1,000 signatures reached
To: Devon County Council
Devon County Council get Weapons Manufacturers Out of Education
With immediate effect I want Devon County Council to stop Babcock sending this letter as a first resort, and only use such a threat as a very last resort.
Further, I want Devon County Council to allow the Babcock contract to expire and then never allow weapons manufacturers into our education system again.
Further, I want Devon County Council to allow the Babcock contract to expire and then never allow weapons manufacturers into our education system again.
Why is this important?
Babcock International is a weapon manufacturer operating around the globe.
They are also contracted by Devon County Council to monitor and produce reports on school attendance.
After ten sessions (five days) of "unauthorised absence" they send this letter threatening a fine of up to £2500 and/or three months in prison.
The letter is sent to hundreds of parents each year, causing disproportionate distress for what, in many cases, is a single case of illness or forgetting to inform the school in time.
Children become worried that their mum or dad might go to prison. Parents worry their children might be taken into care, that they might lose their jobs, businesses, dignity and freedom.
The threat, and potential fine and imprisonment, disproportionately affects single parents and poor people, who are less able to pay a Fixed Penalty Notice within 21 days (after which it doubles).
I have personally supported a single mum who was working full time, raising two children, starting a business and having to comfort her children who thought that Mum was going to prison.
Babcock's business is in fear, not in children's education.
They are also contracted by Devon County Council to monitor and produce reports on school attendance.
After ten sessions (five days) of "unauthorised absence" they send this letter threatening a fine of up to £2500 and/or three months in prison.
The letter is sent to hundreds of parents each year, causing disproportionate distress for what, in many cases, is a single case of illness or forgetting to inform the school in time.
Children become worried that their mum or dad might go to prison. Parents worry their children might be taken into care, that they might lose their jobs, businesses, dignity and freedom.
The threat, and potential fine and imprisonment, disproportionately affects single parents and poor people, who are less able to pay a Fixed Penalty Notice within 21 days (after which it doubles).
I have personally supported a single mum who was working full time, raising two children, starting a business and having to comfort her children who thought that Mum was going to prison.
Babcock's business is in fear, not in children's education.
How it will be delivered
The petition will be sent to all Devon County Councillors, to Babcock International, to Babcock LDP, to MP's in Devon and to the LEA.
