We the undersigned wish to express our profound disquiet at the roll-out of digital Universal Credit (UC). The Government’s plans will continue to replace all means-tested social security benefits and tax credits for those of working age, across Greater Manchester and beyond. We believe that we should not stand for such wilful ignorance of the impacts of the new system. We urge individuals, groups, organisations, MPs, councillors, landlords and housing associations to stand in solidarity against the Universal Credit roll-out. Signed and shared by: Greater Manchester Law Centre, GM Poverty Action, Big Issue North, Salford Mayor Paul Dennett, Salford Council Welfare Rights and Debt Advice Team, Salford Star, People's Plan GM, Coffee 4 Craig, St Mungo's Unite, Kill the Housing Bill, Cllr Gary Bridges, Cllr Bev Craig, Cllr Basat Sheik, Cllr Richard Leese, Council Labour Group, Manchester Shield, Withington Lib Dems. As this catastrophe unfolds the shortcomings and blind spots of UC have increasingly become clear. The following are the six issues, faced by individuals and families, which concern us most: 1. People are experiencing waits of six to twelve weeks (sometimes longer) for their first payment of Universal Credit. Consequently, people are spiraling into debt and rent arrears which they may find it impossible to recover from. 2. Universal Credit claims can only be processed online through a system called verify which cannot be completed without requisite ID or computer access. Some of the most vulnerable people, such as those who are disabled, precariously housed, homeless or non-UK citizens, find it extremely difficult to claim. This both lengthens the waiting period for first payments and makes it difficult for individuals to maintain their claims, putting them at risk of sanctions. 3. Sanctions are being applied erratically and arbitrarily in relation to UC. There is mounting evidence highlighting unfair use of sanctions, for example individuals have received them for being at work and missing their work focused interview. Full service roll-out will also bring housing benefit into the realm of sanctions, directly increasing the risk of evictions and homelessness. 4. Under UC many will see a reduction in their financial entitlement and will be living off substantially less money. In some cases individuals will be around £100-£300 less well off per month than on previous legacy benefits like Employment and Support Allowance and Severe Disability Premium . Disabled people and those with debilitating heath conditions will be pushed further into poverty as a result. 5. Young People aged 18-25 will be disproportionately affected by UC, . For example, those aged between 18-21 will not be entitled to housing benefit under UC unless in an exempt category. The exemptions will not cover thousands of at risk young people, resulting in mounting debt and homelessness. 6. Evidence suggests that UC is pushing more children and families into poverty. Unjust elements of UC like the two child limit do not support working or non-working families. Direct links to welfare reform, specifically UC are causing professionals to highlight the risk of more children going into care and families becoming homeless. We call on the Government to halt the roll-out while all of the problems are reviewed, to avoid creating unnecessary suffering. Universal Credit, if rolled out in its current form, is a Universal Catastrophe that will place an unsustainable burden on the finances of local authorities, charitable organisations and support services who will ultimately be left to pick up the pieces.

This is important because the cafe has been part of all our childhood and a huge amount of people have happy memories of this cafe. LLP Properties should be held accountable to explain why they are driving out our town’s local businesses and forcing the local people out of jobs which they need to support their own families too. NLC should be doing more to help local businesses NOT helping and standing by and watching them close down. Our home town is slowly dying due to the total greed by this company’s attitude towards its residents who are trying to make a living and serve a community. Start to think about folks livelihoods NOT bank balances for your own self gain. We the people of Motherwell demand that you withdraw the outrageous hike towards our town’s businesses. We demand it NOW!

Sefton council are proposing to take children centres away and merging them with family centres and other services. This will mean that we will no longer have our play sessions or the support for families and children it will all be targeted

Changing SMI from being a benefit to a loan will mean that yet again many of our vulnerable people will end up further into debt. Also the fact that this has been done relatively on the quiet is another example of this governments rough shod ways of dealing with the most vulnerable people within our society.

My mum was only 46 years when she got diagnosed with a brain tumour and told she had three months to live. I was stunned when the funeral director said it would cost £5,000 for a cremation. I felt shame having to owe people money. Because I was unable to repay the debt and deal with my own emotions, I wasn’t able to grieve in peace. The government funeral fund used to cover the cost of a basic funeral for families who otherwise wouldn't be able to afford one. Now it covers less than 40% - that's just £700 for direct funeral expenses. According to Money Advice Service, the average cost of a funeral can range from £1600-£4257.but it can be much more in places like London which is double the national average. Many families like mine are being forced into debt and poverty because they can't afford a funeral when someone they love dies. Now the Fair Funerals campaign is calling on the government to raise the funeral fund and help families grieve in dignity. One in six grieving families get into serious financial problems trying to pay for a funeral. Tell the government to save grieving people like me from funeral debt. Please sign this petition now.

Childhood trauma is often overlooked, greatly misunderstood and one of the most damaging things that can happen to a child. Childhood trauma is often complex and can be catastrophic leaving a lifetime of struggles in almost all facets of life. The younger a person is when exposed to trauma the higher their risk of developing trauma related disorders including learning disorders, developmental disorders, cognitive deficits, attention issues and attachment disorders and so much more. My son aged 8 was diagnosed with PTSD in july 2016 after a major event that happened in December 2015. Weve had to fight every service and still to this day hes not getting the support he requires to live a life he deserves none of this was him fault. The services my son requires dont even exist anymore which again is down to funding cuts. In 2015 the goverment put in place a five year forward plan and two years on there has been no major change to the system. My son has been failed on 7 out of the 12 strategies stated in the plan...... These failed children are our future so WHY ARENT WE INVESTING INTO MAKING SURE OUR CHILDREN FLORISH NOT FAIL IN SOCIETY...

Children need to play outside! They need to be allowed to be children! In a day and age where computer games and a sedentary lifestyle are the norm, and obesity rates are rising, it is ridiculous for the RMG to try and implement this rule. On a 'family' estate, where lots of children live, it is completely unreasonable to ask that children don't play out together, and enjoy the area that they live in. These are good kids. They are not doing any harm, or being naughty or disrespectful. They are simply being children and having fun. Whilst children should be appropriately supervised and stick to rules and safety measures, they shouldn't be couped up like prisoners. The world is full of enough zombies who stare at screens all day and night and I used to love playing out on our road as a kid. Some of my happiest memories were made that way. If you agree with even a small part of this, please sign the petition before this country becomes even more ridiculous! https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/environment/2016/mar/25/three-quarters-of-uk-children-spend-less-time-outdoors-than-prison-inmates-survey

Dorset currently face cuts in real terms of £4.2 million by 2020, equivalent to the loss of 111 teachers. 129 of 162 Dorset schools are facing cuts by 2020. This will mean our children face the loss of talented teachers, dedicated teaching assistants, specialist support staff, enrichment activities and even adequate equipment in classes. Additionally, these cuts will mean our children face a narrower curriculum, delivered with growing class sizes, possibly without a qualified teacher in the room. Dorset is a diverse county with children coming from a range of rural and urban settings, with many backgrounds and abilities. All of these children deserve to have their needs met so that they can achieve all that they can. These cuts will deprive our children of a bright future which should be theirs.

This is so important because since the new Mersey gateway bridge has been built we now have new road layout in the area which is making more traffic use this road. The road already has a 20mph speed limit on it but drivers do not take any notice. There have been many accidents and collisions in the past year on this road due to speeding. We would like a safe crossing and more enforcement on the speed limit before someone is knocked down and killed.

Brighton and Hove City Council have voted on a trial period of opening up the road to traffic at 4pm from April 2018 for a seven month period. We point out to the council that even one child knocked over by a car whilst walking along this currently pedestrianised street is one child too many. A public consultation took place in 2015 on this same issue and the Council decided not to change the traffic-free times as 'A number of road safety issues were identified' and '85% of the public who responded to the consultation did NOT want any change to the times'. We, the undersigned believe that the safety and health of the many city residents who shop in George St should be of utmost importance and that the current pedestrianisation of George Street in the summer months up to 6pm should be upheld.

We need Linaker as it stands, the same building, all day every day access and the same friendly staff! Southport children centre's saves lives! Anybody can become vulnerable at any time in their life, childrens centres, family support workers and other professionals based at centres like Linaker are nothing less than real life superheroes! The community, the children, the parents and the professionals ALL need the local childrens centres! Stop tradgey happening and help save our local childrens centres!

Dear Sir, I was at the checkout in my local coop store. In front of me was a mother with 2 young children. She was struggling with her shopping at the same time as she was subjected to a lot of pestering from her children for sweets. I looked up and saw the panel which hid the tobacco products. The government has decided that it is of benefit to our health not to be reminded of this health hazard and, no doubt, there is a lot of research showing that removing the visual stimulus reduces the consumption. We are also told of an impending crises of obesity in children. I spoke to the mother about the nuisance of having sweets placed within such easy reach of children and at a place where she could not walk away. I also spoke to the store manager who, as a mother and grandmother herself, was very sympathetic, but explained that Cadbury is paying extra to have their products displayed in just such an area because " it makes parents buy them". Coop is proud of its ethical values. Is it not time for your organisation to take a lead and put the health before profits, to forgo a little money to help struggling parents keep sugar from their children. Please think about this and show your community that your ethical values reach all the way down to the shop floor. Sincerely Monika Brown , mother and grandmother