{"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions.json?page=1&state=awaiting_debate","first":"https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions.json?state=awaiting_debate","last":"https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions.json?state=awaiting_debate","next":null,"prev":null},"data":[{"type":"petition","id":730605,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/730605.json"},"attributes":{"action":"Mandatory collection and publication of certain child sexual offender data","background":"Place a statutory requirement on councils, the police, the Crown Prosecution Service and all other related institutions to collect, record and publish the nationality, ethnicity, immigration status and religion of child sexual offenders, including gang based crime.","additional_details":"To protect children and inform public policy, we believe it is essential to collect, record and publish the nationality, ethnicity, immigration status and religion of all child sexual offenders, including gang based crime. This data will allow for better understanding of offender demographics, ensure transparency, and support targeted safeguarding strategies. Without this information, critical patterns may be missed, weakening efforts to prevent abuse and protect vulnerable children.","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":260974,"created_at":"2025-06-17T07:57:36.152Z","updated_at":"2026-05-01T09:27:56.323Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2025-07-16T13:00:46.177Z","closed_at":"2026-01-16T23:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2025-06-17T08:09:50.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2025-07-16T15:07:40.000Z","government_response_at":"2025-07-30T14:40:37.703Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2025-07-16T21:58:20.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":"2026-05-01","scheduled_debate_date":"2026-06-01","debate_outcome_at":null,"creator_name":null,"rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2025-12-05","summary":"The Government is already taking action to increase the collection and transparency of data on the demographic characteristics of individuals responsible for group-based child sexual exploitation.","details":"The Government is determined to protect children from the horrors of grooming gangs and other forms of sexual abuse and exploitation. In February 2025, the Prime Minister and then Home Secretary commissioned Baroness Louise Casey of Blackstock to evaluate the understanding of the scale, nature and drivers of group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA), including assessing data on the ethnicity of perpetrators. Her National Audit was published on Monday 16 June, and can be found here – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-audit-on-group-based-child-sexual-exploitation-and-abuse.  \n\nThe Government immediately accepted the twelve recommendations from Baroness Casey’s Audit, which included making it a requirement for the police to collect the ethnicity and nationality data of individuals suspected of being members of grooming gangs or perpetrators of other group-based child sexual exploitation (recommendation four).  \n\nIn July this year, the former Home Secretary wrote to all Chief Constables to set out the clear expectation that ethnicity data on child sexual exploitation and grooming gang suspects should be collected in every case, and to urge them to make sure they are fulfilling their obligation to collect suspect ethnicity data as part of the Government's commitment to transparency and accountability. The Home Office is closely monitoring data collection and provision from forces and continues to engage with individual forces on where improvements are required. If we do not see improvements, we will not hesitate to take further action.  \n\nIn respect of nationality data, the Ministry of Justice already includes data on the nationality of persons within the prison system in its quarterly offender management statistics, here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/offender-management-statistics-quarterly.  In addition, the Home Office has committed to review the data that it collects and publishes regarding the nationalities and offences committed by foreign national offenders who are subject to deportation proceedings. Further details of that review process can be found here:  \nhttps://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/statistics-on-foreign-national-offenders-and-the-immigration-system. \n\nRecommendation four of Baroness Casey’s Audit did not include the collection of data on religion and immigration status. There is no current mechanism to collect such data on religion, other than through any declaration made by the perpetrator themselves, which would weaken both the accuracy and comprehensiveness of any analysis based on that data. \n\nMore broadly, as part of implementing the Casey Audit recommendations, we will nonetheless be looking at how safeguarding agencies (including the police, local authorities, schools and health services) are using information and intelligence to disrupt and prosecute those committing these terrible crimes and ensure victims and survivors are protected. \n\nWe will also continually seek to deepen our understanding of the drivers behind child grooming gangs and other group-based child sexual exploitation and abuse and ensure that as many as possible of the perpetrators responsible for these heinous crimes – whether non-recent or contemporary – are investigated and brought to justice. \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/730605)","created_at":"2025-07-30T14:40:37.701Z","updated_at":"2025-12-16T17:38:50.218Z"},"debate":null,"departments":[{"acronym":"HO","name":"Home Office","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/home-office"}],"topics":[]}},{"type":"petition","id":752673,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/752673.json"},"attributes":{"action":"Act to ensure Bills backed by MPs & public can complete all stages in Parliament","background":"We want the Government to do everything in its power to ensure that when bills are supported by MPs & the public, they have the time to complete all their stages in Parliament. We believe this is important to uphold democracy.","additional_details":"We believe the decision of MPs must be respected, especially on matters of social change, and that unelected Lords have a responsibility to scrutinise bills, not block them. With over 1,000 amendments tabled to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, most by just a handful of Lords, we are concerned that it will run out of time. MPs have voted for it and a poll has found over 70% of the public back it. While the Government is neutral, it must uphold democracy. We believe it must act so the Bill can progress.","committee_note":"","state":"open","signature_count":114091,"closing_date":"2026-08-04","created_at":"2025-11-29T11:57:32.414Z","updated_at":"2026-05-14T07:09:20.000Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2026-02-04T10:31:36.517Z","closed_at":null,"moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2025-11-29T12:22:40.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2026-02-06T17:00:20.000Z","government_response_at":"2026-02-26T15:48:54.427Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2026-03-16T19:35:50.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":"2026-05-01","scheduled_debate_date":"2026-06-08","debate_outcome_at":null,"creator_name":"Sophie Blake","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2026-02-26","summary":"Parliament is the supreme legislative authority in the UK and is responsible for making law. A Bill must be passed by both Houses of Parliament to become law.","details":"Parliamentary sovereignty is a fundamental principle of the UK’s constitutional settlement. This means that it is Parliament, not the Government, that holds the power to make or repeal any law. The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill was introduced to the House of Commons as a Private Member’s Bill (PMB), and on the question of assisted dying, the Government has remained neutral on the Bill throughout its parliamentary stages.\n\nThe primacy of the House of Commons, as the elected House, is an established constitutional principle, and is reflected in the provisions of the Parliament Acts of 1911 and 1949, which reduced the House of Lords’ power to delay legislation against the will of the Commons. \n\nThe House of Lords is independent of both the House of Commons and the Government. The Government respects the important role played by the Lords in scrutinising legislation according to the conventions and procedures of the Lords. \n\nAs the Leader of the House of Commons has said, once the House of Lords have completed their scrutiny of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, the Government will, if necessary, find time in this current session for the House of Commons to consider any amendments they propose.\n\nOffice of the Leader of the House of Commons","created_at":"2026-02-26T15:48:54.423Z","updated_at":"2026-02-26T15:48:54.423Z"},"debate":null,"departments":[{"acronym":"CO","name":"Cabinet Office","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/cabinet-office"}],"topics":[]}},{"type":"petition","id":737105,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/737105.json"},"attributes":{"action":"Introduce offshore detention/mass deportation for illegal migrants","background":"The Government should seek to establish offshore detention facilities for individuals who enter the UK illegally, to process them and arrange their deportation.\r\n \r\n\r\n","additional_details":"The UK is facing unprecedented levels of illegal migration, particularly through small boat crossings. We believe current use of hotels and temporary accommodation is unsustainable, costly and dangerous.\r\n\r\nWe believe that establishing offshore detention centres would act as a strong deterrent, prevent absconding, and allow for the swift processing and removal of those who enter illegally.\r\n \r\nWe consider the detention and mass deportation of all illegal migrants in the UK is a necessity.\r\n","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":720773,"created_at":"2025-08-11T15:09:44.204Z","updated_at":"2026-04-27T10:00:26.017Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2025-09-12T15:58:14.530Z","closed_at":"2026-03-12T23:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2025-08-11T15:38:00.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2025-09-15T09:19:50.000Z","government_response_at":"2026-01-21T09:39:01.426Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2025-09-15T14:50:20.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":null,"debate_outcome_at":null,"creator_name":null,"rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2026-01-21","summary":"This Government is doing whatever it takes to secure our borders; though offshore detention is costly and impractical, the most sweeping asylum reforms in a generation are being introduced. ","details":"We will do whatever it takes to secure our borders. We believe the number of small boat crossings are shameful and the British people deserve better. To restore order and control to our borders, on 17 November 2025, the Home Secretary announced the most sweeping reforms to tackle illegal migration in decades, removing incentives that bring illegal migrants to the UK and scaling up and easing the return of those with no right to be here. More information on these major changes can be found here - \n\nhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/asylum-and-returns-policy-statement. \n\nThese reforms will end the UK’s asylum ‘golden ticket’ which has drawn migrants from safe countries across Europe. We are taking a new approach to refugee protection in the UK, which marks a significant change in direction away from an assumption of offering permanent protection, and towards a more basic, and temporary protection, which we call ‘core protection’ lasting only until a refugee can safely return home. Refugee status will become temporary, reviewed every 30 months, with a 20-year path to settlement, ensuring long-term commitment and integration. \n\nTo reduce other pull factors, we have increased illegal working arrests and raids to the highest level in British history, so that there is nowhere to hide. The number of raids has soared by 77% in the UK since the Government came to power, with 17,400 raids made to dodgy businesses - such as nail bars or barbers – leading to an 83% rise in arrests (July 2024 to end of 2025). This major uplift and over 12,300 arrests were made possible by a £5 million funding boost last year for Immigration Enforcement, to pursue this criminality. The crackdown builds on other work to reduce the lure of illegal working that gangs use to sell spaces on small boats.\n\nOn small boats, our partnership with France led to 20,000 fewer crossings in 2025, and this Government’s landmark UK-France returns agreement means those arriving risk immediate detention and removal. Since this pilot was introduced over 150 people have been removed in this way. To further reduce arrivals, we are giving police new stronger powers to act earlier to disrupt and take down the operations of criminal smuggling gangs.\n\nMore broadly, 50,000 illegal migrants have been removed or deported from British soil since July 2024 - a 23% increase compared to the previous 16-month period before July 2024. We shall go further by returning people to countries that are now safe – eg Syria – and by returning families with no right to be here. As part of this, we are reforming human rights laws so that in deportation cases involving ECHR Article 8 (right to respect for private and family life), the British public interest is given an appropriate weight. We are working closely with international partners to reform interpretation of Article 3 (inhuman or degrading treatment) so it is limited to the most serious forms of ill-treatment in the first place. \n\nTo ease removals, this Government will stop at nothing to secure cooperation from all countries to ensure swift and efficient return of those with no right to be in the UK. Where countries fail to cooperate, action will follow, including, where necessary, the use of visa penalties. The UK has already threatened such action on Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Namibia, due to historical poor cooperation. This has already resulted in improvements to cooperation from Namibia and Angola, while the UK has imposed a first set of visa measures on DRC targeting VIPs and diplomatic passport holders. The UK keeps such cooperation under constant review, and will not hesitate to take further such action, where required.\n\nThis Government is furious at the number of asylum hotels in this country. We will close every one by the end of this Parliament. Progress is already being made: from over 400 asylum hotels open in summer 2023, costing almost £9 million a day, there are now fewer than 200 in use. We are working to move asylum seekers to more suitable sites such as disused military bases, to ease pressure on our communities. \n\nThis Government is restoring order and control to our borders.\n\nHome Office","created_at":"2026-01-21T09:39:01.423Z","updated_at":"2026-01-21T09:39:01.423Z"},"debate":null,"departments":[{"acronym":"HO","name":"Home Office","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/home-office"}],"topics":[]}},{"type":"petition","id":737327,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/737327.json"},"attributes":{"action":"Require non-stunned and stunned meat to be labelled accordingly","background":"We think it should be required that the labelling of non-stunned and stunned meat be clearly labelled throughout the food chain. This includes shops, supermarkets, suppliers, fast food and restaurants","additional_details":"This would include labels on every product available to consumers\r\nWe think UK government should implement mandatory method of slaughter labelling for all meat products Stunned or Non-Stunned. For all industries linked to food, including but not limited to shops, supermarkets, schools, restaurants, fast food, cafes and suppliers\r\n\r\nWe think this promotes consumer choice, enhances transparency, especially for religion and ethics\r\n\r\nWe think no one should be forced to consume food which doesn't meet their ethical and religious choices, they should have the right to choose without prejudice","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":115954,"created_at":"2025-08-12T21:54:34.983Z","updated_at":"2026-04-27T10:00:26.007Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2025-09-01T15:46:45.172Z","closed_at":"2026-03-01T23:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2025-08-12T22:46:20.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2025-10-17T23:25:10.000Z","government_response_at":"2025-11-10T16:01:22.926Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2026-01-24T10:11:20.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":null,"debate_outcome_at":null,"creator_name":null,"rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2025-12-22","summary":"Whilst there is no regulatory requirement for labelling of meat from animals slaughtered without stunning, any information of this nature must be accurate and must not be misleading to the consumer.","details":"The government encourages the highest standards of animal welfare at slaughter and would prefer all animals to be stunned before slaughter, but the government respects the rights of Jews and Muslims to eat meat prepared in accordance with their religious beliefs. The first national legislative requirement for stunning before slaughter was – in England and Wales – the Slaughter of Animals Act 1933. The Act also introduced an exception from the requirement to stun when animals are slaughtered in accordance with religious rites, for the food of Muslims and Jews.\n\nWhilst currently there are no regulations that require the labelling of meat from animals slaughtered without stunning, where any information of this nature is provided it must be accurate and must not be misleading to the consumer. Additionally, major retailers have sourcing policies requiring that fresh meat comes from animals that have been stunned before slaughter. They may operate limited concessions for halal or kosher food that will be clearly labelled. Some farm assurance schemes, such as Red Tractor and RSPCA Assured, require stunning before slaughter.\n\nA consultation on proposals to improve and extend current method of production labelling was undertaken last year by the previous government. The consultation sought views on options for the production standards behind the label, including the period of life which should be covered by the standards. The government’s response to this consultation is available on https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/fairer-food-labelling. The government will consider the potential role of this labelling as part of the ongoing development of the government’s wider animal welfare strategy. This includes consideration of the period of life that could be covered by labelling standards, up to and including whether the animal is stunned before slaughter. \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/737327","created_at":"2025-11-10T16:01:22.924Z","updated_at":"2026-01-13T15:46:40.358Z"},"debate":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":"petition","id":740671,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/740671.json"},"attributes":{"action":"Introduce new tax code for state pensioners with double the personal allowance","background":"We want the government to introduce a new tax code for state pensioners, set at double the basic threshold. If this was implemented, pensioners would receive a higher tax-exempt limit, but wealthier pensioners would still pay tax.","additional_details":"We think that people with small private or workplace pensions are currently being taxed unfairly.","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":119206,"created_at":"2025-09-10T14:25:57.624Z","updated_at":"2026-04-02T16:46:50.000Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2025-10-01T12:27:17.567Z","closed_at":"2026-04-01T22:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2025-09-10T23:20:20.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2025-11-15T15:18:20.000Z","government_response_at":"2025-12-09T17:56:16.659Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2026-02-11T22:53:00.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":null,"debate_outcome_at":null,"creator_name":null,"rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2025-12-09","summary":"The State Pension is the foundation of support for pensioners. The Government is committed to a fair tax system but doubling the Personal Allowance for pensioners would be untargeted and costly.","details":"The State Pension is the foundation of support available to pensioners. The government is committed to the Triple Lock – one of the most generous State Pension uprating mechanisms in the world – for the duration of this Parliament. This will increase the basic and new State Pension by 4.8% next April, boosting pensioner incomes by up to £575 a year and strengthening retirement security. \n\nThe Personal Allowance is already the highest amongst G7 countries. Doubling this allowance for all pensioners would be costly and untargeted – disproportionately benefitting higher income pensioners.\n\nAs announced at the Budget, the government will ease the administrative burden for pensioners whose sole income is the basic or new State Pension without any increments so that they do not have to pay small amounts of tax via Simple Assessment from 2027-28, if the new or basic State Pension exceeds the Personal Allowance from that point. The government is exploring the best way to achieve this and will set out more detail next year.\n\nHM Treasury","created_at":"2025-12-09T17:56:16.656Z","updated_at":"2025-12-09T17:56:16.656Z"},"debate":null,"departments":[{"acronym":"HMT","name":"HM Treasury","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-treasury"}],"topics":[]}},{"type":"petition","id":755980,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/755980.json"},"attributes":{"action":"Review the evidence and fund the addition of SMA to the Newborn Screening Test","background":"We urge the UK Government to fund and help fast-track the process to add SMA to the NHS newborn heel-prick test. SMA is a rare genetic condition with devastating consequences if not treated early. Every baby should be screened at birth to allow early diagnosis and access to life-changing treatment.","additional_details":"SMA was one of the leading genetic causes of infant mortality: up to 90% of untreated babies either died before age two or required permanent ventilation. It is now treatable, but treatment is most effective before symptoms appear. Early diagnosis can give babies the chance at a life without severe disability. Without screening, many babies are diagnosed too late. The damage already caused to their mobility, breathing and swallowing cannot be reversed. Scotland has committed to piloting SMA newborn screening this year. All babies should have the same chance. No child should suffer avoidable harm.","committee_note":"","state":"open","signature_count":149381,"closing_date":"2026-08-09","created_at":"2026-01-04T20:34:00.006Z","updated_at":"2026-05-14T07:59:00.000Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2026-02-09T11:05:19.553Z","closed_at":null,"moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2026-01-04T20:44:40.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2026-02-12T12:56:10.000Z","government_response_at":"2026-03-03T21:55:10.880Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2026-02-13T18:48:10.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":null,"debate_outcome_at":null,"creator_name":"Jesy Nelson","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2026-03-04","summary":"The NHS is planning an in-service evaluation offering SMA screening to newborn babies in England. This will inform a decision on whether to extend the NHS newborn blood spot screening programme.","details":"The Government is grateful to campaigners who have made a powerful case for doing more on screening for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). We are committed to seeing more children with SMA not just surviving but thriving.\n\nMinisters and the NHS in all four nations of the United Kingdom are advised on all screening matters by the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), an independent scientific advisory committee which is made up of leading medical and screening experts. Where the Committee is confident that to offer screening provides more good than harm, they recommend a screening programme. Ministers in each of the four nations then make a decision on whether to accept the recommendation.\n\nAs recommended by the UK NSC, we are working at pace to roll out an In-Service Evaluation (ISE) in NHS screening services in England. An ISE is used where a change in screening policy is justified by strong evidence, but important evidence gaps still remain that can only reasonably be filled by evaluation in a live NHS setting. The UK NSC uses ISEs to support its screening recommendation process and inform wider policy decisions about screening.\n\nThere are a number of areas where evidence gaps exist which an ISE of newborn screening for SMA will help to fill:\n\n1. Feasibility\nThe ISE will test the optimum clinical pathway and test methodology within the context of a nationally delivered newborn blood spot programme in the NHS, ensuring the safe movement of babies through the screening pathway. This includes testing the logistics of administering a programme that is delivered consistently by multiple geographically separated and commissioned screening and genetics laboratories, treatment referral centres and IT systems, including the establishing of sustainable data collection systems for longer-term outcomes.\n\n2. Acceptability\nWork is required to understand the acceptability and experience of families of screened babies and the healthcare professionals involved in the screening pathway, for example with regard to the timing and mode of delivery of results. This will support future decision making on the optimal screening pathway.\n\n3. Effectiveness\nScreening for SMA aims to screen, diagnose and treat babies before they have symptoms. The ISE will evaluate the timescales that can be met by UK services at important stages of the screening pathway, such as for result availability, clinical referral and the start of any treatment. The performance of SMA tests in an NHS environment needs to be evaluated to ensure the screening programme demonstrates test characteristics, such as accuracy, reproducibility, resilience and operational utility.\n\nAs the drugs to treat the underlying biology of SMA are quite new, there is no evidence on their long-term clinical effectiveness, so evaluating this within the context of the NHS Newborn Blood Spot Screening Programme is important. Gaining more data on short-term outcomes will contribute evidence as to how clinically effective screening in the UK is.\n\nAs the long-term effectiveness of novel treatments is currently unknown, the ISE will allow for sustainable longer-term health outcome monitoring systems to be established. This will provide an essential capability for assessing the effectiveness of the screening programme. This includes metrics such as health states, quality of life, mortality and psychosocial outcomes.\n\n1. Cost-effectiveness\nThe economic model commissioned by the UK NSC estimates that SMA screening in the UK is likely to be cost-saving or cost-effective. However, there are important uncertainties that could affect the accuracy and conclusions of the model. The ISE will therefore identify further information to allow both clinical and cost-effectiveness to be assessed, using real world UK data. This includes:\n\n• costs involved in screening \n• clinical effectiveness of presymptomatic and symptomatic treatment and the impact of diagnostic delay on presymptomatic babies\n• long-term effectiveness of treatment\n• how accurate the screening tests are \n• which treatments patients receive and how effective these treatments are \n• incidence of SMA in the UK\n\nThe research component of the ISE is being commissioned via the National Institute for Health and Care Research. A decision on funding is expected in spring 2026.  The Secretary of State has asked NHSE to look at what can be done to move faster on the rollout of the ISE, and whether it would be feasible to extend the ISE to the whole of England.\n\nThe planning and development of the ISE is being overseen by a partnership board that includes:\n\n• screening experts from the four UK governments and from the NHS\n• stakeholder organisations interested in newborn screening for SMA\n• clinicians\n• academics\n• genomic experts\n• patient and public voice representatives\n\nSMA can have a devastating impact on individuals and families, and we are committed to working with all our stakeholders to progress this work in the UK.\n\nDepartment of Health and Social Care\n\nThis is a revised response submitted by the Government. You can find the original response towards the bottom of the petition page https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/755980","created_at":"2026-03-03T21:55:10.878Z","updated_at":"2026-03-04T17:26:11.952Z"},"debate":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":"petition","id":742179,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/742179.json"},"attributes":{"action":"Lower the age for invites to regular mammograms to 40 & perform annually","background":"Lower the age for when you are first called to 40 and provide funding to carry out Mammograms Annually instead of every Three Years","additional_details":"Early detection is key and the prevalence of Breast Cancer in young patients is rising\r\nI am a Chemotherapy Nurse and working in this Clinical Setting for 8 Years and I have seen a rise in Breast Cancer in Patients under the Age of 40 increase.\r\nEarly detection is key in identifying those Aggressive forms of Breast Cancer\r\n","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":106212,"created_at":"2025-09-20T08:21:09.508Z","updated_at":"2026-04-10T20:03:00.000Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2025-10-09T09:53:10.035Z","closed_at":"2026-04-09T22:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2025-09-20T08:41:10.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2025-11-05T09:30:20.000Z","government_response_at":"2025-11-21T11:29:44.277Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2026-02-24T21:09:30.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":null,"debate_outcome_at":null,"creator_name":null,"rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2025-11-21","summary":"In line with independent advice from the UK National Screening Committee, the Government does not intend to lower the age or increase the frequency of breast screens.","details":"The Government is guided by the independent scientific advice of the UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC), and it is only where the offer to screen provides more good than harm that a screening programme is recommended. The UK NSC makes its recommendations based on internationally recognised criteria and a rigorous evidence review and consultation process.\n\nAs screening programmes can also cause harms, each of the adult screening programmes has both an upper and lower age range, within which there is good scientific evidence that the benefits of screening outweigh the harms.\n\nWomen younger than the age of 50 are not routinely screened for breast cancer due to the lower risk of women under this age developing breast cancer, and the fact that women below 50 tend to have denser breasts. The denseness of breast tissue reduces the ability of getting an accurate mammogram, the accepted screening test for breast cancer.\n\nDue to this and other factors, there is a risk of over treatment and distress for women who do not have breast cancer but would be subjected to invasive and painful medical treatments and diagnostic tests.\n\nThe 2012 UK independent review of breast cancer screening (the Marmot review) estimated that inviting women aged 50-70 reduces mortality from breast cancer in the population invited by 20% and saves an estimated 1,300 lives a year. The Marmot review found that screening women outside the ages of 50-70 could lead to over-diagnosis (referring women for unnecessary tests) and over-treatment (operating on women with disease which is unlikely to cause serious harm to them).\n\nWe are in line with most European countries, most of whom screen women between the ages of 50-69.\n\nWomen with a very high risk of breast cancer (for example, due to family history) may be offered screening earlier and more frequently, sometimes using MRI rather than a mammogram.\n\nThe UK NSC keeps these age brackets under review. The Committee recognises that screening programmes are not static and that, over time, they may need to change to be more effective.\n\nThe UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) reviewed the evidence relating to the provision of additional breast screening for women who have dense breast tissue in the summer of 2025 and invited stakeholders’ feedback on the findings to inform future work. In addition, the AgeX – age extension – breast screening research trial has been looking at the effectiveness of offering some women an extra screen between the ages of 47 and 49, and between the ages of 71 and 73. When the results are available, the report will be reviewed by the UK NSC.\n\nDepartment of Health and Social Care","created_at":"2025-11-21T11:29:44.275Z","updated_at":"2025-11-21T11:29:44.275Z"},"debate":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":"petition","id":738881,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/738881.json"},"attributes":{"action":"Invest in brain cancer and give rights – turn terminal into treatable","background":"Brain cancer is the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40, 87% with a high-grade brain tumour diagnosis die within 5 yrs, and yet it gets just 1% of the national spend on cancer.","additional_details":"We call on the government to increase research funding and legally enshrine the right to try: genome sequencing, trials, immunotherapy, repurposed drugs and vaccines.\r\n1. Increase brain cancer funding to speed up discoveries and trials.\r\n2. Funding so every patient can access whole genome sequencing with personalised treatment.\r\n3. Enshrine the Right to Try innovative treatments.\r\n\r\nTreatments haven’t changed in decades. Increase funding and give patients a fighting chance.","committee_note":"","state":"closed","signature_count":109063,"created_at":"2025-08-23T10:25:22.364Z","updated_at":"2026-03-09T20:17:10.000Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2025-09-08T12:10:38.559Z","closed_at":"2026-03-08T23:59:59.999Z","moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2025-08-23T16:25:30.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2025-09-09T20:39:00.000Z","government_response_at":"2025-10-03T10:55:37.025Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2026-02-26T22:45:50.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":null,"debate_outcome_at":null,"creator_name":null,"rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2025-10-03","summary":"Every brain cancer diagnosis has life-changing impact on patients and their families. Research is vital to ensure people can get the most effective cutting-edge treatments and highest quality care.","details":"Between 2018/19 and 2023/24, the Department of Health and Social Care, via the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) directly invested £11.8 million in research projects and programmes focused on brain tumours. NIHR’s wider investments in research infrastructure are estimated to be £37.5 million, supporting the delivery of 261 brain tumour research studies and enabling over 11,400 people to participate in potentially life-changing brain tumour research.\n\nHowever, we understand that more needs to be done to boost research into brain tumours. That is why we are working closely with the patient and researcher communities to stimulate high-quality research applications through:\n\n(i) establishing a national Brain Tumour Research Consortium to bring together researchers from different disciplines to drive scientific advancements in how to prevent, detect, manage and treat brain tumours\n\n(ii) a dedicated funding call for research into wraparound care and rehabilitation for people living with brain tumours\n\n(iii) a partnership with the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission to fund the next generation of researchers through the Allied Health Professionals Brain Tumour Research Fellowship programme.\n\nIn terms of access to Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), in November 2020, the NHS became the first national health system in the world to offer WGS as part of routine care. All paediatric, teenage and adult patients with central nervous system/brain tumours are eligible for WGS as represented in the National Genomic Test Directory, which provides guidance on which patients may benefit from genomic testing, alongside the genomic targets to be tested and appropriate technology that should be used.\n\nGenomic testing in the NHS in England is provided through the NHS Genomic Medicine Service (NHS GMS). As outlined in the 10 Year Health Plan, the NHS GMS will work with industry, academia and other partners to generate evidence and models of adoption for genomic innovations in specific priority areas, such as cancer. This will inform commissioning decisions, accelerate adoption and ensure equity of access to genomic testing across England. Additionally, the NHS GMS will roll out a Unified Genomic Record to integrate patient genomic data with relevant clinical and diagnostic data, shorten genomic testing turnaround times, and work with industry to align testing with clinical trials targets and precision medicine access.\n\nRegarding new and personalised treatments, the government is committed to securing patient access to effective and innovative new medicines, including for brain tumours. There are established routes to support timely access for NHS patients to safe and clinically- and cost-effective new medicines and there are no plans to introduce a new Right to Try initiative for new treatments. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) evaluates all new medicines and makes recommendations for the NHS on whether they should be routinely funded by the NHS. NICE aims wherever possible to issue guidance on new medicines close to the point of licensing and our Life Sciences Sector Plan published in July sets out the measures we are taking to streamline decision making to accelerate patient access to new medicines by three to six months. The NHS in England is required to fund medicines recommended by NICE, and NHS England funds cancer medicines from the point of positive draft NICE guidance, accelerating patient access by around five months on average.\n\nAdditionally, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) Early Access to Medicines Scheme (EAMS) is one of the UK’s offerings of Early Access Programmes, where companies have a framework for providing promising treatments in development as unlicensed medicines to patients. The EAMS is designed to give patients with life-threatening or seriously debilitating conditions access to medicinal products that may be used for preventing, diagnosing or treating those conditions, but which are either not yet authorised or not authorised for that use. If there is a medicine in development that incorporates certain diagnostic techniques, they may be eligible for the scheme.\n\nIn terms of future publications, the National Cancer Plan, due to be published later this year, will have patients at its heart and will cover the entirety of the cancer pathway, from referral and diagnosis to treatment and aftercare. It will seek to improve every aspect of cancer care, to improve the experience and outcomes for people with cancer. Our goal is to reduce the number of lives lost to cancer over the next ten years, including for brain cancer.\n\nDepartment of Health and Social Care","created_at":"2025-10-03T10:55:37.022Z","updated_at":"2025-10-03T10:55:37.022Z"},"debate":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":"petition","id":752646,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/752646.json"},"attributes":{"action":"Call a public inquiry into pro-Israel influence on politics & democracy","background":"We are concerned about reported Israeli state-linked and pro-Israel lobbying activity in UK politics. We believe it is important to determine the scope and impact of any such influence campaigns.","additional_details":"We feel that the horrific devastation in Gaza, the ongoing suppression of Palestinians in the West Bank, and the UK’s political response underline the urgent need to scrutinise how pro-Israel organisations, networks, and lobbying efforts may shape government decisions, party policy, and public debate.","committee_note":"","state":"open","signature_count":115094,"closing_date":"2026-07-28","created_at":"2025-11-29T09:25:32.301Z","updated_at":"2026-05-14T09:56:40.000Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2026-01-28T13:17:00.515Z","closed_at":null,"moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2025-11-29T22:08:40.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2026-02-08T14:14:10.000Z","government_response_at":"2026-04-17T11:43:36.261Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2026-03-01T10:27:10.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":null,"debate_outcome_at":null,"creator_name":"Andy Kalil","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2026-04-17","summary":"The Government does not support a public inquiry, but takes the issue of foreign influence from any country and lobbying in UK politics very seriously and is already taking action to address this.","details":"The Government does not support a public inquiry on pro-Israeli influence, and does not have plans to hold an inquiry on wider foreign influence and lobbying more generally. However, the Government takes concerns about foreign influence in politics and democracy seriously, and is already taking action to address this. \n\nThere is an existing framework for transparency around lobbying of the UK Government and Parliament which includes quarterly government transparency publications of ministers’ and senior officials’ external meetings, a statutory register for consultant lobbyists, and Parliament’s Codes of Conduct which set rules on lobbying and the registration of interests by members of each House. As part of open governance, ministers meet many people and organisations and consider a wide range of views as part of the formulation of government policy. \n\nGoing further, the Prime Minister has asked the Ethics and Integrity Commission to carry out a review into lobbying, disclosure and access to government. This includes looking at whether the current arrangements for transparency around lobbying are sufficient. In Parliament, the Government has asked the Lords Conduct Committee to expand its work reviewing the code of conduct to consider whether the rules relating to peers and lobbying need to be reformed. \n\nMost recently, in December 2025, the Government announced an independent review into foreign financial influence and interference in UK politics led by Philip Rycroft. The review focused on foreign financial influence and interference in the UK’s political and electoral systems from a range of sources, building on the major reforms set out in the Elections Strategy announced in July 2025. The review’s findings were published on 25 March 2026. \n\nThe Government responded immediately to the review with two measures via amendments to the Representation of the People Bill. Subject to parliamentary approval, these changes are an annual £100,000 cap on total political donations and regulated transactions made by British citizens living abroad, and a moratorium on political donations made using cryptocurrency of any amount. These measures build upon existing measures in the Bill to introduce tougher rules on political interference in the UK’s elections. The Government will consider all of the other recommendations of the Rycroft review and respond to them in due course. \n\nCabinet Office","created_at":"2026-04-17T11:43:36.258Z","updated_at":"2026-04-17T11:43:36.258Z"},"debate":null,"departments":[{"acronym":"CO","name":"Cabinet Office","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/cabinet-office"}],"topics":[]}},{"type":"petition","id":759385,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/759385.json"},"attributes":{"action":"Ban anyone convicted of terrorism offences from standing for public office","background":"Introduce a new legal disqualification so people convicted of terrorism offences (in the UK or abroad) cannot stand as candidates or hold elected office, including local councils.","additional_details":"This is needed because current local election disqualification rules focus mainly on recent imprisonment thresholds (for example, being sentenced to 3 months or more within the last 5 years) and therefore may not prevent individuals with serious historic convictions from standing today. The Electoral Commission notes that the returning officer cannot confirm whether a candidate is disqualified and candidates self-declare their eligibility when submitting nomination papers.","committee_note":"","state":"open","signature_count":198655,"closing_date":"2026-09-06","created_at":"2026-01-30T15:04:00.665Z","updated_at":"2026-05-14T10:06:00.000Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2026-03-06T11:41:36.948Z","closed_at":null,"moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2026-01-30T15:26:00.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2026-03-06T15:32:40.000Z","government_response_at":"2026-04-01T14:09:15.657Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2026-03-08T02:39:30.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":null,"debate_outcome_at":null,"creator_name":"Richard James Donaldson","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2026-04-01","summary":"Anyone sentenced to 3 months or more in prison is disqualified for 5 years from local government. We keep the broader counter terrorism framework under constant review to ensure it is fit for purpose.","details":"Currently anyone who has received a custodial sentence of 3 months or more, suspended or not, is disqualified for 5 years from standing or sitting as a member of a local authority. Councillors and candidates must declare anything that might disqualify them from standing for or holding local office. Not doing so is potentially a criminal offence.\n\nFor the role of Police and Crime Commissioner, an individual is disqualified from standing for, and holding office, if they have ever been convicted of an imprisonable offence.\n\nAs regards Members of Parliament, the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 and the Representation of the People Act 1981 set out the criteria which disqualify an individual from membership of the UK Parliament.\n\nThe UK has one of the strongest counter terrorism frameworks in the world. This includes a range of specialised counter terrorism powers which support detection and disruption of terrorist risk, as well as a robust toolkit for managing terrorist offenders upon their release.  We always keep this framework under review to ensure it is fit for purpose in the context of emerging threats. This is supported through independent scrutiny provided by the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation.\n\nMinistry of Housing, Communities & Local Government","created_at":"2026-04-01T14:09:15.655Z","updated_at":"2026-04-01T15:55:34.118Z"},"debate":null,"departments":[{"acronym":"MHCLG","name":"Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-housing-communities-local-government"}],"topics":[]}},{"type":"petition","id":759783,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/759783.json"},"attributes":{"action":"Make a public animal abuser register & automatically ban ownership","background":"Create a public register of all offenders convicted of animal abuse and introduce an automatic, lifetime ban on animal ownership for anyone convicted of animal neglect or abuse. This register should be searchable by vets, breeders, charities and the public to prevent repeat offending.","additional_details":"I clean homes for free for people in need and regularly witness animals suffering under owners with a history for animal neglect or abuse. Currently, bans are discretionary and there is no public register. Abusers can continue acquiring animals. A mandatory ban and register could prevent repeat cruelty and break cycles of harm. Additionally, an immediate automatic lifetime ban could prevent animal ownership being at a judge’s discretion.","committee_note":"","state":"open","signature_count":198909,"closing_date":"2026-09-12","created_at":"2026-02-03T12:04:15.845Z","updated_at":"2026-05-14T10:14:00.000Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2026-03-12T17:01:57.173Z","closed_at":null,"moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2026-02-03T12:51:50.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2026-04-02T17:17:30.000Z","government_response_at":null,"debate_threshold_reached_at":"2026-04-03T22:06:10.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":null,"debate_outcome_at":null,"creator_name":"Bea Elton","rejection":null,"government_response":null,"debate":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":"petition","id":754432,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/754432.json"},"attributes":{"action":"Urge Israeli Government to stop law allowing execution of Palestinian prisoners","background":"The UK Government must act urgently to urge the Israeli Government to stop the proposed law which would permit the execution of Palestinian Prisoners, past, present and future.","additional_details":"We believe that such a law would constitute complete violation of the Geneva Convention and International Human Rights Law. UN experts have called for these proposals to be dropped.\r\n\r\nWe call on the UK Government apply considerable and substantial political pressure and the leverage of its international obligations to prevent the Israeli Government from passing this law.","committee_note":"","state":"open","signature_count":113296,"closing_date":"2026-08-04","created_at":"2025-12-13T18:32:30.130Z","updated_at":"2026-05-14T09:56:50.000Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2026-02-04T16:54:54.678Z","closed_at":null,"moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2025-12-13T20:50:50.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2026-03-31T15:08:20.000Z","government_response_at":"2026-04-23T12:06:32.346Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2026-04-05T20:22:30.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":null,"debate_outcome_at":null,"creator_name":"Katharina Amanda Adler","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2026-04-23","summary":"The UK opposes the death penalty in all circumstances. The Government has raised concerns with the Government of Israel and will continue to do so. ","details":"The Death Penalty for Terrorists bill introduces a mandatory death sentence for terrorism-related murders, with no right of appeal. The powers would in practice apply almost exclusively to military courts trying Palestinians in the West Bank.\n\nThe UK has expressed our deep concern about the bill, as it would significantly expand the possibilities to impose the death penalty in Israel. We have been clear, publicly and privately, that we oppose the death penalty in all circumstances. The death penalty has not been used in Israel for over 60 years, and this legislation risks being a regressive step enabling its use.\n\nFollowing its passage at second and third readings in the Knesset the bill is now law subject to legal challenge via Israel’s independent judicial system. The Foreign Secretary spoke to the Israeli Foreign Minister and called for further plans to introduce this bill to be abandoned.\n\n On 29 March, the UK issued a joint statement with Foreign Ministers of Australia, Germany, France, Italy and New Zealand urging the Government of Israel to abandon plans for the death penalty bill.  The statement can be found here: Joint statement on Israel's Death Penalty Bill: 29 March 2026 - GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/joint-statement-on-israels-death-penalty-bill-29-march-2026).  As set out in the statement, the UK and other signatories oppose the death penalty, reflecting a long-standing and shared commitment to abolition.  The UK Government believes that the death penalty’s use undermines human dignity, that there is no conclusive evidence of its deterrent value, and that any miscarriage of justice leading to its imposition is irreversible and irreparable. We particularly deplore any failure to observe the relevant international standards, defined by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.\n\nMore broadly, the UK Government continues to call on the Government of Israel to uphold international law and human rights. This includes respecting the fundamental rights of detainees and prisoners, ensuring due process, and refraining from actions that risk further exacerbating tensions or inflaming an already fragile situation.\n\nThe UK continues to support international efforts to reduce violence, protect civilians, and promote respect for the rule of law. We firmly believe that lasting security for Israelis and Palestinians can only be achieved through progress on the Gaza ceasefire and the 20-point plan, an end to the annexation threats and settler violence in the West Bank, and a realistic political horizon for the two-state solution.  \n\nWe will continue to work closely with international partners, including the United Nations and civil society, to promote human rights, accountability, and oppose the death penalty worldwide. We will keep developments under close review and continue to raise our concerns where legislation or policy risks undermining international legal norms.\n\nThe Government is grateful to those who have engaged through the petitions process. Public engagement on issues of human rights helps inform and strengthen the UK’s foreign policy, and we remain committed to advancing these values internationally.\n\nForeign, Commonwealth & Development Office","created_at":"2026-04-23T12:06:32.341Z","updated_at":"2026-04-23T12:07:58.811Z"},"debate":null,"departments":[{"acronym":"FCDO","name":"Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-office"}],"topics":[]}},{"type":"petition","id":746640,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/746640.json"},"attributes":{"action":"Legislate crimes motivated by misogyny are hate crimes, fund support & training","background":"The Government should amend the Sentencing Act 2020 to record crimes motivated by misogyny as hate crimes and introduce tougher laws for online abuse, and fund the training of police and prosecutors, and support for survivors in education. ","additional_details":"We want the Government to tackle anti-feminist hate groups that target and radicalise young people online. Many young women, especially students, face harassment, assault, and online abuse. Misogyny can fuel this violence, yet we believe current laws fail to address it directly. Recognising misogyny as a hate crime could protect victims, deter offenders, and send a clear message that gender-based hostility is unacceptable. It could also validate survivors’ experiences and help create safer environments in education and online, where young people are most vulnerable.","committee_note":"","state":"open","signature_count":113753,"closing_date":"2026-06-02","created_at":"2025-10-12T15:42:56.121Z","updated_at":"2026-05-14T09:23:40.000Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2025-12-02T11:13:31.266Z","closed_at":null,"moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2025-10-12T15:49:50.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2026-01-27T14:54:00.000Z","government_response_at":"2026-03-11T19:41:40.661Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2026-04-19T10:49:00.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":null,"debate_outcome_at":null,"creator_name":"Amara Relf","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2026-03-11","summary":"The Government has tabled an amendment at Lords Report Stage of the Crime and Policing Bill to extend the aggravated offences in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.","details":"Hate crime legislation in England and Wales covers five protected characteristics: race, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity and disability. Sex, or presumed sex, has not previously been covered, meaning that ‘misogyny’ currently falls outside the scope of the hate crime legislative framework.\n\nUnder the proposed amendment, sex will be added to the list of protected characteristics under the aggravated offences in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, ensuring that offences motivated by hostility towards someone’s sex or presumed sex can be charged as aggravated where the evidence supports it. This amendment delivers the Government’s manifesto commitment to level up protections by expanding the aggravated offence framework so that hostility based on sexual orientation, disability, transgender identity, or sex or presumed sex attracts the same penalties as offences motivated by racist or religious hatred, thereby creating parity across protected characteristics.\n\nAggravated offences are crime types such as assault, criminal damage, harassment, stalking and certain public order offences where it can be proven that the offender was motivated by hostility towards a protected characteristic. These offences carry higher maximum sentences than their non‑aggravated equivalents. The offences mirror the (non‑hate crime) equivalents already covered under sections 28-32 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. No new criminal offences are being created; the amendment simply extends the existing aggravated versions to additional protected characteristics.\n\nThe Government keeps hate crime legislation under review, strengthening it where necessary to protect those most at risk. As part of this ongoing commitment to ensuring the framework remains robust the Home Secretary announced the Independent Review of Public Order and Hate Crime following the terrorist attack at Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester in October 2025. \n\nThe purpose of the Review is to test whether public order and hate crime law remains fit for purpose, assess whether thresholds and safeguards are right and effective, and recommend reforms that improve consistency, protect rights and reassure affected communities. The Review is due to report its findings by the end of March.\n\nTackling violence against women and girls (VAWG) is a top priority for this Government. “Freedom from Violence and Abuse: a cross-government strategy to build a safer society for women and girls”, published on 18th December 2025, sets out the strategic direction and concrete actions to prevent violence and abuse, pursue perpetrators, and support victims, and to deliver our unprecedented commitment to halve VAWG in a decade.\n\nPrevention and early intervention are fundamental to our approach. We will tackle the root causes of these crimes instead of only responding to the impacts, including supporting our education system to teach children about respectful and healthy relationships and consent.\n\nWe recognise the destructive role that misogynistic attitudes can play in society, including the impact they can have on men and boys. Tackling entrenched societal issues like misogyny requires a whole society approach, and we are working across government, public services, the private sector and charities to achieve our ambitions. \n\nThe commitments made by the Government through the strategy to tackle the root causes of these crimes can be found in “Freedom from Violence and Abuse: a cross-government strategy to build a safer society for women and girls Vol 2.”, available at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/697c7e21aacd0dc9777b502a/31.260_VAWG_02_Action_Plan_Slip_FINAL_v3_WEB_290126.pdf \n\nHome Office","created_at":"2026-03-11T19:41:40.659Z","updated_at":"2026-03-11T19:41:40.659Z"},"debate":null,"departments":[{"acronym":"HO","name":"Home Office","url":"https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/home-office"}],"topics":[]}},{"type":"petition","id":763161,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/763161.json"},"attributes":{"action":"Change surrogacy law to recognise intended parents from birth","background":"The law must change so intended parents in surrogacy arrangements are recognised as their child’s legal parents from birth. Families should not have to go through months of court proceedings and social worker visits to be recognised as the parents of a child they planned and love.","additional_details":"When our daughter was born through surrogacy, we became dads the moment we held her. But under current law, the surrogate is automatically recognised as the legal mother (and if she is married, her spouse is recorded as the legal father) even with no biological connection or intention to parent the child.\r\nIntended parents must then go through a lengthy court process to become their child’s legal parents. In 2026 we believe this is outdated. The law needs to recognise intended parents from birth.","committee_note":"","state":"open","signature_count":110672,"closing_date":"2026-10-10","created_at":"2026-03-04T14:47:30.231Z","updated_at":"2026-05-14T10:04:20.000Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2026-04-10T09:37:34.074Z","closed_at":null,"moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2026-03-04T16:24:00.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2026-04-26T08:40:40.000Z","government_response_at":null,"debate_threshold_reached_at":"2026-04-28T16:53:20.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":null,"debate_outcome_at":null,"creator_name":"Adam Frisby","rejection":null,"government_response":null,"debate":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":"petition","id":762640,"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/762640.json"},"attributes":{"action":"Hold a referendum to bring the water industry into public ownership","background":"Hold a binding national referendum on whether the water industry should be returned to public ownership. Water is a basic human necessity; we believe our privatised system has failed, so the public should decide who owns and controls it.","additional_details":"Private water companies have about 62 million captive customers whose bills have delivered over £85 Bn to shareholders; money that in public ownership could have been spent on fixing our infrastructure. No other country in the world has privatised water like this. We believe that proposed government reforms to regulation show that water company owners are being favoured over the public, and this is not right in a democracy. A referendum would give the public back its voice about its water.","committee_note":"","state":"open","signature_count":119245,"closing_date":"2026-10-01","created_at":"2026-02-27T11:05:06.660Z","updated_at":"2026-05-14T10:12:10.000Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2026-04-01T17:05:47.359Z","closed_at":null,"moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2026-02-27T11:32:40.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":"2026-04-08T17:19:30.000Z","government_response_at":"2026-04-23T15:09:10.962Z","debate_threshold_reached_at":"2026-04-30T11:38:40.000Z","debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":null,"debate_outcome_at":null,"creator_name":"Ashley Paul Smith","rejection":null,"government_response":{"responded_on":"2026-04-23","summary":"Nationalisation would take years and involve complex legal processes, diverting effort from cleaning up rivers, lakes and seas. We are taking action now through stronger regulation and enforcement.","details":"The government recognises the strength of public concern about the performance of the water industry. Water is a vital public service, and people rightly expect clean rivers, reliable services and greater accountability from water companies.\n\nSome campaigners have called for a binding referendum on returning the water industry to public ownership. However, the government has no intention of nationalising the water sector currently and does not believe that a national referendum would deliver faster improvements for customers or the environment. Any move to nationalisation would take many years to implement, involve significant legal and operational complexity, and risk prolonged uncertainty and disruption across the sector. That would divert time, energy and attention away from the urgent work needed now to tackle sewage pollution, protect public health and improve water quality.\n\nThat is why the government is delivering the most significant reform of water regulation in a generation. Through the Water White Paper, we are introducing a single, more powerful regulator for the water sector, bringing together existing bodies and giving it the authority and expertise needed to hold water companies properly to account. A Chief Engineer will sit at the heart of the new regulator, ending the days of water companies marking their own homework and ensuring that regulators can independently assess the condition of pipes, pumps and treatment works.\n\nThe new system will introduce MOT style checks on water companies’ infrastructure, with tougher consequences for those that fail, alongside no notice inspections so there will be nowhere and no chance to hide poor performance. Dedicated supervisory teams and stronger intervention powers will allow regulators to act earlier and more decisively where companies are falling short.\n\nWe are also improving transparency so both the public and regulators can see what is happening in near real time. Water companies are required to publish detailed data on sewage discharges, and reforms will go further to make performance information clearer, more accessible and easier to understand. This transparency will support better public awareness, enable communities to scrutinise performance locally, and strengthen links between environmental protection and public health, including through the Chief Medical Officer’s Public Health Taskforce.\n\nThe government has already acted to strengthen accountability and enforcement. We have banned over £4 million in bonuses for executives at polluting water companies, introduced prison sentences for executives who cover up pollution incidents, and backed the Environment Agency with a record £153 million budget for water enforcement this financial year. This has enabled a record 10,000 inspections of water company sites and more than 177 criminal investigations into suspected wrongdoing.\n\nThe government is focused on securing the fastest and most effective improvements for customers, communities and the environment. We believe this is best achieved through decisive regulatory reform and enforcement, rather than a referendum that would delay progress and distract from delivering real change on the ground.\n\nDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs","created_at":"2026-04-23T15:09:10.953Z","updated_at":"2026-04-23T15:09:10.953Z"},"debate":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":[]}}]}