Afzal Khan MP: speeches 2026

Speeches

• 14 Sept 2026 · Water Sector: Public Ownership · Hansard source

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  My constituents in Manchester Rusholme have seen a £57 increase this year, yet it is safe to say that there has been very little to show for it. Just last week, United Utilities had to pay a further £900,000 in fines for dumping raw sewage. Does my hon. Friend agree that the Government must treat water reform as a strategic priority to tackle the cost of living crisis as well as the crisis in our waterways?

• 8 Sept 2026 · Israel and Palestine · Hansard source

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  The Foreign Secretary and the new Prime Minister have shown leadership and moral courage by introducing these sanctions. I strongly welcome the Foreign Secretary’s support for the International Criminal Court’s case on genocide in Gaza. What discussions will he have with allies to encourage more countries to support the ICJ’s judicial process to bring about justice for Palestine?

• 13 Jul 2026 · State of Climate and Nature · Hansard source

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  This weekend, I joined constituents in Hulme for a screening of the “People’s Emergency Briefing” on the threats to British life from ongoing damage to nature and our climate. My constituents want to ensure that everyone across the country is properly informed about the causes and impact of climate change, so will the Minister commit to holding a prime-time televised emergency briefing on the climate and nature crisis?

• 16 Jun 2026 · Topical Questions · Hansard source

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  The International Court of Justice directed third states not to enter into trade dealings with Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territories two years ago, but the Government have still not responded to that—why? Does the Secretary of State recognise the UK’s obligations to the ICJ, and will it comply?

• 10 Jun 2026 · Myanmar: Human Rights · Hansard source

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  The genocide against the Rohingya Muslims, which has been ongoing for almost a decade, is one of the most horrifying examples of Islamophobia. Does the right hon. Member agree that the UK should join the EU and the USA in imposing sanctions on the military-controlled Myanmar oil and gas enterprises, which is a major source of revenue for the military?

• 3 Jun 2026 · Youth Mental Health Support · Hansard source

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  In Greater Manchester, we have the BeeWell programme, which tracks young people’s wellbeing and is critical in helping local areas identify needs, and designs more targeted, preventive approaches. More young people are now reporting good levels of wellbeing through this programme, so does my hon. Friend agree that we need to invest in locally driven, data-informed approaches to prevention, working in partnership with integrated care systems and local authorities?

• 14 Apr 2026 · Muslims: NHS · Hansard source

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  The Health Secretary has long campaigned on tackling anti-Muslim hostility, and I know that we are both proud that this Government have adopted a working definition of it. According to the Muslim Doctors Association, almost 40% of Muslim healthcare professionals have been verbally abused by colleagues about their faith, and the British Islamic Medical Association has repeatedly found that Islamophobia is a persistent and under-recognised issue in healthcare. Will he commit to a rapid review specifically to look into anti-Muslim hostility experienced by patients and staff in the NHS?

• 14 Apr 2026 · Muslims: NHS · Hansard source

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  8. What discussions he has had with regulators on tackling anti-Muslim hostility in the NHS.

• 13 Apr 2026 · Middle East · Hansard source

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  Let me thank the Prime Minister for his statesmanship. This weekend saw the Pakistani Government step up and take global leadership by expertly hosting and mediating negotiations between Iran and America. The whole world is indebted to the noble efforts of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and General Syed Asim Munir to achieve a ceasefire. Given that Pakistan is a long-term ally of Britain, will the Prime Minister outline what support he is giving the Pakistani Government to facilitate an agreement for long-lasting peace and stability in the middle east?

• 17 Mar 2026 · Immigration Reforms · Hansard source

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  On the question of being on the right side, I say to the hon. Member that the Manchester Refugee Support Network, through its specialist services, helped almost 3,000 people last year to find stability, security and belonging in our community. It requires £60,000 per year to operate, but its funding runs out in August 2026. Does the hon. Member agree that such organisations must be provided with long-term, sustainable funding to support our most vulnerable constituents?

• 11 Mar 2026 · Children in Poverty · Hansard source

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  In families with disabled children, 25% of those children are living in deep material poverty. The recent uprating of universal credit will be a great help for children growing up in such households, but equipment costs and other expenses, such as specialist childcare, remain significant pressures. Will the Minister set out what more she is doing to address the inequalities felt by children growing up in households with at least one disabled child?

• 11 Mar 2026 · Children in Poverty · Hansard source

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  2. What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help reduce inequalities experienced by children in poverty.

• 10 Mar 2026 · UN International Day to Combat Islamophobia · Hansard source

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  I rise to present this petition on marking the UN International Day to Combat Islamophobia. In 2025, 45% of religious hate crimes committed in the UK were directed towards Muslims, a 92% increase since 2023. At a time where anti-Muslim hostility is on the rise online, in the media, on our streets and in our politics, the UN International Day to Combat Islamophobia is a time to come together to challenge this racist hatred and work towards a more tolerant and cohesive society. The petition states: “The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to take action to support marking the UN International Day to Combat Islamophobia on 15 March across the UK. And the petitioners remain, etc.” Following is the full text of the petition: [The petition of residents of the constituency of Manchester Rusholme, Declares that the UN International Day to Combat Islamophobia, marked on 15 March, is an important reminder of the unacceptable levels of hatred, discrimination and abuse that Muslims, and those perceived to be Muslim, continue to face worldwide; further declares that public understanding is crucial to tackling prejudice; notes that 45% of religious hate crimes committed in the UK in 2025 were directed towards Muslims, representing a 19% increase on the previous year; further notes the recent rise in Islamophobic disinformation circulating online and in the media; further notes that the UN International Day to Combat Islamophobia is marked by several governments worldwide, including the Government of Wales in 2025; further declares that recognising the UN International Day to Combat Islamophobia would reaffirm the Government’s commitment to tackling all forms of racism and xenophobia, and encouraging a more tolerant and understanding society. The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to take action to support marking the UN International Day to Combat Islamophobia on 15 March across the UK. And the petitioners remain, etc.] [P003168]

• 9 Mar 2026 · Immigration Policy · Hansard source

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  The Baobab Centre for Young Survivors in Exile has found that restrictive policies have had an insignificant effect on the number of unaccompanied children seeking asylum in Denmark. Instead, the discrimination and constant uncertainty make it harder for young refugees to learn, build relationships or plan for their futures. Will the Minister commit to keeping permanently the five years’ leave for unaccompanied children, to create stability for the most vulnerable asylum seekers?

• 9 Mar 2026 · Social Cohesion Action Plan · Hansard source

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  The publication of the definition of anti-Muslim hostility has been almost a decade in the making. I thank the Secretary of State and the Minister for Faith for their determination to define the hate and prejudices that Muslims face. As the Secretary of State knows, the definition must command the confidence of the Muslim communities that it is meant to support, so will he commit to an extensive outreach programme with a diverse range of Muslim community groups to ensure that the definition has the necessary community buy-in to begin tackling the deep-rooted hatred faced by Muslims in Great Britain?

• 27 Jan 2026 · Consumer Energy Bills: Government Support · Hansard source

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  Over 6,000 households in my constituency are living in fuel poverty. The warm homes plan will deliver targeted support for those living in fuel-poor households and provide them with the means to upgrade their homes with insulation, solar panels and heat pumps. Does the hon. Member agree that we should prioritise measures that improve energy efficiency and sustainability to cut fuel bills for years to come?

• 26 Jan 2026 · Police Reform White Paper · Hansard source

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  As a former police officer, I welcome the Home Secretary’s statement. Under its current chief constable, Greater Manchester police has seen a resurgence and has become a highly performing police force that serves a growing and economically successful city region. That is in part because of a highly effective working partnership between Greater Manchester local authorities and the mayoral combined authority. Can the Home Secretary provide an assurance that the current structure, which is clearly working well, will not be altered?

• 19 Jan 2026 · Sale of Fireworks · Hansard source

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  Given so many people write to us about this issue, it is clear that we all feel the impact. On new year’s eve, my constituent Kim reported that fireworks went on in Whalley Range until 4.30 am. The noise was so loud and persistent that it set off their house alarm. Does the hon. Member agree that the use of fireworks in the middle of the night is clearly antisocial behaviour and more must be done to tackle it?

• 13 Jan 2026 · Airport Drop-off Charges · Hansard source

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  I thank my hon. Friend for securing this very important debate. I must say that I love Manchester airport, but not these charges. A constituent of mine, who is an Uber driver, makes countless trips to Manchester airport every week. He was recently fined twice for not paying drop-off charges. He tried to pay, but the website kept crashing. The airport failed to send him a reminder before the penalty and fined him straightaway, although it was its fault and he was not responsible. Does my hon. Friend agree that it is deeply unfair for hard-working people to pay the price of faulty tech that the private companies fail to fix?

• 13 Jan 2026 · Airport Drop-off Charges · Hansard source

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  My hon. Friend makes an excellent point about fairness. I am concerned about these charges, because someone I know took one minute extra while trying to get out of the airport, and he was lumbered with a £60 fine. That is not fair.

• 13 Jan 2026 · Universities: Statutory Duty of Care · Hansard source

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  Some 72% of students report that their mental health has suffered as a result of the cost of living crisis. One in five have considered dropping out because they simply cannot afford it. Given the ever-rising financial pressures on students, does my hon. Friend agree that it is time to explore all avenues to protect students’ wellbeing?

• 12 Jan 2026 · Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement 2026-27: Greater Manchester · Hansard source

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  15. What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the provisional local government finance settlement 2026-27 on Greater Manchester.

• 12 Jan 2026 · Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement 2026-27: Greater Manchester · Hansard source

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  Fourteen years of Tory austerity saw harsh cuts to local government finances, which left our public services on their knees. This latest funding settlement by the Labour Government goes a long way to right the wrongs of the Tories, and to help local authorities deliver quality services for our constituents once again. I thank the Secretary of State for giving Manchester city council a £331 million cash injection, but does the Minister recognise that the council still faces huge pressure to meet needs, including those related to social services and education?