{"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/783963.json"},"data":{"type":"petition","id":783963,"attributes":{"action":"Give endangered red squirrels the same legal protection as beavers and bats","background":"Red squirrels are Endangered in Britain, yet their breeding sites have weaker legal protection than those of beavers, bats or otters. We ask the Government to lay secondary legislation adding red squirrels to Schedule 2 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 in England.","additional_details":"Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, destroying a red squirrel's drey can be defended as the unavoidable, incidental result of a lawful operation. That defence was removed for bats, dormice and otters in 2007. Natural England projects that, under a “do nothing” scenario, red squirrels will disappear from mainland England within 25 years. Listing would protect breeding and resting sites without proof of intent, while allowing licensed work where there is no satisfactory alternative.","committee_note":null,"state":"open","signature_count":21,"closing_date":"2027-04-26","created_at":"2026-10-07T10:50:39.941Z","updated_at":"2026-10-27T04:21:10.000Z","rejected_at":null,"opened_at":"2026-10-26T16:16:25.728Z","closed_at":null,"moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2026-10-08T12:45:00.000Z","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":"Marie Carter-Robb","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":[],"signatures_by_country":[{"name":"United Kingdom","code":"GB","signature_count":21}],"signatures_by_constituency":[{"name":"Bishop Auckland","ons_code":"E14001101","mp":"Dr Sam Rushworth MP","signature_count":3},{"name":"Brentford and Isleworth","ons_code":"E14001124","mp":"Ruth Cadbury MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Bromsgrove","ons_code":"E14001138","mp":"Bradley Thomas MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Bury North","ons_code":"E14001144","mp":"Mr James Frith MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Carlisle","ons_code":"E14001152","mp":"Ms Julie Minns MP","signature_count":2},{"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":"Gillingham and Rainham","ons_code":"E14001246","mp":"Naushabah Khan MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Hexham","ons_code":"E14001285","mp":"Joe Morris MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Kenilworth and Southam","ons_code":"E14001309","mp":"Rt Hon Sir Jeremy Wright KC MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Newton Abbot","ons_code":"E14001381","mp":"Martin Wrigley MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"North Northumberland","ons_code":"E14001397","mp":"David Smith MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Stroud","ons_code":"E14001529","mp":"Dr Simon Opher MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Taunton and Wellington","ons_code":"E14001540","mp":"Gideon Amos MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Watford","ons_code":"E14001568","mp":"Matt Turmaine MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Westmorland and Lonsdale","ons_code":"E14001580","mp":"Tim Farron MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Dundee Central","ons_code":"S14000075","mp":"Chris Law MP","signature_count":1},{"name":"Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe","ons_code":"W07000085","mp":"David Chadwick MP","signature_count":1}],"signatures_by_region":[{"name":"North East","ons_code":"A","signature_count":5},{"name":"North West","ons_code":"B","signature_count":5},{"name":"West Midlands","ons_code":"F","signature_count":2},{"name":"East of England","ons_code":"G","signature_count":1},{"name":"London","ons_code":"H","signature_count":1},{"name":"South East","ons_code":"J","signature_count":1},{"name":"South West","ons_code":"K","signature_count":4},{"name":"Wales","ons_code":"L","signature_count":1},{"name":"Scotland","ons_code":"M","signature_count":1}],"other_parliamentary_business":[]}}}