Petitions with a Government response

1. Review and increase foster care allowances and tax exemptions

   Government responded – 31 March 2023

   Allowances are reviewed annually. Minimum rates will rise by 12.43% from April. Tax allowances for foster carers have been reviewed and rise from April, representing an average annual tax cut of £450.

   13,310 signatures

2. Retain bans on cat, dog, seal fur imports, and extend to ban all fur imports

   Government responded – 27 March 2023

   There are already bans in place which the Government will retain. We have no plans currently to make further changes.

   69,946 signatures

3. Public Inquiry into Ofcom's guidance on broadcast standards during the pandemic

   Government responded – 24 March 2023

   A public inquiry into Ofcom's guidance on broadcast standards during the Covid-19 pandemic is not required. The UK Covid-19 Inquiry has been set up to examine the impact of the pandemic.

   11,508 signatures

4. Stop shark being sold under misleading names in the UK

   Government responded – 23 March 2023

   The Government is proud to champion the conservation and sustainable management of sharks and we will consider the evidence to support a review on the commercial designations of endangered sharks.

   12,113 signatures

5. Amend the Gender Recognition Act to allow for posthumous and expedited grants

   Government responded – 14 March 2023

   As announced in 2020, we believe the Gender Recognition Act 2004 is effective, strikes the right balance and allows for those who wish to legally change their sex. We have no plans to change it.

   13,777 signatures

6. Add content on death, dying and bereavement to the national curriculum

   Government responded – 13 March 2023

   Bereavement can be taught about as part of relationships and health education in an age-appropriate way. When we review the statutory guidance, we will assess whether content on bereavement is needed.

   11,322 signatures

7. Invest to guarantee women’s access to breast screening – now and for the future

   Government responded – 13 March 2023

   The Government is committed to supporting and improving the NHS breast screening programme. Measures have been introduced to reduce barriers to access and improve uptake of screening.

   84,605 signatures

8. Grant a Section 30 Order to enable a Scottish Independence Referendum

   Government responded – 18 April 2023

   The Government’s focus is on tackling issues such as the cost of living, energy security, and growing the economy. This is simply not the time to be talking about another independence referendum.

   15,207 signatures

9. Reverse IR35 legislation

   Government responded – 9 March 2023

   There are no plans to repeal the reforms to the off-payroll working rules. The reforms were introduced to tackle non-compliance with the off-payroll working rules and have been successful in doing so.

   14,160 signatures

10. Do not permit any Council Tax increase of more than 5% without a referendum

    Government responded – 8 March 2023

    The Government takes annual decisions on council tax referendum thresholds. The Government set higher thresholds for three councils which are in financial difficulty and asked for this flexibility.

    17,690 signatures

11. Carry out an independent review into Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs)

    Government responded – 25 April 2023

    The Government is already carrying out an evaluation of active travel schemes funded in 2020/21, including LTNs. It has no plans to commission a further review until this has concluded.

    15,906 signatures

12. Create a Turkish Family Scheme visa for people homeless due to the earthquake

    Government responded – 1 March 2023

    The Government has no plans to adopt this proposal but has responded with life-saving support to people affected in the region. Existing visa routes for those wishing to come to the UK are available.

    82,718 signatures

13. Give Ukrainians on humanitarian visas rights to extend stay and settle in the UK

    Government responded – 27 February 2023

    Our schemes provide Ukrainians with three years’ temporary sanctuary in the UK, until Putin is defeated and they can safely return home. As such, they are not routes for settlement.

    20,659 signatures

14. Guarantee access to broadcast TV (Freeview) and aerial radio beyond 2040

    Government responded – 24 February 2023

    We agree that terrestrial TV and radio are hugely important and will continue to be for years to come. We remain committed to ensuring UK audiences can access these platforms in the long term.

    29,748 signatures

15. Enshrine in law rights to roam and wild camp in national parks

    Government responded – 24 February 2023

    The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 provides the public a right of access to large parts of the English countryside including National Parks. There are no plans to change this.

    37,765 signatures

16. Withdraw the Transport Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill

    Government responded – 23 February 2023

    The Government believes in the ability to strike. However, this must be balanced against our first duty: to preserve the lives and livelihoods of British people by protecting essential services.

    12,075 signatures

17. Hold a referendum on removing the London Assembly and London Mayor

    Government responded – 21 March 2023

    The Government has no current plans to hold a referendum on the role or functions of the Mayor of London or London Assembly; devolved transport policies are best determined locally.

    71,554 signatures

18. Stop housing asylum seekers who entered the UK illegally in hotels

    Government responded – 21 February 2023

    The Government has been clear that using hotels to accommodate asylum seekers is not a long-term solution and is working tirelessly to reduce our dependency upon hotels to house asylum seekers.

    15,996 signatures

19. Give secondary school students a right pray in school

    Government responded – 20 February 2023

    Schools are required to take steps to consider the needs of people who share protected characteristics as per the public sector equalities duty and are encouraged to be flexible when doing so.

    16,309 signatures

20. Lifetime driving ban if you are convicted of causing death by dangerous driving.

    Government responded – 17 February 2023

    The Government takes road safety seriously and keeps the motoring offences under review. That is why a Call for Evidence is being considered.

    13,188 signatures

21. Fund free access to baby CPR training during pregnancy

    Government responded – 21 March 2023

    Information and support is provided for all parents through multiple avenues; therefore, the Government will not fund free access to baby CPR training during pregnancy.

    10,291 signatures

22. Offer healthcare workers on tier2 visa ILR after 2 years instead of 5 years

    Government responded – 13 February 2023

    The Government recognises the vital contribution of overseas health workers but to qualify for ILR a person must meet various requirements including a substantial period in their sponsored occupation.

    52,962 signatures

23. Investigate UK excess deaths not related to Covid.

    Government responded – 8 February 2023

    A combination of factors has contributed to the number of excess deaths. The government is taking steps to address this and will announce further detail in the forthcoming Major Conditions Strategy.

    25,216 signatures

24. Reverse the decision to block the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill

    Government responded – 7 February 2023

    This decision was made due to the adverse effects that would arise from the Bill and its significant impact on GB-wide equalities matters. This is not about changing the rights of transgender people.

    29,584 signatures

25. Increase State Pensions to £416.80 per week & lower Retirement Age to 60 for All

    Government responded – 7 February 2023

    The Government has no plans to increase State Pension to £416.80 per week or reduce State Pension age for everyone to 60.

    44,956 signatures

26. Stop legal aid for court appeals for people entering the UK illegally

    Government responded – 7 February 2023

    Anyone applying for legal aid in England and Wales is subject to strict eligibility criteria, and as a result, their legal issue must be in scope, and they must satisfy means and merit tests.

    13,060 signatures

27. Make it mandatory for Police & CPS to provide counselling to ALL victims of CSA

    Government responded – 3 February 2023

    There is no bar to a victim of child sexual abuse seeking pre-trial therapy or counselling. There are no plans to mandate provision of these services by the police and Crown Prosecution Service.

    12,020 signatures

28. Increase funding for treatment of pulmonary fibrosis & interstitial lung disease

    Government responded – 1 February 2023

    NHS England commissions services for interstitial lung disease (ILD) and funds the cost of treatments. Access to treatments has been expanded to patients with non-idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

    13,208 signatures

29. Require honey labels to reflect all countries of origin of the honey.

    Government responded – 31 January 2023

    The Government takes food fraud seriously and is working to ensure honey meets our high standards. Country of origin labelling is not a suitable means for determining if a food is subject to fraud.

    13,288 signatures

30. Remove references to 'gender identity' from relationships education guidance

    Government responded – 31 January 2023

    We are developing transgender guidance for schools to be published later this year. We will consider, in parallel, whether changes need to be made to the RSHE guidance to align with the new guidance.

    38,397 signatures

31. Do not remove LGBT content from the Relationships Education curriculum

    Government responded – 31 January 2023

    Primary schools are not required to teach LGBT content but can choose to teach it in an age-appropriate way. The Department for Education has no plans to change its advice to schools on this subject.

    104,920 signatures

32. Remove LGBT content from the Relationships Education curriculum

    Government responded – 30 January 2023

    Primary schools are not required to teach LGBT content but can choose to teach it in an age-appropriate way. The Department for Education has no plans to change its advice to schools on this subject.

    249,594 signatures

33. Repeal the Gender Recognition Act 2004

    Government responded – 30 January 2023

    As announced in 2020, we believe the Gender Recognition Act 2004 is effective, strikes the right balance and allows for those who wish to legally change their sex. We have no plans to change it.

    16,000 signatures

34. Update the Equality Act to make clear the characteristic “sex” is biological sex

    Government responded – 26 January 2023

    Under the Equality Act 2010, providers are already able to restrict the use of spaces/services on the basis of sex and/or gender reassignment where justified. Further clarification is not necessary.

    109,462 signatures

35. Commit to not amending the Equality Act's definition of sex

    Government responded – 25 January 2023

    This Government believes in individual liberty. There are processes with appropriate checks to allow for those who wish to legally change their gender. Changes to the Equality Act are not necessary.

    138,886 signatures

36. Fund more specialist school places for children with special educational needs

    Government responded – 20 January 2023

    The Government is investing £2.6 billion between 2022 and 2025 to support local authorities to deliver new high needs places in mainstream and special schools, as well as other specialist settings.

    16,972 signatures

37. Create statutory legal duty of care for students in Higher Education

    Government responded – 20 January 2023

    Higher Education providers already have a general duty of care not to cause harm to their students through their own actions.

    128,292 signatures

38. Reinstate tax relief allowing mortgage interest to be set against rental income

    Government responded – 17 January 2023

    The Government will continue to set mortgage interest relief against rental income at the basic rate of tax. The Government has a responsibility to make sure the income tax system is fair.

    40,175 signatures

39. Raise the standard Personal TAX Allowance from £12,570 to £20,000

    Government responded – 6 January 2023

    The Personal Allowance will remain at £12,570, to support the public finances. It has nearly doubled since 2010. The Government’s Cost of Living support package is targeted at those who need it most.

    10,687 signatures

40. Give Animal Rescue Centres a grant to offset this winters increased heating cost

    Government responded – 18 April 2023

    Businesses and charities are currently being supported by the Energy Bill Relief Scheme. The Government is not currently considering targeted additional support for rescue centres’ heating costs.

    11,138 signatures

41. Require train operators maintain ticket offices at railway stations

    Government responded – 19 December 2022

    We want train operators to improve the station experience by providing more active support. To propose ticket office changes operators must follow the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement process.

    16,128 signatures

42. Launch a Public Inquiry into the approval process for covid-19 vaccines

    Government responded – 20 December 2022

    The Government is confident that the approval processes of the medicines regulator are robust. It is a matter for the COVID-19 public inquiry whether it wishes to pursue any of these issues.

    41,504 signatures

43. End assessments and consider disability benefit claims on medical advice alone

    Government responded – 21 December 2022

    Benefit assessments ensure people get the support they are entitled to. Evidence from claimants’ medical professionals alone is usually insufficient to ensure that claimants get the right support.

    29,048 signatures

44. Negotiate sustainable catch limits for all 5 UK cod stocks with the EU in 2022.

    Government responded – 28 December 2022

    The United Kingdom advocates an approach towards setting Total Allowable Catches for cod and other stocks which are founded on the best available scientific advice.

    10,665 signatures

45. Increase funding for early years settings

    Government responded – 20 December 2022

    We have spent over £3.5 billion in each of the past 3 years on our early education entitlements. Over one million children per year are benefitting from this Government’s record investment.

    15,983 signatures

46. Prevent the introduction of any "programmable" CBDC in the UK

    Government responded – 21 December 2022

    The government has no plans to program any future UK central bank digital currency (CBDC) or restrict how money is spent.

    31,476 signatures

47. Minimum wage pay for all healthcare students for placement hours worked!

    Government responded – 9 December 2022

    There are no plans to pay healthcare students whilst on compulsory clinical placements. The Government offers non repayable grants worth at least £5,000 per academic year to support students.

    11,763 signatures

48. Withdraw the UK from the European Convention on Human Rights

    Government responded – 28 February 2023

    Our Bill of Rights will allow us to remain a State Party to the ECHR and make full use of the margin of appreciation, i.e. the latitude given to states to give effect to the Convention domestically.

    18,277 signatures

49. Increase funding for schools to ensure that they do not enter deficit

    Government responded – 6 December 2022

    In the Autumn Statement, the Chancellor announced that schools in England will be receiving an additional £2 billion net in funding a year in each of the next two financial years.

    12,418 signatures

50. We call upon the Government to hold a Public Inquiry into the impact of Brexit

    Government responded – 5 December 2022

    The UK’s departure from the EU was a democratic choice and the UK-EU institutions are functioning as intended. The Government does not believe this to be an appropriate subject for a public inquiry.

    216,807 signatures

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