Every parliamentary written question tabled by Afzal Khan this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 121–140 of 399 · this parliament
Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions he has had with the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission on tackling Islamophobia.
To help inform policy development, Ministers and officials regularly engage with relevant stakeholders, such as the Equality and Human Rights Commission, including on tackling religious hatred.
Whether she plans to conduct a review of collective worship in schools in England.
Collective worship remains an important part of school life, supporting pupils to reflect on the concept of belief and the role it plays in our country’s traditions and values. Schools in England already have flexibility in how they meet this requirement and can deliver collective worship or assemblies in ways that reflect the diverse needs of their pupils and local communities. Students over 16 and parents of younger pupils also retain the right of withdrawal from collective worship.
What assessment she has made of the potential merits of including humanism as part of the national curriculum on religious education.
The department recognises that non-religious worldviews, including humanism, can play an important role in supporting pupils’ understanding of beliefs and values. Religious education (RE) is not part of the national curriculum but is a mandatory subject for all pupils aged 5 to 18 in state-funded schools in England. Schools should deliver RE in an objective, critical and pluralistic way and already have the flexibility, through their locally agreed syllabuses, to include the study of non-religious world views such as humanism. The department welcomes the Curriculum and Assessment Review’s recommendation that Vanessa Ogden, a former review panellist specialising in RE, should lead a sector group, independent from government, to develop a draft RE curriculum. We expect that the sector group’s work on RE will reflect the role the subject plays in building understanding between people of different faiths, beliefs and communities, including those with non-religious world views. If the group reaches consensus on a draft curriculum, the government will consult on whether to add it to the national curriculum.
What recent discussions she has had with the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission on tackling Islamophobia.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is an independent Non Departmental Public Body and Great Britain’s national equality and human rights body. The Government regularly engages with EHRC on a range of areas covered in their remit.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill on International Medical Graduates already working in NHS, particularly those in non-training and service roles.
The Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill was introduced to Parliament on 13 January 2026. The bill delivers the Government’s commitment in the 10-Year Health Plan for England, published in July 2025, to prioritise United Kingdom medical graduates for foundation training, and to prioritise UK medical graduates and other doctors who have worked in the National Health Service for a significant period for specialty training.Subject to the parliamentary passage of the bill, for 2026, international medical graduates with specific immigration statuses will be prioritised when making offers for specialty training. These statuses, such as Indefinite Leave to Remain, are being used as a proxy for NHS experience because individuals who hold them and are eligible for specialty training are likely to have already worked in the NHS for a substantial period.From 2027 onwards, these immigration categories will no longer apply automatically. Instead, the Government will set out in future regulations additional persons who will be prioritised based on criteria indicating they are likely to have significant NHS experience, or based on their immigration status.International medical graduates who are not prioritised will still be able to apply and will be offered places if vacancies remain after prioritised applicants have received offers. In particular, there are likely to be opportunities in specialties such as general practice, core psychiatry, and internal medicine. Historically, these attract fewer applicants from the groups we are prioritising for 2026.International medical graduates will also continue to have opportunities in locally employed doctor roles, which could lead to NHS experience that might count towards future prioritisation.
Whether his Department plans to put transitional arrangements in place before the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill comes into force.
The Government does not plan to introduce transitional arrangements ahead of the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill coming into force.It is the intention of the Department to commence the bill as soon as we are able, subject to passage through Parliament.
Whether British citizens who have graduated from medical schools outside of the UK will be prioritised for medical training places in the Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill.
The Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill was introduced to Parliament on 13 January 2026. The bill delivers the Government’s commitment in the 10-Year Health Plan for England, published in July 2025, to prioritise United Kingdom medical graduates for foundation training, and to prioritise UK medical graduates and other doctors who have worked in the National Health Service for a significant period for specialty trainingUnder the bill, British citizens who have graduated from medical schools outside of the UK will not be prioritised for foundation training places, and a graduate from a medical school in the UK or Ireland will not be prioritised if they spent the majority of their time studying outside the British Islands.For specialty training places starting in 2026, NHS experience is being represented by immigration status, as people with a settled immigration status are more likely to have worked in the NHS for longer. The effect of this is that British citizens and those with certain other immigration status will be prioritised. For specialty training posts starting from 2027 onwards, this provision will not apply automatically. Instead, it will be possible to make regulations to specify additional groups who will be prioritised, where they are likely to have significant experience working as a doctor either in the NHS in England, Scotland, or Wales or in health and social care in Northern Ireland, or by reference to their immigration status.
What assessment she has made of the adequacy of the Financial Conduct Authority’s supervision and regulation of Lendy Ltd prior to its collapse.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) assumed responsibility for the peer to peer lending sector in 2014. In 2016, the FCA launched a post-implementation review into the peer to peer and crowdfunding sector, leading to a consultation on updated rules for the sector in 2018, with a set of strengthened rules being published in 2019. The FCA has supervisory and enforcement powers in relation to the sector, and has undertaken investigations into certain, individual firms, such as Lendy Ltd. Lendy was subject to an asset restriction and a court petition to appoint a liquidator prior to it being placed in administration. The FCA has received several complaints about its regulation of Lendy under its Complaints Scheme. We await the findings of the complaints investigation into the FCA’s actions under the Complaints Scheme. The Government takes the accountability of the FCA very seriously. The FCA’s independence from Government does not mean it can act arbitrarily; rather, it must operate within the framework of statutory duties and powers agreed by Parliament. As well as being required to operate within this framework, the FCA is fully accountable to Parliament for how it discharges its statutory functions.There are a number of ways in which the legal framework ensures direct accountability of the FCA to Parliament, such as a requirement for the FCA to produce annual reports and accounts, which are laid before Parliament by the Treasury. The FCA is also subject to scrutiny via departmental select committee hearings, including the Treasury Select Committee and the Lords Financial Services Regulation Committee.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking to help maintain the ceasefire following the Cambodian-Thai border conflict.
The renewed ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand is a welcome development. Throughout the recent tensions, I engaged directly with both governments to encourage dialogue and de‑escalation. I will continue to seek opportunities to encourage long-term peace and stability. The UK will continue to work closely with key international partners, including ASEAN, to support efforts to maintain the ceasefire.
What assessment her Department has made of (a) trends in the level of violence asylum seekers face at the UK-France border and (b) the potential impact of UK policy on those trends.
Violence against French law enforcement is unacceptable. Whilst the French law enforcement response to that violent conduct has to be a matter for the French authorities, we continue to support their operations to prevent small boat crossings.
Whether she has made an assessment of the adequacy of UK–France border agreements in the context of trends in the number of (a) fatalities and (b) reports of violence at the border; and whether any changes are planned.
Violence against French law enforcement is unacceptable. Whilst the French law enforcement response to that violent conduct has to be a matter for the French authorities, we continue to support their operations to prevent small boat crossings.
What steps her Department is taking to ensure transparency and accountability where FCA-authorised firms fail and retail investors have losses.
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) assumed responsibility for the peer to peer lending sector in 2014. In 2016, the FCA launched a post-implementation review into the peer to peer and crowdfunding sector, leading to a consultation on updated rules for the sector in 2018, with a set of strengthened rules being published in 2019. The FCA has supervisory and enforcement powers in relation to the sector, and has undertaken investigations into certain, individual firms, such as Lendy Ltd. Lendy was subject to an asset restriction and a court petition to appoint a liquidator prior to it being placed in administration. The FCA has received several complaints about its regulation of Lendy under its Complaints Scheme. We await the findings of the complaints investigation into the FCA’s actions under the Complaints Scheme. The Government takes the accountability of the FCA very seriously. The FCA’s independence from Government does not mean it can act arbitrarily; rather, it must operate within the framework of statutory duties and powers agreed by Parliament. As well as being required to operate within this framework, the FCA is fully accountable to Parliament for how it discharges its statutory functions.There are a number of ways in which the legal framework ensures direct accountability of the FCA to Parliament, such as a requirement for the FCA to produce annual reports and accounts, which are laid before Parliament by the Treasury. The FCA is also subject to scrutiny via departmental select committee hearings, including the Treasury Select Committee and the Lords Financial Services Regulation Committee.
Whether data is collected on non-fatal injuries linked to border enforcement activity at the UK–France border.
Violence against French law enforcement is unacceptable. Whilst the French law enforcement response to that violent conduct has to be a matter for the French authorities, we continue to support their operations to prevent small boat crossings.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the need for humanitarian aid in Syria.
The humanitarian situation in Syria remains dire, with over 16.5 million people in need of humanitarian assistance and 90% of the population in poverty.The UK is delivering up to £104 million of life-saving aid this year, and supporting longer-term recovery through education, health and livelihoods programmes.We are also responding to emergencies, including providing humanitarian and medical supplies to those displaced by the recent violence in northern Aleppo.
Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions he has had with stakeholders on plans for a Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum to those of a Muslim faith who gave their lives in two World Wars, as announced in the March 2024 Budget.
The Government committed to provide up to £1 million funding for a fitting Muslim War Memorial to commemorate the immense contribution of Muslim soldiers in service of this country during the World Wars. A public market engagement exercise was launched on 31 January 2025 and ran for one month to gather information on potential delivery options. The information has been evaluated, and we are developing plans for a competitive funding process. Stakeholder engagement will be an integral part of the delivery of the memorial and the most effective means of achieving this will be factored into our planning.
Communities and Local Government, what progress he has made on plans to finance a Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum to those of a Muslim faith who gave their lives in two World Wars, as announced in the March 2024 Budget.
The Government committed to provide up to £1 million funding for a fitting Muslim War Memorial to commemorate the immense contribution of Muslim soldiers in service of this country during the World Wars. A public market engagement exercise was launched on 31 January 2025 and ran for one month to gather information on potential delivery options. The information has been evaluated, and we are developing plans for a competitive funding process. Stakeholder engagement will be an integral part of the delivery of the memorial and the most effective means of achieving this will be factored into our planning.
Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer on 10 September 2025 to HL10181, when he plans to launch the competitive funding award process for a Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum to those of a Muslim faith who gave their lives in two World Wars, as announced in the March 2024 Budget.
The Government committed to provide up to £1 million funding for a fitting Muslim War Memorial to commemorate the immense contribution of Muslim soldiers in service of this country during the World Wars. A public market engagement exercise was launched on 31 January 2025 and ran for one month to gather information on potential delivery options. The information has been evaluated, and we are developing plans for a competitive funding process. Stakeholder engagement will be an integral part of the delivery of the memorial and the most effective means of achieving this will be factored into our planning.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of ending the Energy Company Obligation scheme on employment in the North West.
ECO4 has played a part in delivering clean heat technologies; however, issues identified by the NAO and PAC support a shift to a more direct, publicly-funded approach focused on technologies that cut bills and accelerate the transition to clean heat such as heat pumps, solar PV and batteries. The government is providing an additional £1.5 billion—taking planned capital investment to almost £15 billion—to upgrade low‑income homes and scale clean home‑energy technologies. Deployment will be further supported through wider policies and details of this will be set out soon in the Warm Homes Plan.
Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 16 December 2025 to question 98902 on the Environmental Improvement Plan, whether her Department plans to publish a formal consultation on domestic combustion.
As outlined in the EIP, we will consult on further measures to reduce emissions from domestic burning.
Food and Rural Affairs, what consideration she has given to designating the Trans Pennine Trail a National Trail.
The Government is committed to increasing access to nature and leaving a lasting benefit for future generations. Although we do not currently plan to designate the Trans Pennine Trail as a National Trail, we remain committed to improving safe and appropriate access to green and blue spaces. In 2026 we expect to launch both the 2,700-mile King Charles III England Coast Path and Wainwright’s Coast to Coast route across the north of England as a National Trail. We are also progressing plans to deliver nine new National River Walks across England, one in each region and will share further details in due course.