Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":null,"transcript_url":"","video_url":"","debate_pack_url":"","overview":"The Petitions Committee has decided not to schedule a debate on this petition, because the Government has agreed to implement its central request.\r\n\r\nAt the 2023 Budget the Government announced that from September 2025, working parents of children under the age of five will be entitled to 30 hours free childcare per week.\r\n\r\nFind out more about the Government's plans to expand eligibility for free childcare: https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2023/03/16/budget-2023-everything-you-need-to-know-about-childcare-support/\r\n\r\nMPs discussed support for childcare and the early years, including the Government's plans to extend entitlements to 30 hours free childcare, on Monday 16 October.\r\n\r\nRead a transcript of the debate on support for childcare and the early years: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2023-10-16/debates/33DE9895-22BA-4197-B4A1-D39A20AF5500/EarlyYearsChildcare\r\n\r\nWatch the debate on support for childcare and the early years: https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/34c6780e-874a-42b9-9458-348112831866?in=20:51:37","public_engagement_url":null,"debate_summary_url":null},"departments":[{"acronym":"DfE","name":"Department for Education","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education"}],"topics":[]}},{"type":"archived-petition","id":614335,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/614335.json"},"parliament":{"period":"2019-2024","government":"Conservative","dissolution_at":"2024-05-30T00:01:00.000+01:00","response_threshold":10000,"debate_threshold":100000},"attributes":{"action":"Do not sign any WHO Pandemic Treaty unless it is approved via public referendum","background":"We want the Government to commit to not signing any international treaty on pandemic prevention and preparedness established by the World Health Organization (WHO), unless this is approved through a public referendum.","additional_details":"The WHO is currently preparing an international agreement on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.\r\n\r\nWe believe the public must be furnished with the full ramifications of what and how any pandemic treaty could affect them, and be given a public vote on whether the UK should sign up, before the UK Government signs up to this.\r\n","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":156086,"created_at":"2022-04-08T08:44:03.502Z","updated_at":"2023-07-07T06:53:04.791Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2022-05-03T15:38:50.215Z","closed_at":"2022-11-17T23:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2022-04-08T09:10:09.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2022-05-06T15:17:29.000Z","government_response_at":"2022-05-30T14:32:21.521Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2022-05-16T21:04:39.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":"2023-03-21","scheduled_debate_date":"2023-04-17","debate_outcome_at":"2023-04-18T05:55:08.117Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2022-05-27","summary":"To protect lives, the economy and future generations from future pandemics, the UK government supports a new legally-binding instrument to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.","details":"COVID-19 has demonstrated that no-one is safe until we are all safe, and that effective global cooperation is needed to better protect the UK and other countries around the world from the detrimental health, social and economic impacts of pandemics and other health threats. The UK supports a new international legally-binding instrument as part of a cooperative and comprehensive approach to pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.\n\nAt a World Health Assembly Special Session in late 2021, the 194 countries of the World Health Organization (WHO) agreed to launch a process to draft and negotiate a new instrument, through the auspices of WHO, to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. The negotiating process will be led by member states, including the UK.\n\nThe instrument aims to improve how the world prevents, better prepares for, and responds to future disease outbreaks of pandemic potential at national, regional and global level. It would complement the existing international instruments which the UK has already agreed, such as the International Health Regulations. It would promote greater collective action and accountability.\n\nA treaty is an international agreement concluded between States or with international organisations in written form and governed by international law.  The UK is party to a large number of multilateral treaties, including many through the United Nations (UN) and its specialised agencies such as the WHO. These instruments reflect obligations states have agreed to enter into to further common goals.\n\nThe current target date for agreeing the text of the new instrument is at the World Health Assembly in May 2024.  Over the next two years the UK aims to work towards building a consensus on how the global community can better prevent, prepare for, and respond to future pandemics and will actively shape, develop and negotiate the text. The new instrument would only be adopted by the World Health Assembly if the text achieves a two-thirds vote of the Health Assembly (Article 19 of the WHO Constitution). The Health Assembly is made up of representatives of WHO Member States.\n\nOnce adopted, the instrument would only become binding on the UK if and when the UK accepts (ratifies) it in accordance with its constitutional process. In the UK this requires the treaty to be laid before Parliament for a period of 21 sitting days before the Government can ratify it on behalf of the UK.\n\nThe Government always carefully considers whether domestic legislation will be required to implement the UK’s international obligations when negotiating a treaty. Not every treaty requires implementing legislation and it is too early to say if that would apply here. However, in all circumstances, the UK’s ability to exercise its sovereignty would remain unchanged and the UK would remain in control of any future domestic decisions about national restrictions or other measures.\n\nIf changes to UK law were considered necessary or appropriate to reflect obligations under the treaty, proposals for domestic legislation would go through the usual Parliamentary process and the UK would not ratify the treaty until domestic measures, agreed by Parliament, were in place.\n\nThis process of ratification allows scrutiny by elected representatives of both the treaty and any appropriate domestic legislation in accordance with the UK’s constitutional arrangements. The Government does not consider a referendum is necessary, appropriate or in keeping with precedent for such an agreement. \n\nForeign, Commonwealth and Development Office","created_at":"2022-05-30T14:32:21.519Z","updated_at":"2022-05-30T14:32:21.519Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2023-04-17","transcript_url":"https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2023-04-17/debates/12BE683F-A25C-46E5-9FE9-B9C12CCDA9B7/PandemicPreventionPreparednessAndResponseInternationalAgreement","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4XIl4kwynE","debate_pack_url":"https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9550/","overview":"","public_engagement_url":null,"debate_summary_url":null},"departments":[{"acronym":"FCDO","name":"Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-office"}],"topics":[]}},{"type":"archived-petition","id":604383,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/604383.json"},"parliament":{"period":"2019-2024","government":"Conservative","dissolution_at":"2024-05-30T00:01:00.000+01:00","response_threshold":10000,"debate_threshold":100000},"attributes":{"action":"Legalise assisted dying for terminally ill, mentally competent adults","background":"The Government should bring forward legislation to allow assisted dying for adults who are terminally ill and have mental capacity. It should be permitted subject to strict upfront safeguards, assessed by two doctors independently, and self-administered by the dying person.","additional_details":"Dying people in the UK should not have to suffer unbearably against their wishes in their final days and weeks of life. Without assisted dying, some people will die without adequate pain relief, symptom control or dignity. People should not be forced to take drastic measures or travel to another country to end their own life; they should have the option of dying at home, on their own terms, just as dying people do in New Zealand and parts of Australia and the USA, as well as several countries in Europe.","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":155803,"created_at":"2021-12-26T00:07:11.641Z","updated_at":"2023-04-06T09:39:20.000Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2021-12-30T12:39:25.129Z","closed_at":"2022-06-30T22:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2021-12-26T11:40:58.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2022-01-17T21:52:38.000Z","government_response_at":"2022-02-03T15:51:27.499Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2022-05-17T07:30:09.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":"2022-06-14","scheduled_debate_date":"2022-07-04","debate_outcome_at":"2022-07-05T06:56:46.239Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2022-02-03","summary":"The Government’s position is that any change to the law in this area is a matter for Parliament and an issue of conscience for individual parliamentarians rather than one for Government policy.","details":"The Government’s position remains that any change to the law in this emotive and contentious area is a matter for Parliament to decide and an issue of conscience for individual parliamentarians rather than one for Government policy. That is not an indication that the Government does not care about this issue. Rather, because the matter is so important, and is a matter of conscience, it takes no partisan position.\n\nWhether there are any circumstances in which it should not be an offence to assist another person to die is something on which there are passionately held but deeply divided views. Even amongst those who support a change in the law, there are differing ideas on where the line should be drawn, what safeguards should be in place and for whom. Conversely, others feel strongly that the law should not be changed and that safeguards will not necessarily give enough protection to vulnerable people who may feel pressure, whether real or perceived, to end their own lives.\n\nParliament has so far voted against proposals to allow lawful assistance with suicide, including in September 2015 when the House of Commons rejected the Assisted Dying (No.2) Bill by a substantial majority (330 votes to 118). However, this remains an issue of profound public interest and importance and the Assisted Dying Bill introduced by Baroness Meacher has provided an opportunity for Parliament to consider it afresh.\n\nThe Government took a neutral position when the Assisted Dying Bill was debated in the House of Lords on 22 October. The Bill passed Lords Second Reading without a vote. Committee stage – which involves line by line examination of the Bill - has yet to be scheduled.\n\nIf the will of Parliament is that the law on assisting suicide should change, the Government would not stand in the way of such change, but would seek to ensure that the law could be enforced in the way that Parliament intended.\n\nMinistry of Justice","created_at":"2022-02-03T15:51:27.473Z","updated_at":"2022-02-03T15:51:27.473Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2022-07-04","transcript_url":"https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2022-07-04/debates/65B4AB0B-D148-42C6-8D8B-43AAC29219FB/AssistedDying","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-BEV2bs01c","debate_pack_url":"https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn04857/","overview":"","public_engagement_url":null,"debate_summary_url":null},"departments":[{"acronym":"DHSC","name":"Department of Health and Social Care","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-health-and-social-care"}],"topics":[]}},{"type":"archived-petition","id":563380,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/563380.json"},"parliament":{"period":"2019-2024","government":"Conservative","dissolution_at":"2024-05-30T00:01:00.000+01:00","response_threshold":10000,"debate_threshold":100000},"attributes":{"action":"Stop work on HS2 immediately and hold a new vote to repeal the legislation","background":"We ask Parliament to repeal the High Speed Rail Bills, 2016 and 2019, as MPs voted on misleading environmental, financial and timetable information provided by the Dept of Transport and HS2 Ltd. It fails to address the conditions of the Paris Accord and costs have risen from £56bn to over £100bn.","additional_details":"Our environment and economy are in peril. HS2 is destroying nature and inflicting suffering on businesses and property owners. Government is investing in an inept and recklessly run project, offering poor value for money. HS2 will not reach Net Zero by 2050 nor help us level up the North. The pandemic has changed how we work forever and invalidated the business case. Given the climate emergencies we face, and now the economic and pandemic crises - Parliament must vote to repeal the legislation.","committee_note":null,"state":"closed","signature_count":155253,"created_at":"2020-12-09T22:24:17.835Z","updated_at":"2021-12-21T13:51:48.000Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2020-12-17T15:30:17.955Z","closed_at":"2021-06-17T22:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2020-12-10T10:05:37.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2021-01-04T10:10:17.000Z","government_response_at":"2021-01-14T17:05:16.760Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2021-01-08T08:42:07.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":"2021-07-23","scheduled_debate_date":"2021-09-13","debate_outcome_at":"2021-09-15T10:10:35.759Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2021-01-14","summary":"HS2 will provide essential North-South connectivity, greater capacity and shorter journey times. This railway will play a vital role in delivering the Government’s carbon net zero objectives.","details":"The Government has carefully considered the merits and disadvantages of proceeding with HS2 and has firmly concluded that it should go ahead. HS2 will transform our country’s transport network, and help to rebalance opportunity fairly across the country. This railway is a long-term investment which will bring our biggest cities closer together, boost productivity and provide a low-carbon alternative to cars and planes for many decades to come.  During construction, we want HS2 to be the most environmentally responsible major infrastructure project in UK history. \n\nHS2 has rightly been subject to a great deal of Parliamentary and public scrutiny. Phase One was the subject of considerable debate in Parliament during the passage of the High-Speed Rail (London-West Midlands) Act 2017 (“the Phase One Act”). The Phase 2a Bill is currently being taken through Parliament. The Government agreed with the Oakervee Review's conclusion that splitting Phase 2b into smaller sections, and more than one Bill, could facilitate scrutiny in Parliament, and make its management and construction more manageable. Just this month, Andrew Stephenson MP, the dedicated HS2 minister, went before the Transport Select Committee to discuss HS2 in depth, and a record of this hearing can be found on Parliament.UK. \n\nMinisters have made a clear commitment to greater transparency on HS2, and Andrew Stephenson is reporting bi-annually to Parliament on the project. \n\nWe are continuing work on managing the full impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on delivery of the HS2 programme. We intend to update Parliament on the latest position as part of the next six-monthly Parliamentary Report, expected in Spring 2021. \n\nThis Government takes its environmental commitments extremely seriously. The environmental impacts of HS2 were closely scrutinised by Parliament during the passage of the Phase One Act, which gives statutory and planning authority for the construction of Phase One. Alongside the Act, the Government also published a suite of additional environmental commitments to further reduce the impacts of the project. \n\nAs well as environmental protections, a range of measures to mitigate and compensate for environmental impacts have been put in place. This includes a commitment to seek to achieve ‘no net loss’ to biodiversity and the creation of a ‘green corridor’ alongside HS2, which will provide bigger and better habitats for wildlife, and integrate HS2 into the landscape. Phase One expects to support 33 square kilometres of wildlife habitat - an increase of around 30% compared to what’s there now.\n\nAll environmental measures, whether they be the creation of new habitats or the enhancement of existing habitats, will be supported with long-term management plans and agreements. This will ensure that the new railway leaves a long-lasting legacy for both wildlife and future generations. \n\nHS2 will give us a step-change in capacity delivering better connectivity between our largest towns and cities. The Government’s decision to proceed with HS2 supports our objectives on climate change as the railway will play a key role in decarbonising our transport sector. This is because, once HS2 is in operation, it will offer a low carbon alternative to cars and domestic air travel. It will also free up space on the existing railway for thousands more passengers to travel by rail and to move more goods by rail freight, taking lorries off our roads.\n\nSecuring the land and property needed to construct the line of route across all Phases is vital to the programme’s success and is often the first impact that we have on line of route communities. A range of statutory and non-statutory property compensation schemes are available that seek to compensate affected parties fairly while protecting the public purse.\n\nOur policy is to provide fair compensation for those directly and indirectly impacted but the process and disputes for claims can inevitably be traumatic for some. Andrew Stephenson commissioned a detailed review of the acquisition and compensation process to ensure that there is a renewed focus on those who are being impacted by the new railway. The report contained 36 recommendations which are actively being implemented which will see rapid improvements for local communities. \n\nFor the reasons set out above, the Government has no plans to repeal any legislation relating to the development and delivery of HS2.  However, we will continue to welcome further public and parliamentary scrutiny of the project. \n\nDepartment for Transport","created_at":"2021-01-14T17:05:16.758Z","updated_at":"2021-01-14T17:05:16.758Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2021-09-13","transcript_url":"https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2021-09-13/debates/3614AE85-A25C-4874-9DAE-9802247DFDDF/HS2","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yt-9ZsO5vg","debate_pack_url":"https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9313/","overview":"","public_engagement_url":null,"debate_summary_url":null},"departments":[{"acronym":"DfT","name":"Department for Transport","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-transport"}],"topics":[]}},{"type":"archived-petition","id":301186,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/301186.json"},"parliament":{"period":"2019-2024","government":"Conservative","dissolution_at":"2024-05-30T00:01:00.000+01:00","response_threshold":10000,"debate_threshold":100000},"attributes":{"action":"Government to offer economic assistance to the events industry during COVID-19","background":"For the UK government to provide economic assistance to businesses and staff employed in the events industry, who are suffering unforeseen financial challenges that could have a profound effect on hundreds of thousands of people employed in the sector.","additional_details":"The UK events industry is facing an unprecedented challenge as a result of the Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak, and the events that have been cancelled as a result.\r\n\r\nThe industry is worth more than £14 billion to the economy, with 25,000  businesses supporting over 500,000 employees—all of whom are nervous about whether their next event will go ahead or not, and how their income may be affected.\r\n\r\nI'd like the government to provide support to business & individuals struggling at this critical time.","committee_note":null,"state":"closed","signature_count":154815,"created_at":"2020-03-09T22:27:52.186Z","updated_at":"2024-10-19T03:17:17.016Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2020-03-12T18:22:54.902Z","closed_at":"2020-09-12T22:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2020-03-10T09:10:04.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2020-03-13T08:23:44.000Z","government_response_at":"2020-03-27T12:15:43.450Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2020-03-15T21:55:34.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":"2020-06-25","debate_outcome_at":"2020-06-30T12:44:17.954Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2020-03-27","summary":"The Government has announced a series of measures to provide economic support to businesses and their staff to help to mitigate the economic impacts of COVID-19. Further detail can be found on gov.uk.","details":"The UK government is aware that COVID-19 presents unprecedented challenges to many UK businesses. In the 11 March Budget, the Chancellor set out a £12bn package of temporary, timely and targeted measures to support public services, individuals and businesses through the economic disruption caused by COVID-19.\n\nOn 17 March the Chancellor went further and announced an unprecedented £330bn support package for businesses and workers to protect against the economic emergency caused by the coronavirus. This included the introduction of a Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme offering loans of up to £5m for SMEs through the British Business Bank, and a new lending facility from the Bank of England to help support liquidity among larger firms. The total of the available guarantees are equivalent to 15% of UK GDP. The package also included giving all retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in England a 100% business rates holiday for the next 12 months; and, increasing grants to small businesses eligible for Small Business Rate Relief from £3,000 to £10,000.\n\nThe 17 March announcement on business rate relief was supplemented by expanded guidance from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government to Local Authorities administering these business rates relief:  https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/873622/Expanded_Retail_Discount_Guidance.pdf  The guidance indicates that a number of event venues are eligible including, live music venues, hotels, sports grounds and clubs and public halls.\n\nThe guidance is also clear that not every eligible venue can be listed. The list set of eligible venues is not intended to be exhaustive as it would be impossible to list the many and varied uses that exist within the qualifying purposes. There will also be mixed uses. However, it is intended to be a guide for authorities as to the types of uses that the Government considers for this purpose to be eligible for relief. Authorities should determine for themselves whether particular properties not listed are broadly similar in nature to those above and, if so, to consider them eligible for the relief. Conversely, properties that are not broadly similar in nature to those listed above should not be eligible for the relief.\n\nOn 20th March, the Chancellor announced further economic support for businesses, employees and individuals: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses . The announcement included a new Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, VAT deferral for all businesses until the end of June, Income Tax deferral for the self-employed, changes to the Business Interruption Loan Scheme to make it more generous and further information on the previously announced grant scheme. Furthermore, the Universal Credit standard allowance and the Working Tax Credit were each raised to £1,000 per year; the minimum income floor for those who are self-employed and are affected by COVID-19 was suspended; and, income tax payments for the self-employed will be deferred until January. This is not an exhaustive list of the support measures announced by the government to date. Businesses, employees and self-employed individuals who are impacted by COVID-19 are encouraged to visit the UK government’s website for information and updates.\n\nFurther detail can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19\n\nDepartment for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.","created_at":"2020-03-27T12:15:43.447Z","updated_at":"2020-03-27T12:19:15.782Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2020-06-25","transcript_url":"https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2020-06-25/debates/E1479A23-8697-4B2E-9E5F-2A208EC3E217/Covid-19SupportForUKIndustries","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tV0Et_Pfhdk","debate_pack_url":"https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2020-0076/","overview":"","public_engagement_url":null,"debate_summary_url":null},"departments":[],"topics":[]}},{"type":"archived-petition","id":648225,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/648225.json"},"parliament":{"period":"2019-2024","government":"Conservative","dissolution_at":"2024-05-30T00:01:00.000+01:00","response_threshold":10000,"debate_threshold":100000},"attributes":{"action":"Remain neutral in Israel-Palestine conflict and withdraw support for Israel","background":"We want the UK to be neutral in the conflict between Israel and Palestine, and withdraw offers of support for Israel.","additional_details":"We don’t want UK to spend tax payer money to support Israel.\r\n \r\nIsrael has been found to systematically violate international law through illegal occupation of Palestinian land. Meanwhile Hamas has been proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the UK Government.\r\n \r\nThe Government is taking Israel's side but we don't want the UK to take a side in this conflict.\r\n","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":151550,"created_at":"2023-10-09T11:21:13.662Z","updated_at":"2024-04-13T15:42:20.000Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2023-10-12T16:46:07.180Z","closed_at":"2024-04-12T22:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2023-10-09T11:56:50.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2023-10-14T11:41:30.000Z","government_response_at":"2023-11-07T11:06:53.765Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2023-10-16T20:09:40.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":"2023-12-01","scheduled_debate_date":"2023-12-11","debate_outcome_at":"2023-12-13T12:56:39.007Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2023-11-06","summary":"The UK supports Israel’s right to self-defence in line with international humanitarian law. We will continue to lead and support efforts towards a two state solution between Israel and the PA.","details":"On 7 October Hamas terrorists brutally murdered over 1400 people. They raped, maimed, and took the lives of ordinary civilians. Their attack began on that day and hasn’t stopped since, with Hamas continuing to fire thousands of rockets at Israel. We have a proud history of standing with states against terrorism, of which this is a part.\n\nWe support Israel’s legitimate right to defend itself and take action against terrorism, and we continue to urge all sides to adhere to international humanitarian law. We continue to urge Israel to ensure its campaign is targeted against Hamas leaders and military infrastructure. It’s vital that all parties ensure their actions are proportionate, necessary and minimise harm to civilians. In all their engagements with Israeli counterparts, UK Government Ministers – including the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary – have pressed this point. \n\nHamas does not speak for or act in the interests of the Palestinian people. Hamas deliberately murdered and kidnapped innocent people in Israel and now callously puts civilians in Gaza at risk. At least 12 British nationals were tragically killed in the terrorist attacks by Hamas. Several others are feared dead or kidnapped by Hamas.\n\nAs the Prime Minister said, we stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people, who are also victims of Hamas. Since Hamas’ terrorist attack against Israel on 7 October the UK has committed £30 million in additional aid to the Occupied Palestinian Territories – more than doubling our existing aid commitment for this year. This will allow trusted partners to provide essential relief items and services such as food, water and shelter.\n\nThe UK has strong bilateral relationships with both Israel and the Palestinian Authority. What we want to see is both Israelis and Palestinians safe and secure, not living under the constant threat of terrorism, in peaceful proximity. We continue to work with international partners to lead and support efforts towards a two-state solution that allows both Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and dignity.\n\nForeign, Commonwealth and Development Office","created_at":"2023-11-07T11:06:53.762Z","updated_at":"2023-11-07T11:06:53.762Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2023-12-11","transcript_url":"https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2023-12-11/debates/7B9C9F44-6D85-4743-9B9E-D305A5E5C14F/IsraelAndPalestine","video_url":"https://parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/0278ce21-241e-4315-9c17-94cb1b7f1d0b","debate_pack_url":"https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2023-0226/","overview":"","public_engagement_url":null,"debate_summary_url":null},"departments":[{"acronym":"FCDO","name":"Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-office"}],"topics":[]}},{"type":"archived-petition","id":550545,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/550545.json"},"parliament":{"period":"2019-2024","government":"Conservative","dissolution_at":"2024-05-30T00:01:00.000+01:00","response_threshold":10000,"debate_threshold":100000},"attributes":{"action":"Extend the Stamp Duty Holiday for an additional 6 months after 31st March 2021","background":"Extending the Stamp Duty Holiday for an additional 6 months will assist many buyers who are looking to move to a property that they will not be able to afford otherwise.\r\nThis will help to stabilise the housing market","additional_details":"I am looking to move into a new build which is currently due to complete at the start of March 2021. If this build is delayed past 31st March 2021 then i will not be able to afford the stamp duty so will not be able to afford the house.","committee_note":null,"state":"closed","signature_count":151127,"created_at":"2020-09-08T11:16:59.171Z","updated_at":"2021-07-30T09:04:05.000Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2020-10-01T09:40:56.416Z","closed_at":"2021-04-01T22:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2020-09-08T11:45:54.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2020-11-30T14:05:37.000Z","government_response_at":"2020-12-11T15:43:57.361Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2021-01-15T16:15:57.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":"2021-02-01","debate_outcome_at":"2021-02-02T14:23:10.812Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2020-12-10","summary":"The SDLT holiday was designed to be a temporary relief to stimulate market activity and support jobs that rely on the property market. The Government does not plan to extend this temporary relief.","details":"The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown caused uncertainty for those buying and selling residential property and property transactions fell by as much as 50 per cent during the first national lockdown. To stimulate immediate momentum in the property market and to support the jobs of people whose employment relied on custom from the property industry, the Government decided to introduce a temporary Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) relief. This relief increased the starting threshold of residential SDLT from £125,000 to £500,000 from the 8 July 2020 until 31 March 2021. Since the relief was introduced, transactions have increased and seasonally adjusted data shows that in October 2020, transactions were 8% higher than October 2019.\n\nAs the relief was to provide an immediate stimulus to the property market, the Government does not plan to extend this relief. SDLT is an important source of government revenue, raising several billion pounds each year to help pay for the essential services the Government provides.\n\nThe Government is committed to supporting home ownership and helping people get on and move up the housing ladder. When the SDLT Holiday ends, the Government will maintain a SDLT relief for first time buyers which increases the starting threshold of residential SDLT to £300,000 for first-time buyers that purchase a property below £500,000. In addition, a new Help to Buy scheme will be introduced from 1 April 2021. This scheme will run until March 2023. \n\nAll tax policy is kept under review and the Government considers the views it receives carefully as part of that process.\n\nHM Treasury","created_at":"2020-12-11T15:43:57.359Z","updated_at":"2020-12-11T15:43:57.359Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2021-02-01","transcript_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0420gQEA9Hs&feature=youtu.be","video_url":"https://parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/59ae7998-e498-4077-bbaa-5be1e74b1c82","debate_pack_url":"","overview":"","public_engagement_url":null,"debate_summary_url":null},"departments":[{"acronym":"HMT","name":"HM Treasury","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-treasury"}],"topics":[]}},{"type":"archived-petition","id":573621,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/573621.json"},"parliament":{"period":"2019-2024","government":"Conservative","dissolution_at":"2024-05-30T00:01:00.000+01:00","response_threshold":10000,"debate_threshold":100000},"attributes":{"action":"Keep schools closed until May","background":"Please don’t send students back until we know we have had the priority groups vaccinated such as the elderly, the extremely clinically vulnerable, and those with underlying health conditions.","additional_details":"Even as Covid cases are going down, students do not feel safe. Please lower the risk of the cases increasing again after we go back. Many students are scared, fearing that cases may rise again and this can be passed on to parents. This would help prevent the spread of the variants of the virus.","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":149470,"created_at":"2021-02-03T01:47:31.840Z","updated_at":"2021-08-11T23:00:02.779Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2021-02-11T17:25:03.289Z","closed_at":"2021-08-11T22:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2021-02-03T10:29:47.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2021-02-16T19:39:07.000Z","government_response_at":"2021-03-16T18:27:45.543Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2021-02-22T10:12:17.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":"2021-03-15","debate_outcome_at":"2021-03-17T09:06:58.185Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2021-03-15","summary":"With safety measures in schools, the success of vaccination rollout and decrease in infection rates and hospitalisations, the Government has decided that pupils can return to education from 8 March.","details":"The education of children and young people is a national priority. The unavoidable disruption to education caused by the COVID-19 pandemic will have affected children’s education and wellbeing. Enabling pupils to return to face to face education is key to helping them, and the country as whole, thrive in the future. As pupils return, schools will be supported with over £1 billion to help pupils to recover missed education and development.\n\nAt the beginning of 2021, when we asked schools to limit attendance to vulnerable children and young people and the children of critical workers, the rate of infections was rising quickly, and the NHS was in danger of being overwhelmed. It was a vital intervention to bring down the number of social contacts and was not because schools had become inherently less safe. At that time, we said that we would return all pupils to school as soon as the health situation improved. As a result of the efforts the country has made, the Prime Minister’s four tests have been met and it is now possible for schools to welcome back pupils in all year groups from 8 March. \n\nBy 12 March, 23 million people had received their first vaccine dose and 1 million people had received their second dose. Ninety percent of people aged 70 and over, which is the age group with the highest risk of complications from COVID-19 infection, have had their first dose. Public Health England (PHE) has been studying the effect of the vaccine roll out. It has found encouraging evidence that people who have been vaccinated are much less likely to need to go to hospital and are less likely to die if they do catch COVID-19. Our latest information also suggests that infection rates across the country have fallen across all age groups.  \n\nThe longer children are out of the classroom the bigger the effect on their education, health and wellbeing. The Chief Medical Officer for England has recently stated that: \"The chances of many children being damaged by not going to school are incredibly clear and therefore the balance of risk is very strongly in favour of children going to school because many more are likely to be harmed by not going than harmed by going, even during this pandemic.\"\n\nEven though transmission of the virus can happen in schools, evidence shows that this does not mean more infections spreading in the wider community. We have worked closely with PHE to develop a system of controls that help keep pupils and school staff as safe as possible and have further strengthened the measures to provide more reassurance and help decrease the disruption the virus causes to education. As schools prepare for the return of more pupils, they should update their risk assessment and ensure they are implementing the system of controls in order to minimise the risk of infection. The system of controls include cleaning hands more often, minimising contact and keeping occupied spaces well ventilated, as well as wearing face coverings where recommended. For secondary pupils, this includes staff and pupils wearing face coverings anywhere indoors where social distancing is not possible, including in classrooms.\n\nOur new programme of rapid testing is going to continue to be an important part of how we keep infection rates down within schools and across the wider community. Since January we have been delivering rapid testing kits for secondary schools and colleges to help identify pupils or staff who are infected but may not yet show any symptoms. Pupils returning to secondary schools from 8 March will be offered a rapid test before their face-to-face teaching restarts. After the initial programme of three tests in school, pupils will be provided with 2 rapid tests to use each week at home. All staff in schools are now able to be tested twice a week.\n\nThe benefit of the rapid testing programme is that we can identify pupils and staff who might be carrying the virus but who are not yet showing symptoms. This means we can require those who test positive to self-isolate straight away and help ensure they are not passing the virus on in school. \n\nAs we work together to help pupils return to school after a long period of education at home, we will be asking everyone to adhere to the safety measures put in place. Head teachers, teachers and other school staff have been working hard to make their schools as safe as they can be, and it is vital that everyone continues to do everything they can to help stop the spread of the virus.\n\nDepartment for Education","created_at":"2021-03-16T18:27:45.540Z","updated_at":"2021-03-16T18:27:45.540Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2021-03-15","transcript_url":"https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2021-03-15/debates/04A8B933-1B55-46A9-9A65-212FC655EA29/Covid-19ImpactOnEducation","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Iz2Jk-KPHE","debate_pack_url":"https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-8915/","overview":"","public_engagement_url":null,"debate_summary_url":null},"departments":[{"acronym":"DfE","name":"Department for Education","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education"}],"topics":[]}},{"type":"archived-petition","id":613556,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/613556.json"},"parliament":{"period":"2019-2024","government":"Conservative","dissolution_at":"2024-05-30T00:01:00.000+01:00","response_threshold":10000,"debate_threshold":100000},"attributes":{"action":"Ensure Trans people are fully protected under any conversion therapy ban","background":"Ensure any ban fully includes trans people and all forms of conversion therapy.","additional_details":"It's shameful that the UK intends to deliberately exclude trans people from a ban in contrast to the approach taken by many countries, despite trans people being at a greater risk of experiencing the harmful & degrading practices.\r\n\r\nThe government's own figures show that trans people are nearly twice as likely to be at risk of experiencing the harmful & degrading practices of conversion therapy. A ban needs to ensure all forms of conversion therapy are banned.\r\n","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":149167,"created_at":"2022-03-31T22:04:07.600Z","updated_at":"2024-03-26T10:24:04.913Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2022-04-06T16:18:40.353Z","closed_at":"2022-10-20T22:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2022-03-31T22:14:09.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2022-04-07T11:04:59.000Z","government_response_at":"2022-05-12T13:22:50.980Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2022-04-11T00:10:19.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":"2022-05-17","scheduled_debate_date":"2022-06-13","debate_outcome_at":"2022-06-14T09:28:21.712Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2022-05-12","summary":"We will introduce a ban protecting everyone from attempts to change their sexual orientation. Recognising the complexity of issues we will consider the issue of transgender conversion therapy further.","details":"Conversion therapy practices do not work and can cause long-lasting harm. We are committed to banning these abhorrent practices by introducing an offence that protects children and those that are unwillingly subjected to talking conversion practices, as well as by strengthening provisions against physical conversion practices. \n\nWe will bring forward a ban that protects everyone from attempts to change their sexual orientation. There are different considerations when it comes to transgender conversion therapy and the Government remains committed to exploring these. \n\nOne of the complexities is that those who experience gender dysphoria may seek talking therapy. It is vital that legitimate support is not inadvertently impacted. \n\nThe Government’s actions to protect people from conversion therapy extend beyond legislating. We will deliver a support service for victims via a contracted helpline and website which will provide initial pastoral support, and signposting to services such as counselling and advice about emergency housing. The successful delivery partner will be announced in due course. We continue to engage with stakeholders from LGBT, faith and medical backgrounds to ensure that our proposals and services are effective and well understood.\n\nWe will bring forward a ban that protects everyone from attempts to change their sexual orientation as soon as parliamentary time allows. We remain committed to exploring how best to protect people from these practices and will provide further updates in due course. \n\nCabinet Office","created_at":"2022-05-12T13:22:50.979Z","updated_at":"2022-05-12T13:22:50.979Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2022-06-13","transcript_url":"https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2022-06-13/debates/066BEE43-BF73-4FC2-B740-B789C37232F3/TransgenderConversionTherapy","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJp31qE36rQ&feature=youtu.be","debate_pack_url":"https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2022-0103/","overview":"","public_engagement_url":null,"debate_summary_url":null},"departments":[{"acronym":"CO","name":"Cabinet Office","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/cabinet-office"}],"topics":[]}},{"type":"archived-petition","id":306773,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/306773.json"},"parliament":{"period":"2019-2024","government":"Conservative","dissolution_at":"2024-05-30T00:01:00.000+01:00","response_threshold":10000,"debate_threshold":100000},"attributes":{"action":"Review the decision to use previous data to calculate exam grades","background":"We want the Education Secretary and the Government to step in and review the exam board’s decision on how GCSE and A-Level grades will be calculated and awarded due to the current coronavirus crisis. We want a better solution than just using our previous data to be the basis of our grade.","additional_details":"Using previous data could result in unfair grading as the majority of this data may be inaccurate and unrepresentative of a student’s ability. Most of these assessments are not always taken seriously, and could misinterpret students true potential. Students’ GCSE exam results have often shown vast improvement compared to their previous data. We deserve an equal opportunity for improving and receiving fair grades. Although the option of doing our exams next academic year is available it is still highly inconvenient and sets back our future.","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":148885,"created_at":"2020-03-20T19:07:53.828Z","updated_at":"2024-10-19T03:17:32.941Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2020-03-27T16:06:37.923Z","closed_at":"2020-09-27T22:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2020-03-20T19:22:34.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2020-08-14T02:27:24.000Z","government_response_at":"2020-09-04T14:13:41.073Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2020-08-15T19:21:54.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":"2020-10-06","scheduled_debate_date":"2020-10-12","debate_outcome_at":"2020-10-13T11:32:31.092Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2020-09-04","summary":"Students in England have now received the higher of their centre assessment grade or calculated grade for GCSEs, AS and A levels in 2020.","details":"Following an announcement on 17 August, the great majority of GCSE, A and AS level students have now received the centre assessment grades that their schools and colleges had submitted for them. In the minority of cases where the grades that the exam boards had previously calculated for students were higher than the centre assessment grade, students have received their calculated grade.\n\nOfqual had consulted on and implemented a standardisation process for exam results this summer, but the system resulted in too many inconsistent and unfair outcomes for A and AS level students. It became clear that the approach resulted in too many anomalies to be resolved through appeals and which severely undermined confidence in the system.\n\nSubsequently, Ofqual decided to award centre assessment grades, which are the grades which schools and colleges assessed students were most likely to have achieved had exams gone ahead. The Government supported this decision, which was deemed to be the fairest approach to avoid some students receiving grades that did not reflect their prior performance.\n\nWe understand this situation has caused a great deal of stress and uncertainty and apologise for the distress this has caused young people and their parents.\n\nDepartment for Education","created_at":"2020-09-04T14:13:41.071Z","updated_at":"2020-09-04T14:13:41.071Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2020-10-12","transcript_url":"https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2020-10-12/debates/70FBD145-D88B-4D72-A648-DDFF18B0E4DC/ExamsCovid-19","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBZ6oVWzU2o","debate_pack_url":"","overview":"","public_engagement_url":null,"debate_summary_url":null},"departments":[{"acronym":"DfE","name":"Department for Education","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education"}],"topics":[]}},{"type":"archived-petition","id":320772,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/320772.json"},"parliament":{"period":"2019-2024","government":"Conservative","dissolution_at":"2024-05-30T00:01:00.000+01:00","response_threshold":10000,"debate_threshold":100000},"attributes":{"action":"Reduce curriculum content for year 10 & 12 students who will sit exams in 2021.","background":"A significant number of students will sit their final 2021 examinations. The outcome of which undoubtedly will be their passport, for many of their future life chances and successes. In order for this to be done fairly, it is imperative that the amount of content they are tested on is reduced.","additional_details":"As an educator myself, I understand the huge benefits of face to face teaching and the positive impact this has on a child’s educational success. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing unprecedented situation, classroom based learning has not been possible. A significant amount of teaching and learning time has been lost (ongoing). This cannot effectively be compensated for by provided remote learning activities.By reducing the content, students will have the opportunity to sit their exams equitably.","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":148388,"created_at":"2020-05-14T02:45:13.497Z","updated_at":"2024-10-19T03:21:19.438Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2020-06-01T13:15:28.840Z","closed_at":"2020-12-01T23:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2020-05-14T22:01:24.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2020-06-06T14:44:04.000Z","government_response_at":"2020-06-23T17:36:20.917Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2020-06-08T07:42:34.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":"2020-10-06","scheduled_debate_date":"2020-10-12","debate_outcome_at":"2020-10-13T11:35:35.592Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2020-07-30","summary":"All students, including current Year 10s and 12s, will have experienced disruption to their education this year. Ofqual is consulting on measures to mitigate this through changes to next year’s exams.","details":"We recognise that Year 10 and 12 students due to take exams next year, and their parents, carers and teachers, are concerned about the disruption to education caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. The government is determined to do everything possible to ensure that no student is prevented from fulfilling their potential due to the pandemic.\n\nWe are planning on the basis that exams will go ahead in 2021 and have been working closely with Ofqual, the exam boards and groups representing teachers, schools, colleges and students to consider our approach to exams and other assessments next year. On 2 July, Ofqual published consultation proposals on a range of possible measures, with the overriding aim of ensuring that exams and assessments are as fair as possible. In particular, the consultation proposes a range of changes to exams and assessments next year to free up additional time for teaching, in light of the disruption experienced by teachers and students this year. This includes seeking views on a short delay to the exams timetable in 2021, and proposed adaptations in a number of subjects, for example, removing the requirement to record the spoken language assessment in GCSE English language, and allowing GCSE students to observe, rather than undertake, practical science work. \n\nAs with this year, the most important principle is that students due to sit exams and assessments in the next academic year should be enabled to progress successfully to the next stage of education or employment. Each of the elements of content that forms the foundation for GCSE, AS and A level qualifications is important, and therefore the government does not propose to change this content for 2021.\n\nFor GCSE history, ancient history and geography, the government has asked Ofqual to identify options for sampling less of the subject content for 2021 in a way which gives schools and colleges some choice over the content they teach, and helps teachers and students to cover that content in appropriate depth. This is because, unlike other subjects taken by large numbers of students, Ofqual was not able to identify any ways of freeing up teaching time without making changes to the way subject content is sampled. For GCSE history and ancient history, Ofqual is seeking views on proposals to introduce a choice of topics on which students would be required to answer questions in their exams, with one topic remaining mandatory. For GCSE geography, Ofqual is proposing that the content relating to fieldwork should not be assessed in 2021. \n\nThe government has confirmed that this approach should not be considered for GCSE English language, English literature, maths and the sciences, since the full content in these subjects is vital for progression to further study and students should have the opportunity, therefore, to cover the full syllabus. This approach should not be considered for AS/A levels either.  \n\nOfqual’s consultation closes on 16 July. We recognise that students and teachers need to be reassured and informed about arrangements for exams and assessments next year, to help them to plan and prepare. Ofqual is aiming to announce its decisions by early August.\n\nOn 2 July, the government also published further guidance for schools and colleges that sets out what school and college leaders and their staff should consider in planning and delivering their curriculum next year, so that all students – particularly disadvantaged students – are given the support to make up for their lost time in education due to the pandemic. The government is clear that the school curriculum should remain broad and ambitious, and all students should continue to be taught a wide range of subjects, maintaining their choices for further study and employment.\n\nDepartment for Education\n\nThis is a revised response. The Petitions Committee requested a response which more directly addressed the request of the petition. You can find the original response towards the bottom of the petition page (https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/320772)","created_at":"2020-06-23T17:36:20.915Z","updated_at":"2020-07-30T16:23:30.888Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2020-10-12","transcript_url":"https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2020-10-12/debates/70FBD145-D88B-4D72-A648-DDFF18B0E4DC/ExamsCovid-19","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBZ6oVWzU2o","debate_pack_url":"","overview":"","public_engagement_url":null,"debate_summary_url":null},"departments":[{"acronym":"DfE","name":"Department for Education","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education"}],"topics":[]}},{"type":"archived-petition","id":597715,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/597715.json"},"parliament":{"period":"2019-2024","government":"Conservative","dissolution_at":"2024-05-30T00:01:00.000+01:00","response_threshold":10000,"debate_threshold":100000},"attributes":{"action":"Require schools to make Friday a part of the school weekend","background":"Require schools to make Friday a day off school, meaning there will be 3 days that children will get to stay off every week.","additional_details":"Children can have lots of stress at school due to exams and homework and with a 3 day weekend, children could have a longer time to relax and let off stress gained from school.","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":148136,"created_at":"2021-09-24T14:24:30.212Z","updated_at":"2024-02-20T16:30:11.546Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2021-10-06T13:31:50.163Z","closed_at":"2022-04-06T22:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2021-09-25T06:53:48.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2022-03-28T20:15:59.000Z","government_response_at":"2022-04-21T11:13:53.623Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2022-03-30T18:43:09.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":"2022-06-27","debate_outcome_at":"2022-06-28T09:41:18.214Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2022-04-21","summary":"The government has no plans to require schools to make Friday part of the weekend. Regular attendance at school is vital for children’s education, well-being and long term development.","details":"The government has no plans to require schools to make Friday part of the weekend. We know that being in school, enjoying a broad and balanced education and achieving academically are key protective factors that help to promote mental health and well-being.  That’s why our White Paper, Opportunity for all - strong schools with great teachers for your child, (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/opportunity-for-all-strong-schools-with-great-teachers-for-your-child) sets out that we are focusing on ensuring that pupils enjoy a richer school week with a broad range of subjects, extra-curricular and pastoral activities. The Children’s Commissioner also recently published survey results from the ‘The Big Ask’, which found children missed their friends, their teachers and activities during lockdown and were happy to return to real classroom learning; 84% of children reported being happy or OK with school life.   \n\nThe government also believes that exams and other assessments are an essential part of ensuring that young people have acquired the knowledge and skills they need in order to succeed in further study and in later life. The government is clear that schools should encourage pupils to work hard, but not at the expense of their well-being. Examinations are by their very nature stressful, but when pupils receive the right support, for very many of them, the level of stress from exams is manageable and a certain level of stress can be helpful in motivating students to do their best. Ofqual have issued guidance on coping with exam pressure, (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coping-with-exam-pressure-a-guide-for-students) which provides some techniques which students can use to help alleviate or lessen the anxiety they have about setting exams\n\nThe government believes that homework is an important part of a good education. Homework that is planned as an integral part of the curriculum gives pupils the opportunity to practice and reinforce what they have been taught in class, to help them consolidate and extend the knowledge and understanding they have acquired. Homework also enables teachers to check pupils’ understanding systematically, identify misconceptions accurately and provide clear, direct feedback. \n\nHowever, the government acknowledges that some pupils have needed additional well-being support after school closures in 2020 and 2021.  To support pupils the DfE invested £15 million in Wellbeing for Education Recovery and Return programmes.  These provided free, expert training, support and resources for education staff, helping to promote and support the well-being and mental health of pupils and students as they recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.\n\nRecently the government has reviewed the issue of time spent in school.  In November 2021, we published a review of time in school and 16 to 19 settings (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1031290/Review_of_time_in_school_and_16_to_19_settings.pdf)  which showed that more time in school, if used well, can benefit pupil outcomes. However, we know some pupils currently receive more time in school than others due to differences in opening hours which is unfair and leads to an accumulated disadvantage over time. To address this, the government set out in the White Paper a minimum expectation of a 32.5 hour school week for all pupils, which should be delivered over 5 days.  Most schools already have a school week of at least 32.5 hours and all state-funded, mainstream schools will be expected to deliver this by September 2023 at the latest. Having a minimum length of school week will ensure that all pupils have fair access to broad and balanced curriculum, which will support their academic achievement as well as their well-being.\n\nWe recognise that the lessons we have learned during the pandemic must help us strengthen and improve the overall system. That’s why we are in the process of reviewing the school attendance system as a whole and have recently consulted on proposals aimed at transforming the consistency and quality of attendance support for families across England. We set out more detail about this approach in our recent Schools White Paper.    \n\nConsidering the wider benefits of time in school, the government therefore has no plans to remove Friday from the school week. If schools were to close on Fridays pupils would lose 38 school days on average in each academic year. Given the disruption to education caused by the pandemic, now more than ever, it is vital that we do not lose time in school that will support pupils to achieve their full potential.\n\nDepartment for Education","created_at":"2022-04-21T11:13:53.620Z","updated_at":"2022-04-21T11:13:53.620Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2022-06-27","transcript_url":"https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2022-06-27/debates/8D99086B-6519-4760-9670-E98DB6ACD958/SchoolWeek","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yi2bBaa8Qps","debate_pack_url":"https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn07148/","overview":"","public_engagement_url":"https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/109373/default/","debate_summary_url":""},"departments":[{"acronym":"DfE","name":"Department for Education","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education"}],"topics":[]}},{"type":"archived-petition","id":317336,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/317336.json"},"parliament":{"period":"2019-2024","government":"Conservative","dissolution_at":"2024-05-30T00:01:00.000+01:00","response_threshold":10000,"debate_threshold":100000},"attributes":{"action":"FIONA'S LAW - Women should be allowed a yearly Cervical screening\r\n \r\n","background":"Cervical screening needs to be every year.\r\n \r\nThis is because women are dying, mothers, wives, daughters, granddaughters and sisters are dying.","additional_details":"We need yearly checks regardless of the statistics.\r\n \r\nIt should be law that every women in England can access a yearly smear test. \r\n \r\nSo they have a future.\r\n \r\nYou are preventing women from watching their children grow.\r\n \r\nMy friend will never see her children's first day at school, watch her children grow, fall in love, watch them get married or hold her grandchildren.\r\n \r\nThis could have been prevented.","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":146637,"created_at":"2020-04-19T13:29:44.797Z","updated_at":"2021-09-15T09:34:18.000Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2020-09-07T16:39:37.600Z","closed_at":"2021-03-07T23:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2020-04-19T13:42:34.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2021-01-14T07:58:17.000Z","government_response_at":"2021-02-17T14:38:11.593Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2021-01-16T09:26:07.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":"2021-06-30","scheduled_debate_date":"2021-07-19","debate_outcome_at":"2021-07-20T06:53:42.944Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2021-02-10","summary":"All women aged 25-64 are offered routine cervical screening. Due to the highly accurate, predictive nature of the HPV test, the UK NSC does not recommend that women are screened on a yearly basis.","details":"We are so sorry for your loss of your friend but want to assure you that the Government is committed to the prevention and early detection of cancer, so that the lives of many more women can be saved.\n\nCervical screening is vital in the early detection of cervical abnormalities that could cause cancer. The NHS cervical screening programme reaches approximately 7 million people and saves an estimated 5,000 lives per year, and is a key part of the Government’s commitment in the NHS Long Term Plan to detect 75% of cancers at stage 1 or 2, and for 55,000 more people to survive cancer for five years in England each year from 2028.\n\nThe NHS cervical screening programme currently invites women between the ages of 25-49 for a routine screening appointment once every three years, those between 50-64 years old every five years, and those 65 and older only if one of their last three tests detected abnormalities. However, it is important that anyone at any time and of any age who is worried about cervical cancer, or who notices any unusual symptoms, should not wait for a routine screening appointment and should see their GP as soon as possible.\n\nNHS screening programmes and policy are based on the expert advice of the United Kingdom National Screening Committee (UK NSC). Using research evidence, pilot programmes and economic evaluation, the UN NSC continually assesses the evidence for programmes and the way in which they are delivered against a set of internationally recognised criteria.\n\nIn 2015, the UK NSC recommended changes to the NHS cervical screening programme that have made it more effective and require women to be screened less frequently. Since then cervical screening has been a two stage process. \nAll screened women are now tested for certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). The HPV test can predict whether a woman may develop cervical cancer: this is because HPV can cause cells in the cervix to become abnormal, and potentially become cancerous.\n\nIf HPV is detected as part of routine screening, a cytology test to check for any abnormal cells is then used in a second stage of screening. If no abnormal cells are found, a follow up screening appointment is arranged 12 months later to see if the immune system has cleared the virus.\n\nIf, however, a woman does not have any evidence of HPV infection during routine screening, her chances of developing a cancer within five years are very small. As nearly all (99.7%) cervical cancer is caused by HPV, a HPV-negative result indicates that there is no requirement for further tests. It would be highly unlikely in these circumstances that there would be any abnormal cells, and even if there were, it would be extremely unlikely that they would cause any problems since research suggests that at least ten years elapses between acquiring HPV and developing cancer. You can read more about the UK NSC’s research and recommendations here: https://legacyscreening.phe.org.uk/cervicalcancer, https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20150401104305/\n\nOn the basis of this rigorous two stage process, the high negative predictive value of HPV testing and the low false negative rate, the UK NSC does not recommend that women be tested every year.\n\nWe acknowledge however that screening is not perfect and will not detect all cases. For cervical screening, this can happen if the HPV infection or abnormal cells are missed, or because abnormal cells develop and turn into cancer in between screening tests. Occurrence is rare, and we are sorry that this happened in Fiona’s case.\n\nIt is important that as many women as possible attend screening and are aware of the symptoms of cervical cancer. Public Health England is working continuously to raise awareness of cervical cancer through the national ‘Be Clear on Cancer’ campaigns, which have been run in partnership with Cancer Research UK since 2011. A specific awareness campaign, ‘Cervical Screening Saves Lives’, was held in 2019 and is currently being evaluated.\n\nThe incidence of cervical cancer can also be reduced by reducing the incidence of HPV infection circulating in the population through vaccination. Since 2008, girls aged 12-13 years old have been offered a first dose in school year 8. From September 2019, boys in year 8 have also been offered the HPV vaccine to further decrease the circulation of HPV. The vaccine has led to a dramatic reduction in HPV infection in young women in England, and will reduce their future risk of cervical cancer. A sustained programme of HPV vaccination is eventually expected to save over 300 lives a year (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hpv-vaccine-could-prevent-over-100-000-cancers).\n\nDue to the high accuracy and predictive value of the HPV screening test, the UK NSC has not recommended that women are screened on a yearly basis. Cases such as Fiona’s, while extremely tragic, are rare. The most effective way to prevent deaths from cervical cancer is for as many women as possible to attend their routine appointments.\n\nDepartment of Health and Social Care","created_at":"2021-02-17T14:38:11.590Z","updated_at":"2021-02-18T10:00:37.370Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2021-07-19","transcript_url":"https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2021-07-19/debates/9A4A5B67-CAAB-48AC-8EBC-1B30F4AB1116/CervicalScreening","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7yeR-ibFPk","debate_pack_url":"https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2021-0113/","overview":"","public_engagement_url":null,"debate_summary_url":null},"departments":[{"acronym":"DHSC","name":"Department of Health and Social Care","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-health-and-social-care"}],"topics":[]}},{"type":"archived-petition","id":306845,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/306845.json"},"parliament":{"period":"2019-2024","government":"Conservative","dissolution_at":"2024-05-30T00:01:00.000+01:00","response_threshold":10000,"debate_threshold":100000},"attributes":{"action":"Give all key workers a 100% tax and Nat. Ins. holiday through COVID-19 crisis","background":"The government is helping private firms to protect jobs by paying up to 80% of staff wages through this crisis.  If it can do this why can it not help key workers who will be putting themselves/their families at risk and working extra hard under extremely challenging and unprecedented circumstances.","additional_details":"The majority of key workers are struggling financially after a decade of austerity and this small gesture will demonstrate how the government and the country as a whole values what they do for us all.  The extra money will also go some way to easing the exceptional strain that is being and will continue to be placed on these key workers and their families.","committee_note":null,"state":"closed","signature_count":146351,"created_at":"2020-03-20T20:15:36.813Z","updated_at":"2020-12-15T12:09:30.573Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2020-04-01T14:00:30.391Z","closed_at":"2020-10-01T22:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2020-03-21T10:01:34.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2020-04-09T03:19:24.000Z","government_response_at":"2020-04-28T17:21:25.841Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2020-04-14T16:27:24.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":"2020-12-03","scheduled_debate_date":"2020-12-14","debate_outcome_at":"2020-12-15T12:09:01.492Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2020-04-27","summary":"The Government has announced an unprecedented package of measures to support public services and workers through Coronavirus, targeting support where it’s needed most.","details":"The Coronavirus is the biggest threat the UK has faced in decades. Key workers have already demonstrated remarkable commitment to keeping the public safe in the continuing fight against the virus. The Government hugely values and appreciates these vital contributions to the COVID-19 response, both in the private and public sector.\n\nKey workers deserve to be properly rewarded for the work they do. The Government has agreed specific pay and pension packages for a number of public sector workforces, including in the NHS, both to increase system capacity and recognise their work. More than one million NHS workers continue to benefit from the three-year Agenda for Change pay deal. The reforms will see the starting salary for a newly qualified nurse rise to £24,907 in 2020/21, 12.6% higher than 2017/18.\n\nIn addition, the Government is supporting those at work through the package of measures it has announced to protect against the current economic emergency. This includes significant changes to the operation of statutory sick pay, universal credit, and employment and support allowance, so that people have quicker and more generous access to a support system. To support self-employed individuals affected by the coronavirus outbreak, the Government has also announced a new Self-Employed Income Support Scheme, alongside the deferral of income tax and VAT payments.\n\nThe Government is targeting support where it is most needed. A blanket tax holiday would be untargeted. Those paying higher rates of tax would receive the greatest benefit, while low-earning individuals with income below the personal allowance or the NICs primary threshold would not benefit. Furthermore, HMRC’s systems have not been designed to distinguish between key workers and non-key workers, and so the extension of this tax treatment to key workers would be vulnerable to exploitation and fraud by people who were not key workers and so not entitled to it.\n\nThe UK’s economic response to COVID-19 is one of the most generous and comprehensive in the world, and the Government is now working urgently to deliver these schemes as quickly as possible.  \n\nThe Government is also closely monitoring the impact of measures, having regard to the need to support public services, businesses, and individuals, and will continue to keep all policies under review. \n\nHM Treasury","created_at":"2020-04-28T17:21:25.839Z","updated_at":"2020-04-28T17:21:25.839Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2020-12-14","transcript_url":"https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2020-12-14/debates/0E4E3FA4-7D6B-439D-BACC-8520F2A99C03/FinancialRewardForGovernmentWorkersAndKeyWorkers","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy1KuCI2GcQ","debate_pack_url":"https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2020-0167/","overview":"","public_engagement_url":null,"debate_summary_url":null},"departments":[{"acronym":"HMT","name":"HM Treasury","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-treasury"}],"topics":[]}},{"type":"archived-petition","id":300146,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/300146.json"},"parliament":{"period":"2019-2024","government":"Conservative","dissolution_at":"2024-05-30T00:01:00.000+01:00","response_threshold":10000,"debate_threshold":100000},"attributes":{"action":"Impose sanctions on China over its treatment of Uyghur Muslims","background":"The UK Government plans to introduce “Magnitsky law”, a law which targets people who commit gross human rights violations. Through this law or alternative means, this petition urges the UK Government to impose sanctions on China for their human rights violations on the Uyghur people.","additional_details":"Since 2017, there have been many reports of the “cultural genocide” of Uyghur Muslims, a minority Turkic ethnic group native to Xinjiang, China. They are subject to mass detention, mass surveillance, restriction of religious and cultural identities, as well as other gross human rights abuses. Over a million Uyghurs have been forced into \"re-education\" camps.\r\n\r\nIn front of the United Nations in October 2019, pressure was placed on China regarding the treatment of Uyghurs during a joint statement from 23 countries. Despite this statement and growing public awareness, nothing substantial or concrete has been done to resolve the crisis and help the Uyghur people.","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":146345,"created_at":"2020-03-03T19:46:13.465Z","updated_at":"2022-03-03T16:23:30.656Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2020-03-06T15:25:40.215Z","closed_at":"2020-09-06T22:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2020-03-04T15:06:34.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2020-07-10T15:55:34.000Z","government_response_at":"2020-07-28T17:36:21.335Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2020-07-19T10:49:04.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":"2020-10-06","scheduled_debate_date":"2020-10-12","debate_outcome_at":"2020-10-13T11:42:30.003Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2020-07-28","summary":"We have grave concerns about the gross human rights abuses being perpetrated in Xinjiang. But it is not appropriate to speculate about future sanctions designations, as this may reduce their impact.","details":"On 6 July, the Government established the Global Human Rights (‘Magnitsky’) sanctions regime by laying regulations in Parliament under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018. In a statement to Parliament, the Foreign Secretary set out in full the scope of the UK’s new Global Human Rights sanctions regime. He announced the first tranche of designations, as well as the Government’s approach to future designations. \n\nThis sanctions regime will give the UK a powerful new tool to hold to account those involved in serious human rights violations or abuses. The sanctions regime is not intended to target individual countries. It will allow for sanctions to be imposed on individuals and entities involved in serious human rights violations or abuses around the world.   \n\nWe will continue to consider potential designations under the Global Human Rights sanctions regime, but it is not appropriate to speculate about who we may be considering, as to do so may reduce the impact of those future designations.\n\nAs the Foreign Secretary said in the House of Commons on 20 July, we have been clear about our grave concerns regarding the gross human rights abuses being perpetrated against the Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang. This includes the extra-judicial detention of over a million Uyghur Muslims and other minorities in “political re-education camps”, systematic restrictions on Uyghur culture and the practice of Islam, and extensive and invasive surveillance targeting minorities. \n\nReports indicating that forced labour is being used and children are being forcibly separated from their parents add to the growing body of evidence about the disturbing situation that Uyghurs and other minorities are facing in Xinjiang. \n\nSince 2018, the UK has played a leading role in drawing attention to the deeply concerning situation in Xinjiang, working with international partners in relevant UN bodies such as the UN Human Rights Council. As the petition notes, in October 2019, the UK’s Permanent Representative led a statement raising concerns about the situation on behalf of 23 countries at the UN Third Committee. \n\nOn 30 June at the most recent UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, the UK led a formal Joint Statement with the support of 27 international partners, setting out our deep concern both on Hong Kong, and the situation in Xinjiang. This statement, delivered through UK leadership, underlines the strength and breadth of international concern.\n\nOn 10 March at the 43rd session of the UN Human Rights Council, the UK raised concerns about systematic human rights violations and reports of forced labour in Xinjiang during our national statement. On 25 February at the same session, Lord Ahmad, Minister for South Asia and the Commonwealth, raised concerns about Xinjiang during the UK's opening address, calling on China to allow the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights unfettered access to the region. \n\nWe also frequently raise our concerns directly with the Chinese authorities. On 9 March, the Foreign Secretary raised the human rights situation in Xinjiang with his Chinese counterpart, Foreign Minister and State Councillor Wang Yi. On 5 March, the Minister for Asia raised similar concerns with the Chinese Ambassador to the UK.\n\nThe Government will continue to urge the Chinese authorities to change their approach in Xinjiang and respect international human rights norms, both bilaterally with China, and at the UN alongside our international partners.\n\nForeign and Commonwealth Office","created_at":"2020-07-28T17:36:21.333Z","updated_at":"2020-07-28T17:36:21.333Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2020-10-12","transcript_url":"https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2020-10-12/debates/AB40F283-1FA2-4784-AFE7-82F268C3985B/China’SPolicyOnItsUyghurPopulation","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6Jw-W-B0Q0","debate_pack_url":"https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2020-0102/","overview":"","public_engagement_url":null,"debate_summary_url":null},"departments":[{"acronym":"FCDO","name":"Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-office"}],"topics":[]}},{"type":"archived-petition","id":332789,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/332789.json"},"parliament":{"period":"2019-2024","government":"Conservative","dissolution_at":"2024-05-30T00:01:00.000+01:00","response_threshold":10000,"debate_threshold":100000},"attributes":{"action":"Let Us Dance - Support nightclubs, dance music events and festivals","background":"Extend funding to nightclubs, dance music events and festivals as part of the £1.57bn support package announced by the government for Britain's arts and culture sector to survive the hit from the pandemic. #LetUSDance","additional_details":"The government has failed to provide specific support to UK festivals, dance venues and nightclubs. Covid-19 has hit hard on the nightlife sector having a major impact due to the suspension of mass gatherings. Followed by unclear guidelines and a lack of commitment from the government, this has contributed to growing uncertainty within the arts sector, putting at risk millions of jobs. The government must make clear its commitment to ensuring the dance community survives the pandemic. #LetUSDance","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":146188,"created_at":"2020-07-25T10:43:13.161Z","updated_at":"2021-09-14T09:53:48.000Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2020-07-30T16:15:16.224Z","closed_at":"2021-01-30T23:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2020-07-25T11:12:04.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2020-09-29T20:04:14.000Z","government_response_at":"2020-10-14T15:58:18.424Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2020-10-05T14:41:14.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":"2020-10-14","scheduled_debate_date":"2020-11-09","debate_outcome_at":"2020-11-11T11:14:29.678Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2020-10-14","summary":"On 12th Oct, we announced the recipients of £257M of the £1.57B Cultural Recovery Fund package to support cultural organisations. More than 1,300 are benefitting from this vital financial boost.","details":"On 5 July, the Government announced a major £1.57 billion support package for key cultural organisations to help them through the coronavirus pandemic. This funding is providing targeted support to organisations across a range of cultural and creative sectors. This support package will benefit cultural sector services by providing support to venues and many other cultural organisations that host live events, to stay open and continue operating.\n\nMusic venues which create, present or support genres of music including “house, electronica, drum & bass, dubstep, experimental”, as well as “hip-hop, R&B, grime, rap and jungle” are eligible for the grant. \n\nAs part of this support package, £3.36 million has been shared among 136 venues across England who applied for the Emergency Grassroot Music Venues Fund. This funding has supported grassroots venues to survive the imminent risk of collapse caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Funded venues include Motion (Bristol); Night People (Manchester); and Village Underground (London) which are also nightclubs or venues which host club events.\n\nOn Monday 12 October, the Government announced an investment of £257 million in 1,385 venues, theatres, museums and cultural organisations, through the first tranche of Culture Recovery Fund: Grants programme, (https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/news/Culturerecoveryfundawards) administered by the Arts Council. As part of this funding some festivals, dance venues and nightclubs received grants including Ministry of Sound and MADE Festival. Over the coming weeks further Culture Recovery Fund awards will be announced - including round two of Grants under £1 million, grants over £1 million, and the Capital Kickstart and Repayable Finance programmes. \n\nThe Chancellor has announced the Winter Economy Plan to protect jobs and support businesses over the coming months, once the existing Self-Employment Income Support Scheme and Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme come to end. From November, the Jobs Support Scheme will provide further support to returning workers, while the extended Self-Employed Income Support Scheme will aid the self-employed who are currently actively trading but are facing reduced demand.\n\nWe are also offering businesses who face a drop in demand for their services and possible cash flow issues generous terms for the repayment of deferred taxes and government-backed loans. We will give all businesses that borrowed under the Bounce Back Loan Scheme the option to repay their loan over a period of up to ten years. This will reduce their average monthly repayments on the loan by almost half. We also intend to allow CBILS lenders to extend the term of a loan up to ten years, providing additional flexibility for UK-based SMEs who may otherwise be unable to repay their loans.\n\nThe Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has announced (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-extends-support-to-stop-business-evictions-this-year) that businesses will be protected from the threat of eviction until the end of year, providing commercial tenants with greater security and protecting vital jobs. This extension will protect businesses that are struggling to pay their rent due to the impact of COVID-19 from being evicted and help the thousands of people working in these sectors feel more secure about their jobs. The government will also extend the restriction on landlords using Commercial Rents Arrears Recovery to enforce unpaid rent on commercial leases, until the end of the year.\n\nDCMS appreciates the important contribution that nightclubs, dance music events and festivals provide to the UK’s cultural economy, and that the Covid-19 pandemic presents a significant challenge to many businesses operating in these sectors.\n\nDepartment for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport","created_at":"2020-10-14T15:58:18.422Z","updated_at":"2020-10-14T15:58:18.422Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2020-11-09","transcript_url":"https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2020-11-09/debates/A147FE68-411B-4541-99D8-BD09678D4920/LiveEventsAndWeddingsCovid-19Support","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuICkaTRvZg","debate_pack_url":"https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2020-0131/","overview":"","public_engagement_url":null,"debate_summary_url":null},"departments":[],"topics":[]}},{"type":"archived-petition","id":548778,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/548778.json"},"parliament":{"period":"2019-2024","government":"Conservative","dissolution_at":"2024-05-30T00:01:00.000+01:00","response_threshold":10000,"debate_threshold":100000},"attributes":{"action":"Allow teacher predicted grades for BTEC students","background":"The government should allow BTEC students to achieve teacher predicted grades rather than being forced into a system that is unethically downgrading thousands of students grades.","additional_details":"To allow fairness to all Students within the education system","committee_note":null,"state":"closed","signature_count":145336,"created_at":"2020-08-17T16:53:19.019Z","updated_at":"2021-03-17T09:07:46.110Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2020-09-07T13:28:14.872Z","closed_at":"2021-03-07T23:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2020-08-17T17:17:54.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2021-01-04T22:06:37.000Z","government_response_at":"2021-02-17T15:24:32.952Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2021-01-05T13:20:37.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":"2021-03-15","debate_outcome_at":"2021-03-17T09:05:43.621Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2021-02-17","summary":"Exams for vocational and technical qualifications are only continuing currently where they signal occupational competency. We will announce arrangements for summer term exams by end of February.","details":"Students have worked hard and prepared for their exams and assessments for vocational and technical qualifications, including many BTECs, so it is right that schools and colleges had the option to run them in January.\n\nUnlike GCSE and A level exams that were due to take place this summer, students’ study and preparation for their January vocational and technical exams had not been disrupted by the new public health measures we announced on 5 January to help limit the transmission of coronavirus.\n\nSome students need to complete an occupational or professional competency assessment to enter into the workplace – it is important they continue to have the opportunity to do so, so that they are not prevented from progressing onto the next stage of their lives.\n\nThe Department for Education has provided advice to schools and colleges on the extensive protective measures needed to make exam halls as safe as possible, which is why schools and colleges delivered the January assessments, if they judged it right to do so. The advice is part of guidance (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-maintaining-further-education-provision) on implementing safely the phased return to face-to-face education.\n\nThe Department for Education is working with Ofqual on arrangements for those students who did not take their January assessments, as well as for vocational and technical exams and assessments scheduled for February onwards. Responses to the public consultation (https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/consultation-on-alternative-arrangements-for-the-award-of-vtqs-and-other-general-qualifications-in-2021) are currently being analysed. The arrangements will make sure qualifications are awarded fairly and consistently, so that no student is either advantaged or disadvantaged when compared to their peers. We aim to publish the response to the consultation by the end of February.\n\nDepartment for Education","created_at":"2021-02-17T15:24:32.949Z","updated_at":"2021-02-17T15:24:32.949Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2021-03-15","transcript_url":"https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2021-03-15/debates/04A8B933-1B55-46A9-9A65-212FC655EA29/Covid-19ImpactOnEducation","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Iz2Jk-KPHE","debate_pack_url":"https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9045/","overview":"","public_engagement_url":null,"debate_summary_url":null},"departments":[{"acronym":"DfE","name":"Department for Education","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education"}],"topics":[]}},{"type":"archived-petition","id":573209,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/573209.json"},"parliament":{"period":"2019-2024","government":"Conservative","dissolution_at":"2024-05-30T00:01:00.000+01:00","response_threshold":10000,"debate_threshold":100000},"attributes":{"action":"Trigger Article 16. We want unfettered GB-NI Trade.","background":"Her Majesty's Government must immediately remove any impediment or barrier to unfettered trade within the United Kingdom.","additional_details":"After just one month, Northern Ireland is suffering real economic and societal difficulties as a consequence of the Northern Ireland Protocol operating and creating new barriers to unfettered trade within the United Kingdom and disrupting supply lines of goods to Northern Ireland. \r\n \r\nThe Government should use all the powers it has to move urgently to protect UK trade and to ensure all UK goods and produce can freely flow to and from every part of the United Kingdom.","committee_note":null,"state":"closed","signature_count":144632,"created_at":"2021-02-02T12:22:33.374Z","updated_at":"2022-02-04T11:33:18.000Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2021-02-04T08:50:26.400Z","closed_at":"2021-08-04T22:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2021-02-02T13:27:47.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2021-02-04T12:59:47.000Z","government_response_at":"2021-02-22T15:26:15.974Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2021-02-05T15:15:37.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":"2021-02-22","debate_outcome_at":"2021-02-23T15:23:29.269Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2021-02-22","summary":"The UK is working to address outstanding issues with the Protocol - putting the interests of the people of Northern Ireland first, and considering all avenues necessary to do so.","details":"The Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland was agreed as a unique solution to the issues arising from the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. It aims at upholding the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement in all its aspects; safeguarding Northern Ireland’s integral place in the United Kingdom, its customs territory and internal market; and preventing a hard border on the island of Ireland.\n\nIn order to do so, it must be given effect in a pragmatic and proportionate way: one which effectively implements the guarantee in the Protocol itself of unfettered access from Northern Ireland to the rest of the United Kingdom, and which maintains the effective flow of trade from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.\n\nThis has been the basis on which the UK Government has and will continue to give effect to its obligations under the Protocol: providing the basis for goods to move effectively between Great Britain and Northern Ireland; and providing extensive support to traders, for example through the Trader Support Service and Movement Assistance Scheme, to adapt to new requirements. In particular, working closely with businesses and individuals right across Northern Ireland, steps have been taken to address issues that emerged after 1 January this year, for example practical mitigations on groupage; on steel movements; and to maintain the operation of the VAT margin scheme. \n\nOn 29 January, however, the EU’s invocation of Article 16 and attempt to impose processes related to the border on the island of Ireland, however quickly withdrawn and replaced, caused shock and anger right across Northern Ireland and indeed beyond. This has significantly undermined the operation of the Protocol and cross community confidence in it.\nIt is therefore right and urgent that steps are taken to address concerns raised about the operation of the Protocol. This is necessary to restore confidence and reflect the commitment in the Protocol itself to ensure that its application should impact as little as possible on the everyday life of communities in Ireland and Northern Ireland. \n\nHaving underscored the need for action, work is now under way with the EU with the shared objective of dealing with the impact of the decisions taken on 29 January and of finding workable solutions to the ongoing problems. A meeting of the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee will be convened on 24 February to provide the necessary political steer and approval to this work. The Joint Committee co-chairs also held meetings with business and civic society on 18 February where they heard a wide range of views to inform their discussions.\n\nThe UK Government has and will continue to listen very carefully to voices across Northern Ireland through direct engagements with the Northern Ireland Executive, business and civil society.\n\nAs we have set out publicly, the UK will always consider all instruments at our disposal, including invoking Article 16 if necessary, to protect the interests of the people of Northern Ireland and safeguard the effective movement of goods, people, services and capital throughout the United Kingdom.\n\nCabinet Office","created_at":"2021-02-22T15:26:15.971Z","updated_at":"2021-02-22T15:26:15.971Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2021-02-22","transcript_url":"https://committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence/1727/default/","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Yntjci_9BQ&feature=youtu.be","debate_pack_url":"https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9140/","overview":"","public_engagement_url":null,"debate_summary_url":null},"departments":[{"acronym":"CO","name":"Cabinet Office","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/cabinet-office"}],"topics":[]}}]}