{"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/779408.json"},"data":{"type":"petition","id":779408,"attributes":{"action":"Making Veteran Status a Protected Characteristic","background":"Make veteran status a protected characteristic under UK equality law. Veterans should be protected from discrimination in employment, housing, healthcare and public services because of their veteran status. Recognise and protect those who served.","additional_details":"Veterans have made a significant commitment to our country, yet some face disadvantage or discrimination after leaving the Armed Forces. Veteran status is not currently a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010. This petition calls on the Government to recognise veteran status in law, protecting veterans from discrimination in employment, housing, healthcare and public services. This is not about preferential treatment, but fairness and recognition.","committee_note":null,"state":"open","signature_count":46,"closing_date":"2027-03-08","created_at":"2026-08-11T19:24:45.033Z","updated_at":"2026-09-09T05:14:20.000Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2026-09-08T15:11:10.912Z","closed_at":null,"moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2026-08-11T20:26:40.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":null,"government_response_at":null,"debate_threshold_reached_at":null,"debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":null,"debate_outcome_at":null,"creator_name":"Councillor Brian Erskine and Mr Mark Foster","rejection":null,"government_response":null,"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":[],"signatures_by_country":[{"name":"Canada","code":"CA","signature_count":1},{"name":"United Kingdom","code":"GB","signature_count":45}],"signatures_by_constituency":[{"name":"Blyth and Ashington","ons_code":"E14001107","mp":"Ian Lavery MP","signature_count":16},{"name":"Bournemouth West","ons_code":"E14001116","mp":"Jessica Toale MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Congleton","ons_code":"E14001178","mp":"Sarah Russell MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Cramlington and Killingworth","ons_code":"E14001183","mp":"Emma Foody MP","signature_count":5},{"name":"Crewe and Nantwich","ons_code":"E14001185","mp":"Connor Naismith MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Doncaster North","ons_code":"E14001200","mp":"Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Easington","ons_code":"E14001211","mp":"Grahame Morris MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"East Wiltshire","ons_code":"E14001217","mp":"Danny Kruger MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Ellesmere Port and Bromborough","ons_code":"E14001222","mp":"Justin Madders MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Hexham","ons_code":"E14001285","mp":"Joe Morris MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Heywood and Middleton North","ons_code":"E14001286","mp":"Mrs Elsie Blundell MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Isle of Wight East","ons_code":"E14001303","mp":"Joe Robertson MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Maidenhead","ons_code":"E14001348","mp":"Mr Joshua Reynolds MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Melksham and Devizes","ons_code":"E14001356","mp":"Brian Mathew MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland","ons_code":"E14001368","mp":"Luke Myer MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Newcastle upon Tyne North","ons_code":"E14001379","mp":"Catherine McKinnell MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"North Northumberland","ons_code":"E14001397","mp":"David Smith MP","signature_count":2},{"name":"South Cotswolds","ons_code":"E14001482","mp":"Dr Roz Savage MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"St Helens South and Whiston","ons_code":"E14001510","mp":"Ms Marie Rimmer MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Sunderland Central","ons_code":"E14001531","mp":"Lewis Atkinson MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Surrey Heath","ons_code":"E14001532","mp":"Dr Al Pinkerton MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Tatton","ons_code":"E14001539","mp":"Rt Hon Esther McVey MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Tynemouth","ons_code":"E14001557","mp":"Rt Hon Sir Alan Campbell MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Windsor","ons_code":"E14001588","mp":"Jack Rankin MP","signature_count":1}],"signatures_by_region":[{"name":"North East","ons_code":"A","signature_count":29},{"name":"North West","ons_code":"B","signature_count":6},{"name":"Yorkshire and The Humber","ons_code":"D","signature_count":1},{"name":"South East","ons_code":"J","signature_count":4},{"name":"South West","ons_code":"K","signature_count":4}],"other_parliamentary_business":[]}}}