Petitions with a Government response

1. Fund free BSL Courses for parents or guardians of deaf children

   Government responded – 10 January 2023

   Adult Education Budget funding is available for British Sign Language (BSL) qualifications, below Level 3. At Level 3 and above Advanced Learner Loans are available for certain BSL qualifications.

   26,671 signatures

2. Increase Carers Allowance to equal 35hrs at National Minimum Wage

   Government responded – 22 April 2021

   Carer’s Allowance is a benefit that provides some financial recognition that a carer may not be able to work full-time. It is part of a range of support based on individual needs, rather than a wage.

   26,454 signatures

3. Introduce an "Ecological Damage Tax" on Astroturf Lawns / Artificial Grass

   Government responded – 31 May 2022

   There are no current plans to introduce a tax on artificial grass. The government keeps all tax policy under review.

   26,442 signatures

4. Protect the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) 2004

   Government responded – 24 April 2023

   Defra is reviewing retained EU law. Our default is to retain regulation as we undertake whether to retain, repeal or reform, rather than automatically allow regulation to fall with the sunset clause.

   26,335 signatures

5. Allow Disabled People to Keep All Their Benefits if They Move in With a Partner

   Government responded – 3 June 2021

   Disabled people are entitled to Income-related Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit if they meet conditions of entitlement depending on their income and capital of their household.

   26,325 signatures

6. Strengthen laws protecting seals

   Government responded – 19 October 2021

   The UK Government recognises that disturbance by the public can be detrimental, and on occasion, fatal to seals. Work to explore the possibility of strengthening legislation is in early stages.

   26,316 signatures

7. Require British Sign Language Interpreters for emergency announcements on TV.

   Government responded – 13 May 2020

   The Government has assessed that in accordance with PHE guidelines, we cannot safely include a BSL interpreter in the room for daily briefings without potentially putting them and others at risk.

   26,306 signatures

8. No hotel quarantine for UK citizens, permanent residents and their families

   Government responded – 26 April 2021

   The Government has put in place a managed quarantine system to protect the public from the spread of Covid-19.

   26,269 signatures

9. Prioritise vaccinations for people with a learning disability

   Government responded – 10 February 2021

   We are working hard to ensure everyone who has been clinically prioritised to receive a vaccine will have access to a vaccine as soon as possible.

   26,127 signatures

10. Extend grants immediately to small businesses outside of SBRR

    Government responded – 29 May 2020

    The business grants schemes are helping many thousands of small businesses and are just one part of the Government’s unprecedented package of support for business during the Covid-19 crisis.

    26,105 signatures

11. Create a new regulatory body to hold NHS managers accountable

    Government responded – 18 September 2023

    The Government is currently considering whether further mechanisms are needed to hold senior NHS managers accountable.

    26,043 signatures

12. Delay implementation of IR35 legislation reform until COVID-19 is resolved

    Government responded – 20 November 2020

    The Government has already delayed this reform until April 2021 in response to COVID-19. The legislation has now received Royal Assent.

    26,006 signatures

13. Require schools provide a vegan meal option every day

    Government responded – 25 April 2022

    Head teachers and governors set their schools’ food policies. We expect them to act reasonably and to work with parents to provide choices that meet dietary and cultural needs, including veganism.

    26,005 signatures

14. Ban smartphones and camera phones for under 16s

    Government responded – 30 April 2024

    The government is committed to making the UK the safest place to be a child online, as evidenced by the Online Safety Act. We are focused on implementing the regime as soon as possible.

    25,981 signatures

15. Seek visa-free travel to Europe for BRP holders

    Government responded – 14 June 2023

    There are no plans to lobby the EU to remove the need for all non-EU/EEA citizens, including UK citizens, to carry a valid passport when visiting the Schengen area. This is not a visa issue.

    25,639 signatures

16. Do not introduce regular bank account checks for benefit claimants

    Government responded – 5 February 2024

    This measure does not give DWP access to claimants’ bank accounts and will only flag information if it is relevant to someone’s eligibility for the benefits they are receiving.

    25,593 signatures

17. To take Portugal off the travel Red List

    Government responded – 19 March 2021

    Portugal was removed from the ‘red list’ at 4am on Friday 19 March following a review of scientific and medical data which indicated the risks of importing a variant of concern have reduced.

    25,291 signatures

18. Investigate UK excess deaths not related to Covid.

    Government responded – 8 February 2023

    A combination of factors has contributed to the number of excess deaths. The government is taking steps to address this and will announce further detail in the forthcoming Major Conditions Strategy.

    25,216 signatures

19. Require Sikhism to be taught in UK schools from Reception upwards

    Government responded – 1 December 2021

    Religious education is compulsory to age 18 and is expected to take account of the teaching and practices of the principal religions represented in Great Britain, including Sikhism.

    25,171 signatures

20. Create a single database of microchipped cats and dogs & make scanning mandatory

    Government responded – 13 January 2021

    The Government has launched a consultation on compulsory microchipping and scanning of cats and dogs and is also reviewing the dog microchipping regulations, including how databases function.

    25,160 signatures

21. Grant cats the same status under the Road Traffic Act 1988 as dogs

    Government responded – 30 June 2020

    The Government has no current plans to amend the Road Traffic Act 1988 (the Act) to grant cats the same status as dogs and other animals mentioned in the Act.

    25,129 signatures

22. Ban development on agricultural land to increase food self-sufficiency

    Government responded – 5 August 2022

    Government has committed to broadly maintaining current levels of food production. National planning policy sets a clear presumption away from developing high-quality agricultural land where possible.

    25,081 signatures

23. Require all businesses and public services to accept cash payments

    Government responded – 22 September 2022

    The Government does not plan to mandate cash acceptance. It is right that organisations choose the forms of payment they accept. The Government has introduced legislation to support access to cash.

    25,021 signatures

24. Increase sentences for one punch assaults that kill to equal those for murder

    Government responded – 16 February 2022

    Manslaughter has a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. It is important that judges are able to sentence appropriately according to all the factors in each case.

    24,808 signatures

25. Make people on disability benefits eligible for the £650 one off payment.

    Government responded – 11 October 2022

    6 million people in receipt of a qualifying disability benefit will receive a £150 payment in September. If they are in receipt of a qualifying benefit, they will also receive the £650 payment.

    24,649 signatures

26. Create an Emergency Carers Support Fund to increase care worker wages

    Government responded – 2 March 2021

    We are immensely proud of our care workers and recognise their commitment. Whilst the government does not set pay for care workers, we have taken steps to support them financially during the pandemic.

    24,633 signatures

27. Make school uniform VAT exempt

    Government responded – 3 April 2023

    School uniform designed for children under 14 is VAT-free. This is when body dimensions begin to merge with the adult population. There are no plans to go further but we keep all taxes under review.

    24,617 signatures

28. Repeal the 2013 and 2017 HS2 Hybrid Bills halting all HS2 works immediately.

    Government responded – 17 April 2020

    The Government has decided that HS2 must go ahead to deliver essential North-South connectivity, greater capacity and shorter journey times alongside a revolution in local transport.

    24,592 signatures

29. Hold a referendum on whether to keep the 2050 net zero target

    Government responded – 29 November 2021

    National referendums are a mechanism to endorse major constitutional change; debates about national policy are best determined through Parliamentary democracy and the holding of elections.

    24,575 signatures

30. Add hedgehogs to Schedule 5 Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

    Government responded – 24 November 2023

    There are no plans to add hedgehogs to Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

    24,515 signatures

31. Change the Sexual Offences Act so women can be charged with rape against males

    Government responded – 31 March 2020

    All non-consensual sexual activity is dealt with by specific serious offences, including those that can be committed by a man or a woman. We have no plans to amend the legal definition of rape.

    24,426 signatures

32. Permit weddings of 5 people (registrar/couple/2 witnesses) during COVID19

    Government responded – 2 July 2020

    The Government understands the huge significance of weddings to couples planning to get married. From 4 July, wedding ceremonies and civil partnership ceremonies will be able to take place in England.

    24,327 signatures

33. Introduce a progressive licensing system for young drivers under the age of 25

    Government responded – 13 March 2024

    Whilst there are no published plans to introduce tougher restrictions on new drivers, the Department keeps driving licensing requirements under review.

    24,296 signatures

34. Do not impose any new requirements on parents who are home educating

    Government responded – 20 August 2021

    The Government remains committed to a registration system for Children Not in School (CNIS). Further details will be set out in the Government’s upcoming response to its CNIS consultation.

    24,262 signatures

35. Create an earned amnesty route for migrants without leave to remain

    Government responded – 14 May 2020

    The Immigration Rules already provide for undocumented migrants to regularise their status.

    24,242 signatures

36. Make the £20 per week uplift to Universal Credit permanent.

    Government responded – 20 September 2021

    The Government always intended the £20 per week increase to be a temporary measure, connected to support during the COVID-19 pandemic. It will not be incorporated permanently into the standard rate.

    24,210 signatures

37. Increase minimum and maximum sentences for all sexual offences

    Government responded – 2 November 2021

    We are committed to keeping people safe from all forms of sexual violence. Those found guilty of these horrendous crimes should receive sentences which reflect the seriousness of these offences.

    24,185 signatures

38. Condemn the US government for the use of force against its citizens

    Government responded – 26 June 2020

    The UK Government has already been clear the violence we saw in the US was very alarming, and we have raised our concerns with the US Government.

    24,072 signatures

39. Regulate and licence all retired greyhound kennel premises

    Government responded – 3 March 2021

    Defra supports high welfare for racing greyhounds, including for retired racing greyhounds, and has not ruled out legislating for welfare standards at greyhound trainers’ kennels.

    24,064 signatures

40. Allow fitness classes to resume in areas with tier 3 restrictions

    Government responded – 21 December 2020

    Sports and physical activity facilities are crucial for adults and children to stay active. The Government’s phased approach is based on scientific and medical advice to protect public health.

    23,765 signatures

41. Ban imports of hunting trophies of endangered animals

    Government responded – 9 January 2024

    We will continue working to deliver our manifesto commitment to ban the import of hunting trophies from endangered animals, which has overwhelming support from MPs and the public.

    23,657 signatures

42. Hold a public inquiry into the 2016 EU membership referendum

    Government responded – 21 July 2020

    The legality of the EU referendum is beyond doubt, which is why there are no plans for an inquiry. The referendum result should be respected, which is why the UK has now left the European Union.

    23,600 signatures

43. Save the bees: cut hazardous pesticides and support nature-friendly farming

    Government responded – 8 August 2022

    The Government is committed to developing and implementing policies that support sustainable crop protection with the minimum use of pesticides.

    23,460 signatures

44. Reverse the requirement for parents on UC to be available to work for 30 hours

    Government responded – 7 November 2023

    This measure, now introduced, enhances Jobcentre support for parents, reflecting increasing help with childcare. 30 hours is a maximum work requirement, with commitments tailored to circumstances.

    23,283 signatures

45. Apply to Join the European Union (EU)

    Government responded – 9 November 2022

    The UK has left the EU, fulfilling the Government’s commitment to take back control of our money, border and laws. This delivers the result of the 2016 referendum.

    23,280 signatures

46. Place the UAE on the UK Travel Corridor list

    Government responded – 24 November 2020

    The UAE was added to the government’s travel corridors list at 4am on Saturday 14 November.

    23,127 signatures

47. Extend the furlough scheme for high-risk people who can't safely return to work.

    Government responded – 24 August 2020

    Previously furloughed employees who are unable to work from home but are still Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) can still be furloughed flexibly under the CJRS until the end of October.

    23,051 signatures

48. Exempt driving tests and lessons from COVID-19 restrictions

    Government responded – 12 January 2021

    The Government is doing whatever is necessary to deal with COVID-19. To stop the spread of the virus and keep everyone safe, routine practical driving lessons and tests are currently suspended.

    23,047 signatures

49. Extend cost of living payments to low income households beyond February 2024

    Government responded – 1 February 2024

    The Government has provided £104 billion over 2022-25 to help with the cost of living. We currently have no plans to extend Cost of Living Payments, however we keep all measures under constant review.

    23,043 signatures

50. Raise the personal tax allowance to £15,000

    Government responded – 19 April 2024

    The Government has nearly doubled the Personal Allowance since 2010, ensuring the lowest earners pay no income tax. As with all tax policy, the Government keeps the Personal Allowance under review.

    22,911 signatures

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