Petitions with a Government response

1. Require negative covid test to enter the UK

   Government responded – 15 January 2021

   The Government has introduced mandatory pre-departure COVID-19 testing. All arrivals from outside the Common Travel Area must possess a negative test result from within 3 days of departure to England.

   50,561 signatures

2. Do not start mass testing in schools or require asymptomatic students to isolate

   Government responded – 14 January 2021

   The rapid testing programme is supporting those staff and pupils currently in secondary schools and colleges and will help support the full reopening of these settings as soon as is possible.

   20,138 signatures

3. Support Boarding Kennels and Catteries

   Government responded – 14 January 2021

   The Government understands the considerable difficulties faced by UK businesses, including those that are adversely affected by the fall in travel and tourism in the UK due to the coronavirus pandemic

   27,944 signatures

4. Stop work on HS2 immediately and hold a new vote to repeal the legislation

   Government responded – 14 January 2021

   HS2 will provide essential North-South connectivity, greater capacity and shorter journey times. This railway will play a vital role in delivering the Government’s carbon net zero objectives.

   155,246 signatures

5. Ban Supertrawlers from UK waters after leaving the EUs Common Fisheries Policy

   Government responded – 14 January 2021

   Now that the transition period has ended, we are reviewing our policy on access for supertrawlers. This review will be driven by evidence.

   51,671 signatures

6. Seek Europe-wide Visa-free work permit for Touring professionals and Artists

   Government responded – 14 January 2021

   During our negotiations, we proposed measures to allow creative professionals to travel and perform in both the UK and EU, without needing work-permits. Unfortunately, the EU rejected these proposals.

   286,794 signatures

7. Keep gyms open during Tier 4 lockdown

   Government responded – 14 January 2021

   Sports facilities are crucial for adults and children to stay active. That’s why we have continued to make sure that people can exercise throughout the national and local tiered restrictions.

   180,172 signatures

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

   Government responded – 13 January 2021

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

   25,160 signatures

9. Recall Parliament now to scrutinise new Christmas coronavirus restrictions

   Government responded – 11 January 2021

   At the Government's request, Parliament was recalled on 30 December and 6 January. Regulations relating to covid-19 restrictions and measures for a national lockdown were debated respectively by MPs.

   12,274 signatures

10. Lower the age you are offered a cervical screening (smear test) from 25 to 16

    Government responded – 12 January 2021

    In line with recommendations from the World Health Organization and UK National Screening Committee, cervical screening is not offered to women under 25 because it can cause more harm than benefit.

    61,444 signatures

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

    Government responded – 12 January 2021

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

    23,047 signatures

12. Ban the sale of all animals from pet shops and third-party sellers

    Government responded – 31 December 2020

    Current legislation, regulations and official guidance require pet shops and other sellers to care properly for all their animals and we are not currently considering extending Lucy’s Law.

    10,357 signatures

13. Publish false positive and negative Covid-19 test data for Pillar 2

    Government responded – 4 January 2021

    The PCR test is reliable and effective. Like any diagnostic test however, there is always the small possibility of a false negative or a false positive result.

    11,134 signatures

14. Change outdated laws to prevent forest felling when baby animals are in nests

    Government responded – 5 January 2021

    Landowners must comply with legislation to protect wildlife such as red squirrels, bats and dormice. Granting a felling licence does not change this; it simply authorises the felling of growing trees.

    12,382 signatures

15. Establish free movement & trade agreements with Canada, Australia & New Zealand

    Government responded – 21 December 2020

    The UK is ending free movement for EU citizens (at 11pm 31 December 2020). The government has no plans to seek equivalent arrangements with CANZUK.

    16,505 signatures

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

    Government responded – 21 December 2020

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

    23,765 signatures

17. No public sector pay freezes for the next 5 years

    Government responded – 18 December 2020

    The economic impact of Covid-19 means temporarily pausing pay awards for most of the public sector, excluding one million NHS and 2.1 million earning less than £24k who will still get a pay rise.

    10,714 signatures

18. Require local authorities to have free helplines for the homeless and vulnerable

    Government responded – 17 December 2020

    Local authorities have a duty to provide advice and information about homelessness and the prevention of homelessness free of charge. Local authorities are responsible for how the advice is delivered.

    18,318 signatures

19. Revoke rules for refusing or cancelling permission to stay for rough sleepers

    Government responded – 23 February 2021

    The Government is committed to ending rough sleeping. The immigration rule will not be revoked but it will only be used where a person refuses support and engages in anti-social behaviour.

    41,182 signatures

20. Keep tax-free sales at airports and the VAT Retail Export Scheme

    Government responded – 16 December 2020

    Visitors can shop VAT-free when purchases are sent directly to overseas addresses. The withdrawal of the tax-free schemes is part of a package of changes, with significant benefits for UK consumers.

    12,664 signatures

21. Reform IPSA - cap MP payrises in line with other Public sector pay

    Government responded – 19 January 2021

    MPs’ salaries, pensions, business costs and expenses are governed by independent external regulation and there are no plans for the Government to introduce legislation to cap MPs’ pay.

    11,892 signatures

22. Make it a criminal offence for MPs to mislead the public

    Government responded – 26 January 2021

    The Government does not intend to introduce legislation. MPs must abide by the Code of Conduct and allegations of misconduct are investigated by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.

    110,966 signatures

23. Stop sexism - Require schools to offer all sports to all children

    Government responded – 2 February 2021

    The Government thinks it is right that schools should be free to decide on their own diverse & challenging PE curriculum to meet the needs of all their pupils.

    10,673 signatures

24. Extend the Stamp Duty Holiday for an additional 6 months after 31st March 2021

    Government responded – 10 December 2020

    The SDLT holiday was designed to be a temporary relief to stimulate market activity and support jobs that rely on the property market. The Government does not plan to extend this temporary relief.

    151,126 signatures

25. Allow Landlords to evict tenants where there are 14 days rent arrears

    Government responded – 10 December 2020

    Landlords can seek possession where tenants have 14 days rent arrears, given emergency legislation, landlords must give 6 months’ notice in such cases before starting formal possession proceedings.

    12,565 signatures

26. Approve the return to training plan for contact sports

    Government responded – 7 December 2020

    Contact Combat sports are now able to return, consistent with the phases in the published Government guidance, once their National Governing Body has had guidance reviewed.

    10,750 signatures

27. Increase uniform tax reliefs, especially for healthcare staff

    Government responded – 7 December 2020

    Employees can claim tax relief on the actual costs incurred in cleaning their uniforms. They should not be incurring costs in cleaning or maintaining PPE as this is the responsibility of employers.

    10,614 signatures

28. Fully fund schools for Covid-19 costs and provide relief for loss of income

    Government responded – 7 December 2020

    We have announced a new fund for the cost of teacher absences. This comes on top of £100m for exceptional costs between March and July, the £1bn COVID catch-up fund, and £2.6bn rise in school budgets.

    29,362 signatures

29. Stop Forestry England granting licenses for Fox & Hare hunts

    Government responded – 7 December 2020

    Trail hunting is a legal activity. Forestry England permits trail hunting under an agreement with the Masters of Fox Hounds Association. It has the power to suspend or withdraw any permission.

    104,698 signatures

30. Review and fund improved diagnosis and treatment of ADHD

    Government responded – 4 December 2020

    We are promoting best practise examples to encourage professionals to make a diagnosis of ADHD as soon as possible and in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.

    13,881 signatures

31. Hold a public vote on HS2 project as it is being paid for by the public

    Government responded – 5 January 2021

    HS2 will transform, and help decarbonise, our country’s transport network, bring our biggest cities closer together, boost productivity and rebalance opportunity across the country.

    13,949 signatures

32. Do not pass the Covert Human Intelligence Sources Criminal Conduct Bill

    Government responded – 3 December 2020

    The Government supports the passage of this Bill. It is important legislation that provides intelligence and law enforcement agencies with the capabilities required to keep the public safe.

    11,756 signatures

33. Mandatory Autism awareness training for mainstream schools

    Government responded – 15 December 2020

    The Government is committed to ensuring teachers and other education staff have access to training to develop and build on their awareness and understanding of supporting children with autism.

    13,483 signatures

34. Implement a two week school lockdown before 24 December to save Christmas

    Government responded – 1 December 2020

    As set out in the Government’s COVID-19 Winter Plan, schools should not close early or change their Christmas holidays. It remains a national priority to avoid further disruption to education.

    125,227 signatures

35. End lockdown to prevent further economic damage to the UK’s economy.

    Government responded – 1 December 2020

    The Government has announced the Covid 19 Winter Plan, which sets out how we will continue to support the economy whilst limiting the spread of the virus.

    39,106 signatures

36. Do not implement a second national lockdown or other restrictions this winter

    Government responded – 30 November 2020

    The Government introduced new measures in England on 5 November to protect the NHS and reduce the growth in hospitalisations and deaths. Similar steps were taken in other parts of the UK.

    34,607 signatures

37. Reclose schools and colleges due to increase in COVID-19 cases

    Government responded – 25 November 2020

    Government’s priority is that all pupils remain in school and college full-time. For the vast majority of young people, the benefits of being in the classroom far outweigh the low risk from COVID-19.

    428,788 signatures

38. Keep schools closed until Covid 19 is no longer a threat

    Government responded – 25 November 2020

    Government’s priority is that all pupils remain in school full-time. For the vast majority of young people, the benefits of being back in school far outweigh the low risk from coronavirus (COVID-19)

    70,337 signatures

39. Ban greyhound racing to end unnecessary deaths & suffering of racing dogs

    Government responded – 26 November 2020

    Defra supports high welfare for racing greyhounds, considers that welfare concerns are being addressed in many ways, and believes a ban is unnecessary.

    104,876 signatures

40. To Seek a 1 year Extension to the Brexit Transition Period & a Second Referendum

    Government responded – 25 November 2020

    The deadline for an extension to be agreed, 1 July 2020, has passed. The transition period ends on 31 December 2020, as enshrined in UK law. The Government will not be extending the transition period.

    65,953 signatures

41. Test for cervical cell changes, regardless of HPV negative results

    Government responded – 23 November 2020

    Not all cell changes in the cervix require intervention. Screening to detect high-risk strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) increases the sensitivity and detects those at risk of disease.

    13,307 signatures

42. Exempt amateur boxing from Covid-19 restrictions

    Government responded – 23 November 2020

    Boxing is crucial for staying active. Due to the rise in infections, indoor and outdoor sports and leisure must remain closed until 2 December. Grassroots sport will return as soon as it is safe.

    11,394 signatures

43. Exempt golf courses from the list of venues required to close due to Covid-19

    Government responded – 23 November 2020

    People can leave their homes to exercise outdoors, with their household or with one person from another household or support bubble. Grassroots sports will return as soon as it is safe to do so.

    257,267 signatures

44. Protect leaseholders from paying for cladding remedial works

    Government responded – 24 November 2020

    The proposed Building Safety Charge intends to cover building safety measures, such as a building safety manager, and is designed to ensure that costs are transparent and reasonable for leaseholders.

    30,983 signatures

45. Allow open-air swimming pools, lidos & lakes to open in a new Covid-19 lockdown

    Government responded – 23 November 2020

    Physical activity is crucial for staying active. Due to new national restrictions, all indoor and outdoor sport facilities must close until 2 December. Grassroots sports will return soon as possible.

    31,734 signatures

46. Save Community Sports Clubs and Leisure Facilities with a Sports Recovery Fund

    Government responded – 23 November 2020

    Sports providers and facilities are crucial for people staying active. Government has provided unprecedented support to businesses through tax reliefs, cash grants and employee wage support.

    46,767 signatures

47. Ensure access to treatment and screening for all cancer patients during Covid-19

    Government responded – 24 November 2020

    The NHS is working to restore cancer services as quickly as possible. Cancer Alliances have been allocated £153m to continue delivering treatment in a Covid safe way.

    37,630 signatures

48. Ensure Student Nurses are paid whilst on placement

    Government responded – 24 November 2020

    Clinical placements provide supervised training. Student nurses are not paid but receive financial support to train through student loans and non-repayable maintenance grant of at least £5,000 a year.

    49,350 signatures

49. Allow corporate worship and congregational singing at places of worship

    Government responded – 20 November 2020

    Places of worship can remain open for individual prayer but cannot open for communal worship. Congregational singing is not permitted. Regulations will be reviewed before expiring on 2 December.

    32,876 signatures

50. Reduce VAT to 5% for the Hair & Beauty Industry inline with Hospitality.

    Government responded – 20 November 2020

    The Government has announced a significant support package to help businesses affected by Covid-19. While there are no plans to extend the scope of the reduced rate, we keep all taxes under review.

    28,790 signatures

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