Petitions with a Government response

1. Create a pet task force to seek to reduce number of pets being put to sleep

   Government responded – 1 March 2024

   We have no plans to create a pet task force. Defra already works closely with stakeholders to monitor the full range of animal welfare issues.

   10,473 signatures

2. Close the borders! Suspend ALL immigration for 5 years.

   Government responded – 27 February 2024

   The Government has implemented the most significant measures in a generation to reduce legal migration and end illegal migration; however, suspending immigration entirely would harm the UK’s economy.

   44,389 signatures

3. For the United Kingdom to recognise the state of Palestine immediately

   Government responded – 27 February 2024

   We must give Palestinians a credible political pathway and irreversible momentum towards the establishment of Palestine. We will recognise a Palestinian State when most conducive to the peace process.

   283,669 signatures

4. Require jurors in rape trials to complete mandatory training on rape myths

   Government responded – 23 February 2024

   In rape trials, judges are permitted to give directions to jurors to counter any potential misconceptions. Guidance and training for jurors are a matter for the judiciary and the Judicial College.

   10,950 signatures

5. Create a national strategy to end youth homelessness

   Government responded – 22 February 2024

   Government is committed to tackling homelessness and ending rough sleeping for good. Our strategy is backed by over £2bn over 3 years. Tackling youth homelessness is critical to this strategy.

   15,334 signatures

6. Hold a parliamentary vote on assisted dying

   Government responded – 22 February 2024

   It remains the Government’s view that any change to the law in this sensitive area is a matter for Parliament to decide.

   212,107 signatures

7. Make financial education compulsory in all schools from primary age

   Government responded – 21 February 2024

   Financial education is a vital life skill and is already compulsory in the national curriculum for citizenship (at Key Stages 3 and 4) and within mathematics (Key Stages 1 to 4).

   12,518 signatures

8. Allow ARRS funding to be used for practice nurses and GPs

   Government responded – 22 February 2024

   The 2024/25 GP contract arrangements are subject to consultation with the British Medical Association. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.

   11,174 signatures

9. Review Timetable For Phasing Out Copper Wire Landlines

   Government responded – 15 February 2024

   The PSTN migration is industry-led but Government and Ofcom are monitoring communication providers to ensure that consumers and sectors are protected and prepared for the upgrade process.

   11,270 signatures

10. Provide for resentencing for everyone serving an indeterminate prison sentence

    Government responded – 15 February 2024

    Retrospectively changing the lawfully passed sentence would risk public protection. It is vital that those serving the IPP sentence in prison are released only when the Parole Board deems them safe.

    11,413 signatures

11. Do not let the Government access information on pensioners' bank accounts.

    Government responded – 15 February 2024

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

    15,276 signatures

12. Require CCTV cameras on school transport for kids with special educational needs

    Government responded – 9 February 2024

    Safeguarding children is of paramount importance. We expect everyone involved in the delivery of school transport to take their responsibilities seriously but have no plans to require CCTV.

    18,203 signatures

13. Give one-person households 50% council tax discount rather than 25%

    Government responded – 8 February 2024

    The Government does not have any plans to change the single person discount to 50%. There are a range of further discounts and exemptions in place to support households with their council tax bills.

    12,677 signatures

14. Repeal Relationships and Sexuality Education (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2023

    Government responded – 8 February 2024

    The Government has no plans to repeal the Relationships and Sexuality Education (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Regulations 2023.

    10,532 signatures

15. Abolish the TV licence and make the BBC a subscription channel

    Government responded – 6 February 2024

    The licence fee will remain for this Charter. However, this model faces challenges and the Government has launched a review to look at ways to ensure BBC’s future funding is fair and sustainable.

    18,581 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. 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

18. Offer the State Pension to all at 60, increase to equal 48hrs at the Living Wage

    Government responded – 30 January 2024

    The Government has no plans to increase the State Pension to equal 48 hours at the National Living Wage or to be made available from age 60.

    64,082 signatures

19. Give fathers/second parents a right to 6 weeks' paid leave in baby's first year

    Government responded – 29 January 2024

    The Government has no plans to increase Paternity Leave and Pay. If parents wish to take longer leave they can use Shared Parental Leave to share up to 37 weeks of pay, and up to 50 weeks of leave.

    14,428 signatures

20. Make State Pensions tax free

    Government responded – 29 January 2024

    The Personal Allowance is set at a level high enough to ensure that pensioners whose sole income is the new or basic State Pension do not pay income tax.

    54,139 signatures

21. Find time to take the Clean Air (Human Rights) Bill through the House of Commons

    Government responded – 26 January 2024

    The Government’s comprehensive existing legal framework for air quality already gives us the powers we need to drive down air pollution and its damaging effects on human health and the environment.

    13,183 signatures

22. Increase Student Loans in England to catch up with inflation

    Government responded – 26 January 2024

    The Government has continued to increase loans for living costs each year with a 2.8% increase for the current academic year, 2023/24, and a further 2.5% uplift announced for 2024/25.

    15,538 signatures

23. Give more funding for thyroid research and patients after price hike

    Government responded – 25 January 2024

    The Government is funding a broad range of research on thyroid disorders through its funding organisations and is facilitating patient support through locally commissioned services.

    11,719 signatures

24. Introduce a Suicide Prevention Act to seek to minimise suicides

    Government responded – 24 January 2024

    The new Suicide Prevention Strategy includes action across Government that we believe will address much of this petition. We will continuously monitor delivery and embed new actions when needed.

    10,478 signatures

25. Establish a Commission to investigate extortionate Car Insurance price rises

    Government responded – 22 January 2024

    Insurance pricing is a commercial decision for insurers. The Financial Conduct Authority, as the independent regulator, requires insurance products to offer fair value and has powers to act.

    20,322 signatures

26. Create a statutory offence of manslaughter by coercive or controlling behaviour

    Government responded – 18 January 2024

    The Government has no plans to create a specific offence of manslaughter caused by controlling or coercive behaviour. Existing law can already cover such circumstances.

    17,849 signatures

27. Require police carry tranquilizer guns and ban use of police firearms on animals

    Government responded – 16 January 2024

    Shooting an animal is a last resort. Expert licensed veterinarians, not police officers, are best placed to administer tranquilizers in a safe, humane way to avoid increasing risk of animal suffering.

    10,129 signatures

28. Require rear facing car seats for children under 18kg, 105cm tall or 4 years

    Government responded – 15 January 2024

    Government participates in UN discussions about technical standards for child restraints. The expert group decided against mandating rearward facing restraint systems for children up-to 4-years old.

    11,747 signatures

29. Don’t increase the income requirement for family visas to £38,700

    Government responded – 10 January 2024

    The Government intends to raise the MIR in line with the general salary threshold for skilled workers, but will do so in stages to provide predictability for families, starting in spring 2024.

    101,321 signatures

30. Urge the UN to send a peacekeeping mission to Balochistan Pakistan

    Government responded – 9 January 2024

    We regularly engage the Government of Pakistan at the highest levels on the need to respect human rights and uphold the rule of law, including in Balochistan.

    14,758 signatures

31. 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

32. Pause Ofsted inspections and reform how school performance is evaluated

    Government responded – 4 January 2024

    The government remains committed to the regular Ofsted inspection of all schools. Inspection plays a vital role in providing assurance that pupils are receiving a high-quality education and are safe.

    51,074 signatures

33. Delay the ban on rehoming and owning XL Bully dogs for 18 months

    Government responded – 6 February 2024

    Following a concerning rise in attacks and fatalities caused by XL Bully type dogs, the Government has acted decisively to ban this breed under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

    65,343 signatures

34. Hold a referendum on re-joining the European Union

    Government responded – 27 December 2023

    The UK has left the EU. This delivers the result of the 2016 referendum. We welcome the positive relationship we have with the EU, based on shared interests and values.

    14,369 signatures

35. Create a Palestinian Family Visa Scheme for Palestinian people affected by war

    Government responded – 21 December 2023

    There are no plans to introduce bespoke arrangements for people arriving from the region. Those wishing to come to the UK who currently have no visa can apply under one of the existing visa routes.

    103,834 signatures

36. Allow Palestinian Children to Enter the UK During Ongoing Conflict

    Government responded – 21 December 2023

    At present, the UK is not considering establishing a bespoke immigration route for Palestinian children. The UK considers its resettlement approach in the round, not on a crisis-by-crisis basis.

    18,722 signatures

37. Remove breed specific legislation. Consider alternative methods for dog control.

    Government responded – 21 December 2023

    Following a concerning rise in attacks and fatalities caused by XL Bully type dogs, the Government has added this breed to the list of dogs banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

    10,738 signatures

38. Record and publish numbers of companion animals euthanised in England

    Government responded – 21 December 2023

    We are not planning to impose new euthanasia reporting requirements on veterinarians, rescue organisations and kennels.

    11,345 signatures

39. Enhance consumer protection for holiday caravan owners

    Government responded – 18 December 2023

    The Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 establishes the site licensing regime for caravan sites. The Government has no plans to amend the Act to include consumer protection regulations.

    27,923 signatures

40. Increase High Income Child Benefit Charge threshold and base on household income

    Government responded – 18 December 2023

    The HICBC targets Child Benefit expenditure, meaning that the Government can support the majority of families whilst ensuring the fiscal position remains sustainable.

    10,637 signatures

41. Fund the drug Baricitinib on the NHS to treat severe alopecia areata

    Government responded – 13 December 2023

    Decisions on medicines funding are rightly taken by NICE based on the available evidence. NICE was unable to recommend baricitinib as cost effective at the price proposed by the company.

    10,427 signatures

42. Scrap VAT on life-saving motorcycle air vests

    Government responded – 8 December 2023

    The Government is committed to the safety of motorcyclists and introduced a zero-rate of VAT on motorcycle helmets. Motorcycle air vests are not included in this, but we keep all taxes under review.

    11,378 signatures

43. Withdraw support for Israel and support Palestine in Israel-Palestine conflict

    Government responded – 8 December 2023

    We support Israel’s right to self-defence, complying with international humanitarian law. We continue to push for a long-term political solution for Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

    14,811 signatures

44. Fund continued access to modulators drugs for Cystic Fibrosis patients

    Government responded – 8 December 2023

    Existing patients will be eligible for continued treatment during and following the NICE evaluation. NICE is working with all parties to address the issues raised in its draft guidance.

    72,253 signatures

45. Remove local authority powers to introduce LTNs, CAZs, LEZs and ULEZs

    Government responded – 19 January 2024

    The Government published its Plan for Drivers on 2nd October to support people’s freedom to use their cars and curb over-zealous enforcement measures.

    10,980 signatures

46. Ban the use of dogs for testing and research purposes in the UK

    Government responded – 6 December 2023

    The government does not agree to the proposed ban. Testing would continue in other countries. The UK still requires such data to ensure the safety of medicines before testing in humans.

    32,267 signatures

47. Reintroduce the Energy Bills Support Scheme for winter 2023/24

    Government responded – 15 December 2023

    The Government recognises the cost of living challenges families are facing and is continuing to provide support to the most vulnerable households this winter.

    11,728 signatures

48. Hold a Public Inquiry into pre and post diagnosis ADHD support.

    Government responded – 4 December 2023

    We have no current plans to hold a public inquiry into pre and post diagnosis ADHD support. We expect ICBs to commission healthcare in line with clear NICE guidelines to improve diagnosis and support.

    11,304 signatures

49. Prohibit the Sale, Purchase, Deployment, and Use of Artificial Grass Products

    Government responded – 1 December 2023

    We have no plans to ban artificial grass. We are committed to eliminating all avoidable plastic waste by 2042 and recognise that artificial grass has no wildlife value.

    17,865 signatures

50. Make XL Bully a banned dog breed in the Dangerous Dogs Act

    Government responded – 29 November 2023

    Following a concerning rise in attacks and fatalities caused by XL Bully dogs, the Government has added this breed to the list of dogs banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

    29,111 signatures

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