Zarah Sultana (Coventry South) (Ind)
I rise to present a petition on behalf of residents of the United Kingdom regarding the Government’s decision to increase the bus fare cap by 50%. More than 105,000 people have signed a related change.org petition. The £2 fare cap introduced in January 2020 has been a lifeline for people, providing access to work, medical appointments and family connections during a period of mounting financial strain. Despite the crisis being far from over, the Government plan to raise the cap to £3 in January 2025, adding hundreds to annual commuter costs and risking isolation of vulnerable individuals.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to reconsider the cap increase, and call for sufficient support to ensure that affordable public transport remains accessible and sustainable through 2025 and beyond.
Following is the full text of the petition:
[The petition of residents of the constituency of Coventry South,
Declares that when the £2 bus fare cap was introduced in January 2020, it became a crucial lifeline for people across the country who rely on buses to get to work, attend medical appointments and visit family; further that this cap was introduced specifically to address the cost-of-living crisis, ensuring that bus travel remained affordable and accessible as households felt financial pressures intensify; further that despite the cost-of-living crisis being far from over, the government now plans to raise the fare cap to £3 from January 2025; further that a £1 increase could add hundreds of pounds to annual costs for daily commuters and may isolate others entirely from essential services and community support; and notes the positive impact of the £2 fare cap on people, especially for those in rural areas, where public transport options are more limited.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to reconsider changes to the £2 bus fare cap, and to provide adequate support through 2025 to ensure that public transport is made easier, cheaper and more accessible.
And the petitioners remain, etc.]
[P003021]
Jess Asato (Lowestoft) (Lab)
I rise on the fifth day of the UN’s 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, to present a petition on behalf of my Lowestoft constituents on commercial sexual exploitation. Pimping websites facilitate the trafficking and exploitation of women, yet remain readily accessible. These companies make millions of pounds out of extremely vulnerable women and are a core part of the business model of sex trafficking in the UK. The petitioners therefore request
“that the House of Commons urges the Government to outlaw pimping websites and paying for sex, and provide support, not sanctions, to victims of sexual exploitation.”
Following is the full text of the petition:
[The petition of residents of the constituency of Lowestoft,
Declares that demand from the minority of men who pay for sex is driving the prostitution and sex trafficking trade, and this sexual exploitation is being facilitated by pimping websites that operate with impunity.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to outlaw pimping websites and paying for sex, and provide support, not sanctions, to victims of sexual exploitation.
And the petitioners remain, etc.]
[P003024]
Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)
On a point of order, Mr Speaker. In the debate on the assisted dying Bill, the hon. Member for Spen Valley (Kim Leadbeater) assured the House that there would be cross-party support in relation to the make-up of the Bill Committee. Can you confirm, for Hansard and for my constituents back home, that the make-up of that Committee will represent the views of this House, ever mindful of the vote that took place? We are all aware that 334 voted for the Bill and 275 against; perhaps the Committee can accordingly reflect that representation in the House.
Mr Speaker
Unfortunately, that is not my responsibility; it is for the Member in charge of the Bill. I am sure that that point will have been heard. As I know the hon. Gentleman well, I do not think he will leave it there, and I am sure he will be in contact with the Member in charge to remind them.