• Homes for a growing population
    It is a simple fact of economics that if demand increases without a corresponding increase in supply then market forces will drive up prices. Our countries inability to build enough homes for the growing population is well documented. What is not so well documented is that the governments various schemes to help first time buyers onto the housing ladder simply exacerbate the problem of high house prices. The schemes may be welcomed by those in or near a position to buy their first home, but in the long run all the schemes do is drive house prices higher. Exorbitant house prices force a growing percentage of the population into private rental. As house prices increase private rental costs also increase, which in turn makes it far more difficult for those renting to build the deposit required to own a home. Those renting are forced to save a far larger percentage of their disposable income in order to build their deposit; and this of course relies on there being any disposable income left to save. Reports this week suggest that the average first-time buyer will have already spent £50000 on rent. With all this money being saved by those looking to build a deposit, there is less and less money being put back into the economy. The growing percentage of the country who are building a deposit will be eating out less, limiting their purchase of luxury goods and generally saving money wherever possible. There is a concept known as the velocity of money that effectively states that the faster money moves around the faster the economy grows; money sat in savings accounts is stagnant and does very little for the economy. The upshot of this is that growth of the economy is limited, which in turn limits the number of jobs paying a decent wage, which in turn forces more of the population to rely on taxpayer funded benefits. Less taxpayers money would be required to fund benefits if there were more jobs paying a living salary. The money made available by the reduced reliance on benefits could be used to increase funding for the NHS, reduce the tax burden on the population, make higher education free again, and many other causes. In short, it is my opinion that a large number of the problems facing this country could be resolved if the government truly committed to investing in a long-term infrastructure and house building program rather than wasting taxpayer money driving up the cost of already exorbitant house prices. This is a policy that would fairly benefit the whole country rather than just a few.
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    Created by Alasdair Murray
  • Will the Trust please commit to not imposing new contracts on junior doctors
    Anyone who has been admitted to hospital is aware of the vital role that junior doctors play in maintaining a health service open to all. Demoralise and demonise the junior doctors and the BMA and not only will a great many of our doctors be driven out of public service, but the NHS will start to fragment. We will end up with a privatised health service with access determined by income. Please do not let this happen.
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    Created by Sarah Malone
  • SAVE HONITON POST OFFICE
    This post office is vital for the local economy. This backdoor privatisation will threaten jobs and lower the standard and range of services that is provided. It is also an important focal point for the community.
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    Created by Keith Franklin
  • Vote of NO confidence in MP Andrew Turner, Isle of Wight
    We feel that MP Andrew Turner is no longer fit to conduct his duties as spokesperson for the residents of the Isle of Wight. It is becoming increasingly obvious that his views and voting record are not in alignment with the needs of the local people. He recently claimed he was doing all in his power to bring the issues of cuts to our local budget to Westminster, in an attempt to gain more funds, only to vote for a reduction in local government grants later the same day. Completely contradicting his previous efforts. Although his comments at PMQT about Tigers got the attention of the country, it wasn't in a positive or productive manner. The most vulnerable people in our society are going to suffer the most by the time the entire cuts (including some statutory services) are rolled out & our Council looks like it will be bankrupt. Eventually everyone will be effected by the inability of our present MP to fairly represent us at a governmental level. It's time to step aside & let someone who has a clear understanding of the political situation and has the peoples best interests at heart take the reigns.
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    Created by Alison Logan
  • A Labour Minister for Animal Protection.
    This is incredibly important, the level of animal cruelty has become unbearable, these animals have no voice and nobody to represent them politically in the world of law making. In 2016 how can we say that we live in a civilized society with the amount of animal abuse, when vegans and veggies are openly laughed at as being loonies just because they respect the animal kingdom and an animals right to life, the animals desperately need a voice and we want that voice to be the labour party.
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    Created by Michael Faulkner Picture
  • Shut down Newcastle University Animal Lab
    Vivisection is ineffective and archaic. Animals do not share our DNA, there is nothing that we can learn from animals that is relevant to the human body. As such we ask that Newcastle University moves on to modern forms of research such as computer modelling, micro- dosing and organ on a chip which are vastly more accurate than the outdated cruelty that they currently use. It is time to stop placing profit over results. This cruelty must end, for the sake of the animals. Sentient beings have the right to live a life free from suffering and torture. These tests are not conducted for results, they are conducted for profit. Modern testing is far more reliable and applicable to the human body. We the undersigned wish for advancement in treatments and medication which does not happen when using animals.
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    Created by Squidgy Lou Chakra
  • Lothian Buses to continue to accept Adult City Single Tickets
    Services working with vulnerable people hand out single bus tickets to enable people to get to health appointments and to meet with other vital services. The decision to stop accepting Adult City Single Tickets restricts the ability for services to offer such provision. Users of food banks have been particularly impacted by the decision. Foodbanks use these single tickets to issue to clients who have walked quite a distance to receive 12-25kgs of food to carry home. When previous client stated ‘When I accessed a foodbank in the intervening time between losing my house and going to a homeless hostel I went to the foodbank on Madeira Street and they gave me a bus ticket to get back to Lothian Road, which was as you can imagine a massive help!’. Alternative ticketing systems that Lothian Buses could consider are listed below: • Adult City Single Scratchcards are less likely to be counterfeited. • Using two prepaid child tickets to allow an adult to board a bus (no plans as yet to cease the sale of books of child singles) • Single journey citysmart cards with only one journey loaded on them • Day saver scratch cards solds to charities for £1.60 each • Annual donations of scratch cards to charities that are existing customers of Lothian Buses as part of LB’s corporate social responsibility
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    Created by PAUL STEVENSON
  • Protect Adlingfleet Common
    Adlingfleet Common is a beautiful place set in the rural village of Adlingfleet in East Yorkshire. In the height of summer when the grass is long, butterflies flit from flower to flower whilst hares stand upright watching out for foxes and stoats. The buzz of bumblebees harvesting the nectar of the clover rich pasture is interrupted by the calls of hedgerow birds staking claim to their territories. Barn and short-ear owls hunt the margins whilst marsh harriers and buzzards circle above the adjoining fields. The ancient pond provides the ideal habitat for damsel and dragonflies that dart through the air in an array of multi-colours changing direction with split second timing. Tadpoles seek refuge in the margins as the kingfisher dives for the next unsuspecting minnow. Adlingfleet Common is 60 acres of refuge that sits, as a drop in the ocean, amongst 1000's of acres of the most intensively “farmed” land in the country and is registered, under the CRoW act, as a public space and also serves as a bridleway. Adlingfleet Common needs to be protected. In June 2014 the Cow Lane Committee, who are responsible for the "care" of Adlingfleet Common, permitted the spraying of a cocktail of pesticides. The derogation to spray was authorised by DEFRA. The common was sprayed with a total of 90 litres of Lupo and 30 litres of High Load Mircam at a cost of £1090 to the tax payer. Both Lupo and High Load Mircam are not permitted for use in public spaces. The spraying of these chemicals killed off many species of plants resulting in a major loss of habitat for butterflies and insects, may have resulted in the polluting of the pond and adjoining water courses and put the public at unnecessary risk to pesticide exposure. The pungent odour of chemicals lingered for over 3 weeks after spraying. It is important that small pockets of land are responsibly managed and set aside for the flora and fauna to flourish. If not they will be lost to the ravages of industrial farming - along with the butterflies, dragonflies, hares, bees, birds and every other creature that is unable to exist in a toxic environment. With your help we can take a step to making a change and this can ultimately effect us all. Success will result in protection for Adlingfleet Common but may set an example for other important wildlife habitats to be protected. Protected for the environment. Protected for you and your children. Protected for future generations. Funding for Legal Action We are presently trying to raise funds via Crowdfunder to assist in legal action against the Cow Lane Committee. Full details can be found here: http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/save-adlingfleet-common/
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    Created by Shaun Mudge
  • Keep Anti-Abortion Picketing Away from Cardiff Clinic
    This petition is not about censorship; it’s not about undermining freedom of expression or about anyone being offended. It is about protecting women’s right to access abortion freely, confidentially and without fear, intimidation or public shaming. Each year 40 Days For Life picket the BPAS Clinic, on St Mary Street in Cardiff throughout lent. They gather under banners and placards and hand out unsolicited, inaccurate, pseudo-medical anti-abortion material. These tactics are intimidating, distressing and damaging to clients and staff of BPAS. We respect everyone's right to peaceful protest; let 40 Days for Life publicly state their anti-abortion views, let them be held to account and their doctrine interrogated. What we can’t let them do is operate in the vicinity of BPAS to shame, distress and intimidate women who are accessing the legal and vital reproductive health care that they’re entitled to. It is inappropriate and unjustified for an anti-abortion organisation to be allowed to interfere with women’s fundamental human and legal right to seek medical advice and care in the case of pregnancy. If you want 40 Days for Life to remove their prayer, picketing and propaganda from the vicinity of the BPAS clinic, please sign.
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    Created by Mawgaine Tarrant-Cornish
  • One pence Scottish Tax Rise to Prevent Savage Cuts to Services
    The tax rise would mean better off people would pay significantly more than those on lower and middle wage levels. Those on £150,000 would pay an extra £1,500 per year, those on £30,000 around £140 a year. And it would raise almost £500m to invest in services currently being cut to the bone or abolished
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    Created by Jimmy Burnett
  • Safety for Pedestrian Crossing - Prevention is better than Death!
    At present drivers go through the pelican crossing when it's turning red, and also when it is red. This crossing is used by many school pupils including those at Queens Park Community School, Capital Academy and Malorees Junior School. It is only a matter of time before a child gets killed by a driver. Brent Council needs to put a red light trigger camera and warning sign at the pelican crossing before a death not after one. Prevention is better than Death!
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    Created by Kaya Xxxx
  • Save Calcot Children's Centre
    This centre is absolutely vital for babies and parents. Life as a new parent can be challenging and, at times, isolating. This centre is crucial for meeting other parents and getting the support needed for your baby, whether that be for weighing, feeding or any other concerns. Without it many people would have to travel to Burghfield, which is very difficult for many people in the area.
    315 of 400 Signatures
    Created by Anna Kew