Latest news with #PetitionsCommittee
Daily Record
6 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Record
New call for all people over State Pension age to get a Council Tax discount
An online petition is calling for State Pension incomes to be taken into account when calculating Council Tax bills. Pension Credit – Could you or someone you know be eligible? More than 5,200 people have signed an online petition calling for a Council Tax discount scheme to be introduced for every person over State Pension age. Petition creator David Papworth argues that pensioner incomes are not being taken into account when it comes to calculating Council Tax bills. The 'legislate for a Council Tax discount for all pensioners' petition has been posted on the UK Government's petitions-parliament website. The campaigner states: 'I feel that current Council Tax rates do not take pension incomes into account. This means some pensioners are having to pay what I think is a very significant percentage of their pension towards Council Tax. 'When many pensioners have worked for 50 odd years, paid into a pension, bought their own house, then retired on a lower income, I do not think they should have to pay such a significant amount of Council Tax.' At 10,000 signatures of support the petition is entitled to a written response from the UK Government, at 100,000 it would be considered by the Petitions Committee for debate in Parliament. You can view the full petition online here. Council Tax bills in Scotland have risen by as much as 15.6 per cent (Falkirk) this year as local authorities struggle with mounting debts. Water bills have also gone up by 9.9 per cent, which means households are now paying an extra £3.68 each month this year for water and wastewater services. However, people on a low income, student households and those with a disability or caring responsibilities may be unaware of the Council Tax Reduction scheme, which is only available north of the border. The latest figures from the Scottish Government show 458,120 people were receiving a Council Tax Reduction in March 2025 , saving an average of over £850 a year. People can check whether they are eligible for a Council Tax Reduction through or by contacting their local council. Below is everything you need to know about who might be eligible for a Council Tax saving. Check if you could be exempt from paying Council Tax You will not pay Council Tax if: You are a full-time student You are in the Armed Forces in Forces accommodation You live in a care home or hospital Your home is unoccupied and empty (up to six months) - for example, if you've gone into hospital You have a severe mental impairment (e.g. dementia) - if you only live with someone who has dementia, then you'll be treated as a sole occupant as they will be disregarded, but you won't both be exempt Contact your local authority about your eligibility and how you can apply for an exemption - a link to all 32 local authorities in Scotland is at the bottom of this page. Could you be eligible for a discount on your Council Tax bill? There are some circumstances where you may get a reduction on your Council Tax and the amount of discount varies depending on your circumstances. If you live alone The full Council Tax is calculated assuming there are two or more people living in each home – if you live alone, you should apply to your local council for a discount - you could get a 25 per cent reduction, regardless of your financial circumstances. If you live with someone under 18 or a student Council Tax is not calculated for anyone aged under 18, full-time students, student nurses and some apprentices or trainees. If you are a carer Carers who look after someone in the household for at least 35 hours per week and who meet additional criteria may be disregarded for Council Tax purposes, contact your local authority for their eligibility criteria. Just be aware, this doesn't apply if the person receiving care is the partner of the carer, or is the carer's child aged under 18. If there are major changes to the value of your home You may be able to get your home moved to a lower band if it has decreased in value. For example, if you have made home adaptations for a disabled person, or if a motorway has been built nearby. You may also get the band lowered if a room in the house is dedicated to equipment used by a disabled person on a daily basis. If you change the way you pay Although the total year's amount will stay the same, you can request your bill be split over 12 months instead of 10, so you can spread the cost and reduce your monthly outgoings. Alternatively, if you can afford to pay the whole bill in one lump sum, check with your local council if you can get a discount. Apply for Council Tax Reduction You may be eligible to claim a Council Tax Reduction if you're on a low income or claiming certain benefits. You can also claim Council Tax support regardless of whether you own your own home or rent, or whether you're working or unemployed. Each local council is responsible for operating their own Council Tax support scheme, so the amount of support given across the country may vary. The amount you will get depends on many factors, including: Which benefits you receive Your age Your income Your savings Who you live with How much council tax you pay You may get more Council Tax support if you receive a disability or carers benefit. If you receive the Guarantee Credit Part of Pension Credit you may even get your Council Tax paid in full. If you don't have it, but are on a low income and have less than £16,000 in savings, you may still get some help. Local councils Contact your local council from the list below to apply for a Council Tax Reduction or discount. Inverclyde Renfrewshire West Dunbartonshire East Dunbartonshire Glasgow East Renfrewshire North Lanarkshire Falkirk West Lothian Edinburgh Midlothian East Lothian Clackmannanshire Fife Dundee Angus Aberdeenshire Aberdeen Moray Highland Na h-Eileanan Siar Argyll and Bute Perth and Kinross Stirling North Ayrshire East Ayrshire South Ayrshire Dumfries and Galloway South Lanarkshire Scottish Borders Orkney Shetland
New Indian Express
27-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
House panel in Andhra Pradesh seeks strict laws to curb loan, betting apps
VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly's Petitions Committee, chaired by Deputy Speaker K Raghurama Krishna Raju, has called for stronger laws and systems to combat the rising threat of cybercrimes, particularly those involving fraudulent betting and loan apps. Speaking to the media at the Assembly premises, Raghurama said such apps have been deceiving thousands of unsuspecting individuals, causing serious financial and psychological harm. He was joined by committee members Anakapalli MLA Konatala Ramakrishna, Bheemili MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao, and Visakhapatnam North MLA P Vishnu Kumar Raju. On the occasion, the Deputy Speaker noted that a petition from Bhimavaram had been discussed by the committee, highlighting the need for urgent intervention. 'Betting and loan apps are destroying lives. In Telangana alone, 950 people were duped last year. Though exact numbers for Andhra Pradesh are unavailable, officials estimate thousands have been affected,' he said. At the national level, the lack of centralised data makes it difficult to gauge the full scale of the issue, Raghurama added. The committee discussed existing laws, the efforts of the police, and the need to further strengthen cybercrime legislation. Raghurama cited ongoing legal proceedings related to the Andhra Pradesh Gaming Act, 2020, which some have challenged in court, arguing that skill-based games should not be banned. 'The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's directive to constitute a panel to define skill and chance-based games. Though the committee submitted its report in August 2023 and the State filed a counter in August 2024, the case is still pending,' Raghurama said. He urged the Advocate General to expedite the hearing. He emphasised the need for new legal provisions through the Assembly to effectively counter cyber fraud and protect citizens. The committee has invited officials from the IT and Home Departments to attend its next meeting on July 18 for further deliberations.
Hans India
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
State urges stronger laws to combat cybercrimes
Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly Petitions Committee called for the urgent need to formulate stronger laws and establish a robust system to protect innocent citizens from falling victim to rampant cybercrimes, particularly those involving betting and loan apps. This was announced by K Raghurama Krishna Raju, chairman of the Petitions Committee and Deputy Speaker of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly. Raju stated that measures would be taken to ensure a discussion on this critical issue during the upcoming Assembly sessions, aiming to alert the public, the government, and the administrative machinery. Speaking to the media, he revealed that the committee received a significant petition concerning cybercrime from Bhimavaram, which was extensively discussed in the Petitions Committee meeting on Thursday. He expressed concern over the rising number of cybercrimes through betting and loan apps, which are severely disrupting people's lives. Raju highlighted that the meeting thoroughly deliberated on existing laws to control these severe cybercrimes, necessary amendments, and the efforts being made by the police department. He recalled that when the Gaming Act-2020 was challenged in the High Court for banning 'skill games,' the court directed the formation of a committee to determine what constitutes a skill game versus a luck game. The Supreme Court upheld this, leading the government to form a committee that delivered its decision in August 2023. Although the government filed a counter-affidavit in the High Court last August, the case has yet to come up for hearing. The Deputy Speaker emphasised the necessity to further strengthen cyber laws through the Legislative Assembly to prevent people from falling victim to cybercrimes and, tragically, resorting to suicide. He called for an increase in the number of cyber police stations. Furthermore, Raju underscored the crucial need for public awareness campaigns about cybercrimes, utilizing film actors and prominent personalities to educate citizens. Earlier, the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly Petitions Committee meeting was held under the chairmanship of Raghurama Krishna Raju. Attendees included Legislative Assembly Secretary General Prasannakumar Suryadevara, committee members Konathala Ramakrishna, Ganta Srinivasa Rao, P. Vishnu Kumar Raju, Palla Srinivasa Rao, and Home Department Principal Secretary Kumar Vishwajit, among others.
Daily Record
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Calls to change free bus travel scheme for people over 60 nears important UK Government milestone
The national entitlement scheme operates UK-wide but there are different eligibility age rules under devolved governments. Pension Credit – Could you or someone you know be eligible? Nearly 80,000 people have signed an online petition supporting calls for changes to be made to the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS) and bring it into line with the same service provided by the Scottish Government for people over 60 living north of the border. People can sign the e-petition until Friday, June 27 and if it reaches 100,000 signatures of support, it will be considered by the Petitions Committee for debate in Parliament. Petition creator Karen Hickman argues the current scheme is 'unjust' and calls for 'equality for everyone over 60'. The campaigner explained people in England, living outside London, are not entitled to free bus travel until they reach State Pension age - 66 for both men and women - which she believes has 'changed dramatically.' The 'extend free bus travel for people over 60 in England' petition states: 'We call on the Government to extend free bus travel to all people over 60 years old in England outside London. We believe the current situation is unjust and we want equality for everyone over 60. 'Currently, people in England who do not live in London are not entitled to free bus travel until they reach the state pension age, which we believe has changed dramatically. As people get older some over 60s drive less and less, therefore we believe we need equality on public transport. 'It would mean England had the same provision as Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.' Earlier this month, Labour MP Markus Campbell-Savours has urged the UK Government to consider the 'potential impact of introducing free bus passes for people aged 60 and over on social inclusion, the economy and the environment. The written question from the Penrith and Solway MP is similar to the proposal put forward in the petition by Ms Hickman. In a written response, Transport Minister Simon Lightwood, explained how the ENCTS costs around £700 million annually and 'any changes to the statutory obligations would therefore need to be carefully considered for its impact on the scheme's financial sustainability'. He continued: ' No assessment has been made of the potential impact of lowering the age on social inclusion, the economy or the environment.' However, he added that local authorities in England have the power to offer concessions in addition to their statutory obligations, which includes lowering the age of eligibility. He explained that 'additional local concessions are provided and funded by local authorities from local resources'. Mr Lightwood added: 'Funding allocated to local authorities to improve services for passengers can be used in whichever way they wish. This could include extending the discretionary concessions available in local areas to support the local economy and environment.' There are two broad categories of people eligible for the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme - older people and eligible disabled people. Both men and women are eligible for concessionary travel in England when they reach state pension age, 60 in Scotland. Eligibility for concessionary travel may vary depending on local authorities and the specific terms of the concessionary travel scheme in place. National Entitlement Card in Scotland In Scotland, people over 60 are eligible to apply for the National Entitlement Card (NEC), which is administered by the Scottish Government. It is Scotland's National Smartcard, offering access to many public services across the country. The card gives elderly and disabled people free bus travel across Scotland and, through the Strathclyde Concessionary Travel Scheme, also provides reductions on train, Subway and ferry fares. The NEC is valid for up to three years, but in a change to the renewal process, SPT no longer sends out renewal forms to disabled card holders. This means everyone with a card - sometimes referred to as a 'Saltire card' - should check the expiry date to make sure they will be able to enjoy uninterrupted entitlement to travel concessions. SPT recommends applying for a renewal card at least five weeks before the expiry date. It's also important to be aware guidance on the SPT website states the Concessionary Travel Card Unit at Buchanan Bus Station will be closed for in person applications until further notice.
BBC News
12-03-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
School mobile phone ban call rejected after Senedd inquiry
Smartphones should not be banned "outright" from schools in Wales, a Senedd inquiry has the Petitions Committee report says schools should get more Welsh government support to set their own committee says there is "plenty of evidence" that smartphones cause harm but it also heard that they can support young people's welfare and Welsh government said it is working with schools "to ensure they have policies and resources to reduce the negative impacts of mobile phones and promote learning". The Senedd's Petitions Committee held an inquiry in response to a petition signed by more than 3,000 people calling for smartphones to be banned in schools, except in exceptional committee spoke to teachers, pupils and parents as part of its considered the different rules currently adopted by schools in Wales and, what it described as, "the complex relationship" between young people and their committee concluded that an outright "ban" on smartphones in all schools was not "a clear cut call" and that instead it wanted to see more support for schools to set their own Lovell, 25, from Cribyn, Ceredigion, said she did not think phones needed to be banned in schools and argued that banning them only led to pupils hiding phones. "I think for people like maybe in sixth form, it would be a good idea, and a part of safety," she Sam Herbert, 50, mother to 13-year-old Stephanie, safety is also a valid reason to question a ban."Maybe they should hold them in the school when they attend school, and then give them back to the end of the day, so that they have them for going home or when they need them," she Stephanie, who is diabetic, uses her phone to manage her condition, meaning a ban would be a real cause for concern for her. Lewis Jarvis-Blower, 23, from Llanwnnen, Ceredigion, said a ban was "probably for the best" but admitted he liked using his phone during breaks and at lunchtime."I would be fuming, really angry," he said, if he were a student now and a ban was introduced. "It already feels like sometimes there's not the freedom there," he added."The schools struggling with it... it's probably best if they have their own rules to cater uniquely to their students."In its report, the committee calls on the Welsh government to establish "clear guidance, alongside a robust decision-making framework, which will give teachers the confidence to set rules that work best for their young people". It also wants the Welsh government to keep following the evidence of studies into the impact of smartphone restrictions during the school Boothby, 44, from Lampeter, Ceredigion, said a ban would be "tricky" but added that while children were in school, social media was "obviously a no-no"."You're in a place of education, and I do feel, as parents that... we should help with whatever the schools decide," she said. 'Compelling and concerning' Laura Doel, national secretary of school leaders' union NAHT Cymru, said an outright ban would not work."School leaders need the flexibility and support to develop a policy that works for them to keep the children and staff in their schools and communities safe," she said in a statement."The fact is we live in a society where phone use is prevalent. "But it is important that we educate children and young people, to help them understand and navigate this online world, and make sure they know how to seek help when it becomes unsafe or unhealthy, as well as clamping down on those who do not obey the rules."Carolyn Thomas, the Labour chairwoman of the committee, said it was "a complex" topic."The growing body of evidence about the harms of smartphones outweighing the benefits for children is both compelling and concerning," she said."However, on balance we do not believe that it supports a move to a uniform ban on smartphones in all Welsh schools."The more evidence we heard, the clearer it became that the relationship between young people and their phones is not simple."There are children who experience distraction, cyber-bullying, addiction and anxiety delivered through their phones. "There are others who are liberated by being able to manage health conditions or feel emboldened to walk to school, knowing they can always contact a parent."In England, smartphones are not banned from schools but the UK government has issued guidance encouraging headteachers to prohibit their Welsh schools already ban smartphones.
