Afzal Khan MP: written questions 2026
167 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Food: Retail TradeDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 25 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123800More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the impact of market concentration in the food retail industry on (a) consumers and (b) suppliers.
Answer: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) provided an updated assessment of retail competition and profitability in July 2024 which did not find that groceries inflation was being driven at an aggregate level by weak competition between retailers. There...
Answered 14 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordNutrition: ResearchDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 25 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123798More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the need to introduce transparency requirements for the funding of nutrition research.
Answer: The Department funds research on health and social care through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR welcomes funding applications for research into any aspect of human health, including nutrition.The Department is committe...
Answered 16 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordSyria: ReconstructionForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 25 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123797More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what action she is taking to support mine clearance, risk education, and safe access to schools, agricultural land, and residential areas in Syria.
Answer: The UK has long recognised the importance of education for Syria's long-term resilience, stability and prosperity. Since 2022, the UK's Syria Education Programme has trained over 15,000 school staff and provided foundational literacy and numeracy material...
Answered 14 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordSyria: ReconstructionForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 25 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123796More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to support employment, vocational training, and entrepreneurship opportunities for young people in Syria, particularly in areas affected by conflict
Answer: The UK has long recognised the importance of education for Syria's long-term resilience, stability and prosperity. Since 2022, the UK's Syria Education Programme has trained over 15,000 school staff and provided foundational literacy and numeracy material...
Answered 14 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordSyria: ReconstructionForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 25 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123781More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to help support the inclusion of Syrian youth and women in post-conflict reconstruction and decision-making processes including funding for locally-l
Answer: The UK has long recognised the importance of education for Syria's long-term resilience, stability and prosperity. Since 2022, the UK's Syria Education Programme has trained over 15,000 school staff and provided foundational literacy and numeracy material...
Answered 14 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordSyria: ReconstructionForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 25 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123780More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to support the rebuilding of schools, the training of teachers, and the provision of learning materials in Syria.
Answer: The UK has long recognised the importance of education for Syria's long-term resilience, stability and prosperity. Since 2022, the UK's Syria Education Programme has trained over 15,000 school staff and provided foundational literacy and numeracy material...
Answered 14 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordAfrica and Asia: Chevening Scholarships ProgrammeForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 25 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123778More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many people did her department sponsor Chevening scholarships for from (a) Sudan, (b) Cameroon, (c) Myanmar and (d) Afghanistan in each of the last ten years.
Answer: The table below provides the number of Chevening Scholarships awarded to individuals from Sudan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Afghanistan in the last ten years.Country2016201720182019202020212022202320242025Afghanistan18151415232918211310Cameroon1816131512105888...
Answered 13 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordFirstPort: StandardsMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 25 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123703More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 1 December 2025 to Question 94116 on FirstPort: Standards, what discussions he has had with FirstPort since 17 November 2025.
Answer: Neither the Secretary of State nor I have regular discussions with individual property management companies regarding effective communications with leaseholders. I have had no further direct discussions with FirstPort subsequent to my meeting with Martin ...
Answered 17 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordProperty Management Companies: LeaseholdMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 25 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123702More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether he is having discussions with property management companies on effective communications with leaseholders.
Answer: Neither the Secretary of State nor I have regular discussions with individual property management companies regarding effective communications with leaseholders. I have had no further direct discussions with FirstPort subsequent to my meeting with Martin ...
Answered 17 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordBetter Futures FundDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 24 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123324More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what engagement her Department plans to undertake with local and regional government leaders ahead of the Summer 2026 Better Futures Fund bidding round to maximise the quality and diversity of ap
Answer: DCMS is currently in the design stages of the Better Futures Fund and is currently in dialogue with Mayoral Strategic Authorities to assess their capacity for participation in delivery. DCMS intends to launch a dedicated capacity and capability building p...
Answered 27 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordBetter Futures FundDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 24 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123323More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when her Department plans to publish eligibility criteria and target outcomes for the first phase of the Better Futures Fund so that local authorities can begin preparing applications in good tim
Answer: DCMS is currently in the design stages of the Better Futures Fund and is currently in dialogue with Mayoral Strategic Authorities to assess their capacity for participation in delivery. DCMS intends to launch a dedicated capacity and capability building p...
Answered 27 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordBetter Futures FundDepartment for Culture, Media and SportTabled 24 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123322More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure local and regional government leaders have sufficient information about the Better Futures Fund application process ahead of the Summer 2026 bidding
Answer: DCMS is currently in the design stages of the Better Futures Fund and is currently in dialogue with Mayoral Strategic Authorities to assess their capacity for participation in delivery. DCMS intends to launch a dedicated capacity and capability building p...
Answered 27 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordMosques: SecurityHome OfficeTabled 24 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123298More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the average length of time for security measures to be implemented following funding being approved through the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme.
Answer: The Protective Security for Mosques Scheme provides fully funded protective security measures to eligible mosques and associated community centres across the UK.Implementation timelines under the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme can vary, as they ar...
Answered 31 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordProtective Security for Mosques SchemeHome OfficeTabled 24 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123296More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the average length of time for applications to the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme to be determined since that Scheme was established.
Answer: The Protective Security for Mosques Scheme receives a high volume of applications, and each is assessed to ensure that public money is used proportionately, fairly, and in line with the Scheme’s eligibility requirements.Processing times can vary depending...
Answered 31 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordPlaces of Worship Security Funding Scheme and Protective Security for Mosques SchemeHome OfficeTabled 24 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123295More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how much funding was provided to Muslim institutions through the (a) Places of Worship Protective Security Scheme and (b) Protective Security for Mosques Scheme in each year since they were establishe
Answer: The Home Office provides protective security for Places of Worship as part of three separate strands. These are the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme and protection for Muslim faith schools (since 2023/24), the Jewish Community Protective Security Gr...
Answered 31 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordProtective Security for Mosques SchemeHome OfficeTabled 24 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123294More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many Muslim organisations have applied for funding through the Places of Worship Protective Security Scheme in every year since it was established; and of these, how many have been successful in o
Answer: The Places of Worship Protective Security Scheme is open to places of worship from all faith communities, except for Muslim and Jewish sites, which are supported through separate schemes. Muslim organisations are therefore not eligible for the Places of W...
Answered 27 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordProtective Security for Mosques SchemeHome OfficeTabled 24 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123293More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many organisations have applied for funding through the Protective Security for Mosques Scheme in every year since it was established; and of these, how many have been successful in obtaining fund
Answer: Protecting the right of all faith communities to worship in peace and without fear is fundamental. The Government continues to support the police in reviewing threats and strengthening protections for faith communities against terrorism and hate crime.Tha...
Answered 13 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordReligious Buildings: Crimes against PropertyHome OfficeTabled 24 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 123292More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many mosques, Islamic centres and Muslim community centres have been subject to criminal damage in each of the last 5 years.
Answer: The Home Office collects and publishes information on the number of religious hate crimes targeted at Muslims recorded by the police in England and Wales. It is not possible to tell, from the data held centrally, whether or not the offences were committed...
Answered 13 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordVeterinary Services: VATTreasuryTabled 18 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121909More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she plans to review VAT on veterinary services.
Answer: VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. Tax breaks reduce the revenue available for public services, and must represent value for money for the taxpayer. Exceptions to the standard rat...
Answered 26 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordVeterinary Services: VATTreasuryTabled 18 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121908More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of applying a (a) reduced and (b) zero rate of VAT to essential veterinary (i) treatment and (ii) medicines.
Answer: VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services. Tax breaks reduce the revenue available for public services, and must represent value for money for the taxpayer. Exceptions to the standard rat...
Answered 26 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordScience and Technology Facilities Council: FinanceDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 18 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121907More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to STFC funding on (a) the Jodrell Bank Observatory and (b) other research facilities.
Answer: The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has committed a record £58.5 billion investment in R&D over the next 4 years. This includes £38.6 billion allocated to UKRI. The overall Government spend on R&D over the next 4 years is ...
Answered 27 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordHigher Education: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 18 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121906More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking to support early-career researchers funded through the Science and Technology Facilities Council, in the context of funding uncertainty.
Answer: The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has committed a record £58.5 billion investment in R&D over the next 4 years. This includes £38.6 billion allocated to UKRI. The overall Government spend on R&D over the next 4 years is ...
Answered 27 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordAstronomy and Physics: ResearchDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 18 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121905More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of changes to Science and Technology Facilities Council funding on the UK’s global position in astronomy and physics research.
Answer: The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has committed a record £58.5 billion investment in R&D over the next 4 years. This includes £38.6 billion allocated to UKRI. The overall Government spend on R&D over the next 4 years is ...
Answered 27 Mar 2026
Original Parliament recordWest Bank: Archaeological SitesForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 18 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121904More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with Israeli ministers about the annexation of Sebastia in the West Bank.
Answer: I refer the Hon. Member to response given on 24 March to question 120656.
Answered 2 Apr 2026
Original Parliament recordAsylum: SponsorshipHome OfficeTabled 17 Mar 2026AnsweredUIN 121487More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to her written statement of 2 March 2026 on Asylum changes, by what date her department intends to have operationalised a Named Community Sponsorship scheme for refugee resettlement.
Answer: In the Restoring Order and Control policy statement, the Government committed to transforming its approach to safe and legal routes. This included the creation of a named sponsorship scheme to enable community groups to sponsor refugees and displaced pers...
Answered 25 Mar 2026
Original Parliament record
Published records only — not a full account of an MP’s work. How we work →