Afzal Khan MP: written questions
430 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Artificial Intelligence: RegulationDepartment for Business, Innovation, Science and TradeTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 21383More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, with reference to the Answer of 28 April 2026 to Question 128813, which categories of AI system should not be regulated at the point of use; and what assessment he has made of the
Answer: The UK is committed to a context-based regulatory approach that supports adaptability, proportionality and the expertise of our existing sectoral regulators. This is complemented by the work of the AI Security Institute, which deepends our understanding o...
Answered 7 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordWarm Home Discount SchemeDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 21382More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of fuel poverty on households with sub-metered energy supplies that are not able to access the Warm Home Discount.
Answer: The Government recognises the challenges faced by low-income households whose energy is supplied through sub-metering arrangements. Eligibility for the Warm Home Discount requires the bill payer, or their partner, to receive a qualifying means-tested bene...
Answered 7 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordWarm Home Discount SchemeDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 21381More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that low-income households living in sub-metered accommodation can access equivalent support to that available through the Warm Home Discount.
Answer: The Government recognises the challenges faced by low-income households whose energy is supplied through sub-metering arrangements. Eligibility for the Warm Home Discount requires the bill payer, or their partner, to receive a qualifying means-tested bene...
Answered 7 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordWarm Home Discount SchemeDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 21380More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if she will review the eligibility criteria for the Warm Home Discount to ensure that people who would otherwise qualify for support are not excluded because their energy is supplied through
Answer: The Government recognises the challenges faced by low-income households whose energy is supplied through sub-metering arrangements. Eligibility for the Warm Home Discount requires the bill payer, or their partner, to receive a qualifying means-tested bene...
Answered 7 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordEquality and Human Rights Commission: FinanceWomen and EqualitiesTabled 14 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 18689More
Question: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of its funding levels on the Equality and Human Rights Commission's effectiveness.
Answer: The EHRC is an independent arm’s length body that is operationally independent of the Government. Their annual budget is set by the Cabinet Office. The Government regularly reviews how it allocates taxpayers' money within a fiscally challenging context, i...
Answered 21 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Housing Allowance: Manchester RusholmeDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 13 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 18098More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the impact of levels of Local Housing Allowance on a) poverty b) homelessness among Universal Credit claimants in Manchester Rusholme.
Answer: The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions reviewed Local Housing Allowance at the 2025 Autumn Budget and announced that rates would be maintained at their current levels for 2026/27. A range of factors, such as rent levels across the country and povert...
Answered 22 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordTeachers: Workplace PensionsDepartment for EducationTabled 9 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 17396More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions she has had with representatives of the higher education sector on ensuring that universities retain appropriate institutional autonomy in relation to pension provision; and whether she is cons
Answer: The primary objectives of public service pension valuations are to ensure schemes are affordable, sustainable, and fair to both taxpayers and workers. The government remains committed to these objectives.The Teachers’ Pension Scheme employer contribution ...
Answered 16 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordTeachers: Workplace PensionsDepartment for EducationTabled 9 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 17395More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the impact of volatility in Teachers’ Pension Scheme employer contribution rates on the financial sustainability and long term business planning of higher education institutions
Answer: The primary objectives of public service pension valuations are to ensure schemes are affordable, sustainable, and fair to both taxpayers and workers. The government remains committed to these objectives.The Teachers’ Pension Scheme employer contribution ...
Answered 16 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordTeachers: Workplace PensionsDepartment for EducationTabled 9 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 17394More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the factors that led to the reduction in the Teachers’ Pension Scheme employer contribution rate from 28.68 per cent to 17.68 per cent from April 2027; and whether her Department
Answer: The primary objectives of public service pension valuations are to ensure schemes are affordable, sustainable, and fair to both taxpayers and workers. The government remains committed to these objectives.The Teachers’ Pension Scheme employer contribution ...
Answered 16 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordOverseas Trade: TurkeyDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 9 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 17393More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what role UK Export Finance is playing in supporting UK–Türkiye cooperation in third-country markets.
Answer: In recent years, UK Export Finance (UKEF) has supported several major infrastructure projects in Turkey, collaborating closely with Turkish contractors. This has enhanced Turkish contractors' awareness of the UK supply chain and has provided a strong base...
Answered 17 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordOverseas Trade: TurkeyDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 9 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 17392More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of opportunities for joint UK–Türkiye commercial activity in third-country markets.
Answer: In recent years, UK Export Finance (UKEF) has supported several major infrastructure projects in Turkey, collaborating closely with Turkish contractors. This has enhanced Turkish contractors' awareness of the UK supply chain and has provided a strong base...
Answered 17 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordOverseas Trade: TurkeyDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 8 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 17000More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of engaging with Türkiye's as a trade corridor between the UK and Central Asia and Middle East markets; and what estimate his Department
Answer: The Department for Business and Trade has not made a specific estimate of the economic value to UK exporters attributable solely to Türkiye's role as a transit corridor.Goods take varied trade routes globally, including between the EU and Central Asia and...
Answered 17 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordOverseas Trade: TurkeyDepartment for Business and TradeTabled 8 Jul 2026AnsweredUIN 16999More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions he has had with his Turkish counterparts on UK–Türkiye cooperation in third-country markets.
Answer: At the 8th Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) in London on 8th January 2026, the Secretary of State highlighted the UK’s continued commitment to partnership on UK–Türkiye cooperation in third-country markets before opening a separate discussion at...
Answered 16 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordBurial: CertificationHome OfficeTabled 29 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 13903More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of requiring local authorities to issue burial certificates on weekends in cases where burials must take place within 24 hours of death for religio
Answer: Registration services regularly assess local need, including the requirementsof faith communities where burial may be required within 24 hours, and makeappropriate provision where necessary. The operating hours of each registeroffice is for each local aut...
Answered 6 Jul 2026
Original Parliament recordIsraeli Settlements: Overseas TradeForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 10 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 900443More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of banning trade with Israeli settlements.
Answer: Last week, the Foreign Secretary, alongside the Department for Business and Trade, strengthened our business risk guidance to make it clear and unambiguous that British citizens and businesses should not conduct any economic or financial activities in ill...
Answered 16 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordPublic Transport: PassengersDepartment for TransportTabled 10 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 8609More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing a national target for the number of passengers switching from driving to public transport.
Answer: Government is focused on making sustainable travel options the most attractive, convenient and affordable choice for everyday journeys. We're supporting drivers to benefit from the lower and more predictable running cost of an electric car through our £2...
Answered 17 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordWelfare Assistance Schemes: Manchester RusholmeDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled 9 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 8137More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to help ensure the long term provision of Local Welfare Assistance in Manchester Rusholme constituency.
Answer: Through the new Crisis and Resilience Fund, the Government is providing long-term funding for locally delivered crisis support in England until March 2029. This includes funding for Manchester City Council who have responsibility for delivery in Mancheste...
Answered 18 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordSocial Rented Housing: FurnitureMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 9 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 8136More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department will take steps promote furnished tenancy schemes and to include the Best Practice Guide for Furniture Provision within the Decent Homes Standard.
Answer: The government has no current plans to amend the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 to require the Regulator of Social Housing to set new standards in respect of furniture provision. People living without essential furniture can access support through thei...
Answered 17 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordSocial Rented Housing: FurnitureMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 9 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 8135More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department plans to re-evaluate the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 to expand the powers of the social housing regulator to allow the regulator to monitor furniture
Answer: The government has no current plans to amend the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 to require the Regulator of Social Housing to set new standards in respect of furniture provision. People living without essential furniture can access support through thei...
Answered 17 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordAQA: PayDepartment for EducationTabled 1 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 5380More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions she has had with the AQA exam board regarding resolving strike action taken by staff over pay.
Answer: Ofqual, the independent regulator of exams and assessments in England, oversees awarding organisations, including AQA, by conducting readiness reviews, evaluating their governance and ability to manage key delivery risks.The department has received assura...
Answered 9 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordAQA: PayDepartment for EducationTabled 1 Jun 2026AnsweredUIN 5379More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has had discussions with the AQA exam board on the potential impact of wage stagnation on its staff.
Answer: Ofqual, the independent regulator of exams and assessments in England, oversees awarding organisations, including AQA, by conducting readiness reviews, evaluating their governance and ability to manage key delivery risks.The department has received assura...
Answered 9 Jun 2026
Original Parliament recordSchools: Health ServicesDepartment for EducationTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 492More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, when she expects joint non-statutory guidance from the Department for Education, the Department for Health and Social Care and the NHS on how clinical healthcare is delivered in schools to be published.
Answer: Schools are not responsible for clinical healthcare tasks. Healthcare tasks can be delegated to staff in schools and other education settings where the responsible healthcare professional considers delegation safe and appropriate.The Nursing and Midwifery...
Answered 28 May 2026
Original Parliament recordSchools: Health ServicesDepartment for EducationTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 489More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what action she is taking to support school teachers who are responsible for administering healthcare to students with medical conditions.
Answer: Schools are not responsible for clinical healthcare tasks. Healthcare tasks can be delegated to staff in schools and other education settings where the responsible healthcare professional considers delegation safe and appropriate.The Nursing and Midwifery...
Answered 28 May 2026
Original Parliament recordLeukaemia: Blood TestsDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 333More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to expedite full blood count referrals for patients with suspected leukaemia symptoms.
Answer: The National Cancer Plan for England, published on 4 February 2026, sets out a commitment to diagnose cancers earlier and ensure people receive timely, effective treatment. The Government is committed to helping NHS England detect cancers, including blood...
Answered 20 May 2026
Original Parliament recordLeukaemia: DiagnosisDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 13 May 2026AnsweredUIN 332More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to reduce the number of emergency diagnoses for leukaemia patients.
Answer: It is a priority for the Government to support the National Health Service to diagnose cancer, including blood cancers such leukaemia, as early and quickly as possible to improve outcomes.To tackle late diagnoses leukaemia, the National Health Service is ...
Answered 21 May 2026
Original Parliament record
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