Petitions with a Government response

1. Give the hedgehog better legal protection in order to reverse its decline.

   Government responded – 16 March 2016

   We support measures to help hedgehogs. We do not believe it is appropriate to list hedgehogs as a protected species, which is best reserved for species deliberately killed or injured by humans.

   50,399 signatures

2. Public review into the decision to close the Children's Heart Unit Leicester

   Government responded – 28 September 2016

   No final decisions have been taken about the future of Leicester or any other congenital heart diseases services in England. The aim is to secure the best possible, sustainable outcomes for patients.

   48,796 signatures

3. Give parents who work full time,free childcare

   Government responded – 29 September 2016

   From September 2017 working parents of 3- and 4-year-olds will be eligible to a total of 30 hours free early education a week.

   48,775 signatures

4. Scrap Fracking UK Wide & Invest in Green Energy

   Government responded – 6 August 2015

   To ensure we have secure, affordable, clean energy supplies for our families and businesses, we will need a diverse energy mix, including significant quantities of renewables, nuclear and gas.

   47,972 signatures

5. Stop the resale of concert tickets at inflated prices on secondary websites.

   Government responded – 20 February 2017

   That legislation bans unauthorised re-selling of football tickets. In 2016 different laws governing concert ticket resales were independently reviewed. The resulting report proposed no legal changes.

   46,663 signatures

6. Don't ban Trump from the United Kingdom

   Government responded – 29 December 2015

   The Government has a policy of not routinely commenting on individual immigration or exclusion cases.

   46,622 signatures

7. To debate a vote of no confidence in DWP secretary Ian Duncan Smith

   Government responded – 12 August 2015

   Out-of-work benefits mortality statistics need to meet the high standards expected of official statistics. Once we have completed that important work, the Department intends to publish them.

   46,161 signatures

8. Make it illegal for MPs to own shares in a company with gov/nhs/police contracts

   Government responded – 11 December 2015

   Members of Parliament are required to declare any interests they may have that could influence their conduct as an MP. The register of interests is published on the internet and is updated monthly.

   45,994 signatures

9. Pursue a free movement treaty between the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada

   Government responded – 7 July 2016

   The UK values its close co-operation with Australia, Canada and New Zealand. There are already a number of schemes that give nationals of those countries the ability to come to work in the UK.

   45,800 signatures

10. Extend Harvey's Mandate To All Council Roads ensuring all animals are scanned.

    Government responded – 11 September 2015

    The Government recognises the distress of owners who lose a beloved pet. A main focus for this Government is to make our roads safer for all users, which will in turn reduce the risk to all animals.

    45,624 signatures

11. As soon as the UK exits the EU legislate to end the export of live farm animals.

    Government responded – 6 April 2017

    The Government would prefer animals to be slaughtered close to the point of production. Once the UK has left the EU, there will be the possibility to consider further measures in this area.

    45,413 signatures

12. Ensure the Education Secretary is a qualified teacher with many years experience

    Government responded – 24 May 2016

    The Prime Minister appointed Nicky Morgan to the role of Education Secretary as he believes she is ideally suited to the position

    44,665 signatures

13. We require any BRexit deal preserves UK access to EU collaborative R&D programs.

    Government responded – 9 September 2016

    The Government recognises the value of global collaboration for innovative science and technology as it seeks to secure the best deal possible to maintain the UK’s world leading status in this area.

    43,435 signatures

14. Keep Universal Infant Free School Meals in schools in England

    Government responded – 1 October 2015

    The Government is currently conducting a Spending Review across all its programmes. No decisions have yet been taken.

    43,261 signatures

15. Pay £350m per week to NHS or re-run EU Referendum

    Government responded – 13 March 2017

    The country voted to leave the European Union in a referendum approved by an Act of Parliament.

    41,382 signatures

16. Only British voters should be allowed to vote in the EU referendum

    Government responded – 15 March 2016

    As an issue of national significance, the Parliamentary franchise is the appropriate starting point. This follows precedent, including the 1975 vote on membership of the European Economic Community.

    40,518 signatures

17. Allow parents over age of 65 to join British Citizens, as adult dependents.

    Government responded – 24 November 2015

    The Immigration Rules for adult dependent relatives provide a route for those who require a level of long-term personal care that can only be provided in the UK by their relative here.

    39,560 signatures

18. Ban Palm Oil in products produced or sold in the UK

    Government responded – 29 November 2016

    In 2012 Defra published a statement on sustainable palm oil production, setting out the UK’s ambition to work towards achieving 100% sourcing of credibly certified sustainable oil by the end of 2015.

    39,290 signatures

19. Give EU citizens living & working in the UK the right to vote in EU Referendum .

    Government responded – 15 March 2016

    As an issue of national significance, the Parliamentary franchise is the appropriate starting point. This follows precedent, including the 1975 vote on membership of the European Economic Community.

    39,088 signatures

20. Reverse the decision to allowing fracking under our national parks.

    Government responded – 8 February 2016

    Our regulations introduce an extra layer of protection, adding to existing protections. They define sensitive areas in which operators cannot frack by prohibiting fracking above 1,200 metres in them.

    38,732 signatures

21. Agree to a second referendum on Scottish Independence

    Government responded – 30 March 2017

    The UK Government is clear that now is not the time for a second independence referendum.

    38,515 signatures

22. To reconsider the proposed significant and unreasonable increase in probate fees

    Government responded – 5 April 2017

    The Government is reforming fees for grants of probate by replacing flat fees with a new fairer and proportionate tiered structure, where the fee payable relates to the value of the estate.

    38,425 signatures

23. Abraxane MUST be put back on CDF list to improve survival of pancreatic cancer

    Government responded – 16 September 2015

    The Government believes that clinically appropriate and cost-effective drugs should be routinely available to NHS patients with pancreatic cancer.

    38,070 signatures

24. Reconsider The National Funding Formula so that NO child at school will LOSE out

    Government responded – 2 March 2017

    School funding is at its highest ever level - more than £40 billion in 2016-17. We are consulting on our proposed national funding formula, and we are keen to hear from as many people as possible.

    37,928 signatures

25. Assess full impact of all cuts to support & social care for disabled people

    Government responded – 29 October 2015

    The Government is committed to a fair tax and welfare system. Every individual policy change is carefully considered, including looking at the effect on disabled people in line with legal obligations.

    37,685 signatures

26. We call on the Government to commit to a new national stroke strategy

    Government responded – 25 July 2016

    Action is being taken to ensure we continue to make progress on stroke. The stroke strategy remains valid and as implementation continues, there are no current plans to renew it.

    37,282 signatures

27. Scrap IR35 legislation reform proposals for public sector off-payroll workers.

    Government responded – 8 February 2017

    Reforming the off-payroll working rules in the public sector will ensure that all public sector bodies, and those who work for them, pay the right amount of tax.

    37,252 signatures

28. Reform the system of obtaining Permanent Residence Certification/Card (PR)

    Government responded – 25 January 2017

    The rights of EEA and Swiss citizens in the UK remain unchanged. The Government wants to protect their status, subject to reciprocal protection for British citizens living in other EU countries.

    37,155 signatures

29. Give legal protection to the professional title 'veterinary nurse'

    Government responded – 8 January 2016

    We recognise the important role that veterinary nurses have in animal care, but we do not recommend that Parliament should give legal protection to the title.

    36,865 signatures

30. Hold a referendum on TTIP before we give away our sovereignty

    Government responded – 24 September 2015

    The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership does not threaten UK sovereignty. The Government has made it clear that its freedom to regulate in the public interest will be explicitly protected.

    36,776 signatures

31. Ban schools from serving halal meat to children without parents' consent

    Government responded – 28 September 2015

    The government does not ban food on religious grounds in schools. Informed choices are best ensured by schools taking into account cultural, religious and dietary needs and working with parents.

    36,371 signatures

32. Stop the government from slashing disabled benefits

    Government responded – 5 April 2016

    The Government will spend more on disability benefits in each year to 2020 than was spent in 2010 and has made clear that it does not intend to change the rules for Personal Independence Payment

    36,320 signatures

33. Stop all benefits to illegal immigrants completely.

    Government responded – 21 December 2015

    Illegal immigrants and failed asylum seekers are not entitled to, and do not get, benefits from the UK’s welfare system.

    36,199 signatures

34. Prevent Obama From Speaking In Westminster Regarding The In/Out Referendum..

    Government responded – 2 March 2016

    It is an established convention that members of either House can invite whoever they wish and in whatever capacity, to Parliament, to discuss and speak on a wide range of issues.

    35,492 signatures

35. Allow transgender people to self-define their legal gender

    Government responded – 11 September 2015

    The gender recognition process in the Gender Recognition Act 2004 was developed as a result of the Government’s commitment to allowing trans people to gain legal recognition in their acquired gender.

    35,352 signatures

36. Make offering Gay Conversion Therapy a criminal offence in the UK

    Government responded – 15 March 2017

    This Government does not believe that being lesbian, gay or bisexual is an illness to be treated.

    35,046 signatures

37. Make British Sign Language part of the National Curriculum.

    Government responded – 22 February 2017

    British Sign Language was recognised as a language in its own right by the government in 2003.Whilst it is not a mandatory part of the curriculum, schools are free to teach it if they choose to do so.

    34,977 signatures

38. Free Sergeant Alexander Blackman

    Government responded – 20 October 2015

    The Government recognises that our Armed Forces are made up of extraordinary people doing an extraordinary job, often in extremely difficult and dangerous circumstances.

    34,440 signatures

39. Ban driven grouse shooting

    Government responded – 17 September 2015

    Defra is working with key stakeholders to ensure the sustainable management of uplands, balancing environmental and economic benefits, which includes the role of sustainable grouse shooting.

    33,655 signatures

40. We demand a Public Inquiry into the UK Government's culture of lying to voters

    Government responded – 25 July 2016

    The Government refutes the assertions in this petition which do not reflect how this Government operates. This Government is one of the most transparent in the world.

    33,556 signatures

41. Exempt grants for academic research from new 'anti-lobbying' regulation

    Government responded – 4 May 2016

    It is not the Government’s intention for the Research Councils, the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) or the National Academies to be covered by the new clause on government grants.

    33,414 signatures

42. Stop all holiday companies and airlines putting prices up during school holidays

    Government responded – 18 January 2016

    We sympathise with parents struggling to afford a holiday but our policy is not to intervene when markets function normally. In a competitive market, prices are inevitably higher during peak periods.

    33,044 signatures

43. Repeal the 1972 European Communities Act immediately on EU Referendum OUT vote.

    Government responded – 13 July 2016

    The rules for exit are set out in Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. As the Prime Minister said on 27 June, this is the only legal way that has been set out to leave the EU.

    32,943 signatures

44. The NHS must never be privatised and remain a free, publicly funded UK service.

    Government responded – 24 January 2017

    The Government remains committed to the principles of the National Health Service, enshrined in the NHS Constitution, that access to NHS services is based on clinical need, not the ability to pay.

    32,404 signatures

45. Let the general public participate when the government sells its Lloyds stake.

    Government responded – 9 November 2016

    The government remains committed to returning Lloyds to the private sector, where it belongs, in the way that delivers best value for the taxpayer.

    31,846 signatures

46. Compulsory teaching of Politics and International relations at GCSE level

    Government responded – 15 September 2016

    This government’s plan for education aims to ensure that all young people are prepared to make a positive contribution to British society.

    31,578 signatures

47. Set up Independent Pump-Watch body to monitor and regulate vehicle fuel pricing

    Government responded – 8 December 2016

    Government monitors fuel prices and both rises and falls in crude oil price reach the pumps within 7 weeks. A competitive market is the best way to keep prices low; a new regulator is not necessary.

    31,522 signatures

48. Stop a new Thames Crossing being built in Thurrock

    Government responded – 15 March 2016

    The current consultation is seeking the views of local communities on the options for the new Thames Crossing. The Government will take all these views into account before making any decision

    31,408 signatures

49. Abolished fees for Naturalisation for Polish people working in UK over 5 years.

    Government responded – 15 March 2017

    The rights of EEA and Swiss citizens in the UK remain unchanged. The Government wants to protect their status, subject to reciprocal protection for British citizens living in other EU countries.

    31,357 signatures

50. Remove the need to display a front number plate on a vehicle in the UK

    Government responded – 6 July 2016

    In the interests of road safety and to support law enforcement, the Government will not be changing the legal requirement for vehicles to display front and back number plates.

    31,122 signatures

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