{"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions.json?page=4&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=5&parliament=4&state=with_response","prev":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions.json?page=3&parliament=4&state=with_response"},"data":[{"type":"archived-petition","id":300071,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/300071.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 pet theft crime a specific offence with custodial sentences.","background":"Pet Theft Reform 2020: Revise the sentencing guidelines in the Theft Act 1968 to reclassify pet theft as a specific crime. Ensure that monetary value is irrelevant for the categorisation of dog and cat theft crime for sentencing purposes. Recognise pet theft as a category 2 offence or above.","additional_details":"Under the Theft Act, animal companions are legally regarded as inanimate objects when stolen. Stolen pets come under theft offences such as burglary or theft from a person. Sentencing is dependent on the monetary value of the stolen animal (under or above £500), and the crime is treated as a category 3 (fine to 2 years in custody) or 4 offence (fine to 36 weeks in custody) in magistrates court. \r\n\r\nPet Theft Reform would make pet theft a category 2 offence with a starting point of 2 years custody.","committee_note":null,"state":"closed","signature_count":143638,"created_at":"2020-03-03T13:59:19.761Z","updated_at":"2024-01-26T10:12:44.696Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2020-03-04T10:23:21.158Z","closed_at":"2020-09-04T22:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2020-03-03T14:48:44.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2020-03-11T14:26:24.000Z","government_response_at":"2020-04-01T11:39:32.637Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2020-08-13T21:24:04.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":"2020-10-08","scheduled_debate_date":"2020-10-19","debate_outcome_at":"2020-10-21T10:39:44.191Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2020-03-31","summary":"The sentencing guidelines now take account of the emotional distress and harm that theft of personal items such as a pet can have on the victim and recommends higher penalties for such offences.","details":"The Government is sympathetic to the emotional trauma which the theft of a much-loved pet can cause. All reported crimes should be taken seriously, investigated and, where appropriate, taken through the courts and met with tough sentences. The theft of a pet is already a criminal offence under the Theft Act 1968 and the maximum penalty is seven years’ imprisonment and so there is no need to introduce a separate offence.\n\nSentencing is entirely a matter for our independent courts and must take into account the circumstances of each case. When deciding on an appropriate sentence, the courts consider any aggravating and mitigating factors, in line with sentencing guidelines issued by the Sentencing Council. In February 2016 the Sentencing Council updated its guidelines in relation to sentencing for theft offences. The guidelines take account of the emotional distress, and therefore harm, that theft of personal items such as a pet can have on the victim, and accordingly recommends higher penalties for such offences.\n\nSince 6 April 2016, all dogs in England and Wales must be microchipped and registered on an approved database by the time they are eight weeks’ old. Since we made microchipping compulsory, the number of dogs microchipped has gone up from around 58% of all dogs in 2013 to over 90% of all dogs. This means that about 8.5 million dogs in the United Kingdom are microchipped. We also advise cat owners to get their cat microchipped and it was a manifesto commitment to introduce compulsory microchipping for cats. As part of this commitment we recently completed a Call for Evidence on cat microchipping which attracted over 3,000 responses. We are in the process of analysing the responses and will publish a summary of the responses together with a way forward in due course.\n\nOwners should report the theft of their dog or cat to the database on which the animal’s microchip is registered, along with the corresponding crime reference number. There is a much better chance that animals will be returned to their owners if they are microchipped and their records kept up to date. Owners can take certain precautions to deter the theft of their dog, such as never letting their pet out of sight when it is being exercised; varying their routines when walking their dogs and not leaving their dog unattended when in public. \n\nDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs","created_at":"2020-04-01T11:39:32.635Z","updated_at":"2020-04-01T11:39:32.635Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2020-10-19","transcript_url":"https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2020-10-19/debates/7DB00823-5B7F-452D-8F36-B857FEDE682B/PetTheft","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRtSMPH_zuc","debate_pack_url":"https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2020-0111/","overview":"","public_engagement_url":null,"debate_summary_url":null},"departments":[{"acronym":"DEFRA","name":"Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs"}],"topics":[]}},{"type":"archived-petition","id":584632,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/584632.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":"Introduce an Independent Regulator for Football in England by December 2021","background":"The Government should use the recently established fan led review of football to introduce an Independent Football Regulator in England to put fans back at the heart of our national game. This should happen by December 2021.","additional_details":"1. Like a referee, an independent regulator would safeguard our beautiful game impartially. This doesn’t currently exist.\r\n2. An Independent Regulator could protect the game against another attempt at a super league or other efforts to put money ahead of fans.\r\n3. Water companies, energy providers and the media all have an independent regulator. Football matters to millions and should also have a regulator of its own.","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":142931,"created_at":"2021-04-30T09:54:06.823Z","updated_at":"2024-02-20T16:38:37.984Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2021-05-13T10:32:33.571Z","closed_at":"2021-11-13T23:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2021-04-30T10:30:35.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2021-05-17T08:31:15.000Z","government_response_at":"2021-06-08T06:21:42.705Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2021-05-17T18:04:45.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":"2021-05-19","scheduled_debate_date":"2021-06-14","debate_outcome_at":"2021-06-15T07:57:10.371Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2021-06-07","summary":"Football clubs are the heart of local communities and have a unique social value, which is why we are proceeding with our commitment to undertake a wide ranging, fan led review of football governance.","details":"As announced in the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s Oral Statement on 19 April, Tracey Crouch MP is chairing a fan-led review of governance. She will engage extensively with fans to ensure their experiences are at the centre of the review. Fans are the lifeblood of the sport, and the Government is committed to ensuring that their views are at the heart of the review.\n\nThe Government has published the Terms of Reference and the members of the advisory panel, including representatives of fans, the women’s game, and non-league.\n\nThe first meeting of the advisory panel has been held, and fan engagement meetings with the Chair and panel are underway. The Government has announced that there will be an interim report from the review before the summer and a full report in the autumn.\n\nThe review will be a comprehensive examination of the English football system looking at issues of ownership, governance and funding through the football pyramid. This will include assessing calls for the creation of a single, independent football regulator to oversee the sport’s regulations and compliance, and its relationship with the regulatory powers of The Football Association and other football bodies.\n\nIt would not be right to pre-judge the recommendations of the review but the Government looks forward to receiving its report later in the year and acting on its recommendations accordingly.\n\nDepartment for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport","created_at":"2021-06-08T06:21:42.702Z","updated_at":"2021-06-08T06:21:42.702Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2021-06-14","transcript_url":"https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2021-06-14/debates/21061454000001/FootballGovernance","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zNR1ypT6iw","debate_pack_url":"https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9255","overview":"","public_engagement_url":"https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/36793/default/","debate_summary_url":""},"departments":[],"topics":[]}},{"type":"archived-petition","id":316307,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/316307.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":"Award all Nursing Staff in the NHS a pay rise of 10% backdated to 1 April 2020","background":"Pass this in law through Parliament","additional_details":"In light of their monumental effort in caring for patients during the Covid 19 outbreak","committee_note":null,"state":"closed","signature_count":141772,"created_at":"2020-04-15T17:52:45.802Z","updated_at":"2021-03-22T14:50:21.736Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2020-05-29T13:27:20.111Z","closed_at":"2020-11-29T23:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2020-04-15T18:12:44.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2020-07-22T08:51:34.000Z","government_response_at":"2020-08-13T12:49:01.626Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2020-07-29T17:19:34.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":null,"debate_outcome_at":"2020-09-08T15:56:46.987Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2020-08-11","summary":"NHS nurses do an incredible job. The 2018 multi-year Agenda for Change deal delivered year on year pay increases for over a million staff. The salary for newly qualified nurses has risen by over 12%.","details":"NHS staff are our greatest asset. In these most difficult of times and with ever increasing pressures on the NHS, they work incredibly hard, always putting patients first and keeping them safe whilst providing the high-quality care we all expect.\n\nNursing staff are already within a multi-year (2018/19 – 20/21) pay and contract reform deal. This deal was agreed in partnership with the NHS trade unions and has already delivered year on year pay increases for over one million NHS staff including raising the starting salary for a newly qualified nurse by over 12% to nearly £25,000. The deal has also shortened the amount of time it takes for a nurse to progress to the top of their band and ensured all staff have received pay increases above CPI inflation over the course of the deal.\n\nOutside of multi-year pay deals the independent Pay Review Body process is the established mechanism for deciding pay increases for NHS staff. The process is intentionally designed to remove the potential conflicts that can often surround pay negotiations. The independent Pay Review Bodies make a number of considerations when formulating their recommendations. These include, but are not limited to, the cost of living and inflation, recruitment and retention, affordability and value for the taxpayer.\n\nFor recommendations on pay for nurses, the Government will look to the independent NHS Pay Review Body who will return to making pay recommendations for Agenda for Change staff from April 2021. NHS trade unions will of course be able to give evidence as part of the process. The Government takes the role and recommendations of Pay Review Bodies very seriously and always carefully considers the recommendations it receives. \n\nIn addition to basic pay, nursing staff can expect to receive additional premium rates of pay for working during unsocial hours, agreed overtime and for working in and around London. This can significantly increase the total take home pay a nurse receives.\n\nThe NHS employment and reward offer is about much more than pay and includes benefits that go well beyond the statutory minimum, such as a generous holiday allowance of up to 33 days and access to a much-valued pension scheme. We want to ensure that the NHS employment offer continues to attract, retain and reward staff and this offer continues to be kept under review.\n\nThe government have agreed that staff should receive full pay if they are off sick with COVID-19, or if they must follow advice to self-isolate, in order to help protect NHS staff and patients from the spread of the virus. It is vital we care for those that we all rely on to care for us. The NHS has introduced a free-to-use staff support line and text service which all NHS staff can use for support, signposting and confidential listening from trained respondents. NHS staff have also been given free access to a series of apps to support their mental health and wellbeing.\n\nThe recently published NHS People Plan (https://www.england.nhs.uk/ournhspeople/) sets out the support that NHS staff should expect from their leaders and from each other. The plan sets out practical actions for employers and systems, as well as the actions that NHS England and NHS Improvement and Health Education England will take, over the remainder of 2020/21. It includes specific commitments around:\n\nLooking after our people – with quality health and wellbeing support for everyone\n\nBelonging in the NHS – with a particular focus on tackling the discrimination that some staff face\n\nNew ways of working and delivering care – making effective use of the full range of our people’s skills and experience\n\nGrowing for the future – how we recruit and keep our people, and welcome back colleagues who want to return\n\nDepartment of Health and Social Care","created_at":"2020-08-13T12:49:01.625Z","updated_at":"2020-08-13T12:49:01.625Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":null,"transcript_url":"","video_url":"","debate_pack_url":"","overview":"The Petitions Committee recently scheduled a debate on several petitions calling for recognition and reward of health and social care workers, so the Committee has agreed not to schedule this petition for debate.","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":580220,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/580220.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 non-binary a legally recognised gender identity in the UK","background":"Have non binary be included as an option under the GRP (Gender Recognition Panel)/ GRC (Gender Recognition Certificate), in order to allow those identifying as non binary to be legally seen as their true gender identity. As well as having ‘Non-binary’ be seen as a valid transgender identity.","additional_details":"There is no option of ‘Non-binary’ on legal forms, ignoring members of the population. This requires the government to pass a law that publicly recognises ‘Non-binary’ as a part of the GRP under the Gender Recognition Act, a.k.a a legal and valid gender identity option. By recognising Non-binary as a valid gender identity, it would aid in the protection of Non-binary individuals against transphobic hate crimes, and would ease Gender Dysphoria experienced by Non-binary people.","committee_note":null,"state":"closed","signature_count":140768,"created_at":"2021-03-17T18:27:22.306Z","updated_at":"2022-09-06T10:56:12.301Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2021-04-26T13:00:06.137Z","closed_at":"2021-10-26T22:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2021-03-17T18:55:35.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2021-04-30T15:36:45.000Z","government_response_at":"2021-05-21T10:51:27.755Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2021-05-03T17:11:05.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":"2022-04-27","scheduled_debate_date":"2022-05-23","debate_outcome_at":"2022-05-24T06:57:47.514Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2021-05-20","summary":"As set out in the response to the Gender Recognition Act consultation, there are no plans to make changes to the 2004 Act.","details":"Following a considerable amount of consultation with the public and representative organisations, the Government decided that the current provisions within the GRA allow for those that wish to legally change their sex to do so fairly.\n\nThe 2018 GRA consultation did not bring forward any proposals to extend the GRA to provide legal recognition to a third, or non-binary, gender. The Government noted that there were complex practical consequences for other areas of the law, service provision and public life if provision were to be made for non-binary gender recognition in the GRA.\n\nIn UK law individuals are considered to be the sex that is registered on their birth certificate – either male or female. The GRA provides a means for transgender people to change the sex on their birth certificate, but there is currently no provision for those who do not identify as male or female.\n\nThis Government wants everybody in the UK to feel safe and confident to be themselves.\n\nWe are committed to tackling all forms of homophobic, biphobic and transphobic hate crime, and are working with the Home Office on the cross-Government Hate Crime Action Plan. The Government has asked the Law Commission to review the current hate crime legislation, which includes exploring whether homophobic, biphobic and transphobic hate crime should be considered an aggravated offence. We will also take an assessment of local support for hate crime victims and improve reporting and recording of LGBT hate crimes through supporting additional police training.\n\nFollowing Parliamentary approval on 8th October 2020, voluntary questions on sexual orientation and gender identity were included in the 2021 Census for England and Wales which took place on Sunday 21 March 2021. Final data on sexual orientation and gender identity from the 2021 Census for England and Wales will likely be available from 2023, with initial Census findings planned for publication in March 2022 (timelines subject to change as work progresses). This will help to provide more robust population size estimates for England and Wales than are currently available.\n\nThis Government is committed to supporting all LGBT people, tackling discrimination and improving the lives of all citizens.\n\nCabinet Office","created_at":"2021-05-21T10:51:27.753Z","updated_at":"2021-05-21T10:51:27.753Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2022-05-23","transcript_url":"https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2022-05-23/debates/040FB4A1-8C3F-4F03-BB10-29FD4A6E24FE/LegalRecognitionOfNon-BinaryGenderIdentities","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8-a00Laqec","debate_pack_url":"https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9515/","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":627984,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/627984.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":"Commit to not amending the Equality Act's definition of sex","background":"It has been reported that the Government may amend the Equality Act to \"make it clear that sex means biological sex rather than gender.\" The Government has previously committed to not remove legal protections for trans people, an already marginalised group, but this change would do so.","additional_details":"Currently, the Act protects trans people from discrimination on the basis of both sex and “gender reassignment”, regardless of whether they have undergone medical transition or hold a Gender Recognition Certificate. It can allow trans people to access single-sex spaces such as DV shelters, bathrooms and hospital wards.\r\n\r\nThe proposed change would remove a legal protection for trans people and encourage discrimination. We ask the Government to refuse this change to the Equality Act 2010.","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":138886,"created_at":"2022-11-10T13:40:08.927Z","updated_at":"2023-06-13T06:27:55.069Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2022-11-15T16:00:00.972Z","closed_at":"2023-05-15T22:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2022-11-10T13:56:30.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2022-12-12T16:41:10.000Z","government_response_at":"2023-01-25T13:24:05.943Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2023-04-07T11:53:20.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":"2023-04-27","scheduled_debate_date":"2023-06-12","debate_outcome_at":"2023-06-13T06:27:55.069Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2023-01-25","summary":"This Government believes in individual liberty. There are processes with appropriate checks to allow for those who wish to legally change their gender. Changes to the Equality Act are not necessary.","details":"The Equality Act 2010 provides protection against discrimination, harassment and victimisation across a number of grounds, including sex. We are committed to upholding Britain’s long-standing record of protecting the rights of individuals against unlawful discrimination.\n\nThe Government is also committed to maintaining the safeguards that allow organisations to provide single-sex services. It is important that the principle of being able to operate spaces reserved for women and girls is maintained, in line with the Equality Act. Government is committed to tackling harassment and abusive behaviours by all individuals, and ensuring single-sex spaces are safe for those using them.\n\nThe Act makes it clear that providers have the right to restrict use of spaces on the basis of sex and gender reassignment where this is justified.\nThe Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) have published guidance on the existing legislation which provides much needed clarity to those offering single-sex spaces.\n\nFinally, this Government believes in the principle of individual liberty and in the humanity and dignity of every person. There are processes in place, with the right checks and balances, to allow for those who wish to legally change their gender to do so. We have listened to the responses in the Gender Recognition Act consultation and have taken steps to modernise the way that individuals can apply for a Gender Recognition Certificate as a result, reducing the cost and moving the process online. Everyone that decides to transition, deserves our respect, support and compassion.\n\nCabinet Office","created_at":"2023-01-25T13:24:05.940Z","updated_at":"2023-01-25T13:24:05.940Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2023-06-12","transcript_url":"https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2023-06-12/debates/F74BD8CC-4807-46F4-AA51-5402B7CFE8F9/LegislativeDefinitionOfSex","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-9MsJo6-Uo","debate_pack_url":"https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2023-0120/","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":598732,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/598732.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":"Renationalise the NHS, scrap integrated care systems, and end PFI contracts","background":"We demand the Government restore England’s publicly funded, publicly provided NHS by reversing all privatising legislation, ending ongoing PFI contracts, and scrapping plans for Integrated Care Systems and for-profit US-style ‘managed care’.","additional_details":"The Government has no democratic mandate to privatise the NHS, yet vast amounts of public money are being squandered on the internal market, business managers, private providers, PFI debts, multinational accounting firms and corporate consultants. We believe the Health and Care Bill could undermine access to care and universal standards by locking in privatisation and dividing the English NHS into Integrated Care Systems. The Government should renationalise the NHS, and reverse all of the above reforms.","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":137708,"created_at":"2021-10-08T16:05:10.157Z","updated_at":"2023-10-26T08:47:38.739Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2021-10-14T09:19:52.271Z","closed_at":"2022-04-14T22:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2021-10-08T16:37:38.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2021-10-28T18:21:58.000Z","government_response_at":"2021-12-23T11:32:40.351Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2021-11-20T16:33:08.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":"2022-01-18","scheduled_debate_date":"2022-01-31","debate_outcome_at":"2022-02-01T09:51:51.945Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2021-12-23","summary":"The government has been steadfast in its commitment to the guiding principles of the NHS which mean the NHS is not and never will be for sale to the private sector.","details":"This government has no intention of privatising the NHS. \n\nWe firmly refute the claim that the Health and Care Bill undermines access to care or universal standards. It is not a privatising Bill. It delivers on the NHS’s own proposals for reform in its 2019 Long Term Plan and makes permanent some of the innovations we have seen in the system due to Covid. It captures learning from the response to the pandemic and the vaccine rollout. And it goes even further, improving access and standards with a range of measures to level-up health outcomes across the country, enabling people to live longer and healthier lives.\n\nThe Bill establishes Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) to take on the commissioning functions of existing CCGs and some of NHS England’s commissioning functions. They will be directly accountable for NHS spend and performance, and will be NHS bodies. They will bring in representatives from a range of other NHS bodies including NHS commissioners and NHS providers. The work of ICBs will be driven by health outcomes, with no space for profit, competition, or private interests.\n\nThe new commissioning bodies being set up are all public bodies and will not, indeed cannot, be controlled by private providers. Independent providers, as corporate entities, will not be able to sit on Integrated Care Boards, nor will any individual appointed there be a representative of such an interest in any capacity. \n\nThe Bill includes ample safeguards to ensure that the interests of the public and the NHS are always put first. The ICB chair has the power to veto members of the board if they are unsuitable, and NHS England has the power to issue guidance to ICBs in relation to appointments as part of its general guidance-making power. That sits alongside the robust requirements on ICBs to manage conflicts of interests, including publishing and maintaining a register of Members’ interests, and NHSE’s wider duty to issue guidance to ICBs.\n\nAt Report Stage the Government further clarified, by amendment, existing provisions that ensured private sector organisations would not be able to sit on ICBs.\n\nIt is the view not just of this Government but of the NHS that local commissioners are the best people to determine what services a local population needs. Commissioners will continue to be responsible for managing contracts to ensure services are arranged with all providers, including those with the independent sector, to provide high quality of care at efficient prices.\n\nIn line with NHS recommendations on competition and procurement rules, we are changing the way the NHS arranges healthcare services in a way that provides more flexibility, reduces bureaucracy for both commissioners and providers and reduces the need for competitive tendering where it adds limited or no value.\n\nThe vast majority of NHS care has and will continue to be provided by public sector organisations. However, successive Governments of all political affiliations have allowed the NHS to commission services from the private and voluntary sector. Whether that is to improve accessibility and experience for patients, to increase capacity quickly, or to introduce innovation. NHS commissioners may commission services to meet the needs of their local area from any CQC-registered provider, regardless of their corporate status, provided they follow procurement rules and regulations.  \n\nNHS England will remain accountable to the Secretary of State and Parliament. The Health Secretary has duties, including to the continuous improvement of quality of services, and to the NHS constitution, which as one of its guiding principles has that NHS services are free of charge, except in limited circumstances when sanctioned by Parliament. Access to NHS services continues to be based on clinical need, not an individual’s ability to pay. \n\nThe NHS is and always will be free at the point of use. The government has been steadfast in its commitment to the guiding principles of the NHS which mean the NHS is not and never will be for sale to the private sector.\n\nDepartment of Health and Social Care","created_at":"2021-12-23T11:32:40.348Z","updated_at":"2021-12-23T11:32:40.348Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2022-01-31","transcript_url":"https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2022-01-31/debates/84B56E05-CCC5-4133-BAED-B2611170180F/FutureOfTheNHS","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8w6dETadA8","debate_pack_url":"https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2022-0020/","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":327108,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/327108.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":"Reform the Gender Recognition Act.","background":"Reform the GRA to allow transgender people to self-identify without the need for a medical diagnosis, to streamline the administrative process, and to allow non-binary identities to be legally recognised.","additional_details":"The response gathered by the government showed strong support for this reform with 70% in favour, but the results seem to have been ignored by policy makers. \r\n\r\nThe current process is distressing and often humiliating for transgender people, as well as lengthy and costly making it inaccessible to many people. Reform is needed to improve the lives of trans people, and I don't think the proposed measures will negatively impact existing provisions under the Equalities Act.","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":137271,"created_at":"2020-06-13T22:09:25.606Z","updated_at":"2022-02-22T09:22:34.207Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2020-07-24T11:54:44.668Z","closed_at":"2021-01-24T23:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2020-06-13T22:16:34.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2020-09-20T14:52:34.000Z","government_response_at":"2020-10-07T14:27:47.090Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2020-09-22T15:23:04.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":"2022-01-25","scheduled_debate_date":"2022-02-21","debate_outcome_at":"2022-02-22T09:22:34.207Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2020-10-07","summary":"We want transgender people to be free to live and prosper in modern Britain. The Government looked carefully at the issues raised and believe that this legislation strikes the right balance.","details":"We want transgender people to be free to live and to prosper in modern Britain. We have looked carefully at the issues raised in the consultation, including potential changes to the Gender Recognition Act 2004.\n\nIt is the Government’s view that the balance struck in this legislation is correct, in that there are proper checks and balances in the system and also support for people who want to change their legal sex.\n\nWe will make the gender recognition certificate process kinder and more straightforward. We will streamline the administrative process and cut bureaucracy by enabling applications via gov.uk and we will also reduce the fee from £140 to a nominal amount.\n\nWe know from our research that improving healthcare support is a priority for transgender people. That’s why we’re opening at least three new gender clinics this year, which should see waiting lists cut by around 1,600 patients by 2022, and why the GEO is providing funding for the Dr Michael Brady, the UK’s National LGBT Health Advisor, and working with him and the NHS to improve transgender people’s experience.\n\nIt is also important that we protect single-sex spaces in line with the Equality Act. The law is clear that service providers are able to restrict access to single sex spaces on the basis of biological sex.\n\nTogether this upholds the rights of transgender people and women, ensures that our system is kinder and more straightforward, and addresses the concerns of transgender people.\n\nGovernment's Equalities Office","created_at":"2020-10-07T14:27:47.088Z","updated_at":"2020-10-07T14:27:47.088Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2022-02-21","transcript_url":"https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2022-02-21/debates/56E94FB0-8DC6-45A0-8EA7-F20208B3E175/GenderRecognitionAct","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAj-CPNRRYU","debate_pack_url":"https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9079/","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":300528,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/300528.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 universities to reimburse students' tuition fees during strike action","background":"The University and College Union has repeatedly called on its members to strike. However, strikes are ineffective if students, not employees are the main source of revenue. For this to change, government needs to step in and require universities to reimburse tuition fees lost due to strike action.","additional_details":"Students must pay fees in full even when academic support and lectures are permanently lost due to strike action. Doing right by the students will force universities to address the concerns raised by employees, hence preventing future strikes. We urge Parliament to demand that universities reimburse the fees corresponding to refused services. It is a tactic on the side of justice making the universities realise that they are not a business but ultimately a service for the betterment of society.","committee_note":null,"state":"closed","signature_count":136749,"created_at":"2020-03-05T23:50:21.128Z","updated_at":"2020-11-17T09:39:18.688Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2020-03-11T14:11:01.492Z","closed_at":"2020-09-11T22:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2020-03-06T00:29:14.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2020-03-14T17:12:54.000Z","government_response_at":"2020-03-26T12:59:20.655Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2020-03-16T19:54:34.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":"2020-10-14","scheduled_debate_date":"2020-11-16","debate_outcome_at":"2020-11-17T09:38:52.679Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2020-04-21","summary":"Strike action is a matter for Universities to address, not Government. We expect universities to make efforts to replace lost learning or financial compensation if appropriate. ","details":"Students rightly want a good deal for their investment in higher education. If any student is affected by strike action, universities are expected to take appropriate action and consider their obligations under consumer law and students’ consumer rights. This includes ensuring that a range of appropriate remedies and mitigations are available, to prevent or minimise the effects of any strike action upon their students, which may include making efforts to replace lost learning opportunities, or financial compensation.  \n\nThe Government believes that students should be at the heart of the higher education system. The Office for Students (OfS) was set up to regulate the higher education sector in England, protect student rights and ensure the sector is delivering real value for money. It has provided guidance for students affected by industrial action. They expect providers to do all they can to avoid disruption for students, to abide by the conditions of registering with the OfS and to maintain the delivery of higher education.\n\nStudents are entitled to make a complaint about the way their university handles any disruption caused by industrial action, should they feel their experience has been adversely affected. In the first instance, students should speak to their university to see if they can resolve their complaint. If this is not possible or if they are unhappy with the outcome, they can take their complaint to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA). The OIA covers student complaints concerning higher education providers in England and Wales and has published guidance on their approach to complaints and case studies indicating good practice and the type of compensation or remedial action they have previously recommended in this area. Case studies published by the OIA in 2019 indicate that financial compensation was recommended in a number of cases.\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/300528)","created_at":"2020-03-26T12:59:20.653Z","updated_at":"2020-04-21T15:14:06.413Z"},"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/watch?v=5n7QzDAmzck","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":307146,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/307146.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 gyms and leisure centres to reopen","background":"The goal is to get the government to rethink their decision to close gyms and leisure centres and to come to an agreement to reopen them. As myself and many people rely on gym as part of therapy or a source of happiness I think it would be beneficial for all to reopen them.","additional_details":"We want the government to change its decision and allow gyms and leisure centres across the UK to reopen. This is because people rely on these facilities to reach their goals of fitness. Shutting gyms limits opportunities to exercise which could affect people’s mental and physical wellbeing.","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":136163,"created_at":"2020-03-21T08:23:32.279Z","updated_at":"2024-10-19T03:17:38.000Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2020-04-22T16:45:23.684Z","closed_at":"2020-10-22T22:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2020-03-21T09:43:14.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2020-04-26T19:09:24.000Z","government_response_at":"2020-05-14T12:32:38.147Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2020-06-24T12:14:44.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":null,"debate_outcome_at":"2020-09-02T13:17:33.019Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2020-05-13","summary":"The Government recognises the importance of physical activity to the nation’s wellbeing and is working with the leisure sector to reopen facilities as soon as possible in a safe and controlled way.","details":"The Government recognises the importance of physical activity to the nation’s health and wellbeing and is working with the gym and leisure sector to reopen facilities as soon as possible in a safe and controlled way. Government’s first priority is to ensure that Covid-19 is brought under control and that actions it takes do not undermine efforts to protect public health.\n\nGovernment is in discussions with a range of sports organisations, including the gym and leisure sector, about the actions that would need to be taken to restart grassroots sport and reopen facilities in a safe way. It has asked sport and physical activity organisations to consider what steps they would need to take, and guidance they would need to develop, to allow this to happen. This will be used to support the government’s decision-making around future public health guidelines.\n\nThis is not straightforward. There are many issues to consider, including how gyms could reopen and operate whilst meeting social distancing guidelines, how access in and out of facilities may need to be changed, whether facilities will have enough workers to operate safely and effectively, and whether people will be willing to come back to gyms if they do reopen. The Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy is also considering what guidance is needed on how workplaces can operate effectively and safely once the lockdown starts to ease.\n\nThe Government has also published updated guidance on grassroots sport which sets out information on the phased return of outdoor sport and recreation. This includes further details for members of the public on how they can take unlimited exercise outside, and on the steps that outdoor facilities need to take to re-open, should they wish to do so, from Wednesday 13 May. As part of this, people will be able to exercise outdoors one-on-one with a personal trainer, providing that social distancing is maintained.\n\nGovernment is clear that keeping people physically active is very important for a large number of reasons, including physical and mental health. However, as the government has made clear, the overwhelming priority of its plan for addressing the next phase of the virus is to keep the country safe. As such, a return to physical activity and grassroots sport, including reopening gyms and leisure centres will need to be done in a way that is: consistent with public health guidelines; minimises risk to participants and volunteer and staff; communicated clearly and consistently with guidance consistent across different sports and activities to reduce the risk of confusion; flexible so that arrangements can be altered and adapted if restrictions or public health advice is changed.\n\nDepartment for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport","created_at":"2020-05-14T12:32:38.145Z","updated_at":"2020-05-14T12:32:38.145Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2020-07-15","transcript_url":"https://committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence/699/pdf/","video_url":"https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/2cb61dd9-29c1-41f6-9865-d3ba8681af78","debate_pack_url":"","overview":"","public_engagement_url":null,"debate_summary_url":null},"departments":[],"topics":[]}},{"type":"archived-petition","id":308733,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/308733.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":"Provide financial help to zoos, aquariums, & rescue centres during the pandemic.","background":"Zoos, aquariums, and similar organisations across the country carry out all sorts of conservation work, animal rescue, and public education. At the start of the season most rely on visitors (who now won't come) to cover annual costs, yet those costs do not stop while they are closed. They need help.","additional_details":"If zoos are forced to close there may be nowhere to rehouse the animals since all zoos are in the same position. Some zoos have set up charity funding pages, but with many people on reduced incomes (or zero income for many self-employed) while they self-isolate there is little hope of all zoos recouping the sort of money they need, even to keep a skeleton staff on to feed and care for the animals. Only a significant grant from government can prevent a disaster.","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":135481,"created_at":"2020-03-23T17:18:23.337Z","updated_at":"2024-10-19T03:18:11.502Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2020-04-30T10:37:47.500Z","closed_at":"2020-10-30T23:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2020-03-24T19:43:04.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2020-06-04T08:54:14.000Z","government_response_at":"2020-07-28T17:50:47.169Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2020-06-07T16:16:24.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":"2020-06-25","debate_outcome_at":"2020-06-30T12:46:50.813Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2020-07-28","summary":"The outdoor areas of zoos can now reopen. Government financial support schemes are available to zoos, including the Zoos Support Fund.  We are keeping the situation under close review.","details":"The Government recognises that organisations such as zoos, aquariums and animal welfare charities are working tirelessly during this challenging time to safeguard the health and welfare needs of animals in their care. The Government also recognises that many of these organisations in the UK, as well as providing high welfare standards for their animals, contribute significantly to both conservation work and education, helping both sustain endangered species but also teaching people about animals’ natural habitats - as well as how at risk that species may be.\n\nAs announced by the Prime Minister on 10 June, outdoor animal attractions, including safari parks, the outdoor parts of zoos and animal attractions on farms, are now open following strict social distancing guidelines. This includes keeping indoor exhibitions, such as reptile houses and those in aquariums, closed, and ensuring other amenities like cafes offer take-away services only.\n\nThe move follows close work by the Government with the zoo industry to ensure visitor numbers can be managed and safeguards are put in place. Allowing zoos to reopen is an integral step towards supporting an early financial recovery.\n\nThe decision to relax restrictions on these select outdoor attractions is part of the Government’s careful approach to easing the lockdown in phases, guided by the advice of scientific and medical experts and the fact the risk of transmission is much lower outdoors.\n\nA number of schemes have been made available to businesses and charities to help them during this emergency. Organisations are eligible to apply for a range of support schemes including the Job Retention Scheme, VAT deferral, Business Rates Relief, the Business Interruption Loan schemes, the option to reclaim the costs of Statutory Sick Pay and grant funding of up to £25,000.\n\nThe Government launched a Zoos Support Fund on 4 May worth £14 million in direct response to the concerns raised by zoos and aquariums as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Licensed zoos or aquariums in England that are experiencing severe financial difficulties because of lost revenue can apply for a grant of up to £100,000. The fund is intended to help zoos at immediate risk to protect the welfare of animals living on site or by rehoming.\n\nThe funding is available to cover animal-care costs that cannot be lowered such as keepers’ wages, animal feed and bedding and veterinary care and medicines.\n\nDefra wrote to all licensed zoos in England on 21 April to make them aware of the coronavirus support schemes available as well as the new Zoo Support Fund.\n\nWe are aware of the concerns raised by larger zoos. Defra continues to engage with the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) and Her Majesty’s Treasury (HMT) to monitor how zoos are doing. Officials continue to meet regularly with some of the major zoos and aquariums in England to identify the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on larger organisations. This includes monitoring concerns around potential implications for animal welfare. Consideration of proposals for any longer-term support that might be needed for the sector is ongoing. With the help and support of the industry, Defra is working diligently to find the best way forward.\n\nThe importance of allowing zoos to reopen was also debated in the House of Commons on 11 June in the adjournment debate on the reopening of zoos, aquariums and wildlife sanctuaries.\n\nDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs","created_at":"2020-07-28T17:50:47.167Z","updated_at":"2020-07-28T17:52:53.837Z"},"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":[{"acronym":"HMT","name":"HM Treasury","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-treasury"}],"topics":[]}},{"type":"archived-petition","id":300139,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/300139.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":"Don’t criminalise trespass","background":"The Government's manifesto stated “we will make intentional trespass a criminal offence”: an extreme, illiberal & unnecessary attack on ancient freedoms that would threaten walkers, campers, and the wider public. It would further tilt the law in favour of the landowning 1% who own half the country.","additional_details":"For a thousand years, trespass has been a civil offence – but now the Government is proposing to make trespass a criminal offence: a crime against the state. Doing so could:\r\n- Criminalise ramblers who stray even slightly from the path;\r\n- Remove the ability of local residents to establish new rights of way;\r\n- Criminalise wild camping, denying hikers a night under the stars;\r\n- Clamp down on peaceful protest, a fundamental right and essential part of our democracy;\r\n- Impact Traveller communities.","committee_note":null,"state":"closed","signature_count":134933,"created_at":"2020-03-03T19:04:58.721Z","updated_at":"2024-02-20T16:43:43.662Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2020-03-05T15:20:20.635Z","closed_at":"2020-09-05T22:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2020-03-03T20:03:44.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2020-03-11T17:11:54.000Z","government_response_at":"2020-04-15T16:45:02.445Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2020-08-26T09:57:34.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":"2021-03-17","scheduled_debate_date":"2021-04-19","debate_outcome_at":"2021-04-20T16:45:18.208Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2020-04-15","summary":"Responses to the 2019 consultation on trespass, particularly unauthorised encampments, are currently being reviewed and the Government response will be issued in due course.","details":"The law of trespass is largely one of common law, with the courts developing the law and resolving disputes based on the circumstances of the case. However, following the ‘Powers for Dealing with Unauthorised Development and Encampments’ consultation in 2018, it was clear that action is needed to address the sense of unease and intimidation residents feel when an unauthorised encampment occurs: the frustration at not being able to access amenities, public land and business premises; and the waste and cost that is left once the encampment has moved on. There is a need to strengthen police powers, in particular powers to tackle unauthorised encampments. \n\nAs a result, the Government launched a consultation in 2019 to seek views on how the act of trespass, when setting up or residing on an unauthorised encampment could be criminalised, or whether it is preferable to extend the current police powers to direct people away from unauthorised sites. Such measures would not affect ramblers, the right to roam or rights of way. Instead, measures could be applied in specific circumstances relating to trespass with intent to reside. The current Home Office consultation sets out a number of options for consideration, including trespass legislation such as that which has existed in the Republic of Ireland since 2002. This legislation provides for an offence where the trespasser is likely to ‘substantially damage’ the land or interfere with it; the police may direct trespassers to leave and failure to comply with that direction is an offence. Trespass is also a criminal offence in Scotland. The Trespass (Scotland) Act specifically excludes the exercise of recreational/roaming access rights.  \n\nAll of these issues will be carefully considered as part of the consultation process. Responses to the consultation are currently being reviewed and a Government response will be issues in due course.\n\nMinistry of Justice","created_at":"2020-04-15T16:45:02.443Z","updated_at":"2020-04-15T16:45:02.443Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2021-04-19","transcript_url":"https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2021-04-19/debates/B2678378-7AE5-419D-AB02-71BD15388BB0/Trespass","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwYCeJ--zp4","debate_pack_url":"https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/sn05116/","overview":"","public_engagement_url":"https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/25547/default/","debate_summary_url":""},"departments":[{"acronym":"MoJ","name":"Ministry of Justice","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice"}],"topics":[]}},{"type":"archived-petition","id":581974,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/581974.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":"Remove Pakistan from red list for travel","background":"Remove Pakistan from the red list. Thousands of people are stuck in Pakistan! Families are struggling financially and don’t have enough to come wit! No direct flights are being run! Help us come home!","additional_details":"To remove the ban of hotel quarantine! Help people come back to their homes and be with their families for Ramadan!","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":134665,"created_at":"2021-04-02T13:39:27.429Z","updated_at":"2023-07-13T15:08:34.773Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2021-04-08T11:19:36.204Z","closed_at":"2021-10-08T22:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2021-04-02T13:51:55.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2021-04-14T03:07:45.000Z","government_response_at":"2021-05-11T11:25:41.769Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2021-08-05T20:56:45.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":null,"debate_outcome_at":"2021-09-21T15:47:33.975Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2021-05-11","summary":"The Government has made it consistently clear it will take decisive action, if necessary, to contain the virus and Pakistan has been added to the “Red List” to protect public health.","details":"The Government recognise the impact that the decision to place Pakistan on the red list will have on individuals. However, it is right that the Government does all it can to reduce the risk of new strains of COVID-19 being imported into the UK. \n\nThe decision was taken to protect against new variants of COVID-19 at a critical time for the vaccine programme. The addition of Pakistan to the red list was based on data alongside a consideration of the recommendations of the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC). With over 30 million vaccinations delivered in the UK so far, the additional restrictions will help to reduce the risk of new variants entering the country. \n\nWe offer deferred payment plans and hardship support for people who cannot afford to pay for the cost of this managed quarantine and testing up front. In some circumstances this may be available to those who are not in receipt of income related benefits. \n\nThe Pakistani community makes a huge contribution to British society and plays an important role in our relations with Pakistan. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) regularly engages on issues with the Pakistani community including any changes to our policy on travel restrictions during this pandemic.\n\nDepartment of Health and Social Care","created_at":"2021-05-11T11:25:41.766Z","updated_at":"2021-05-11T11:25:41.766Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":null,"transcript_url":"","video_url":"","debate_pack_url":"","overview":"The Petitions Committee have decided not to schedule a debate on this petition.\r\n\r\nThe Committee recognised the support that the petition had received. However, the central request of the petition has now been met with the Government's announcement that Pakistan is to be removed from the 'red list' for international travel. You can read more about changes to international travel rules here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for-entering-england.\r\n\r\nThe Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps MP, made a statement in the House of Commons on international travel on Monday 20 September, covering the changes to international travel rules. You can read the statement here: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/326/petitions-committee/news/99341/committee-opens-consultation-on-its-working-methods.","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":576886,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/576886.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 lying in the House of Commons a criminal offence","background":"The Government should introduce legislation to make lying in the House of Commons a criminal offence. This would mean that all MPs, including Ministers, would face a serious penalty for knowingly making false statements in the House of Commons, as is the case in a court of law.","additional_details":"We believe false statements have been made in the House and, although regarded as a \"serious offence\" in principle, options to challenge this are extremely limited as accusing a member of lying is forbidden in the House.\r\n \r\nTruth in the House of Commons is every bit as important as truth in a court of law and breaches should be treated in a similar way to perjury and carry similar penalties.","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":133008,"created_at":"2021-02-24T13:31:44.694Z","updated_at":"2024-02-29T11:26:30.734Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2021-04-14T15:33:46.285Z","closed_at":"2021-10-14T22:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2021-02-24T16:24:17.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2021-07-22T21:18:25.000Z","government_response_at":"2021-08-12T15:01:21.432Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2021-08-17T08:32:45.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":"2023-08-08","scheduled_debate_date":"2023-10-23","debate_outcome_at":"2023-10-24T08:55:25.081Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2021-08-12","summary":"The Government does not intend to introduce legislation of this nature. MPs must abide by the Code of Conduct and conduct in the Chamber is a matter for the Speaker.","details":"It is an important principle of the UK Parliament that Members of Parliament are accountable to those who elect them. It is absolutely right that all MPs are fully accountable to their constituents for what they say and do and this is ultimately reflected at the ballot box. \n\nFreedom of speech in Parliament is an essential part of our democracy. It is a right that enables Parliament to function freely and fully, ensuring that MPs are able to speak their minds in debates, and to represent their constituents’ views without fear or favour. Parliamentary privilege, which includes freedom of speech and the right of both Houses of Parliament to regulate their own affairs, grants certain legal immunities to Members of both Houses to allow them to perform their duties without outside interference.\n\nOnce elected, MPs are expected to abide by the seven principles of public life which form the basis of ethical standards required of holders of public office. These are set out by the Committee on Standards in Public Life and are: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. It is a requirement that any holder of public office must be truthful and must act and take decisions impartially, fairly and on merit, using the best evidence and without discrimination or bias.\n\nMPs are also subject to the House of Commons Code of Conduct and the Guide to the Rules relating to the Conduct of Members. The code includes a general duty on MPs to “act in the interests of the nation as a whole; and a special duty to their constituents”, alongside a requirement that MPs “act on all occasions in accordance with the public trust placed in them. They should always behave with probity and integrity, including in their use of public resources.” The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards is an independent officer of the House of Commons and is responsible for investigating allegations that MPs have breached the rules in the Code of Conduct. Further details about the role of the Commissioner for Standards are available on the Parliament website at: https://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/standards-and-financial-interests/parliamentary-commissioner-for-standards/\n\nConduct in the Chamber is beyond the remit of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards. This is because the House has determined that how Members conduct themselves in the Chamber, including their adherence to the principles of public life, is a matter for the Speaker, and Parliament is responsible for its own procedures. \n\nOffice of the Leader of the House of Commons","created_at":"2021-08-12T15:01:21.429Z","updated_at":"2021-08-12T15:01:21.429Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2023-10-23","transcript_url":"https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2023-10-23/debates/4BF9E107-17B6-4633-86FA-D46057D11F2C/HonestyInPolitics","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gy3wNmF6-Vs","debate_pack_url":"https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2023-0197/","overview":"","public_engagement_url":null,"debate_summary_url":null},"departments":[{"acronym":"LHOC","name":"Office of the Leader of the House of Commons","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/the-office-of-the-leader-of-the-house-of-commons"}],"topics":[]}},{"type":"archived-petition","id":557167,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/557167.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 golf to be played with appropriate safety measures","background":"The Government should allow golf courses to remain open during the second lockdown, and any future restrictions. Shops and clubhouses can close, but courses should be allowed to remain open, with social distancing in place.","additional_details":"The risk of Covid transmission is lower outdoors, so there is no reason for golf to be stopped. It provides important exercise for many people and has numerous mental health benefits. Don’t allow golf to be stopped.","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":132728,"created_at":"2020-10-31T20:58:30.551Z","updated_at":"2021-09-14T09:53:48.000Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2020-11-06T14:56:50.438Z","closed_at":"2021-05-06T22:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2020-10-31T21:09:47.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2021-01-05T14:46:27.000Z","government_response_at":"2021-01-18T18:10:17.404Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2021-01-07T10:30:07.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":"2021-03-17","scheduled_debate_date":"2021-03-22","debate_outcome_at":"2021-03-23T12:23:18.964Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2021-01-18","summary":"Sport is crucial for our mental and physical health. That’s why we have continued to make sure that people can exercise. Given the seriousness of the current situation golf courses have had to close.","details":"The importance of sport and physical activity, including golf, for the nation’s physical and mental health has never been more apparent. They are a powerful defence against the covid-19 pandemic, and we will need to raise levels of fitness among the population as we prepare to return to our normal lives, now the vaccination programme has begun.\n\nNo government would want to be in a position of needing to close sports facilities including golf courses. Golf has great reach across society as people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities can take part in the game; it brings people together to experience the outdoors and enjoy nature. Golf courses were one of the first sports facilities to be reopened following the initial lockdown and they were also able to stay open in the local tiered restrictions, including tier 4. However, the current spread of the virus risks the healthcare system becoming overwhelmed. This is something we cannot allow to happen and is why the current national lockdown was introduced.\n\nThe current restrictions are designed to get the R rate under control through limiting social contact and reducing transmissions. All decisions made by the Government relating to the pandemic and sport have been based on advice and guidance from health and scientific experts.\n\nDuring the period of these restrictions you can continue to exercise alone, with one other person or with your household or support bubble. This should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area. You should maintain social distancing. \n\nYou can exercise in a public outdoor place which include: \n● parks, beaches, countryside accessible to the public, forests \n● public gardens (whether or not you pay to enter them) \n● the grounds of a heritage site \n● Playgrounds\n\nDepartment for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport","created_at":"2021-01-18T18:10:17.401Z","updated_at":"2021-01-18T18:10:17.401Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2021-03-22","transcript_url":"https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2021-03-22/debates/036445FD-6513-4719-B8F8-C5E05E2D85E4/Spring2021Covid-19RoadMap","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3K5SyLEsJc","debate_pack_url":"https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2021-0051/","overview":"","public_engagement_url":null,"debate_summary_url":null},"departments":[],"topics":[]}},{"type":"archived-petition","id":300239,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/300239.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":"Release the Home Office's Grooming Gang Review in full","background":"The Government is refusing to release official research on the characteristics of grooming gangs, claiming it is not in the “public interest”.\r\n\r\nWe, the British public, demand the release of the official research on grooming gangs undertaken by the Government in full.","additional_details":"It has been revealed earlier this year that an almost 19,000 suspected child sexual exploitation victims were identified by local authorities in just one year.\r\n\r\nSajid Javid promised the review as Home Secretary in July 2018, pledging that there would be “no no-go areas of inquiry”.\r\n\r\n“I will not let cultural or political sensitivities get in the way of understanding the problem and doing something about it,” he said at the time.","committee_note":null,"state":"closed","signature_count":131626,"created_at":"2020-03-04T10:31:17.635Z","updated_at":"2022-02-28T11:51:48.689Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2020-03-05T14:20:14.609Z","closed_at":"2020-09-05T22:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2020-03-04T10:47:24.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2020-03-05T20:21:54.000Z","government_response_at":"2020-04-24T18:12:40.469Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2020-03-10T04:43:34.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":null,"debate_outcome_at":"2021-02-08T08:00:30.108Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2020-05-19","summary":"Government intends to publish a paper on group-based child sexual exploitation this year, which will set out key findings of the Home Office’s work in this area and implications for policy.","details":"Child sexual exploitation perpetrated by groups is a truly horrendous crime that shatters the lives of victims and their families. We have heard of truly shocking cases of vulnerable children being preyed upon by ruthless predators and failed by the state and those whose job it was to protect them. \n\nThese unthinkable crimes have had devastating impacts on towns and communities – leaving lasting scars that go beyond the direct victims, particularly where it has gone on for years. \n\nThis must never be allowed to happen again. This Government has made it our mission to protect the most vulnerable in our society, stamp out all forms of child sexual abuse offending, and support victims and survivors to rebuild their lives. \nThe Government will publish a paper into group-based child sexual exploitation in order to better understand the characteristics of group-based offending and help deliver justice for victims.\n\nThe paper, to be published later this year, will outline the insights gained from this work and focus on how agencies can learn lessons from the past to tackle group-based offending and safeguard vulnerable children.\n\nThe Home Office will set up an External Reference Group of experts to review the research before its publication.\n\nThe work was commissioned by the previous Home Secretary to better understand the scale and nature of group-based child sexual exploitation, including the characteristics of offenders, victims and the context in which these crimes are committed.\n\nLast September, the Government announced an additional £30 million to take down the worst offenders and safeguard victims.\n\nThe Home Office will shortly publish the first of its kind cross-government Child Sexual Abuse Strategy to improve the UK’s response to tackling this abhorrent crime.  \n\nIt will set out how we will work across all agencies – including government, law enforcement, safeguarding and industry – to stop offenders in their tracks, and to help victims and survivors rebuild their lives.\n\nHome Office\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/300239)","created_at":"2020-04-24T18:12:40.467Z","updated_at":"2020-06-05T12:15:35.441Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2021-02-03","transcript_url":"https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2021-02-03/debates/65D3BAF4-00FF-42B3-8430-AAF2CCD8826E/GroomingGangs","video_url":"https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/324d4242-220a-4201-b355-0220d269ebad?in=17:27:50","debate_pack_url":"","overview":"","public_engagement_url":null,"debate_summary_url":null},"departments":[{"acronym":"HO","name":"Home Office","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/home-office"}],"topics":[]}},{"type":"archived-petition","id":585313,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/585313.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":"UK Government to formally recognise the State of Palestine","background":"Recognise the state of Palestine to help stop the conflict from Israel. Not recognising the Palestinian state allows Israel to continue their persecution of the Palestinians.","additional_details":"","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":131239,"created_at":"2021-05-08T11:45:19.083Z","updated_at":"2025-01-07T10:51:23.430Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2021-05-13T15:42:27.862Z","closed_at":"2021-11-13T23:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2021-05-08T17:59:05.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2021-05-15T11:39:15.000Z","government_response_at":"2021-06-08T09:54:49.733Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2021-05-17T22:32:55.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":"2021-05-19","scheduled_debate_date":"2021-06-14","debate_outcome_at":"2021-06-15T07:55:24.482Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2021-06-08","summary":"The UK will recognise a Palestinian state at a time when it best serves the objective of peace. We continue to encourage progress towards a negotiated two-state solution between the parties.","details":"The UK’s longstanding position on the Middle East Peace Process is clear and longstanding: we support a negotiated two-state solution leading to a safe and secure Israel living alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state; based on 1967 borders with agreed land swaps. With Jerusalem as the shared capital of both states, and a just, fair, agreed and realistic settlement for refugees. A two-state solution is the only way to protect Israel’s Jewish and democratic character and realise Palestinian national aspirations. Resuming meaningful bilateral negotiations, with international support, is the best way of reaching such an agreement.\n\nThe UK will recognise a Palestinian state at a time when it best serves the objective of peace. Bilateral recognition in itself cannot end the occupation. The UK Government continues to believe that without a negotiated peace agreement, the occupation and the problems that come with it will continue. \n\nWe are committed to the objective of a sovereign, prosperous Palestinian state, living side by side with a safe and secure Israel. That is why we are a leading donor in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) and why we have put such emphasis on strengthening Palestinian institutions and fostering private sector-led, sustainable economic growth in the West Bank.\n\nEconomic progress can never be a substitute for a political settlement, but it is vital in the interim that Palestinians see tangible improvements in their daily lives. Economic growth in the OPTs remains vital to give hope to the Palestinian people. For too long it has been stifled by Israeli restrictions. We call on the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Israel to resume dialogue on economic issues, to re-convene the Joint Economic Committee, and to address the financial and Covid crises together.\n\nHM Government have strong relations with the PA. The PA has made important progress on state-building which has been recognised by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. That is why it is so important that the PA now returns to Gaza to ensure that good governance is extended throughout the territory which will become a Palestinian state. \n\nThe recent escalation of violence was deeply concerning, and underlines the need for all parties to advance meaningful peace negotiations, and for the PA to return to Gaza. The UK unequivocally condemned the firing of rockets at Jerusalem and locations within Israel. We strongly condemn these acts of terrorism from Hamas and other terrorist groups, who must permanently end their incitement and rocket fire against Israel. Israel has a legitimate right to self-defence, and the right to defend its citizens from attack. In doing so, it is vital that all actions are proportionate, in line with international humanitarian law, and make every effort to avoid civilian casualties.\n\nWe welcome the announcement of a ceasefire in Israel and Gaza. Recent events must galvanise us all in our commitment to achieve a two-state solution that ensures a safe and secure Israel, living alongside a Palestinian state based on 1967 lines, with Jerusalem the shared capital of both states – the only solution that we believe can end the cycle of violence and deliver a just and sustainable peace. The UK will continue our intensive diplomatic efforts in the region, focussed on creating the conditions for a sustainable peace.\n\nIn the OPTs, development programmes, in line with the UK’s longstanding position, work to preserve the prospect of a negotiated two-state solution and to improve the lives of Palestinians throughout the Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. This will not change. \n\nWe are providing an initial £3.2 million of UK aid to UNRWA’s emergency flash appeal, which launched on 19 May 2021. This appeal will address the immediate humanitarian needs of vulnerable Palestinians living in Gaza. Existing UK aid to UNRWA is already helping the Agency to provide emergency food to more than one million refugees in Gaza this year.\nDuring the Foreign Secretary’s visit to the region on 26 May he reiterated the UK’s firm commitment to the two-state solution as the best way to permanently end the occupation, deliver Palestinian self-determination and to preserve Israel’s security and democratic identity. Every Israeli and Palestinian has the right to live in peace and security. A just and lasting resolution that ends the occupation and delivers peace for both Israelis and Palestinians is long overdue. We have urged Israel and the PA to work together to meet their obligations under the Oslo Accords. We also call on all parties to abide by International Humanitarian Law and to promote peace, stability and security.\n\nForeign, Commonwealth & Development Office","created_at":"2021-06-08T09:54:49.729Z","updated_at":"2021-06-08T09:54:49.729Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2021-06-14","transcript_url":"https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2021-06-14/debates/1DA741DA-7D79-4FB1-A769-6B81320154BC/IsraelAndPalestine","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTQbtpYkZJM","debate_pack_url":"https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2021-0085","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":300105,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/300105.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":"Introduce Mandatory Ethnicity Pay Gap Reporting","background":"Much like the existing mandatory requirement for employers with 250 or more employees must publish their gender pay gap.  We call upon the government to introduce the ethnicity pay gap reporting. To shine a light on race / ethnicity based inequality in the workplace so that they can be addressed.","additional_details":"Currently there is a lack of data available in gauging the ethnicity pay gap in the workplace.  Introducing these measures will allow employers to be held accountable in closing the gap where there is disparity.  In order to achieve a fairer workplace publishing this data is one of the next steps to knowing how extensive the issues are  from a race and ethnicity perspective and not just through the lens of gender.","committee_note":null,"state":"closed","signature_count":130567,"created_at":"2020-03-03T16:38:18.401Z","updated_at":"2022-02-21T15:19:24.359Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2020-03-05T14:28:17.819Z","closed_at":"2020-09-05T22:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2020-03-03T21:19:54.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2020-06-03T09:45:24.000Z","government_response_at":"2020-06-24T17:19:07.316Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2020-06-12T22:18:04.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":"2021-07-23","scheduled_debate_date":"2021-09-20","debate_outcome_at":"2021-09-21T06:37:01.578Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2020-07-30","summary":"The Government ran a consultation from October 2018 to January 2019 on the introduction of mandatory Ethnicity Pay Reporting. We are currently analysing these and will respond by the end of the year.","details":"Building a fairer economy means ensuring the UK’s organisations reflect the nation’s diversity – from factory floor to boardroom. We are committed to working closely with the business community to consider the steps that can be taken to build more inclusive workplaces, including reporting on diversity.\n\nThe Race Disparity Unit’s Ethnicity Facts and Figures website already publishes data collected by government about the different experiences of the UK’s ethnic groups at a national level. In 2018/19, the Government consulted on options for going further, exploring possibilities for employer-level ethnicity pay reporting.\n\nFollowing the consultation, Government met with businesses and representative organisations to understand the barriers to reporting and explore what information could be published to allow for meaningful action to be taken. It is essential that any reporting is reliable and robust, and that is why last year we also ran a voluntary methodology testing exercise with a broad range of businesses to better understand the complexities outlined in the consultation using real payroll data.\n\nThis work highlighted the genuine difficulties in designing a methodology that produces accurate figures that allows for interpretation and action from employers, employees and the wider public. Issues highlighted include:\n\n• Collecting data on ethnicity/burden on businesses - a survey of 80 organisations by PwC found that concerns around the legality of collecting ethnicity data, poor response rates from employees and ensuring employee anonymity were among the most common barriers to publishing ethnicity pay data. The survey found three-quarters of organisations lack the data needed to analyse their ethnicity pay gap, while 40% had not collected data because of concerns around GDPR and other legal restrictions.\n\n• Reporting on a binary basis – one way to mitigate low employee declaration rates is to combine all individuals from an ethnic minority background into a single group for reporting purposes. However, this approach masks the significant variations in labour market outcomes between groups. In 2018, for example, employees of Chinese, Indian and Mixed or Multiple ethnicity all had higher median hourly pay than White British employees, while employees in the Pakistani and Bangladeshi ethnic groups had the lowest median hourly pay.\n\n• Skewed results - employers highlighted that reporting at a more granular level risks results being skewed by particularly large or small pay values because of low numbers within certain ethnic groups. If an employer with 300 people employs Black individuals in proportion to the wider population (3% of the England and Wales working-age population is Black according to the ONS), it means their average pay would be calculated from just 9 individuals (assuming that organisation has 100% declaration rates). If declaration rates are only 50%, average pay would only be calculated on 4-5 individuals, which is below the proposed threshold of 5 individuals. This would be even lower in Wales where only 0.7% of the working-age population in Black. It is not possible to draw reliable statistics when data is based on too few values.\n\nThe Government is continuing to analyse this data and is committed to responding to the consultation by the end of the year at the latest.\n\nDepartment for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy\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/300105)","created_at":"2020-06-24T17:19:07.314Z","updated_at":"2020-07-30T18:04:19.889Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2021-09-20","transcript_url":"https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2021-09-20/debates/3A332BAE-A7AE-49BD-95F3-2E7875E04F66/EthnicityPayGap","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_kb-nzVJ6M&feature=youtu.be","debate_pack_url":"https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2021-0136/","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":614893,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/614893.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":"Automatically suspend PR rights of parent guilty of murdering the other parent.","background":"Provide a mechanism within existing legislation whereupon a person with parental responsibility (PR) is found guilty of murdering the other parent with PR, has PR automatically suspended throughout the duration of the term of imprisonment of the aforesaid person convicted.","additional_details":"It is acknowledged that there is scope to restrict parental responsibility from a parent through existing legislation, however, this can often be time consuming and for some expensive.  The automatic removal of PR will save those, who now care for the surviving children, the added burden of attending numerous court cases to restrict the person holding PR, who would often use these cases as an opportunity to aggravate the process and in so doing cause further distress to the family.","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":130179,"created_at":"2022-04-13T21:53:03.132Z","updated_at":"2024-02-20T15:44:05.146Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2022-04-19T11:44:00.075Z","closed_at":"2022-11-02T23:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2022-04-13T22:26:19.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2022-04-29T06:24:19.000Z","government_response_at":"2022-06-16T16:52:34.818Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2022-05-05T05:41:09.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":"2022-10-12","scheduled_debate_date":"2022-11-07","debate_outcome_at":"2022-11-08T07:42:41.139Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2022-06-16","summary":"The court can limit the exercise of parental responsibility, if in the best interests of the child. In the most serious cases this can effectively amount to removing all parental powers and authority.","details":"The Government recognises that in situations where one parent is convicted of the murder of the other parent, the process for restricting parental responsibility from a parent who is imprisoned can be time consuming, and that making or responding to court applications, and attending multiple court hearings on related issues of parental responsibility can often be onerous for those involved.\n\nCurrent provisions\nUnder the Children Act 1989, the exercise of parental responsibility held by one or more individuals can already be limited by the court, where to do so is deemed to be in the best interests of the child. The Act also enables the court to prevent individuals bringing multiple unwarranted applications before the court, which can be burdensome and distressing to family members. \n\nWhere a child does not have a parent to care for them on a day-to-day basis, members of the family can apply for court orders in private law proceedings, or a local authority might initiate public law care proceedings, with a view to providing for the child’s upbringing. In making such orders the welfare of the child is always the paramount consideration of the court.\n\nIn cases where one parent has been convicted of murdering the other, the responsible local authority will have a duty to protect that child and ensure they are safeguarded from harm. This may include initiating care proceedings to provide the child with a permanent or interim care arrangement. A care arrangement can include family members, such as grandparents, aunts or uncles, being granted parental responsibility for the child. Alternatively, a local authority will acquire parental responsibility of the child where the court deems this to be in the best interests of the child.\n\nThe court can already exercise powers to effectively remove all parental powers and authority in appropriate cases. The extent to which, and the time period during which such parental rights and powers are limited, are matters for the judge to decide based on the facts of the case. \n\nThe court can also exercise powers to prevent an individual attempting to repeatedly bring issues back before the court. Section 91(14) of the Children Act 1989 allows family courts to bar individuals from making further specified applications under the Children Act 1989 without permission of the court. These orders are known as section 91(14) orders. The court can make such an order of its own motion or following an application by one of the parties involved in the private law case.  \n\nOnce a section 91(14) order is in place, if an applicant subsequently seeks permission to make a relevant Children Act application, the court will generally consider whether the circumstances that gave rise to the barring order have changed. This offers protection to those persons caring for the child, removing the burden and associated distress to family members of having to go back to court multiple times. \n\nMinistry of Justice","created_at":"2022-06-16T16:52:34.814Z","updated_at":"2022-06-16T16:52:34.814Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2022-11-07","transcript_url":"https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2022-11-07/debates/E6A02687-8AE0-471D-97D9-9E6666811889/ParentalResponsibilityForPeopleConvictedOfSeriousOffences","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ALtkG1Obww","debate_pack_url":"https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2022-0157/","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":323881,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/323881.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 Zoos and Wildlife attractions to reopen with social distancing in place","background":"It is essential that zoos and wildlife attractions with their acres of land and wide open spaces are given immediate permission to reopen. With social distancing in place these facilities could be safer than other facilities, such as open air markets, already given permission to reopen.","additional_details":"Zoos play a vital role in conservation, not only in the UK, but also around the world. Institutions spend millions annually funding conservation that helps to preserve the habitats and numbers of critically endangered animals.\r\n\r\nThis conservation has been put under threat by the continued closure of zoos, with many facing closure due to the lack of government support.\r\n\r\nThe cost of looking after animals doesn’t just disappear when visitors aren’t around and it is essential they be allowed to reopen immediately.","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":129292,"created_at":"2020-06-01T08:56:06.833Z","updated_at":"2021-11-22T10:47:48.000Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2020-06-09T08:08:52.452Z","closed_at":"2020-12-09T23:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2020-06-01T09:29:34.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2020-06-09T14:16:24.000Z","government_response_at":"2020-06-30T13:00:09.945Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2020-06-09T22:01:14.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":null,"debate_outcome_at":"2020-06-26T11:06:26.281Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2020-06-26","summary":"Outdoor areas of zoos and safari parks were allowed to reopen on 15 June, subject to social distancing measures being in place. The reopening of indoor parts of zoos is being kept under review.","details":"The Government recognises that organisations such as zoos, aquariums and animal welfare charities are working tirelessly during this challenging time to safeguard the health and welfare needs of animals in their care. The Government also recognises that many of these organisations in the UK, as well as providing high welfare standards for their animals, contribute significantly to both conservation work and education, helping both sustain endangered species but also teaching people about animals’ natural habitats - as well as how at risk that species may be.\n\nAs announced by the Prime Minister on 10 June, outdoor animal attractions, including safari parks, the outdoor parts of zoos and animal attractions on farms, are now able to reopen, following strict social distancing guidelines. This includes keeping indoor exhibitions, such as reptile houses and those in aquariums, closed, and ensuring other amenities like cafes offer take-away services only.\n\nThe move follows close work by the Government with the zoo industry to ensure visitor numbers can be managed and safeguards are put in place. Allowing zoos to reopen is an integral step towards supporting an early financial recovery.\n\nThe decision to relax restrictions on these select outdoor attractions is part of the Government’s careful approach to easing the lockdown in phases, guided by the advice of scientific and medical experts and the fact the risk of transmission is much lower outdoors.\n\nA number of schemes have been made available to businesses and charities to help them during this emergency. Organisations are eligible to apply for a range of support schemes including the Job Retention Scheme, VAT deferral, Business Rates Relief, the Business Interruption Loan schemes, the option to reclaim the costs of Statutory Sick Pay and grant funding of up to £25,000.\n\nThe Government launched a Zoos Support Fund on 4 May worth £14m in direct response to the concerns raised by zoos and aquariums as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Licensed zoos or aquariums in England that are experiencing severe financial difficulties because of lost revenue can apply for a grant of up to £100,000.  The fund is intended to help zoos at immediate risk to protect the welfare of animals living on site or by rehoming.\n\nWe are aware of the concerns raised by larger zoos. Defra continues to engage with the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) and Her Majesty’s Treasury (HMT) to monitor how zoos are doing.  Officials continue to meet regularly with some of the major zoos and aquariums in England to identify the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on larger organisations. This includes monitoring concerns around potential implications for animal welfare. Consideration of proposals for any longer-term support that might be needed for the sector is ongoing. With the help and support of the industry, Defra is working diligently to find the best way forward.\n\nThe importance of allowing zoos to reopen was also debated in the House of Commons on 11 June in the adjournment debate on the reopening of zoos, aquariums and wildlife sanctuaries.  The details of this debate can be seen in official records at https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2020-06-11/debates/CA7F5187-2AD7-4121-89B1-C8CC188FFE78/ZoosAquariumsAndWildlifeSanctuariesReopening\n\nDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs","created_at":"2020-06-30T13:00:09.943Z","updated_at":"2020-06-30T13:00:09.943Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":null,"transcript_url":"","video_url":"","debate_pack_url":"","overview":"","public_engagement_url":null,"debate_summary_url":null},"departments":[{"acronym":"DEFRA","name":"Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs"}],"topics":[]}},{"type":"archived-petition","id":326261,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/326261.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":"Ban the exploitative import of young puppies for sale in the UK.","background":"Plenty of dogs from UK breeders & rescues need homes. Transporting young pups long distances is often stressful, before being sold for ridiculous prices to unsuspecting dog-lovers. Government must adjust current laws, ban this unethical activity on welfare grounds & protect these poor animals ASAP.","additional_details":"The recent tragic case of a puppy dying just 6 days after being delivered from Russia has exposed a completely legal but immoral route to market for pups bred hundreds of miles away & sold away from their mums. Who’s actually inspecting these breeders & transportation conditions? Selling imported pups like this is cruel & appears to contradict the Government’s own advice to always physically “see puppies interacting with their mothers in their place of birth” as with Lucy’s Law in England.","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":128552,"created_at":"2020-06-10T13:24:54.488Z","updated_at":"2021-11-22T10:47:48.000Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2020-06-27T15:08:41.015Z","closed_at":"2020-12-27T23:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2020-06-10T13:46:04.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2020-06-29T06:49:14.000Z","government_response_at":"2020-07-16T15:33:52.972Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2020-08-10T12:16:44.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":"2021-05-19","scheduled_debate_date":"2021-06-07","debate_outcome_at":"2021-06-08T06:19:27.262Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2020-09-08","summary":"The Government works to ensure regulations protecting the welfare of transported animals is followed while also educating potential pet buyers of the risks of buying from a deceitful seller.","details":"The Government takes the issue surrounding the importation of pets very seriously and continues to ensure that the illegal import of puppies is stopped and that puppies brought into the UK through legal means receive a high standard of care.\n\nThe rules concerning the commercial transportation of animals are set out in Council Regulation (EC) 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and in domestic legislation, The Welfare of Animals (Transport) (England) Order 2006 (WATEO). The EU legislation aims to protect the welfare of animals during transportation and applies to animals transported in connection with an economic activity.\n\nUnder article 4 of The Welfare of Animals (Transport) (England) Order 2006, there are some general provisions for the protection of all animals during transport. It is an offence to transport animals, including people transporting dogs, in a way that will cause injury or unnecessary suffering. Animals must be transported in a means of transport which takes in to consideration the conditions required for the animals such as space, ventilation, temperature, security, liquid and oxygen needs.\n\nThe primary responsibility for the enforcement of the transport legislation rests with Local Authorities. Local Authorities carry out routine welfare checks on animals and their means of transport and will take appropriate enforcement measures up to and including prosecution if required.\n\nOur policy is to ensure, therefore, full application of existing EU rules on our territory during the Transition Period, and to encourage other member states to do the same. Unilaterally banning the import of puppies would amount to a restriction on trade which would need strong justification under World Trade Organisation rules and whilst we remain in the transition period, is not possible under EU trade law. Following the end of the Transition period we will explore options to combat the trade in young puppies which are consistent with World Trade Organisation rules.\n\nThe government also continues to raise awareness regarding the improper selling of pets by deceitful sellers through our ‘Petfished’ campaign which seeks to educate prospective pet buyers on common tricks and tactics used by deceitful sellers which may result in the purchase of a mistreated or unwell pet. The campaign urges buyers to mitigate risks, for example by buying from trusted sellers such as those under the Kennel Club’s Assured Breeder scheme, viewing puppies with their mothers and siblings, asking questions of the seller and following the Animal Welfare Foundation and RSPCA Puppy Contract to ensure that puppies are in good health when purchased.\n\nDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs\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/326261)","created_at":"2020-07-16T15:33:52.970Z","updated_at":"2020-09-08T16:43:55.216Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2021-06-07","transcript_url":"https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2021-06-07/debates/081C04E8-CAAA-408D-8AD1-85A058640393/AnimalWelfare","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GfznTV76Ls","debate_pack_url":"https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2021-0083/","overview":"","public_engagement_url":null,"debate_summary_url":null},"departments":[{"acronym":"DEFRA","name":"Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs"}],"topics":[]}},{"type":"archived-petition","id":622847,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/622847.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":"Create statutory legal duty of care for students in Higher Education","background":"No general statutory duty of care exists in HE. Yet, a duty of care is owed to students, and the Government should legislate for this. HE providers should know what their duty is. Students must know what they can expect. Parents expect their children to be safe at university.","additional_details":"The mental health, safety and well-being of HE students should be a Government priority. Student engagement, retention and success should be another. Both are indisputably linked to the duty of care students receive.\r\n\r\nA duty of care already exists for staff, and for students under the age of 18 in HE. There should be parity in duty of care for all members of the HE community.\r\n\r\nThis is not a petition for ‘in loco parentis’ or for duplication of the NHS. We only seek parity and legislative clarity on duty of care for all students.","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":128292,"created_at":"2022-08-30T07:49:22.210Z","updated_at":"2024-02-20T16:25:21.656Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2022-09-05T14:24:10.329Z","closed_at":"2023-03-19T23:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2022-08-30T08:29:59.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2022-12-30T18:39:30.000Z","government_response_at":"2023-01-20T13:16:15.033Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2023-03-15T15:15:20.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":"2023-06-05","debate_outcome_at":"2023-06-06T06:11:34.595Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2023-01-20","summary":"Higher Education providers already have a general duty of care not to cause harm to their students through their own actions.","details":"Higher Education providers do have a general duty of care to deliver educational and pastoral services to the standard of an ordinarily competent institution and, in carrying out these services, they are expected to act reasonably to protect the health, safety and welfare of their students. This can be summed up as providers owing a duty of care to not cause harm to their students through the university’s own actions.\n\nOver the last decade, higher education providers have devoted considerable resources to their student support services, and a good deal of support is now widely provided to students who struggle with their mental health. However, tragically suicides do still occur in higher education, and investigations into the circumstances of such deaths have sometimes shown the support offered by the university was not all it might have been. We have encouraged universities to learn from such cases and redouble their prevention efforts. Former Higher Education Minister Donelan wrote to vice chancellors specifically on this subject in both July 2021 and December 2021.\n\nWe acknowledge the profound and lasting impact a young person’s suicide has upon their family and friends, and know among the petitioners there are those who have personal experience of these devastating, tragic events. While press narratives often suggest students are an at-risk population, ONS data May 2022 (https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/articles/estimatingsuicideamonghighereducationstudentsenglandandwalesexperimentalstatistics/2017to2020) shows a significantly lower suicide rate in HE students compared with the wider population (including students) of similar age. This is supported by Figure 6 from the linked ONS publication, and the third bullet point at the top of the page. We, therefore, feel further legislation to create a statutory duty of care, where such a duty already exists, would be a disproportionate response.\n\nDepartment for Education","created_at":"2023-01-20T13:16:15.030Z","updated_at":"2023-01-20T13:16:15.030Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2023-06-05","transcript_url":"https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2023-06-05/debates/9BA59E93-4342-4AD6-BA94-379DCA6A24E0/HigherEducationStudentsStatutoryDutyOfCare","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHwbEG7Oi-E","debate_pack_url":"https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-8593/","overview":"","public_engagement_url":"https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/121595/pdf/","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":592813,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/592813.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":"Exempt dogs assessed by experts as safe from breed specific legislation","background":"Amend the breed specific legislation to create a clause where by dogs that have been expertly assessed and found to be no more risk to the public than any other breed, to be exempted from breed specific legislation and allowed to live by the same laws as any other dog.","additional_details":"There are many dogs that are known to be reactive, but it is at present determined by breed if a dog is deemed to be dangerous. Public safety must always be paramount, BUT dogs that have been expertly assessed and found to be well behaved, surely are not the ones that need restrictions for public protection.","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":127508,"created_at":"2021-07-20T14:27:40.707Z","updated_at":"2022-10-24T09:07:00.000Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2021-07-26T13:56:40.286Z","closed_at":"2022-01-26T23:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2021-07-20T14:59:15.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2021-07-27T14:46:15.000Z","government_response_at":"2021-08-12T14:49:53.945Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2021-08-15T13:52:45.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":null,"debate_outcome_at":"2021-09-21T16:30:50.629Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2021-10-19","summary":"The Dangerous Dogs Act places restrictions on certain types of dogs bred for fighting. Individual dogs can be kept under strict conditions if a court judges that they are not a risk to public safety.","details":"Public safety is at the heart of the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. The 1991 Act prohibits four types of fighting dog – types traditionally used for dog fighting (pit bull terrier, Japanese tosa, dogo argentino, fila braziliero). This approach is supported by the Police.\n\nThe statutory Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs provides owners with information on how to provide for their dog’s natural needs as required by the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The Code of Practice clearly sets out that all dogs need to be trained to behave well, ideally from a very young age and should be introduced gradually and positively to different environments, people and animals.\n\nIn this country, pit bull types have been traditionally bred for dog fighting to accentuate any aggressive tendencies and therefore the Government considers that they pose an inherently greater risk to the public. We fully recognise that pit bull terriers are crossbreeds, which is why we refer to them as “type” rather than “breed” and base identification on physical characteristics. Identification of pit bull terriers is made by Dog Legislation Officers who are police officers specially trained to recognise the four prohibited type dogs.\n\nThe Government considers that a lifting of the restrictions on these types of dogs would more likely result in an increase in dog attacks, rather than contributing to any reduction in such incidents.\n\nDespite the general prohibitions on these types of dog, individual prohibited dogs can be kept by their owners if a court judges that the dog is not a danger to the public, that the dog can be kept in a suitable environment, and that the proposed owner is a fit and proper person. If the court considers these criteria to be met, the dog can be listed on the Index of Exempted Dogs and must be kept under strict conditions, including being on a lead and muzzled in public. The Government considers that these conditions, which include assessment of the dog’s temperament, are proportionate and should be maintained to provide the necessary degree of public safety required and to provide assurance to the public.\n\nUnder section 3 of the 1991 Act, it is an offence to allow any dog to be dangerously out of control. For the purposes of the 1991 Act, this includes any occasion on which there are grounds for reasonable apprehension that the dog in question will injure someone, whether or not it actually does so. The maximum penalty for such an offence is fourteen years’ imprisonment if it results in the death of a person; five years in the case of injury; three years if it is an attack on an assistance dog and six months where no injury is caused to a person or assistance dog.\n\nDefra has commissioned further research in collaboration with Middlesex University to look at responsible ownership across all breeds of dog. The research will consider different approaches and the effectiveness of current dog control measures. The report will be published later this year.\n\nDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs\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/592813)","created_at":"2021-08-12T14:49:53.942Z","updated_at":"2021-10-19T14:37:10.102Z"},"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.\r\n\r\nThe Committee recognises the support that the petition has received. However, the issue raised by the petition was recently debated in the House of Commons on 5 July in response to a petition making a related request. \r\n\r\nRead a transcript of this debate: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2021-07-05/debates/814EF953-52F7-4499-953C-447928FF71DB/BreedSpecificLegislation\r\n\r\nYou can also watch the debate here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRtSMPH_zuc\r\n\r\nGiven the significant support for petitions about prohibitions for certain dog types, the Committee has written to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, highlighting support for petitions on this subject. \r\n\r\nThe Committee has called on the Government to: \r\n\r\n- Establish a new framework for responsible ownership of dog types which are currently prohibited under the Dangerous Dogs Act\r\n- Commission new research to consider the evidence base for current prohibitions\r\n- Look at alternatives to current prohibitions on certain dog types\r\n\r\nIn the letter, the Committee has said the Government should publish the outcome of this work, followed by a Government review of the prohibitions set out in the Dangerous Dogs Act.\r\n\r\nYou can read the Committee's letter here: https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/7403/documents/77570/default/\r\n\r\nThe Committee will publish the Government's response when it is received, and notify petitioners by email.","public_engagement_url":null,"debate_summary_url":null},"departments":[{"acronym":"DEFRA","name":"Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs"}],"topics":[]}},{"type":"archived-petition","id":302256,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/302256.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":"Encourage lenders, landlords and utilities to freeze payments during lockdown","background":"If the country is locked down during a pandemic, the government should work with mortgage providers, landlords and utility companies to freeze rent, mortgage and utility bill payments.","additional_details":"This should happen for everyone unable to work during that period, whether their workplace has been closed, or they have to stay home to look after children.\r\n\r\nIf the country is locked down due to a pandemic many people wont be able to work for various reasons. During this time people should not have to worry about their finances. If it is everyone's best interest that people stay home then support should be offered to allow people to do so. Statutory sick pay does not cover most people's rent, and many people do not have savings, and if we dont support these people we risk forcing them to go to work when they shouldnt be doing so.","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":126934,"created_at":"2020-03-13T17:20:31.428Z","updated_at":"2024-10-19T03:16:17.350Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2020-03-19T14:24:52.940Z","closed_at":"2020-09-19T22:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2020-03-14T10:00:34.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2020-03-20T11:12:44.000Z","government_response_at":"2020-04-06T09:37:50.588Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2020-03-23T23:15:24.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":"2020-09-17","debate_outcome_at":"2020-09-18T11:49:22.360Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2020-06-05","summary":"The Government has announced cross sector support for consumers and businesses impacted by Covid 19 and we will continue to consider how consumers can be further supported.","details":"This petition raises concerns about many households’ abilities to meet their nondiscretionary spending as a result of the impact of Covid-19 on personal finances and proposes a solution of government action to freeze household bills to alleviate this pressure. \n\nThe Government agrees that households struggling with their finances should be supported during this crisis which is why it is taking action to: a) support and protect household incomes; and b) ensure that firms are providing flexibility and forbearance for customers that are unable to meet their bills at this time. The measures announced by the Government, which are described below, addresses the concerns of the petition and ensures that household finances are being protected.\n\nThe Government will make sure it protects, as far as possible, people’s jobs and incomes. On 12 May, the Government announced a major extension to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme which will continue to the end of October, including more flexibility and employer contributions from August as people return to work. All UK employers can apply for a grant that covers 80% of furloughed employees’ usual monthly wage costs, up to £2500 a month, plus the associated Employer National Insurance contributions and pension contributions. The first grant payments have now been paid to help support jobs that might otherwise have been lost. On Thursday 26 March the Chancellor announced a new Self-Employment Income Support Scheme to support self-employed individuals affected by coronavirus outbreak. The SEISS will provide grants to those who are self-employed, or members of partnerships, worth 80% of their trading profits/partnership trading profits, up to a maximum of £2,500 per month for 3 months.  To support those on low incomes through the outbreak the Government has announced a package of temporary welfare measures, which includes an increase in the Local Housing Allowance rates for Universal Credit and Housing Benefit claimants so that it covers the cheapest third of local rents. \n\nOn the 17 March, the Chancellor announced on behalf of the sector that banks and building societies would offer a 3-month ‘mortgage holiday’ for borrowers that are financially struggling with their repayments. Following from this, draft guidance announced by the FCA on the 22nd May included the option for individuals to extend their mortgage holiday for a further 3 months where needed. This measure has also been extended to Buy to Let landlords struggling as a result of their tenants being unable to meet their rental repayments.\n\nThe Government has implemented legislation that prevents landlords from being able to start proceedings to evict tenants for at least a 3-month period from the 26th March. This will provide reassurance that tenants will not have their homes repossessed at this difficult time. \n\nCustomers who are concerned about the current financial situation should get in touch with their lender or landlord at the earliest possible opportunity.\nThe Chancellor has also recently responded to a query on his official Twitter Q&A regarding a rent freeze, you can find his response here https://twitter.com/RishiSunak/status/1263808830355517441. \n\nWith regards to energy bills, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy announced on 19 March that the Government, working with Citizens Advice, Ofgem and Energy UK have secured an industry-wide agreement to a set of principles for assisting consumers through difficulties caused by Covid-19. These are to: identify and prioritise customers at risk, support customers who are impacted financially as a direct or indirect result of Covid 19, and support prepayment meter customers directly or indirectly impacted by Covid 19 to stay on supply.\n\nThe support offered will be based on the individual circumstances of the customer and the systems, processes and capability of the supply company, but could include extending discretionary or friendly credit, or sending out a pre-loaded top up card for traditional prepay customers who are unable to top up.\n\nIn the first instance, we suggest self-isolating customers contact their energy supplier to find out what support will be available. If you need further advice, we suggest you contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service (CACS), a Government funded advice service. You can find out more about CACS on website www.adviceguide.org.uk or by calling the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 03454 04 05 06.\n\nWhile the government does not intend to bring in measures to freeze rent, mortgage and utility bill payments at this time, it has announced a significant range of financial measures and will continue to deliberate on how best it can support all those impacted by covid-19. These measures of cross sector support are already available to those that are financially struggling due to the effects of Covid 19 to help enable them to continue to pay their bills.\n\nHM Treasury\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/302256)","created_at":"2020-04-06T09:37:50.586Z","updated_at":"2020-06-05T12:31:53.576Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2020-09-17","transcript_url":"https://committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence/856/default/","video_url":"https://parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/680ac921-0f35-4295-ae1c-76aea7b4b007","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":328408,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/328408.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":"Hold a public inquiry into Government contracts granted during Covid-19","background":"There should be a public inquiry into Government contracts granted during Covid-19. Many contracts have been granted without full and open procurement processes. A public inquiry would be able to ascertain whether contracts had been procured fairly and represent value for money for tax payers.","additional_details":"","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":126876,"created_at":"2020-06-20T11:37:47.612Z","updated_at":"2022-02-15T10:01:27.543Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2020-09-03T10:47:37.413Z","closed_at":"2021-03-03T23:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2020-06-20T12:15:14.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2020-10-16T22:45:04.000Z","government_response_at":"2020-11-11T18:53:30.916Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2020-11-11T22:35:47.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":"2021-06-08","scheduled_debate_date":"2021-06-21","debate_outcome_at":"2021-06-22T10:12:29.027Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2021-01-05","summary":"The National Audit Office, the public spending watchdog reported on Government procurement during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Government has published a statement on GOV.UK.","details":"The National Audit Office has published its report relating to government procurement during the COVID-19 pandemic covering the period up to 31 July 2020. This includes, among other things, an examination of procurement activity during the pandemic and the Government’s management of procurement risks. The report will be subject to parliamentary scrutiny by the Public Accounts Committee in the usual way. The Government published a statement available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/statement-on-government-procurement-following-this-weeks-nao-report.\n\nMore generally, the Government has always been clear that there will be opportunities to look back, analyse and reflect on all aspects of COVID-19. This will include an independent inquiry at the appropriate time. For now the Government is focused entirely on responding to the pandemic and saving lives, particularly as the country is experiencing a second wave of the virus. That being the case, it would be premature at this stage to attempt to define the inquiry's eventual terms of reference.\n\nGovernments around the world faced unprecedented demand for essential goods, services and works due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All public authorities in the UK, including the UK Government and devolved administrations, had to move quickly.\n\nWorking with the private sector has been a vital part of the Government’s response to tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, with private sector workers standing alongside those from the public sector on the front line. Indeed, the private sector has assisted us to deliver over 15,000 ventilators in under four months to support the NHS; procure almost 32 billion items of PPE for frontline workers; and we now have the capacity to process over 530,000 tests a day.\n\nBeing able to procure at speed has been critical in the Government’s response to COVID-19 and at the outset of the coronavirus outbreak, we made it clear to all public authorities that they may need to procure new services with extreme urgency. This is not a change to the public procurement regulations; there are already well-established procedures in the Public Contracts Regulations for handling extremely urgent procurements and they have been used by a variety of public authorities including the UK Government, and devolved administrations. Other countries, including Japan, Finland and New Zealand, followed similar urgent procurement processes.\n\nWe also made it clear that authorities must continue to achieve value for money for taxpayers, use good commercial judgement and publish the details of any awards made, in line with Government transparency guidelines.\n\nThe Government is committed to adopting and encouraging greater transparency in its commercial activity. There are existing rigorous central controls in place to challenge spend robustly and to ensure that the actions of Government contracting authorities are open, fair and transparent.\n\nThe department has also conducted some internal audit work to examine procurements during COVID. We do not as a matter of course publish internal audit reports. An independent expert review, the Boardman Review, has been undertaken in relation to certain communications services contracts and the report and recommendations have been published on gov.uk. Government also published the Green Paper on Public Procurement Rules Reform 15 December, a Green Paper consultation on radical reform of the UK’s public procurement regulations. The Green Paper proposals will make public procurement even more transparent by making more open data available on public contracts.\n\nCabinet Office\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/328408)","created_at":"2020-11-11T18:53:30.914Z","updated_at":"2021-01-05T17:41:53.490Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2021-06-21","transcript_url":"https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2021-06-21/debates/6FCF1DEF-15A4-46FF-8728-D7B2FA84F549/GovernmentContractsCovid-19","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ecZPHLoomg&feature=youtu.be","debate_pack_url":"https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2021-0089/","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":321862,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/321862.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":"Take action to stop illegal immigration and rapidly remove illegal immigrants","background":"Illegal immigrants are entering the UK in many different ways, including small boats from France which are not stopped by either French or British forces.","additional_details":"The Government should take action to reduce illegal immigration into the UK and enable the rapid removal of immigrants found to be here illegally.","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":126439,"created_at":"2020-05-22T11:24:55.709Z","updated_at":"2022-02-28T11:52:24.762Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2020-07-08T15:18:45.051Z","closed_at":"2021-01-08T23:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2020-05-22T21:10:44.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2020-07-29T20:42:34.000Z","government_response_at":"2020-10-08T11:03:27.323Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2020-08-20T23:14:24.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":"2020-10-08","scheduled_debate_date":"2020-10-19","debate_outcome_at":"2020-10-21T10:43:32.673Z","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2020-10-08","summary":"The Government is committed to tackling illegal migration. We are working to strengthen borders, tackle organised immigration crime, overcome rigid legal barriers to removal, and overhaul the system.","details":"We have a duty to prevent loss of life and to protect our borders. That’s why we are doing everything we can to stop these dangerous and illegal Channel crossings and all forms of clandestine entry and bring to justice the criminals behind them.\n\nThe UK has long been a sanctuary for those in need of international protection, but the UK Government is clear that those in genuine need should seek that protection in the first safe country that they reach. France is such a safe country, with a fully functioning asylum system – over 100,000 asylum claims lodged last year; EU Member States are manifestly safe countries. People needing to seek protection who are in France can and should claim asylum there. They have no reason to travel in a highly dangerous way to the UK instead. In setting to sea in unseaworthy craft across one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, migrants risk their lives and the lives of those who rescue them. This is unacceptable behaviour which will not be tolerated. \n\nAs such, the dissuasion, disruption and deterrence of migrants using these routes is a cross-departmental priority. The Home Secretary and her officials, including recently-appointed Clandestine Channel Threat Commander Dan O’Mahoney, are working with their counterparts across Government and law enforcement, and with European partners, to tackle those who do this and to punish the criminals who profit from them.\n\nWe are working closely with the French to prevent these crossings. That engagement has seen us invest significantly in security and surveillance, including the use of cutting-edge technology and patrols of the beaches by French officers, some of whom we fund, and the foundation of a Joint Intelligence Cell. This year alone, over 3,000 crossing attempts were stopped by the French authorities – nearly 50% of all attempts. But more needs to be done.\nBorder Force has a Cutter and two Coastal Patrol Vessels patrolling the Channel, monitoring and securely escorting any small boats evading French partners.  Safety of life at sea is paramount, so our focus is on preventing crossings and rapidly returning those who do get across. We intend to use legislation and reach further agreement with the French Government to develop our tactical response. Our goal is to render use of small boats unviable by linking this with an inability to remain in the UK.\n\nThe UK has obligations under the Refugee Convention and, until the end of this year, the Common European Asylum System.  Where the UK is responsible for determining a claim, it must do so fully even if these appear unsubstantiated, suspect, or made in order to overturn otherwise sound immigration decisions.  Accounts which may appear dubious or self-serving cannot be simply dismissed without due process under domestic and international law.\n\nThere are a number of legal routes for migration. Denying the use of dangerous routes from safe third countries does not deny people the right to seek asylum in those countries. We are clear that if a migrant has chosen to evade immigration control or enter the UK illegally, then they can have no expectation of remaining in the absence of a genuine claim for UK protection, but the current operation of the Human Rights Act 1998, EU’s Common European Asylum System, and in particular the Dublin Regulation, make that a cumbersome and lengthy process. At the end of the transition Period in January 2021, however, we will be free of the Dublin Regulation and the Common Asylum System and will be able to negotiate new returns agreements on our own terms. Asylum seekers entering from safe countries will remain a priority for removal, along with foreign national prisoners and those whose removal is justified on grounds of public policy, public security or public health. We also continue to seek to prosecute under UK law those that facilitate illegal entry, and to turn that heinous trade from an easy profit into a life-changing personal risk for those who engage in it. We are working with the National Crime Agency to go after those who profit from such misery.\n\nWe are currently working to return nearly 1,000 cases where migrants had previously claimed asylum in European countries and, under regulations, legally should be returned there.  Over 250 arrivals are ready to be returned to Italy, Germany and France, and we have made requests under the Dublin Regulation to return over 400 more people who have arrived this year alone. We are committed to returning as many as possible of the migrants who have chosen to use these dangerous methods.\n\nThe Home Secretary has signalled her intention to fix our broken asylum system, where the most vulnerable are stuck in a bureaucracy and the least deserving are rewarded through meritless cynically-timed legal interventions, making it fairer for those genuinely in need of a safe haven and firmer against those who seek to abuse it.  We will bring forward legislation next year, in the biggest overhaul of our asylum system in decades.\n\nHome Office","created_at":"2020-10-08T11:03:27.321Z","updated_at":"2020-10-08T11:03:27.321Z"},"debate":{"debated_on":"2020-10-19","transcript_url":"https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2020-10-19/debates/2CE297BF-23A7-4F42-9100-F2DDB62FF085/Immigration","video_url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlQNZQ86tpM","debate_pack_url":"https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2020-0112/","overview":"","public_engagement_url":null,"debate_summary_url":null},"departments":[{"acronym":"HO","name":"Home Office","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/home-office"}],"topics":[]}}]}