Decisions of the Petitions Committee 5 January 2021

6 Jan 2021 09:32 PM

On 5 January 2021 the Committee considered all e-petitions which had, before 31 December 2020, reached over 10,000 signatures and received a Government response, or had received a revised response. The Committee also considered petitions which had reached over 100,000 signatures, and petitions that were relevant to already scheduled debates. 

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Petitions with over 100,000 signatures 

  1. Protect Retail Workers from Abuse, Threats and Violence
    The Committee agreed to debate this at a later date.
  2. Prioritise teachers, school and childcare staff for covid-19 vaccination
    The Committee agreed to debate this petition on 11 January 2021
  3. Seek Europe-wide Visa-free work permit for Touring professionals and Artists
    The Committee agreed to debate this at a later date
  4. Keep gyms open during Tier 4 lockdown
    The Committee agreed to debate this at a later date.
  5. Close schools in Tier 4 areas
    The Committee agreed to debate this at a later date.
  6. Ban Driven Grouse Shooting Wilful blindness is no longer an option
    The Committee agreed to debate this petition on 25 January 2021

Petitions with over 10,000 signatures 

  1. Stop sexism – Require schools to offer all sports to all children
    The Committee agreed to request a revised response from the Government.
  2. Revoke rules for refusing or cancelling permission to stay for rough sleepers
    The Committee agreed to request a revised response from the Government.
  3. Make it a criminal offence for MPs to mislead the public
    The Committee agreed to request a revised response from the Government.
  4. Reform IPSA – cap MP payrises in line with other Public sector pay
    The Committee agreed to request a revised response from the Government.
  5. Allow Landlords to evict tenants where there are 14 days rent arrears
    The Committee noted the Government’s response. 
  6. Extend the Stamp Duty Holiday for an additional 6 months after 31st March 2021
    The Committee noted the Government’s response. 
  7. Require local authorities to have free helplines for the homeless and vulnerable
    The Committee noted the Government’s response. 
  8. No public sector pay freezes for the next 5 years
    The Committee noted the Government’s response. 
  9. Keep tax-free sales at airports and the VAT Retail Export Scheme
    The Committee noted the Government’s response. 
  10. Allow fitness classes to resume in areas with tier 3 restrictions
    The Committee noted the Government’s response. 
  11. Establish free movement & trade agreements with Canada, Australia & New Zealand
    The Committee noted the Government’s response. 

Petitions relevant to already scheduled debates

  1. Give further financial support to the Events and Hospitality industry
    The Committee agreed to include this petition as part of the debate on Government support for the hospitality industry on Monday 11 January.
  2. We the British People Request a Public Inquiry into Grooming Gangs
    The Committee agreed to include this petition as part of the debate on grooming gangs on Monday 18 January.

Revised Government responses

  1. Hold a public inquiry into Government contracts granted during covid-19 
    The Committee agreed to accept the revised response.
  2. Hold a public vote on HS2 project as it is being paid for by the public
    The Committee agreed to accept the revised response.

Further information