• Stop Arms To Saudi
    We have created this campaign in collaboration with Campaign Against the Arms Trade, Amnesty International (University of Liverpool group) and the Green Party. The United Nations’ Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) states that weapons should not be sold to countries if there is a potential that the arms or items could be used to facilitate a serious violation of human rights. Whilst Saudi Arabia has been deemed ‘’a very old ally and partner’’ by David Cameron (2012), it continues to abuse the human rights of its citizens based on their gender and sexuality and refuses to acknowledge a need for change. Our mutual economic relationship with this country makes us complicit in the systematic abuse that takes place. The UK should consider not only the articles in the ATT but a country’s approach to human rights as a whole. Saudi Arabia consistently commits egregious breaches of human rights. It outlaws freedom of speech, expression or belief outside of Wahhabi Islam and regularly imprisons opponents without trial. Homosexuality is branded a crime and is punishable by torture and execution. Saudi Arabia and the UK have long had close dealings in the arms trade. Saudi Arabia is Britain’s largest customer for weapons and the UK is the Gulf nation’s single biggest supplier, according to Campaign Against the Arms Trade (CAAT). Weapons created in the UK were used to bomb Yemen this year in what has been dubbed ‘’a humanitarian catastrophe’’ (Andrew Smith, CAAT). Saudi Arabia is the biggest sponsor of global terrorism, funnelling money to rebels in Syria and to Sunni terrorist groups worldwide. The terrorist organisation IS are ‘’a product of Saudi ideals, Saudi money and Saudi organisational support’’ (Senator Bob Graham, the 9/11 commission). How can we claim to be a country that supports equality, diversity and freedom of speech when we continue with this inherently hypocritical trade relationship? Once again, we urge you to take action, Yours, the undersigned,
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    Created by Katherine Wright
  • Refugees Welcome in West Norfolk & Kings Lynn
    Aylan, the toddler who drowned fleeing Syria, was just three years old. His town was under attack by Isis. His five year old brother and his mum also died trying to reach safety. Yet our prime minister said ‘we won't take any more refugees’. He thinks that most of us don't care. But 38 Degrees members do care. We don't want Britain to be the kind of country that turns its back as people drown in their desperation to flee places like Syria. So let's stand up for Britain's long tradition of helping refugees fleeing war. Let's show the Prime Minister that we, the people of the UK, are proud to do our part and provide refuge to people in their hour of need. Please sign and share, or start your own petition for your town or city here: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/efforts/refugees-welcome
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    Created by Rosie Woolgar
  • Keep Gourmet Street Food in Perceval Square.
    "As many of you are aware, we have been told by the council that we are no longer allowed to have our trailer in Perceval Square. We are really upset about this as they only gave us permission in the beginning because "we were offering something unique and different". To change their minds now, we feel is really unfair. All we ever wanted to do was to bring something new to Stornoway - we are currently 2nd on Tripadvisor for restaurants in Stornoway (we must be doing something right) and we see you all as friends. We had a meeting recently with the council and we asked them if there was anything we could do to help resolve the situation. "Move" was the answer." Gourmet Street food is a small local business, using local produce which brings to the town something that is both unique and highly valued in it's offering. Perceval square as it stands is a under-utilised public realm which is brought to life by this focal point through the week offering not only great local food but also local hospitality and craic to both visitors and locals alike. We simply ask that the Comhairle support local businesses and be flexible in allowing trailers to operate in Perceval square.
    808 of 1,000 Signatures
    Created by Craig Cameron
  • Why do we pay for Leashold?
    Most Leasehold properties are rented by the poorer members of our society; those who can least afford to pay. This charge is placed upon homes that stand on land belonging to THE RICH. It was an ancient charge invented by the Land Barons in Medieval times, as a tax on the poorest of their labourers.
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    Created by Andrew Galfskiy
  • New State Pension should apply to all
    Older people who have already retired, and those due to retire before 6th April 2016, are and will continue to receive the 'old' basic State Pension, currently £115.95 per week. Those retiring after 6th April 2016 will receive the new State Pension, currently £151.25 (to be finalised in autumn 2015). This is fundamentally unfair to existing pensioners, who in many cases fought for their country, and then worked and contributed all their lives, to be treated as second class citizens. Treat everyone the same, give them the new State Pension. It is all very well to say "there is a safety net" of the benefits system, where poor pensioners can go, cap in hand, to explain how poor they are, show all their incomings and outgoings, and beg for state assistance, but understandably many pensioners have too much dignity to do this. It should not be necessary. Be fair to the people who were fair to this country. Give them the same pension as everyone else will now receive. Be fair.
    2,062 of 3,000 Signatures
    Created by Paul Fisher
  • stopping companies starting new companies when they have become bankrupt
    Because 7 months ago a company I worked for called Griffin Place Communications used a loophole in the law to set up a Telesales Communication's Company in my deprived neighbourhood , taking full advantage of the Welsh Government's grants that were on offer which totalled £600.000 and then went bankrupt leaving 120 of us without pay and destitute while they and then set up a new Telesales Communication's Company in another Welsh town just up the road from us.
    138 of 200 Signatures
    Created by Judith Davies Davies
  • Save our Coaches
    The increases in coaches fees has meant that some skater can no longer afford to have lessons. Some of the skaters that have/will have to give up skating are competing in British Championships and looking to compete for this Country. The winter sports club is a charity that is meant to support all winter sports and it is them that will caused the decline in Ice Skating. Some coaches have had to stop coaching altogether as no longer have enough skater to afford to continue.
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    Created by Angela Buckley
  • No taxation without representation?
    I pay all my income tax in Britain, but I am now disenfranchised. I have lived in France for seventeen years, but intend to return to Britain eventually. Why do I no longer have a vote? It should surely be possible for those of us who wish to continue voting to register. The argument is that too few ex-pats wanted to vote, but what if we do? I understand that French ex-pats are represented. I pay my taxes; I want to vote.
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    Created by Magaret Bradley
  • End the two-tier workforce at National Museums of Scotland
    In 2011 the management of National Museums Scotland broke an existing ACAS agreement and arbitrarily and unilaterally imposed a two-tier wage structure upon its lowest-paid workers (principally Cleaners, Visitor Services Assistants, Housemen, Security) without consultation or negotiation with the recognised Trade Unions. Staff employed since 1st January 2011 are on reduced terms and conditions without a weekend working allowance which is paid to compensate for having to work anti-social hours. Many of this lowest paid group only get one full weekend off once every seven weeks, which has a detrimental impact on family and social life. The consequence is that low-paid workers on the same shifts, doing the same work, are being paid up to £3,000 less than their colleagues. These workers make the National Museums Scotland the top rate attraction it is, and it is only fair that they get paid properly for their hard work. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation states that those earning under £17,100 a year are being paid a Poverty Wage, and many of our members earn well below that. Senior Scottish Politicians, in opposition against Westminster, have recently been calling for recognition of weekend working payments for those who give up valuable family and social time. These payments make up a large part of low-paid workers’ take home pay. PCS totally agree with safeguarding weekend working rights, and believe that if it is good enough for other workers, then National Museums Scotland staff deserve this too. Both Museum management and the Scottish Government need to embrace the principle of recompensing weekend work and accept PCS proposals to settle this long- running dispute. We do not believe that low-paid culture workers deserve to suffer at the hands of austerity, especially when heritage and culture contribute so much to the Scottish economy. The Museum’s own figures show that it contributes £65million to the economy. PCS Members at the National Museums of Scotland have been taking part in discontinuous strike action for over 2 years. Despite repeated requests to come to a negotiated settlement with management, this has not happened.
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    Created by Clara Paillard
  • Regulate the Probate Services Industry
    Currently the probate services industry handles in excess of £1 billion of assets every year. Yet there is no regulatory body to watch over the companies that provide probate services. In fact, anyone who is reading this could quite legitimately become a provider of probate services and handle £100,000's of assets left to others in the wills of deceased people, including cash, savings and property without being answerable to any authority. Because of this incredible lack of regulation, many companies who offer complete probate service packages can quite literally do as they please with the assets of a deceased person whilst working under the guise of the probate process, often taking literally years to complete fairly basic cases. Many companies in this industry use delaying tactics to ensure interest is earned on estate assets, without passing it on to beneficiaries. There are many reported cases of companies over-charging, lying and deceiving customers, often to cover up mis-handling of cases. Many firms have deals with high street banks which give them automatic access to the bank's deceased customers' personal details and account information and work to convince relatives or executors of the deceased that the probate process is a very difficult system to negotiate. These companies often use leaflets placed at Registry Offices which falsely appear to be provided by charities officially endorsed by Local Governments. The probate industry must be regulated by an official body who can effectively ensure that the companies which deal with the financial assets and properties left to beneficiaries pass the assets over to them speedily, accurately and without causing any undue extra stress on bereaved people. What other industry could handle such high value personal financial assets without coming under regulation in the UK? None, so it is imperative that the Probate Services Industry is brought into line to eradicate the deep-seated 'cowboy' companies, some of whom are currently the largest providers of these services in the UK.
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    Created by Mark Burden
  • Let discharged bankrupts be free!
    Far from peoples perception, after suffering and not being able to get credit and mortgages due to being made bankrupt....even after it has been "taken off your file" after 6 years, you still have to declare it to lenders if they ask you! You will be known as a discharged bankrupt to every lender that asks, for the rest of your life! The effects this has on peoples lives in modern Britain is beyond belief! One little mistake can potentially ruin the rest of your life. I call on George Osbourne to change the law on this to stop people from suffering like I have. People are going to be forced to rent for the rest of their lives and never be able to own their own home to pass on to their children because of silly mistakes they have made in their youth. Please help George Osbourne. Help stop the suffering and heartache of families. Help stop banks from charging higher interest rates to the people who are already worse off. Help get the banks lending again to hard working families. And please.....help show Britain is great by not punishing young entrepreneurs who take a chance and fail.
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    Created by paul elderfield
  • End the airport "sunscreen scam"
    Passengers are being misled and left out of pocket while the biggest retailers in the country exploit a loophole to pay even less tax. Every time one of us buys a £6 bottle of sunscreen at Boots we’re asked to show our boarding pass. Now we know that we’re not getting the £1 VAT, but neither does the Treasury. In fact airport retailers are reclaiming VAT we paid and POCKETING the money. Many passengers think they’ve been misled by airport shop staff who told them presenting a boarding card was obligatory – and even required for security purposes. It’s time to end the “sunscreen scam.” As the busiest holiday weekend of the year approaches, the “sunscreen scam” could add up to millions of pounds for retailers like Boots, WH Smith and World Duty Free. But this is not the first time some of these retailers have been accused of dodging tax. In 2013 Boots was accused of using a legal loophole to avoid paying £1.1BILLION in tax. The situation is so bad that even the minister in charge is angry with the shops. David Gauke MP told the Independent: “The VAT relief at airports is intended to reduce prices for travellers, not as a windfall gain for shops.” Join the revolt against the the shameless “sunscreen scam” by signing this petition.
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    Created by The Big Deal Picture