Any of us could lose our jobs, become disabled or find ourselves struggling and in need of help, and we will hopefully all grow old, so let’s change our language when we talk about ‘state benefits’. Change the term to ‘state support’ and we start to talk about it for what it really is. Whilst the government is not likely to make the change (it would highlight how morally corrupt their policies have become), I hope this campaign will raise awareness about the true nature of social support and show the government how proud we are as a nation to have a welfare system, and that we are determined to protect it. Let’s show the government that we haven’t lost our compassion as a nation.

No American has ever been extradited for a crime allegedly committed physically on US soil - so if the alleged crimes Lauri has committed took place in the UK, should his trial not also? The judicial frameworks for due process in the United Kingdom exist to process these cases. The UK-US extradition treaty, used to uphold a so called "special relationship", has been historically one-sided. There is absolutely no guarantee Lauri will receive the standard of healthcare he requires in the United States. In the spirit of what has been an cruel and underhanded case, the prosecution responded to concerns regarding Lauri's well documented health problems both mental and physical by continually seeking to undermine the opinions of medical professionals who state extradition is not in Lauri's best interests. Theresa May pardoned Gary McKinnon in 2012, blocking his extradition to the United States on the grounds of Human Rights. What is so different about the Love vs USA case? As McKinnon said in 2015, "It would be tragic if the ladder used to rescue me from extradition was kicked away from the next person who needs it". "Lauri is adamant he will not come to the US to be prosecuted. One need only look to the cases of whistleblowers and activists such as Jeremy Hammond, Barrett Brown, Aaron Swartz and Chelsea Manning to know the US legal system is not about justice, but about retribution. Lauri is also concerned about the extensive use of solitary confinement as punishment in the US legal system. The prolonged use of solitary confinement has been ruled torture by every major human rights group, and yet is still used as a routine form of punishment for even the most minor infractions without concern for the mental health of the prisoner. It is clear from recent examples that there is no potential for anything remotely resembling justice to come from an extradition order to the US in a case such as this." -- freelauri.com

Whilst many of us do agree that high earners should probably pay more for living in social housing, an entire household on £30,000 (or £40,000 in London) a year just isn’t high or wealthy. That would consist of a couple earning just £15,000 each, and we know how hard it is to get by on that meagre amount. The current government are contradicting themselves when they say they’ll “make work pay” and they’re the party for the workers; yet if a social housing tenant works, they will now be penalised for it. If you live in social housing and you work, you will now face the prospect of losing your home. Many of these working families in social housing (just like most other people) have aspirations to get out of the poverty trap and use the opportunity of social housing to save for a deposit to one day buy their own home, thus freeing up the home for the next family who needs it. Now it is as though they are not allowed to have dreams or better themselves. All hope of saving for a decent mortgage have been ripped out from under their feet while they are pushed back down into the ground where they apparently “belong”. It is increasingly depressing that there is near to no hope for people’s futures. Mortgages aside, many families, especially those with children, will find it increasingly hard to manage day to day. These families could be forced to private rent, but not their own self contained flat as before, as the rents would again be too high, they will be forced into renting a room and sharing a house. Is this the way a family should live? We are regressing back to the days of overcrowded houses with notorious rip off landlords. The ONS says that a family of four will spend on average £517.30 per week. If both parents earned a total of £31,000, they would (after tax), have only around £465 to spend per week, this is well below the UK average. When their rents are raised to market level, where will they get the extra money from? This will result in more poverty, tenants giving up jobs or reducing their hours to earn under the threshold, or in worst case scenarios, couples splitting up or living apart to avoid being penalised for having a job or older working children being kicked out to reduce the household income. If these children are under 21, and on a low wage, how will they find housing without a Housing Benefit top up? Let’s cut out the “luxuries” of living, the ONS estimates that to live basically (rent/mortgage not included), a household will spend an average of £350 a week on bills, food, basic clothing, travel and health. This would leave a £30,000 earning home with about £100 a week to spend on their social housing rent. The average UK market rent is £960 per month, or £222 per week. How will these households meet the shortfall of market rent? Where will these families go? This petition is to ask for consideration that the threshold for Pay to Stay be increased to at least £60,000 per household (£70,000 for London). This would ensure that the average family is able to live without poverty, keep a roof over their head and still be able to save a little each month for a deposit to buy their own home, freeing up social housing without first making more people homeless. The current proposed threshold will only make one family homeless to rehome another, thus not bringing down homeless levels, and increasing the housing benefit spend. A consultation paper was produced which asked the opinions of experts in the field – Local Authority landlords, Private Registered Landlords, Tenant Representative Bodies, Private Landlords, and Individuals. A brief quote from the paper is below. Why was there a consultation when the majority of the views were not taken into account? “About a third of respondents thought that the threshold of £60,000 was appropriate. A smaller proportion thought that £80,000 should be the minimum, while the least favoured was £100,000. Social landlords largely preferred £60,000. There were also views that the threshold could be lower than £60,000, though not a consensus in favour of lowering the threshold. If the threshold was below £60,000 it could act as a disincentive to work, particularly for larger households and in high demand areas such as London. Those who favoured the threshold of £60,000 suggested it was reasonable and consistent with other Government policies involving income thresholds, such as access to affordable home ownership (although it was noted that the threshold may need to be adjusted to £74,000 for London, to align with London schemes) and the child benefit “cap”. There were also views that no more than 30% of a household’s income should go on housing costs; otherwise, it could start to impact detrimentally on the household’s budget.”

Like many people I have found myself on the receiving end of ATOS deciding I am fit to work. Despite my GP sending me to the assessment with a supporting letter. My GP knows I am not fit enough to work. And there are thousands of people out there who are the same. Forcing people into situations that they can't cope with will cause more deaths, more illnesses and cost the NHS more in the long run. It's. It through choice I don't work. I am a qualified teacher. And shortly after qualifying was told by a school they didn't think I was capable of 'keeping up'. My health drastically deteriorated and now I can't work. Yet ATOS seem to think me and thousands of others out there are able to work..... and work any job. The whole system needs looking at and revising. How many people need to die before something is done about this.

In the UK we already have an epidemic of homelessness, if this policy is allowed to go through parliament the numbers of homeless people will increase drastically and child poverty will spiral out of control.

Home-Start provides a vital lifeline to vulnerable families in Lincolnshire through its unique team of home-visiting volunteers. Volunteers spend time with families each week to increase their confidence, reduce their isolation, empowering them to address the challenges they face. Lincolnshire County Council's complete withdrawal of funding and support for Home-Start services, at a preventative level before families fall into crisis, will lead to parents with no appropriate support and thousands of children left at risk of harm.

Many of us, having put our details into budget calculators, have been horrified to find we will be much worse off once this budget swings into action. Some of us, already struggling and on the poverty line (which has conveniently been moved by this Government) will really struggle after the cuts to tax credits for working people. The choice between heating & eating will become reality for some. For a lot of people, we work to provide a better existence for our children, and also to give them a positive role model. We are not work-shy benefit claimants, we had children and then continued to work. Giving free childcare to 2-3 year olds really doesn't help those of us with slightly older children, paying for childcare during school holidays so that we can continue working. Many services are ran by working parents. The majority of those who work in this country are parents, and the tax credits helps our family finances to be survivable. It seems so unfair that we are doing what the government wants - "Get Britain Working" - we are!! And we are also parents, who are eking out an existence with Tax Credits help, without that help there is literally no reason for us to work. Its unfair, its unjust, why punish us?? If ALL working parents chose a day next year, and ALL chose NOT to work that day, to stay home and be parents, for one day, imagine the effect that would have!! A big message, from ALL of us working parents, don't cut our tax credits. Please.

Because you can't go on letting those of us who are genuinely sick get treated like we are benefit cheats. Of we have medical evidence to back up our claim then the benefits shouled get awarded. My doctor knows I cant get in and out of the bath alone, but an assessor decided I can do it myself after a 60 minute assessment. We can't go on ignoring this!

George Osbourne is clearly out for his own ends and is not acting in the best interests of the people. Its time for him to go, before he does any further damage.

Many of the working poor, sick and disabled are on a knife-edge as to whether they lose their homes, can continue working, end up in hospital, breakdown, die or commit suicide. The DWP have been fighting the figures for deaths of those found 'fit to work'. The media typically don't report the plight of the working poor or those needing benefits (in or out of work). Councils are given more and more responsibility so that their spending power looks good when they cry out about cuts. The government cuts-back the funding before handing over responsibility. Councils then have to hurt their residents. The people must be given a choice. If Greeks can do it, so can the Brits.

Many involved with the incident in Tunisia will have suffered financial issues far greater than the level of payment offered by the Tourist agents/Travel agents. Many will need assistance with ongoing medical costs, counselling & therapy, other expenses. Holiday insurance does not cover acts of terrorism. To date the majority of those affected were British Citizens and should be supported by the British government to recover from the effects of this horrendous act both physically and mentally.

My drugs are my lifeline. Without them I would have no movement at all. So why should I have to pay? Prescription charges for Parkinson's: England. Charge Scotland. Free Wales. Free Ireland. Free There are numerous medical conditions whereas you qualify for free prescriptions unfortunately if you reside in England and suffer from Parkinson's then this is not considered as one of these conditions! Some medicines you can only get by prescription, usually from your GP. In England each prescribed item currently costs £8.20. Prescription charges were abolished in Wales in 2007, in Northern Ireland in 2010 and in Scotland in 2011. Why are there varying standards across the country? I believe that all people with Parkinson's and other long-term conditions should be exempt from prescription charges wherever they live in the UK. Medication is extremely important in helping people with Parkinson's manage their symptoms and continue to lead independent lives. People with Parkinson's are often required to pay multiple prescription charges, due to the number of medications prescribed for the management of a wide range of symptoms. A list of conditions that qualify for exemption from prescription charges does exist in England but has barely changed since its creation in 1968, despite significant medical and technological changes. Particularly concerned about the additional financial hardship that charges present for younger people with Parkinson's. For example, the income rules on free prescriptions can mean those on incapacity benefits still have to pay for prescription charges. If people can't afford their prescribed medication their symptoms may get worse. And this may lead to a greater cost to health and social services. This is a campaign for a Prescription Charges Coalition to ensure people with all long-term conditions – including Parkinson’s – are exempt from prescription charges, wherever they live in the UK