Every parliamentary written question tabled by Ayoub Khan this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 121–140 of 248 · this parliament
If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of reinstating the Winter Fuel Allowance before the winter 2025-26.
The Government wants to expand eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments, recognising the goals of supporting these pensioners, meeting need and of sustainable public finances. Any change will be announced to Parliament in the normal way.
What recent steps she has taken with police forces to ensure the accurate collection of data on the abuse of older people.
The Home Office is continuingly working with police forces to improve the quality of police recorded crime data collected.However, the safeguarding of vulnerable adults from abuse or neglect is a statutory duty for Local Authorities with Adult Social Services Responsibilities (CASSRs) in England under the Care Act 2014. Information on the safeguarding of adults is collected directly from such Local Authorities and can be found here: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/data-tools-and-services/data-services/adult-social-care-data-hub/dashboards/safeguarding-adults-collection
What assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the proposals in Law Commission’s report entitled Modernising Wills Law, published on 15 May 2025.
The Government has welcomed the Law Commission’s comprehensive report on the law of making a will and will be giving the report careful consideration.This is the first major review of the law on making wills since the Wills Act 1837, and the reforms proposed by the Law Commission are significant and wide ranging. They deserve detailed consideration. The Government recognises that the current law is outdated, and we must embrace change, but the guiding principle in doing so will be to ensure that reform does not compromise existing freedoms or protecting the elderly and vulnerable in society from undue influence.The Government will make further announcements in due course, once it has given the report the detailed consideration it deserves.
What steps the Government is taking to ensure that employers are supporting women managing menopause in the workplace.
On 18th October 2024 the Secretary of State for DWP appointed Mariella Frostrup as the new Menopause Employment Ambassador. The Menopause Employment Ambassador will work closely with employers across the country to improve workplace support for women experiencing menopause and wider women’s health issues. The Menopause Employment Ambassador launched her Menopause Advisory Group on 24th April who will provide her with expert knowledge from a wide range of sectors on how businesses can better support women experiencing menopause in the workplace by creating a more supportive environment that helps women to stay in work and progress. The government has also proposed a wide-ranging set of generational reforms to boost protections for workers, including women experiencing menopause symptoms at work. The policy proposals in the Employment Rights Bill would require large employers with more than 250 employees to produce Menopause Action Plans on how they will support employees through the menopause. Alongside this the government has also committed to publishing guidance, including for small employers, on measures to consider relating to uniform and temperature, flexible working and recording menopause-related leave and absence.
What steps the Government is taking to ensure that employers are providing support for women in the workplace with flexible working.
The Government knows how important flexible working can be to help women with caring responsibilities manage their work and personal commitments. It can also be equally important for carers of vulnerable adults as well as employees with long-term physical or mental health conditions. That is why the Government, through the Employment Rights Bill, is increasing access to flexible working by making it the default except where not reasonably feasible. These measures will support all employees, including women, to access flexible working. The changes in the Bill will require employers to accept flexible working requests where it is reasonably feasible to do so.
How many additional driving test examiner trainers will be deployed in (a) Birmingham and (b) Birmingham (Kingstanding) Test Centre through the DVSA Additional Testing Award Scheme.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times. The average waiting time in April 2025 for a car practical driving test at Birmingham (Kingstanding) was 24 weeks compared to the National average of 22.3 weeks.It is important road safety knowledge and hazard perception skills are up to date at the critical point a person drives unsupervised for the first time.The maximum duration of two years between passing the theory test and a subsequent practical test is in place to ensure a customer’s road safety knowledge and ability to identify developing hazards is current. This validity period is set in legislation, and the Government has no current plans to lay further legislation to extend it.Ensuring learner drivers have current relevant knowledge and skills is a vital part of the learning to drive process as new drivers are disproportionately casualties on our roads. Learners therefore need to pass another theory test if their two-year theory test certificate expires.The table below shows; the number of driving examiners (DE) DVSA onboarded, the number of DEs that passed or failed the required training course; and the DEs that left DVSA from January 2021 to April 2025 for its Birmingham (Kingstanding) driving test centre. DVSA has one potential new entrant DE currently undergoing pre-employment checks before a course start can be agreed. 2025 to April 20252024202320222021DEs onboarded11020DEs passed training01010DEs failed training10010DEs left00002DVSA does not take the decision to cancel tests lightly and will only cancel a test as a last resort as it knows how disappointing it can be for customers. When DVSA does have to cancel a test, it will reschedule it to the next available date at the time. The table below shows the total number of tests and how many DVSA cancelled due to either medical absence or annual leave for Birmingham (Kingstanding): 01/01/2024- 30/09/2024 *2023202220212020Total Tests1386511298861680895688Test cancelled due to medical absence1008 (7.3%)657 (5.8%)393 (4.6%)238 (2.9%)468 (8.2%)Tests cancelled due to annual leave222 (1.6%)166 (1.5%)82 (0.9%)152 (1.9%)92 (1.6%)Note: This data does not include tests cancelled because of the pandemic.* - Donates latest available published official stats that can be viewed on GOV.UKDVSA’s additional test overtime incentive is a voluntary scheme open to all eligible volunteers authorised to provide car practical driving tests. The scheme is designed to encourage a high level of take up. It is too early to provide information on how many volunteers might take up the offer both nationally or in the Birmingham Kingstanding area.
How many driving tests have been cancelled in Birmingham Perry Barr constituency due to examiner (a) sickness and (b) annual leave in each of the last five years.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times. The average waiting time in April 2025 for a car practical driving test at Birmingham (Kingstanding) was 24 weeks compared to the National average of 22.3 weeks.It is important road safety knowledge and hazard perception skills are up to date at the critical point a person drives unsupervised for the first time.The maximum duration of two years between passing the theory test and a subsequent practical test is in place to ensure a customer’s road safety knowledge and ability to identify developing hazards is current. This validity period is set in legislation, and the Government has no current plans to lay further legislation to extend it.Ensuring learner drivers have current relevant knowledge and skills is a vital part of the learning to drive process as new drivers are disproportionately casualties on our roads. Learners therefore need to pass another theory test if their two-year theory test certificate expires.The table below shows; the number of driving examiners (DE) DVSA onboarded, the number of DEs that passed or failed the required training course; and the DEs that left DVSA from January 2021 to April 2025 for its Birmingham (Kingstanding) driving test centre. DVSA has one potential new entrant DE currently undergoing pre-employment checks before a course start can be agreed. 2025 to April 20252024202320222021DEs onboarded11020DEs passed training01010DEs failed training10010DEs left00002DVSA does not take the decision to cancel tests lightly and will only cancel a test as a last resort as it knows how disappointing it can be for customers. When DVSA does have to cancel a test, it will reschedule it to the next available date at the time. The table below shows the total number of tests and how many DVSA cancelled due to either medical absence or annual leave for Birmingham (Kingstanding): 01/01/2024- 30/09/2024 *2023202220212020Total Tests1386511298861680895688Test cancelled due to medical absence1008 (7.3%)657 (5.8%)393 (4.6%)238 (2.9%)468 (8.2%)Tests cancelled due to annual leave222 (1.6%)166 (1.5%)82 (0.9%)152 (1.9%)92 (1.6%)Note: This data does not include tests cancelled because of the pandemic.* - Donates latest available published official stats that can be viewed on GOV.UKDVSA’s additional test overtime incentive is a voluntary scheme open to all eligible volunteers authorised to provide car practical driving tests. The scheme is designed to encourage a high level of take up. It is too early to provide information on how many volunteers might take up the offer both nationally or in the Birmingham Kingstanding area.
What assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of extending the period for which driving theory test certificates are valid.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times. The average waiting time in April 2025 for a car practical driving test at Birmingham (Kingstanding) was 24 weeks compared to the National average of 22.3 weeks.It is important road safety knowledge and hazard perception skills are up to date at the critical point a person drives unsupervised for the first time.The maximum duration of two years between passing the theory test and a subsequent practical test is in place to ensure a customer’s road safety knowledge and ability to identify developing hazards is current. This validity period is set in legislation, and the Government has no current plans to lay further legislation to extend it.Ensuring learner drivers have current relevant knowledge and skills is a vital part of the learning to drive process as new drivers are disproportionately casualties on our roads. Learners therefore need to pass another theory test if their two-year theory test certificate expires.The table below shows; the number of driving examiners (DE) DVSA onboarded, the number of DEs that passed or failed the required training course; and the DEs that left DVSA from January 2021 to April 2025 for its Birmingham (Kingstanding) driving test centre. DVSA has one potential new entrant DE currently undergoing pre-employment checks before a course start can be agreed. 2025 to April 20252024202320222021DEs onboarded11020DEs passed training01010DEs failed training10010DEs left00002DVSA does not take the decision to cancel tests lightly and will only cancel a test as a last resort as it knows how disappointing it can be for customers. When DVSA does have to cancel a test, it will reschedule it to the next available date at the time. The table below shows the total number of tests and how many DVSA cancelled due to either medical absence or annual leave for Birmingham (Kingstanding): 01/01/2024- 30/09/2024 *2023202220212020Total Tests1386511298861680895688Test cancelled due to medical absence1008 (7.3%)657 (5.8%)393 (4.6%)238 (2.9%)468 (8.2%)Tests cancelled due to annual leave222 (1.6%)166 (1.5%)82 (0.9%)152 (1.9%)92 (1.6%)Note: This data does not include tests cancelled because of the pandemic.* - Donates latest available published official stats that can be viewed on GOV.UKDVSA’s additional test overtime incentive is a voluntary scheme open to all eligible volunteers authorised to provide car practical driving tests. The scheme is designed to encourage a high level of take up. It is too early to provide information on how many volunteers might take up the offer both nationally or in the Birmingham Kingstanding area.
How many eligible (a) managers and (b) administrative staff will be deployed as driving test examiners in (i) Birmingham and (ii) Birmingham (Kingstanding) Test Centre through the DVSA Additional Testing Award Scheme.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times. The average waiting time in April 2025 for a car practical driving test at Birmingham (Kingstanding) was 24 weeks compared to the National average of 22.3 weeks.It is important road safety knowledge and hazard perception skills are up to date at the critical point a person drives unsupervised for the first time.The maximum duration of two years between passing the theory test and a subsequent practical test is in place to ensure a customer’s road safety knowledge and ability to identify developing hazards is current. This validity period is set in legislation, and the Government has no current plans to lay further legislation to extend it.Ensuring learner drivers have current relevant knowledge and skills is a vital part of the learning to drive process as new drivers are disproportionately casualties on our roads. Learners therefore need to pass another theory test if their two-year theory test certificate expires.The table below shows; the number of driving examiners (DE) DVSA onboarded, the number of DEs that passed or failed the required training course; and the DEs that left DVSA from January 2021 to April 2025 for its Birmingham (Kingstanding) driving test centre. DVSA has one potential new entrant DE currently undergoing pre-employment checks before a course start can be agreed. 2025 to April 20252024202320222021DEs onboarded11020DEs passed training01010DEs failed training10010DEs left00002DVSA does not take the decision to cancel tests lightly and will only cancel a test as a last resort as it knows how disappointing it can be for customers. When DVSA does have to cancel a test, it will reschedule it to the next available date at the time. The table below shows the total number of tests and how many DVSA cancelled due to either medical absence or annual leave for Birmingham (Kingstanding): 01/01/2024- 30/09/2024 *2023202220212020Total Tests1386511298861680895688Test cancelled due to medical absence1008 (7.3%)657 (5.8%)393 (4.6%)238 (2.9%)468 (8.2%)Tests cancelled due to annual leave222 (1.6%)166 (1.5%)82 (0.9%)152 (1.9%)92 (1.6%)Note: This data does not include tests cancelled because of the pandemic.* - Donates latest available published official stats that can be viewed on GOV.UKDVSA’s additional test overtime incentive is a voluntary scheme open to all eligible volunteers authorised to provide car practical driving tests. The scheme is designed to encourage a high level of take up. It is too early to provide information on how many volunteers might take up the offer both nationally or in the Birmingham Kingstanding area.
With reference to Q44 of the oral evidence given by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to the Transport Select Committee on 4 December 2024, HC 437, what the average waiting time for driving tests is in Birmingham Perry Barr constituency.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times. The average waiting time in April 2025 for a car practical driving test at Birmingham (Kingstanding) was 24 weeks compared to the National average of 22.3 weeks.It is important road safety knowledge and hazard perception skills are up to date at the critical point a person drives unsupervised for the first time.The maximum duration of two years between passing the theory test and a subsequent practical test is in place to ensure a customer’s road safety knowledge and ability to identify developing hazards is current. This validity period is set in legislation, and the Government has no current plans to lay further legislation to extend it.Ensuring learner drivers have current relevant knowledge and skills is a vital part of the learning to drive process as new drivers are disproportionately casualties on our roads. Learners therefore need to pass another theory test if their two-year theory test certificate expires.The table below shows; the number of driving examiners (DE) DVSA onboarded, the number of DEs that passed or failed the required training course; and the DEs that left DVSA from January 2021 to April 2025 for its Birmingham (Kingstanding) driving test centre. DVSA has one potential new entrant DE currently undergoing pre-employment checks before a course start can be agreed. 2025 to April 20252024202320222021DEs onboarded11020DEs passed training01010DEs failed training10010DEs left00002DVSA does not take the decision to cancel tests lightly and will only cancel a test as a last resort as it knows how disappointing it can be for customers. When DVSA does have to cancel a test, it will reschedule it to the next available date at the time. The table below shows the total number of tests and how many DVSA cancelled due to either medical absence or annual leave for Birmingham (Kingstanding): 01/01/2024- 30/09/2024 *2023202220212020Total Tests1386511298861680895688Test cancelled due to medical absence1008 (7.3%)657 (5.8%)393 (4.6%)238 (2.9%)468 (8.2%)Tests cancelled due to annual leave222 (1.6%)166 (1.5%)82 (0.9%)152 (1.9%)92 (1.6%)Note: This data does not include tests cancelled because of the pandemic.* - Donates latest available published official stats that can be viewed on GOV.UKDVSA’s additional test overtime incentive is a voluntary scheme open to all eligible volunteers authorised to provide car practical driving tests. The scheme is designed to encourage a high level of take up. It is too early to provide information on how many volunteers might take up the offer both nationally or in the Birmingham Kingstanding area.
How many driving test examiners have (a) been onboarded and (b) left the DVSA in Birmingham Perry Barr constituency in each of the last five years.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times. The average waiting time in April 2025 for a car practical driving test at Birmingham (Kingstanding) was 24 weeks compared to the National average of 22.3 weeks.It is important road safety knowledge and hazard perception skills are up to date at the critical point a person drives unsupervised for the first time.The maximum duration of two years between passing the theory test and a subsequent practical test is in place to ensure a customer’s road safety knowledge and ability to identify developing hazards is current. This validity period is set in legislation, and the Government has no current plans to lay further legislation to extend it.Ensuring learner drivers have current relevant knowledge and skills is a vital part of the learning to drive process as new drivers are disproportionately casualties on our roads. Learners therefore need to pass another theory test if their two-year theory test certificate expires.The table below shows; the number of driving examiners (DE) DVSA onboarded, the number of DEs that passed or failed the required training course; and the DEs that left DVSA from January 2021 to April 2025 for its Birmingham (Kingstanding) driving test centre. DVSA has one potential new entrant DE currently undergoing pre-employment checks before a course start can be agreed. 2025 to April 20252024202320222021DEs onboarded11020DEs passed training01010DEs failed training10010DEs left00002DVSA does not take the decision to cancel tests lightly and will only cancel a test as a last resort as it knows how disappointing it can be for customers. When DVSA does have to cancel a test, it will reschedule it to the next available date at the time. The table below shows the total number of tests and how many DVSA cancelled due to either medical absence or annual leave for Birmingham (Kingstanding): 01/01/2024- 30/09/2024 *2023202220212020Total Tests1386511298861680895688Test cancelled due to medical absence1008 (7.3%)657 (5.8%)393 (4.6%)238 (2.9%)468 (8.2%)Tests cancelled due to annual leave222 (1.6%)166 (1.5%)82 (0.9%)152 (1.9%)92 (1.6%)Note: This data does not include tests cancelled because of the pandemic.* - Donates latest available published official stats that can be viewed on GOV.UKDVSA’s additional test overtime incentive is a voluntary scheme open to all eligible volunteers authorised to provide car practical driving tests. The scheme is designed to encourage a high level of take up. It is too early to provide information on how many volunteers might take up the offer both nationally or in the Birmingham Kingstanding area.
What estimate her Department has made of the cost to consumers from (a) fraud, (b) unfair trading and (c) unsafe goods in the secondary driving test market in each of the last five years.
It is not illegal to resell a practical driving test appointment. But to ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a driving test, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) continues to work hard to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests across the country and has announced further measures to review the driving test booking system. On the 18 December 2024, DVSA launched a call for evidence, seeking views on the current rules to book tests. This will lead to consultation on improving processes, including any potential future legislative changes. On the 23 April 2025 the Secretary of State for Transport announced that this consultation has been fast-tracked to May 2025.
Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to improve access to media literacy education.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology coordinates media literacy activity across government, including in its approach to digital inclusion which integrates policy on digital skills and media literacy. The Digital Inclusion Action Plan outlines steps to support community initiatives for boosting digital skills and media literacy.In formal education, the government has established an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review which aims to ensure a rich, inclusive and innovative curriculum that readies young people for life and work. The Review’s interim report, published in March, highlights the need for a focus on media literacy in response to evolving technological challenges.
Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to implement media literacy programmes in (a) local and (b) regional development strategies.
Government is adopting a holistic approach to media literacy, integrating it with digital inclusion and related policy on digital skills. The Digital Inclusion Action Plan outlines steps towards delivering digital inclusion for everyone in the UK, including supporting community initiatives for boosting digital skills and media literacy. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology aims to coordinate and embed media literacy through cross-cutting government strategies.Under updated media literacy duties, Ofcom is developing a ‘place-based’ model to embed media literacy into community digital strategies, working with the Good Things Foundation to support Digital Inclusion Hubs to offer media literacy.
What plans her Department has to improve media literacy education in schools by (a) providing additional (i) resources and (ii) funding, (b) delivering teacher training and (c) improving curriculum support.
I refer the hon. Member for Birmingham Perry Barr to the answer of 1 May 2025 to Question 47185.
Innovation and Technology, what role his Department plans for (a) civil society and (b) community organisations in delivering media literacy programmes for adults; and what steps his Department is taking to assist relevant stakeholders with this.
Civil society and community organisations are instrumental in delivering media literacy programmes to adults, leveraging their expertise to support diverse and vulnerable groups. Libraries and community centres provide accessible locations where adults can get guidance and advice.The Digital Inclusion Action Plan outlines steps toward delivering digital inclusion and media literacy across the UK, including supporting local initiatives to increase digital participation. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology coordinates efforts across government departments and public services on media literacy, collaborating with Ofcom, which engages and convenes civil society and community organisations in its role as online safety regulator.
Whether her Department plans to extend the breakfast clubs initiative to state-funded early childhood education institutions.
The department is committed to delivering on our pledge to provide free breakfast clubs in every state-funded school with primary-aged children, starting with more than 750 early adopter schools from April 2025.The aim of the breakfast clubs policy includes ensuring children are settled and ready to learn at the start of the school day. This is why we are committed to rolling out breakfast clubs in all state-funded primary schools, helping to build strong foundations in the first years of school, impacting children’s behaviour, concentration, attendance and attainment, alongside supporting parents with costs of childcare.The department is working to test how this is best implemented and work is already underway with 750 early adopter schools. Early adopters are just the first step in delivering on our steadfast commitment to introducing breakfast clubs in every primary school. Early adopters will not only help us to test and learn how every primary school in the future can deliver these new breakfast clubs, they will also give us important insights into how schools with different age ranges, such as all through schools or those with onsite nurseries, implement the policy.
How many and what proportion staff in (a) prisons and (b) probation services have undertaken suicide prevention training.
I refer the honourable Member to the answer I gave on 10 April 2025 to Question 44186.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations his Department has made to the government of Syria on ensuring the people responsible for attacks on the Alawite community are properly investigated and held accountable.
We welcome the Syrian Government's reassurances to the Syrian population and international community that they will protect all civilians in Syria, and their establishment of a fact-finding committee to investigate and prosecute individuals who committed crimes during the violence in early March. I discussed these points in my meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani on 17 March. We will continue to monitor the treatment of all civilians in Syria, and this issue will continue to be an important aspect of our engagement with the Syrian Government and with regional and international partners.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations his Department has made to the government of Syria on the importance of protecting the Alawite community.
We welcome the Syrian Government's reassurances to the Syrian population and international community that they will protect all civilians in Syria, and their establishment of a fact-finding committee to investigate and prosecute individuals who committed crimes during the violence in early March. I discussed these points in my meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani on 17 March. We will continue to monitor the treatment of all civilians in Syria, and this issue will continue to be an important aspect of our engagement with the Syrian Government and with regional and international partners.