The people of Morpeth were promised that we would continue to have a rehab unit based in Morpeth, following on from the closure of Morpeth Cottage Hospital in 2009. This amenity has now been removed without any consultation with the greater public, most of whom up until this week have had no knowledge whatsoever that the Whalton Unit is leaving Morpeth in 2 weeks time. Consideration needs to be given to the fact that many elderly and vulnerable people will have to travel to Wansbeck Hospital via public transport, which means that they will have to catch 2 buses, including a walk and a wait, especially during the Winter months. Consideration needs to be given to whether a ward in a general hospital can meet the rehabilitation and end of life needs of elderly and vulnerable patients and their families in the same way as a small unit within the community. Removing a valued amenity without either public consultation or adequate notice, causes anxiety, fear and lack of confidence at a time when we should be seeking to build confidence and resilience within a community, especially amongst its most vulnerable members.

More families than ever are struggling to get by and unable to afford to put food on the table. Food banks are a vital lifeline for these families, providing emergency food parcels that stop them going hungry because they simply can’t afford the food they need. With the number of people using food banks on the rise, making sure enough food is donated to feed everyone is more important than ever. A new scheme at Sainsbury’s has found that putting labels on the shelves of items food banks need most can triple donations. I volunteer at a food bank and everyday I’m there I meet families struggling to afford to put food on their table, it can be heartbreaking. With such a simple way to make sure food banks have enough donations to feed everyone who comes, it’s a no-brainer. Every supermarket should be following Sainsbury’s lead.

Because Universal Credit is driving up demand for foodbanks ---- This petition is being run by a Member of Parliament - 38 Degrees is independent of all political parties.

At a recent Mumford and Sons gig at the O2 Arena, disposable plastic cups were the only option on offer and bar staff were reluctant to refill them. The O2 Arena can hold up to 20,000 people which means thousands of plastic cups are being thrown away after every gig! We all need to play our part in fighting plastic pollution and every organisation and venue should take responsibility for reducing plastic waste. Music lovers shouldn't be forced to contribute to plastic pollution, just because they want a drink at a gig. This petition should be seen as a call to action to all music venues and events.

Every year hundreds of hunting trophies, including dismembered parts from elephants, rhinos, lions, hippos, and even baboons, are being imported into the UK. In total more than 5,000 trophies from threatened species have been imported by British hunters since the turn of the century. People pay huge sums to kill these magestic, threatened animals abroad - all so they can bring their bodyparts home and mount them on their wall or display them in their cabinets. But the Environment Minister Theresa Villiers has the power to stop this. She simply has to instruct her officials to stop issuing the permits that allow hunting trophies from threatened species to be brought to the UK. Stopping these imports would be a huge first step towards ending the hunting of these magnificent animals for sport but Theresa Villiers will only act if she knows the public want this cruel practice to end.

"Over 30,000 people are locked up in prison-like conditions every year, with no time limit on how long they can be held. This is not for having committed a crime. It is purely because they do not (yet) have the correct immigration papers. The majority of people detained are eventually released, but many never really recover from the trauma. It’s a terrible waste of money (£125 million a year), and a waste of lives. Immigration detention is a wholly unnecessary, unjustifiable practice, one of the most harmful aspects of the UK’s “hostile environment” for migrants and a shameful civil rights abuse that cannot be ignored." Quoted from the 'These Walls Must Fall' Campaign Website (http://detention.org.uk/)

Kent County Council are planning to cut the opening hours at 99 libraries. Libraries are a vital source of learning and education. They are a vital public good we cannot do without. People of all ages can enjoy borrowing and reading books, DVDs and CDs, using the internet, reading newspapers and speaking and spending time with others. The plans could mean large numbers of libraries opening for less time. Library chiefs have already drawn up suggested opening hours and some could see big reductions. For more information on the libraries facing cut in opening hours across Kent, see this article: All the Kent libraries facing a cut in their opening hours in cost-cutting move: https://www.kentlive.news/news/kent-news/kent-libraries-facing-cut-opening-2260765#r3z-addoor

This is a thriving and successful community pub that has served the area since the 1850s. We urge the London Borough of Lewisham planning department to refuse the application to demolish this handsome, landmark, historic pub which is well-used and much-loved by the community.

Tony has Downs syndrome and is partially sighted with no sense of direction. Our mother Margaret passed away recently. He has lived in the house all his life, and he has the support of the local community to keep him safe. Our Mother was his carer; I am now going to fill the large hole left by her passing and take care of him. I have offered to give up my tenancy in the same borough to move in and provide care for my brother. Due to the house having three bedrooms (Not large) one of which is used as his dependency room. We are being told that we can not stay at the property as it would be under-occupied by one room. The upheaval and loss would be detrimental to his health and well being.

It seems that while businesses need to licence to place chairs and tables on public footpaths, advertising boards are not regulated at all. They pose a serious problem for blind and partially sighted people in particular but also inconvenience other pedestrians. I have become aware of this more as I am starting to lose my eyesight through macular degeneration. It's important that town centres remain safe for all people.

Air pollution is a public health crisis, with illegal and harmful levels of air pollution across the UK. We need national and local government to act to clean up our air and make our towns and cities a healthier place to live for everyone but especially for babies and children. Air pollution affects us all, from when we are in the womb through to old age. It is linked to premature births and can stunt lung growth in children. Air pollution can trigger heart attacks and strokes, worsens asthma attacks and causes lung cancer. Babies, children and older people are more vulnerable to the impacts of air pollution. We need the Council, with the support of national government, to take urgent action to clean up our air to protect the health of children and babies.

Essex County Council have announced plans to close 25 libraries and to turn a further 19 over to be run by local communities to save money. My local library, in West Mersea, employs 2 people for 21 hours a week. Not only will they lose their jobs if these closures go ahead, but so will all the staff at the threatened 44 libraries. My library is thriving. It is always busy with people of all ages reading newspapers and periodicals, borrowing books, DVDs and CDs, accessing the internet, researching their family ancestry and speaking to others. Libraries are fantastic assets to the community and need to be saved. No libraries in Essex should be closed or downgraded to being run by volunteers The elderly population of Essex need these libraries. Many do not have computers and some of them may not speak to anyone else in their day. We need local libraries in local communities which can be accessed on foot or bike, by all sections of society. Please think again before implementing these closures.