Petitions with a Government response

1. Stop UK pensioners paying income tax on their state pension

   Government responded – 31 July 2023

   The Personal Allowance is high enough that pensioners whose sole income is the new or basic State Pension do not pay income tax. The State Pension is designed to replace income and so is taxable.

   22,903 signatures

2. Abolish Council Tax for State Pensioners

   Government responded – 27 April 2023

   The Government requires each council to have a council tax support scheme in place under which low income pensioners receive council tax discounts of up to 100%.

   22,751 signatures

3. Introduce new legal requirements for vets prior to euthanasia of dogs & cats

   Government responded – 19 April 2024

   Vets are already required to scan a dog’s microchip prior to euthanasia where they consider it is not necessary on health or welfare grounds and check for alternative contacts.

   22,746 signatures

4. Sanction individuals responsible for Sino-British Joint Declaration breaches

   Government responded – 2 August 2023

   We keep all sanctions designations under close and regular review. We do not speculate about future sanctions designations, as to do so could reduce their impact.

   22,688 signatures

5. Honour the triple lock in full in April 2024

   Government responded – 24 November 2023

   The Government has announced plans to increase State Pensions by 8.5% in April 2024, in line with the Triple Lock commitment.

   22,610 signatures

6. Hold a Public Inquiry into the handling of the Covid-19 crisis

   Government responded – 15 September 2020

   There will be an important moment to look back, analyse, reflect and to learn lessons. As the Prime Minister has said, this will include an independent inquiry at the appropriate time.

   22,576 signatures

7. Exempt all state pensions and benefits from income tax

   Government responded – 25 April 2024

   The tax treatment of social security benefits is based on the type of payment and why it is provided. Generally, benefits that are designed to replace income are taxable, including the State Pension.

   22,575 signatures

8. Remove all COVID requirements for international travel to the UK

   Government responded – 7 February 2022

   From 4am on 11 February, the Government’s easing of international travel rules will result in the UK having one of the most open and streamlined COVID border regimes in the world.

   22,553 signatures

9. End the UK’s membership of the World Health Organisation

   Government responded – 4 July 2022

   The Government believes the World Health Organization has a vital role in global health and views the International Health Regulations as important in protecting citizens from the spread of disease.

   22,498 signatures

10. Fund additional support for victims of COVID19 racism and anti-racism programmes

    Government responded – 28 April 2021

    All forms of hate crime are completely unacceptable and we will continue to work to bring offenders to justice, support victims and eradicate prejudice against communities.

    22,476 signatures

11. Suspend future sales of tear gas and other crowd control equipment to the USA

    Government responded – 30 July 2020

    HM Government has been sorry to see the violence that has taken place in the United States of America and will continue to monitor developments very closely.

    22,421 signatures

12. Introduce closed season in grey squirrel cull, so that babies aren't left to die

    Government responded – 9 February 2021

    The Government agrees that control of grey squirrels should be humane but has no plans to limit the period during which lethal control is undertaken as this would prevent their effective management.

    22,396 signatures

13. Overturn the decision to allow use of neonicotinoid pesticides on sugar crops

    Government responded – 24 May 2023

    The Government is committed to implementing policies to encourage sustainable farming and minimise the use of chemical pesticides, while monitoring the development of alternative solutions.

    22,340 signatures

14. Increase the basic state pensions by £500 a year as an emergency measure

    Government responded – 7 February 2022

    The Government wants all pensioners to have a secure income in retirement. From April, the full yearly amount of the basic State Pension will be over £2,300 higher than in 2010.

    22,337 signatures

15. Independent body to adjudicate on compliance with the Ministerial Code

    Government responded – 20 April 2021

    Existing measures provide appropriate independence in Ministerial Code investigations, recognising the Prime Minister’s constitutional role in advising the Sovereign on the organisation of Government.

    22,295 signatures

16. Longer sentences for child sex offenders, sex offenders and rapists

    Government responded – 21 September 2020

    Nothing is more important than the safety of children. Reforms announced in the Sentencing White Paper will ensure offenders who commit serious sexual assaults against children spend longer in prison.

    22,121 signatures

17. Do not implement proposed changes to Human Medicine Regulations

    Government responded – 15 October 2020

    Safety is the utmost priority of any public health vaccination programme, and this remains the case here.

    22,082 signatures

18. Hold a General Election within 100 days of the new PM being appointed

    Government responded – 4 November 2022

    The Government continues to hold office as it commands the confidence of the Commons from the General Election 2019. The Prime Minister has committed to deliver on the mandate earned in that election.

    22,064 signatures

19. Ban Trail Hunting

    Government responded – 12 January 2021

    The Hunting Act 2004 makes it an offence to hunt a wild mammal with dogs except under the exemptions in the Act. Those found guilty under the Act are subject to the full force of the law.

    22,026 signatures

20. Save the 250 year old Cubbington pear tree from HS2.

    Government responded – 7 October 2020

    Environmental considerations were central to the original route selection process for HS2, and wherever practicable, HS2 is being designed to avoid or reduce impacts to habitats and protected species.

    21,992 signatures

21. Extend the older person's bus pass to cover free train travel

    Government responded – 9 October 2023

    To help make train journeys more affordable, individuals aged 60 and over are eligible for the Senior Railcard which offers a third off rail travel.

    21,892 signatures

22. Give financial help to agency and zero hour workers during COVID-19 outbreak.

    Government responded – 17 April 2020

    Agency workers, workers on zero-hour contracts, and the self-employed can get support from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Self-employment Income Support Scheme, subject to eligibility.

    21,515 signatures

23. Lower the cost of British Citizenship applications to £372.

    Government responded – 5 February 2021

    All fees are kept under review, however there are no current plans to lower the cost of British Citizenship applications to £372.

    21,455 signatures

24. Stop measuring the height and weight of children in primary school

    Government responded – 22 July 2021

    The Government has no plans to stop this statutory public health function. This data is used by the National Health Service and other local services to improve children’s health.

    21,453 signatures

25. Do Not Leave the European Convention on Human Rights

    Government responded – 16 June 2023

    It is not currently government policy to seek withdrawal from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

    21,447 signatures

26. Do not implement Covid-19 Freedom Passes

    Government responded – 21 January 2021

    We are continually exploring ways in which we can return to normality as soon as possible while controlling the spread of the virus. This includes ways in which technology can be used to achieve this.

    21,296 signatures

27. An public inquiry into the causes surrounding missing Black people

    Government responded – 22 June 2021

    The Government is focused on improving support for missing people from all backgrounds and to addressing racial and ethnic disparities, wherever these exist. It has no plans for a public inquiry.

    21,215 signatures

28. Create an emergency fund for ASD (autism) & ADHD assessments

    Government responded – 14 December 2021

    We are investing £13 million this year to tackle long autism diagnosis waiting times and are supporting children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder throughout the diagnostic process.

    21,147 signatures

29. Process all asylum seekers off-shore using foreign aid budget

    Government responded – 19 August 2021

    The Nationality and Borders Bill supports potential future processing of asylum claims outside the UK. Overseas development assistance is spent following international rules on what constitutes aid.

    20,928 signatures

30. Ban non-stun slaughter in the UK.

    Government responded – 14 July 2020

    The Government would prefer animals to be stunned before slaughter but is committed to protecting the rights of Jews and Muslims to eat meat prepared in accordance with their religious beliefs.

    20,853 signatures

31. Fund the drug bevacizumab (Avastin) on the NHS to treat colorectal cancer

    Government responded – 21 July 2022

    Although NICE has not recommended bevacizumab for colorectal cancer, it has recommended a number of other medicines to treat colorectal cancer that are routinely available to NHS patients.

    20,822 signatures

32. Make a UK law requiring all establishments to accept cash

    Government responded – 5 September 2023

    The government has no plans to mandate cash acceptance. It is right that businesses choose the forms of payment they accept. The government has recently legislated to protect access to cash.

    20,772 signatures

33. Introduce super visa category for parents of British citizens.

    Government responded – 4 March 2021

    The UK welcomes genuine visitors coming to the UK for a temporary purpose, usually for six months. Routes are available for people who want to stay for longer periods.

    20,688 signatures

34. Make children exempt from coronavirus "rule of six"

    Government responded – 19 October 2020

    We have set out a clear limit of 6 people of any age in all settings. This makes things easy to understand, easy to enforce by police and public health officials and reduces transmission risk.

    20,677 signatures

35. Review the MOD's New Accommodation Offer for armed forces personnel

    Government responded – 6 March 2024

    The Government is committed to widening military accommodation entitlement, but we have listened to feedback and paused elements of the policy related to Service Family Accommodation pending a review.

    20,677 signatures

36. No Extensions to the Brexit Transition Period

    Government responded – 3 June 2020

    The Government won’t accept an extension to the transition period and cannot do so under UK law. We are currently holding talks with the EU by videoconference. These will conclude by 31 December 2020.

    20,676 signatures

37. Give Ukrainians on humanitarian visas rights to extend stay and settle in the UK

    Government responded – 27 February 2023

    Our schemes provide Ukrainians with three years’ temporary sanctuary in the UK, until Putin is defeated and they can safely return home. As such, they are not routes for settlement.

    20,659 signatures

38. Pay Carers an allowance equivalent to a fulltime job at the National Living wage

    Government responded – 30 July 2020

    We value the varied levels of support that unpaid carers provide. Those providing significant levels of care receive the Carer’s Allowance, on which the Government will spend £3 billion this year.

    20,610 signatures

39. Pay Slavery Reparations to all Caribbean & African Descendants

    Government responded – 4 August 2020

    The UK deplores the human suffering caused by slavery and the slave trade. They are among the most abhorrent chapters in the history of humanity.

    20,585 signatures

40. Appoint an Allergy Tsar as a champion for people living with allergies

    Government responded – 25 August 2021

    People with allergies continue to be supported through locally commissioned NHS services. New legislation is also being implemented to support those with food allergies through clearer food labelling.

    20,518 signatures

41. Repeal Section 127 of the Communications Act 2003 and expunge all convictions

    Government responded – 21 May 2021

    We are committed to making the UK the safest place to be online while upholding rights to freedom of expression. The Law Commission is currently reviewing harmful and abusive communications online.

    20,340 signatures

42. Establish a Commission to investigate extortionate Car Insurance price rises

    Government responded – 22 January 2024

    Insurance pricing is a commercial decision for insurers. The Financial Conduct Authority, as the independent regulator, requires insurance products to offer fair value and has powers to act.

    20,322 signatures

43. Permanently reduce the Lifetime ISA (LISA) withdrawal penalty from 25% to 20%.

    Government responded – 4 March 2021

    The 25% withdrawal charge protects the Lifetime ISA’s (LISA) status as a long-term savings product. The Government has no plans to permanently reduce this charge to 20%.

    20,289 signatures

44. Free prescriptions for those with a long term and/or chronic condition.

    Government responded – 2 March 2022

    We recognise the impact of chronic illness. 89% of prescription items dispensed in the community in England have no charge. Those not exempt may save money with a prescription prepayment certificate.

    20,258 signatures

45. Recognise all members of NHS nursing profession by giving them a 12.5% pay rise

    Government responded – 22 March 2021

    We have asked the independent NHS Pay Review Body to provide a recommendation on pay for nurses and other Agenda for Change staff and will carefully consider their recommendation when we receive it.

    20,251 signatures

46. The Government to fund either a new bridge or repairs for Hammersmith bridge

    Government responded – 3 November 2020

    The Government wants to make sure that Londoners can move round the capital easily, on public transport, through active travel and on our roads.

    20,248 signatures

47. Condemn Israel for their actions against Palestinians and impose trade ban

    Government responded – 28 April 2023

    The UK regularly engages with Israel over the conduct of the occupation and urges it to comply with international law. We do not believe that trade bans will benefit the peace process.

    20,236 signatures

48. Change legal definition of stillborn to include all delivered babies

    Government responded – 28 June 2022

    The Government recognises the tragedy of pregnancy loss and we are working to better understand what can be done for those who have lost a pregnancy through The Pregnancy Loss Review.

    20,225 signatures

49. Run a public awareness campaign to address driver aggression toward cyclists

    Government responded – 13 July 2021

    The Department for Transport is already reviewing The Highway Code to improve cyclist safety and doesn’t consider that a campaign along the lines specifically requested by this petition is necessary.

    20,225 signatures

50. HM Government to outline a plan to Save Future Travel

    Government responded – 4 November 2020

    Firms can continue to draw upon a range of unprecedented financial support during this period, including billions of pounds worth of loans, grants, tax deferrals and extension of CJRS for workers.

    20,198 signatures

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