Successful Campaigns

Aintree racecourse have made safety improvements to the Grand National race in 2024. This includes reducing the number of horses running from 40 to 34 and bringing the start time forward to improve the Aintree ground. Despite these welcome new safety measures for the feature race, two horses still sadly died during the 3 day meet. We hope that Aintree racecourse will continue their progress and consider how the Grand National race in 2025 could be even safer. https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/racing/grand-national-2024-safety-changes-horses-b2528159.html https://www.express.co.uk/sport/horseracing/1887883/Grand-National-Festival-Pikar-dead-Giovinco

07/09/23 - We Won! Following pressure from our campaign, The Government has confirmed that the UK will re-join the EU's flagship scientific research scheme. Congratulations to everyone who signed. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-66737714

09/01/24 - We did it! Ex-Post Office boss Paula Vennells has bowed to our 1.2 million strong petition and will hand back her CBE with immediate effect. She said she was “truly sorry for the devastation caused to the subpostmasters and their families” and that she as continuing to support and co-operate with the inquiry into the scandal. She added: “I am, however, aware of the calls from sub-postmasters and others to return my CBE. I have listened and I confirm that I return my CBE with immediate effect.” David Smith, who started this petition said: "Thank you to each and every person who has signed this petition. It has been a catalyst for action allowing us to have a voice and is hopefully a first historic step on the path to the victims of the Post Office scandal getting the justice they deserve." “To me, the removal of the CBE is just the start. The ultimate goal is for the subpostmasters to get the justice they deserve. In many ways, this is symbolic, but it is a massive symbol." “What I’m hoping is that as soon as somebody as senior as her is held accountable at this level, it will start a domino effect that will lead to the justice and compensation that everyone affected deserves.” You can read more about the story here https://home.38degrees.org.uk/2024/01/09/post-office-scandal-win-paula-vennells-hands-back-cbe-but-fight-for-justice-goes-on/ In other news a new petition has been started calling for Alan Bates to be honoured for his role in exposing the Post Office scandal. You can sign that here https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/give-alan-bates-a-cbe-for-exposing-post-office-scandal

Buglife is delighted to confirm that the London Resort project has officially been terminated. This decision follows a High Court ruling to liquidate London Resort Company Holdings (LRCH) due to financial and contractual disputes, bringing an end to a decade of uncertainty and environmental concern. The High Court’s ruling not only signals the definitive end of the London Resort plan but also lifts the shadow of doubt that has loomed over local businesses and the community for years. It ensures that this critical natural space remains safeguarded for future generations. Furthermore, the Planning Inspectorate has held LRCH accountable for its "unreasonable behaviour" throughout the planning process, awarding legal costs to a number of organisations, including Buglife, National Highways, Kent Wildlife Trust and others. This recognition of wasted resources underscores the importance of due diligence and respect for environmental regulations in major development proposals.

The Electoral Commission will be awarded powers to issue bigger fines – up to £500,000 from the current £20,000.

Strongbow, Carling and Tennent's have all pledged to ditch plastic beer and cider rings by 2021! https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/08/14/carling-beer-ditch-plastic-packaging-become-sustainable/

10/12/21 FINALLY, A WIN FOR WILD ANIMALS After decades of campaigning and years of waiting, Born Free welcomes UK Government plans to end the legal import of trophies from hundreds of wild animals, shot for ‘fun’. Read more here: https://www.bornfree.org.uk/news/uk-trophy-import-ban

21/03/18 Downing Street said officials who decide pay across the public sector had been told they no longer had to limit recommendations to 1% rises. A No 10 source said: “The independent pay review bodies will make their recommendations in the normal way. We have said as a Government that the arbitrary 1% pay cap is no longer in place.” https://home.38degrees.org.uk/2018/03/26/nhs-pay-cap-victory/ https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/theresa-urged-give-public-sector-12227879

Update 16/11/17 We won! Homebase says it intends to end the sale of plants grown that have been treated with neonicotinoid-based pesticides by the end of 2018. They said: "We have been working closely with our suppliers and seeking advice from other stakeholders about the use of neonicotinoids and we have committed to stop using these insecticides on garden plants, as well as removing neonicotinoid-based garden care products from sale by the end of 2018." Read more here: https://www.hortweek.com/homebase-bunnings-stop-selling-neonicotinoid-treated-plants/retail/article/1450434

18/10/17 We won! We are now pleased as punch to say that you succeeded. You saved Hove. It will not be wiped off the map. Thank you! This morning, the Boundary Commission for England announced that it had withdrawn its proposals to end historic Hove as an independent constituency. Here's an extract: "The Hands Off Hove campaign, opposing our initial proposal to transfer Hove Park ward to a Brighton North constituency, was signed by 4,515 individuals during our initial consultation period. As they said, ‘Brighton and Hove may be partners in the formation of the city but they vigorously maintain their separate and distinct identities.’ These sentiments were reflected across the bulk of representations mentioning Hove." So thank you again for signing this petition, writing all those letters and emails and supporting the Hands off Hove campaign. Sometimes public consultation and big campaigns work, and this time the strength of your feelings won the day.