The Westminster lensArchive · Written questions · 377 tabled · 372 answered

Written questions by Khan.

Every parliamentary written question tabled by Afzal Khan this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.

Department:All (377)Department of Health and Social Care (72)Department for Education (59)Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (37)Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (35)Home Office (27)Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (26)Treasury (19)Department for Business and Trade (19)Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (17)Department for Transport (16)Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (13)Ministry of Justice (12)

Showing 81100 of 377 · this parliament

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20 Feb 2026·Department of Health and Social Care·Answered
Asked

What steps he is taking to fill gaps in levels of endometriosis training for NHS healthcare professionals.

Reply

The Government acknowledges the challenges faced by women with endometriosis and the impact it has on their lives, their relationships, and their participation in education and the workforce.The Government also acknowledges the importance of ensuring healthcare professionals are adequately trained and educated on women’s health conditions, including endometriosis, and we have taken action to address this.The General Medical Council (GMC) has introduced the Medical Licensing Assessment to encourage a better understanding of common women’s health problems among all doctors as they start their careers in the United Kingdom. The content for this assessment includes several topics relating to women’s health including endometriosis.Women's health is included the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) curriculum for trainee general practitioners (GPs), including gynaecology, sexual health, and breast health. The curriculum also covers the healthcare needs of women across all diseases seen in primary care as it is important women are treated holistically. This ensures that all future GPs receive education on women’s health.The RCGP has also published a Women’s Health Library which brings together educational resources and guidelines on women’s health from the RCGP, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and the College of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare. This resource is continually updated to ensure GPs and other primary healthcare professionals have the most up-to-date advice to provide the best care for their patients.The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence has developed a women’s and reproductive health topic suite, and updated guidelines on endometriosis in 2024 to make firmer recommendations for healthcare professionals on referral and investigations for women with suspected diagnosis. These clinical guidelines support healthcare professionals to provide care for women with endometriosis.Generally, employers in the health system are responsible for ensuring that their staff are trained to the required standards to deliver appropriate treatment for patients.

20 Feb 2026·Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government·Answered
Asked

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential impact on local communities of restricting planning protections for public houses to cases where they are the final pub in an area.

Reply

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to question UIN 105500 on 20 January 2026.

20 Feb 2026·Department of Health and Social Care·Answered
Asked

What steps he plans to take to ensure that the findings of the Independent review into mental health conditions, ADHD and autism improve service provision and reduce waiting times.

Reply

The Government is concerned that many adults, young people and children with mental health conditions, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism have been let down by services and are not receiving tailored, personalised or timely assessment, support and, where appropriate, treatment. National Health Service services are facing growing demand for mental health support and ADHD and autism assessments, with current models of care under strain, leading to delays and inequalities in accessing support.We will overhaul the way that mental health support is delivered in England to drive down waits and improve the quality of care. The independent review into prevalence and support for mental health conditions, autism and ADHD will provide advice and recommendations to the government on the role that preventative care and early intervention across the life course, including support for those waiting for services and ways to reduce demand and waiting times, working with relevant government departments to explore cross-sector opportunities to support this approach and create the conditions for good mental wellbeing. The review will also inform our approach for people with ADHD and autistic people, so society is more inclusive and, where needed, they receive the right support to enable them to live well in their communities.

20 Feb 2026·Treasury·Answered
Asked

What steps HMRC is taking to investigate salons that may not be paying employer National Insurance contributions, VAT liabilities, or pension obligations through the misclassification of staff as self-employed.

Reply

HMRC’s priority is to ensure that everyone pays the tax they are legally required to pay including those in the hair and beauty sector. HMRC’s approach focuses on preventing non‑compliance from arising in the first place by providing clear guidance and tools. In the case of salon owners and workers, additional support to get their tax obligations right has been provided in collaboration with trade bodies. To help support these customers, HMRC has worked with trade bodies for this sector to develop new educational material and has published guidance on GOV.UK to better explain the employment status and tax implications of different business models. Details can be found at: https://youtu.be/5o3au6PyXG8 and https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-employment-status-if-you-work-in-hair-and-beauty At the same time, HMRC is actively tackling disguised employment in salons and making it harder for the minority who deliberately misclassify workers to avoid paying employer National Insurance, VAT, or pension contributions. HMRC carries out targeted compliance activity to identify cases where individuals presented as self‑employed are, in reality, working as employees. HMRC is committed to tackling false self-employment and will investigate evidence that suggests businesses have misclassified individuals for tax purposes. To report a person or business you think is not paying enough tax please click Report tax fraud or avoidance to HMRC - GOV.UK for more information.

20 Feb 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
Asked

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how much funding has been a) allocated to and b) spent in the Northeastern State of Somalia in each of the last five years.

Reply

The UK is one of Somalia's closest and longest standing partners, and remains committed to building a safer, freer, and more secure country. The UK has provided more than £500million in humanitarian and development funding to Somalia since 2021 - all UK funding allocations, including where programmes operate, are available on Development Tracker. The British Embassy in Mogadishu and British Office in Hargeisa engage regularly with a wide range of contacts in Somalia, including Somaliland. The UK is closely following events in SSC-Khatumo and continues to advocate for peace and dialogue between all parties.

20 Feb 2026·Department for Education·Answered
Asked

If she will make an assessment of the adequacy of levels of inclusion of climate change and environmental sustainability in the national curriculum beyond geography and science subjects.

Reply

Young people have consistently expressed a strong desire for more education on climate change, nature and sustainability. Teachers have also highlighted that limited visibility and emphasis on climate topics in the national curriculum has made it difficult to develop effective provision in this area.Climate education was already present in the science and geography curricula. The Curriculum and Assessment Review recommended stronger climate education and sustainability content across the curriculum, with detailed engagement and earlier sequencing with climate education in subjects such as geography, science, design and technology and citizenship.Work is now underway to embed content on climate change, nature and sustainability across the curriculum and sequence knowledge throughout the key stages.Funding is already committed for the National Education Nature Park to provide curriculum-linked activities and resources for all key stages, and for supporting climate action plans via the Climate Ambassador Programme and Sustainability Support for Education. Climate action plans encourage settings from early years to further education to consider how they take a holistic approach to climate across four key pillars of adaptation, biodiversity, curriculum and decarbonisation.

20 Feb 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
Asked

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to establish and maintain relationships with the administration in the Northeastern region of Somalia.

Reply

The UK is one of Somalia's closest and longest standing partners, and remains committed to building a safer, freer, and more secure country. The UK has provided more than £500million in humanitarian and development funding to Somalia since 2021 - all UK funding allocations, including where programmes operate, are available on Development Tracker. The British Embassy in Mogadishu and British Office in Hargeisa engage regularly with a wide range of contacts in Somalia, including Somaliland. The UK is closely following events in SSC-Khatumo and continues to advocate for peace and dialogue between all parties.

20 Feb 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
Asked

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions she has had with the administration in the Northeastern state of Somalia on a) security and stabilisation, b) political and diplomatic engagement and c) economic development and recovery.

Reply

The UK is one of Somalia's closest and longest standing partners, and remains committed to building a safer, freer, and more secure country. The UK has provided more than £500million in humanitarian and development funding to Somalia since 2021 - all UK funding allocations, including where programmes operate, are available on Development Tracker. The British Embassy in Mogadishu and British Office in Hargeisa engage regularly with a wide range of contacts in Somalia, including Somaliland. The UK is closely following events in SSC-Khatumo and continues to advocate for peace and dialogue between all parties.

20 Feb 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
Asked

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department collects data on how UK funding is a) allocated and b) spent across Somalia's federal states.

Reply

The UK is one of Somalia's closest and longest standing partners, and remains committed to building a safer, freer, and more secure country. The UK has provided more than £500million in humanitarian and development funding to Somalia since 2021 - all UK funding allocations, including where programmes operate, are available on Development Tracker. The British Embassy in Mogadishu and British Office in Hargeisa engage regularly with a wide range of contacts in Somalia, including Somaliland. The UK is closely following events in SSC-Khatumo and continues to advocate for peace and dialogue between all parties.

28 Jan 2026·Department for Transport·Answered
Asked

What guidance her Department has issued to airports and transport authorities on allergy safety in public spaces, specifically latex allergy.

Reply

The Food Standards Agency works with businesses and consumers across England, Wales and Northern Ireland to improve allergen management and information, including offering free training and running awareness campaigns. It has recently published new guidance to help people with allergies eat out safely. The guidance sets out how businesses can provide clear allergen information, encourage communication about allergens between staff and consumers, and ensure that a consumer with allergies receives the right meal. We would also encourage passengers travelling with a severe allergy to carry their medication with them in case of emergency, and it is recommended that they notify staff throughout their journey of their allergy. Guidance on travelling with an allergy is available from organisations such as Anaphylaxis UK or from the NHS.

28 Jan 2026·Department of Health and Social Care·Answered
Asked

With reference to the Royal College of Physicians' report entitled A breath of fresh air: Responding to the health challenges of modern air pollution, published on 11 June 2025, what steps he is taking to support public awareness of ways to reduce exposure to indoor air pollution.

Reply

As the Royal College of Physicians' report outlines, indoor air quality remains an important public health consideration.Our 10-Year Health plan sets out Government actions to improve the quality of the air we breathe, with commitments to increase understanding of indoor and outdoor air pollution and improve communication of air quality information to the public.We will continue to work with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on commitments in the Government’s the Environmental Improvement Plan to help make air quality part of everyday conversations.

28 Jan 2026·Department for Transport·Answered
Asked

What discussions she has had with airports on allergy safety in public spaces.

Reply

The Food Standards Agency works with businesses and consumers across England, Wales and Northern Ireland to improve allergen management and information, including offering free training and running awareness campaigns. It has recently published new guidance to help people with allergies eat out safely. The guidance sets out how businesses can provide clear allergen information, encourage communication about allergens between staff and consumers, and ensure that a consumer with allergies receives the right meal. We would also encourage passengers travelling with a severe allergy to carry their medication with them in case of emergency, and it is recommended that they notify staff throughout their journey of their allergy. Guidance on travelling with an allergy is available from organisations such as Anaphylaxis UK or from the NHS.

28 Jan 2026·Department for Transport·Answered
Asked

Whether her department plans to introduce (i) increased safety standards for US-style pickup trucks and (ii) measures to limit the number of US style pick-up trucks in urban areas.

Reply

New pick-up trucks are subject to approval against rigorous performance-based standards. These standards are developed by the UK and our international partners to ensure vehicles are safe to use on the road and protect occupants and other road users, including pedestrians, in the event of a collision. There are currently no plans to introduce increased safety standards for US style pick-up trucks or to introduce measures to limit the number of US style pick-up trucks in urban areas. In the Road Safety Strategy, published on 7 January, the government has committed to collaborating with stakeholders and vehicle manufacturers to further understand safety concerns regarding increasing vehicle size.

28 Jan 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
Asked

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with international partners on modern slavery in Afghanistan.

Reply

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office officials are working closely with international partners on this issue, as well as broader human rights concerns in Afghanistan. Officials consistently raise human rights concerns with the Taliban and urge them to reverse their inhuman restrictions. We continue to support the UN Special Rapporteur and his mandate to document human rights abuses in Afghanistan. Upholding human rights is not only a moral imperative but also essential for building a stable, inclusive and prosperous country for all Afghans.

27 Jan 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
Asked

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of reports of arbitrary detentions in Guinea.

Reply

The UK regularly raises concerns with the authorities in Guinea over human rights, democracy, freedom of expression, and the rule of law, including arbitrary detentions, and restrictions on political freedoms, civil society and peaceful protest.Since the December 2025 elections, our Ambassador has pressed the Guinean authorities, including security officials, to ensure due process, and release detainees being held without charge. The UK is also continuing to support efforts to strengthen good governance and access to justice.

27 Jan 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
Asked

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussion her Department has had with its counterparts in Guinea on the right to peaceful protest.

Reply

The UK regularly raises concerns with the authorities in Guinea over human rights, democracy, freedom of expression, and the rule of law, including arbitrary detentions, and restrictions on political freedoms, civil society and peaceful protest.Since the December 2025 elections, our Ambassador has pressed the Guinean authorities, including security officials, to ensure due process, and release detainees being held without charge. The UK is also continuing to support efforts to strengthen good governance and access to justice.

27 Jan 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
Asked

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions her Department has had with its counterparts in Guinea on the rights of political prisoners.

Reply

The UK regularly raises concerns with the authorities in Guinea over human rights, democracy, freedom of expression, and the rule of law, including arbitrary detentions, and restrictions on political freedoms, civil society and peaceful protest.Since the December 2025 elections, our Ambassador has pressed the Guinean authorities, including security officials, to ensure due process, and release detainees being held without charge. The UK is also continuing to support efforts to strengthen good governance and access to justice.

27 Jan 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
Asked

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent steps her Department has taken to help promote human rights in Guinea.

Reply

The UK regularly raises concerns with the authorities in Guinea over human rights, democracy, freedom of expression, and the rule of law, including arbitrary detentions, and restrictions on political freedoms, civil society and peaceful protest.Since the December 2025 elections, our Ambassador has pressed the Guinean authorities, including security officials, to ensure due process, and release detainees being held without charge. The UK is also continuing to support efforts to strengthen good governance and access to justice.

26 Jan 2026·Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government·Answered
Asked

Communities and Local Government, when his Department plans to publish its response to the consultation entitled Strengthening leaseholder protections over charges and services, which closed on 26 September 2025.

Reply

The consultation in question closed on 26 September 2025. We are analysing responses and will bring the relevant measures into force as quickly as possible thereafter.

26 Jan 2026·Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office·Answered
Asked

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the human rights situation in Syria, in particular in relation to the rights of Kurdish people; and what action she is taking.

Reply

I refer the Hon Member to the Written Ministerial Statement I made to the House on 28 January 2026.

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