Every parliamentary written question tabled by Ayoub Khan this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 201–220 of 235 · this parliament
What her policy is on the asylum applications of Palestinian refugees who were formerly residents of Syria and left under the Assad regime.
The Home Office acted swiftly to temporarily pause decisions on Syrian asylum claims whilst we assess the current situation. This includes Syrian nationals as well as those who have previously been habitually resident in Syria.We keep all country guidance relating to asylum claims under constant review so we can respond to emerging issues.
What her Department's policy is on Syrian immigrants who have been granted leave to remain status.
Any Syrian nationals who are resident in the UK with valid permission to stay will need to apply for further permission to stay or settle before their current permission to stay expires. For Syrian refugees who apply for settlement protection after five years residency in the UK, in line with published policies, a safe return review will be undertaken to assess whether it is safe for the applicant to return to Syria.For more information on the settlement protection policy, please see: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/settlement-protection-asylum-policy-instruction.
What assessment she has made of the potential merits of uprating the state pension for British pensioners residing overseas.
No assessment has been made. The UK's policy on the up-rating of the UK State Pension for recipients living overseas is a longstanding one. The UK state pension is payable worldwide without regard to nationality and is uprated abroad where we have a legal requirement to do so, for example in countries with which we have a reciprocal agreement that provides for up-rating. Up-rating is based on levels of earnings growth and price inflation in the UK which has no direct relevance where the pensioner is resident overseas. Over many years, priority is given to those living in the United Kingdom when drawing up expenditure plans for additional pensioner benefits.
What steps she is taking to support British state pensioners residing overseas.
UK State Pensions are payable worldwide, without regard to nationality, based on a person’s National Insurance record. People move abroad for many reasons and may have access to their host country’s benefit system or other sources of income such as an occupational pension. Information about the impact on State Pensions of moving abroad is available on Gov.uk.
With reference to the Autumn Budget 2024, published on 30 October 2024, HC 295, how much and what proportion of the additional funding for the NHS will be spent on support for people with (a) arthritis and (b) other musculoskeletal conditions.
The Government recognises the importance of improving health for the 20 million people in the United Kingdom who live with a musculoskeletal condition. This forms a key part of the Government’s mission to build a National Health Service fit for the future.Financial allocations will be confirmed through NHS Planning Guidance. In the meantime, we are working with NHS England and other stakeholders to explore options to increase access to, and improve support for, those living with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions.We will publish a 10-Year Health Plan for the NHS in the spring which will focus on increasing productivity and ensuring that every pound of taxpayer money is spent wisely, by reforming how healthcare is delivered.
With reference to the Autumn Budget 2024, published on 30 October 2024, HC 295, how much and what proportion of the additional funding for the NHS will be spent on (a) physiotherapy and (b) other community services for people with musculoskeletal conditions.
The Government recognises the importance of improving health for the 20 million people in the United Kingdom who live with musculoskeletal condition. This forms a key part of the Government’s mission to build a National Health Service fit for the future.Financial allocations will be confirmed through NHS Planning Guidance. In the meantime, we are working with NHS England and other stakeholders to explore options to increase access to, and improve support for, those living with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions.We will publish a 10-Year Health Plan for the NHS in the spring which will focus on increasing productivity and ensuring that every pound of taxpayer money is spent wisely, by reforming how healthcare is delivered.
Whether the Connect to Work scheme will include provisions to support people living with arthritis to remain in employment.
Connect to Work will be a new, locally led, voluntary Supported Employment programme in England and Wales which in 26/27 will support around 100,000 disabled people, people with health conditions (such as arthritis) and those with complex barriers to employment to get into as well as remain in work.Local Authorities are designing their own local Connect to Work programmes, working within national guidance. There will be a phased roll out, led by Local Authorities’ own timetables. We expect to see local areas opening for Connect to Work referrals in the spring and summer of 2025.
What recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of surgical hubs on waiting times for (a) trauma and (b) orthopaedic treatment.
No formal assessment has been made on the impact of surgical hubs on waiting times for trauma and orthopaedic treatment.Surgical hubs enable trusts to increase resilience for elective procedures and minimise cancellations during periods of high pressure. This can reduce uncertainty for patients around last-minute cancellations, maximise the use of available capacity, and helps to reduce waiting times. In the Budget, we committed additional funding to set up new surgical hubs to help with our commitment to get the waiting lists down.
Innovation and Technology, how much funding his Department plans to provide for research into musculoskeletal treatments in each of the next five years.
The Government does not generally ringfence funding for particular areas of research. In line with the Haldane principle, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and other Government funders award grants to the best proposals that are submitted through a process of expert peer review. UKRI delivers a substantial portfolio of researcher-led projects spanning understanding musculoskeletal biology through to the development of therapies for arthritis, pain, neuromuscular disease, and osteoporosis. The recent Budget set out DSIT’s overall R&D funding, of £13.9bn for 2025/26. Further details regarding this funding allocation will be announced in due course, and before the start of the financial year.
Whether the new Get Britain Working Trailblazers will help support people with musculoskeletal conditions to remain in employment.
We plan to publish the Get Britain Working White Paper shortly that will set out how we are investing £240 million to trial new ways of getting people back into work. The government will test new approaches and collect robust evidence on how to tackle the root causes of ill-health related inactivity, support young people who are ‘not in education, employment or training’ and help people to develop their careers. In at least three areas the NHS will also receiving funding to develop evidence of the impact of targeted action on those top health conditions most associated with economic inactivity including musculoskeletal conditions, mental health and cardiovascular disease. Once established, the government will work closely with local areas to develop the support they will provide to local communities.
With reference to the Autumn Budget 2024, published on 30 October 2024, HC 295, whether any of the new surgical hubs will focus solely on orthopaedic procedures.
The Department, in collaboration with NHS England, will outline details of the funding allocation for surgical hubs at the earliest opportunity. This will include the number of hubs to be established, and their specialty focus. Each hub will be developed based on the needs of patients and the current waiting list pressures in the areas that they cover.
What steps she is taking to reduce wealth inequality in the UK.
The Government is committed to making sure everyone pays their fair share of tax, which helps to fund our vital public services. The UK taxes wealth across many different economic activities, helping to ensure that the most well-off in our society make a fair contribution.
What the Government's policy is on whether private asset management companies can play a role in the delivery of key public services.
The Government is determined to rebuild public services so that they deliver high standards and good outcomes for users and value for money for the taxpayer.In the Budget, the Chancellor announced significant additional investment in key public services, such as the NHS. Our reform agenda is also central to improving public services going forward, including to drive greater efficiency and productivity.
Food and Rural Affairs, if he will introduce legislation to end retail sales of horticultural peat.
I refer the hon. Member to the response given to PQ 4272 on 12 September 2024.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to Section (a), point 7 of Flying flags: a plain English guide, updated on 20 July 2021, what guidance her Department issues on the flying of the Jammu and Kashmir flag for their National Day on 24 October.
The department does not publish guidance relating to flag flying for specific national days.
Communities and Local Government, what steps she is taking to encourage the expansion of SME housebuilders.
Small and medium sized housebuilders are essential to meeting the government’s housing ambitions and supporting local economies. Our recent consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework included proposals to support the SME housebuilding sector to grow by strengthening small site policy. The consultation closed on the 24 September and officials in my department are currently analysing responses with a view to publishing a government response before the end of the year.The Government published its response to the CMA Housebuilding Study on 22 October. Officials spoke to the CMA on a range of issues during their market study.
Communities and Local Government, when the consultation on the implementation of the new supported housing licencing regime and national supported housing standards will be launched.
The Government is committed to consulting on the implementation of measures in the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023. We will provide an update on our next steps in relation to the implementation of measures in the Act shortly. We intend to work closely with local authorities to ensure appropriate guidance is available.
Communities and Local Government, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on providing interim guidance to local authorities pending implementation of measures in the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023.
The Government is committed to consulting on the implementation of measures in the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023. We will provide an update on our next steps in relation to the implementation of measures in the Act shortly. We intend to work closely with local authorities to ensure appropriate guidance is available.
Communities and Local Government, whether she has made an estimate of the number of people made homeless by the consultation on the new powers introduced by the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023.
The Government is committed to consulting on the implementation of measures in the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act 2023. We will provide an update on our next steps in relation to the implementation of measures in the Act shortly. We intend to work closely with local authorities to ensure appropriate guidance is available.
Communities and Local Government, if she will require councils to identify sites suitable for fewer than 100 dwellings to support SME construction.
Small and medium sized housebuilders are essential to meeting the government’s housing ambitions and supporting local economies. Our recent consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework included proposals to support the SME housebuilding sector to grow by strengthening small site policy. The consultation closed on the 24 September and officials in my department are currently analysing responses with a view to publishing a government response before the end of the year.The Government published its response to the CMA Housebuilding Study on 22 October. Officials spoke to the CMA on a range of issues during their market study.