Afzal Khan MP: speeches

Speeches

• 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?

• 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?

• 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?

• 18 Nov 2025 · Gaza and Sudan · Hansard source

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  As the fighting has engulfed El Fasher and severe food insecurity has spread across Darfur, women and girls have experienced extreme hunger, displacement, death, and sexual and gender-based violence. What steps is the UK taking with its regional and international partners to protect and support civilians and, in particular, women and girls who are at risk?

• 17 Nov 2025 · Asylum Policy · Hansard source

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  Migrants make immeasurable contributions to our communities. In Manchester Rusholme, Wendy, who has Jamaican heritage, is a community health champion; Najma, from Somalia, leads local initiatives to tackle knife crime; and Hafsa, who grew up in the middle east, leads nature improvement projects. Does my right hon. Friend agree that the language we use to talk about immigration must reflect the important role that immigrants play in the functioning of our nation?

• 28 Oct 2025 · World Stroke Day · Hansard source

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  In my constituency, Manchester royal infirmary’s ward 31 provides outstanding acute and rehabilitative stroke care, supported by dedicated community health champions who promote prevention and early intervention to reduce the risk of stroke. Will the hon. Member join me in thanking both our dedicated hospital staff and community health champions, and support sustained investment in prevention, staffing and rehabilitation so that we can save lives and help survivors recover fully?

• 3 Sept 2025 · Pavement Parking · Hansard source

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  The hon. Member is making a strong case that pavement parking is dangerous. I hear regularly from constituents who are forced to walk their young children into busy roads or from those in wheelchairs who must go back home because they cannot get past the obstruction of cars. Does the hon. Member agree that pavement parking decreases active travel and prevents the most vulnerable in our society from safely accessing their own community?

• 9 Jul 2025 · Sport England: Tackling Racism · Hansard source

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  My hon. Friend is making a powerful speech. I want to share an example from the Greater Manchester combined authority, which has, in partnership, launched a cricket strategy aimed at creating inclusive cricket, from encouraging young people to play cricket to creating a network of south Asian women to widen the reach of cricket in our community. Does my hon. Friend agree that such initiatives play a vital role in tackling inequality and racism and in strengthening community cohesion throughout the sport?