Every parliamentary written question tabled by Rosena Allin-Khan this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 21–40 of 180 · this parliament
Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the availability of affordable housing options for young people on low incomes.
I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Questions UIN 104603 on 19 January 2026, and UIN 87891 on 11 November 2025.
What assessment she has made of the potential merits of placing an upper limit on real terms interest that can be accrued on Plan 2 student loans.
Plan 2 student loans were designed and implemented by previous governments. Interest rates are applied at the Retail Price Index (RPI) only, then variable up to an upper limit of RPI +3% depending on earnings. This maintains the real value of repayments over a long loan term. As an additional borrower protection, interest rates on post-2012 loans are automatically capped by the prevailing market rate for comparable unsecured personal loans, ensuring borrowers are protected if market conditions change. Interest rates do not impact monthly repayments made by student loan borrowers. Repayments are made at a constant rate of 9% above the earnings threshold, and the 9% rate strikes a balance between affordability for graduates and fairness to taxpayers. For example, someone earning £30,000 will repay around £4 per month in the 2026/27 financial years under the repayment threshold of £29,385. Those earning below the earnings threshold do not make repayments. Any outstanding loan including interest built up, is cancelled at the end of the loan term with no detriment to the borrower, and debt is never passed on to family members or descendants. This is a deliberate government investment in students and the economy, and the 9% over-threshold repayment rate keeps higher education funding sustainable and ensures the costs are shared fairly between students and taxpayers.Reducing the repayment rate to 5% would significantly increase the cost to taxpayers, many of whom have not attended university, which in turn would undermine the sustainability of higher education funding. My noble Friend, the Minister for Skills has written to the Rethink Repayment campaign organiser via their MP regarding this issue.
Whether her Department has had any discussions with Rethink Repayment regarding their student loan reform campaign.
Plan 2 student loans were designed and implemented by previous governments. Interest rates are applied at the Retail Price Index (RPI) only, then variable up to an upper limit of RPI +3% depending on earnings. This maintains the real value of repayments over a long loan term. As an additional borrower protection, interest rates on post-2012 loans are automatically capped by the prevailing market rate for comparable unsecured personal loans, ensuring borrowers are protected if market conditions change. Interest rates do not impact monthly repayments made by student loan borrowers. Repayments are made at a constant rate of 9% above the earnings threshold, and the 9% rate strikes a balance between affordability for graduates and fairness to taxpayers. For example, someone earning £30,000 will repay around £4 per month in the 2026/27 financial years under the repayment threshold of £29,385. Those earning below the earnings threshold do not make repayments. Any outstanding loan including interest built up, is cancelled at the end of the loan term with no detriment to the borrower, and debt is never passed on to family members or descendants. This is a deliberate government investment in students and the economy, and the 9% over-threshold repayment rate keeps higher education funding sustainable and ensures the costs are shared fairly between students and taxpayers.Reducing the repayment rate to 5% would significantly increase the cost to taxpayers, many of whom have not attended university, which in turn would undermine the sustainability of higher education funding. My noble Friend, the Minister for Skills has written to the Rethink Repayment campaign organiser via their MP regarding this issue.
Pursuant to her Department's answer to 108730, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of reducing the constant rate of student loan repayments from 9% to 5%.
Plan 2 student loans were designed and implemented by previous governments. Interest rates are applied at the Retail Price Index (RPI) only, then variable up to an upper limit of RPI +3% depending on earnings. This maintains the real value of repayments over a long loan term. As an additional borrower protection, interest rates on post-2012 loans are automatically capped by the prevailing market rate for comparable unsecured personal loans, ensuring borrowers are protected if market conditions change. Interest rates do not impact monthly repayments made by student loan borrowers. Repayments are made at a constant rate of 9% above the earnings threshold, and the 9% rate strikes a balance between affordability for graduates and fairness to taxpayers. For example, someone earning £30,000 will repay around £4 per month in the 2026/27 financial years under the repayment threshold of £29,385. Those earning below the earnings threshold do not make repayments. Any outstanding loan including interest built up, is cancelled at the end of the loan term with no detriment to the borrower, and debt is never passed on to family members or descendants. This is a deliberate government investment in students and the economy, and the 9% over-threshold repayment rate keeps higher education funding sustainable and ensures the costs are shared fairly between students and taxpayers.Reducing the repayment rate to 5% would significantly increase the cost to taxpayers, many of whom have not attended university, which in turn would undermine the sustainability of higher education funding. My noble Friend, the Minister for Skills has written to the Rethink Repayment campaign organiser via their MP regarding this issue.
Communities and Local Government, what data his Department holds on the efficacy of the Housing First pilots on tenancy sustainment for people experiencing homelessness.
The government published an evaluation of Housing First Pilots, including a final synthesis report in October 2024. You can find the evaluation reports on gov.uk here.
Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of banning nudifying a) websites and b) apps.
No one should have to go through the ordeal of seeing intimate deepfakes of themselves online. We will not allow the proliferation of these demeaning and degrading images, which are disproportionately aimed at women and girls.The Government will legislate in the Crime and Policing Bill – which is currently in Parliament – to ban nudification tools. This new criminal offence will make it illegal for companies to supply tools and services designed to create non-consensual intimate images, targeting the problem at its source.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to help secure the release of Craig and Lindsay Foreman from detention in Iran.
I refer the Hon Member to the statement the Foreign Secretary made to the House on 13 January, and to my own statement on 5 January, and let me assure her that consular staff are continuing to work on this case remotely while our Embassy in Tehran remains temporarily closed.
Whether she has made a recent assessment of the adequacy of UK asylum and visa policies, in the context of Iranian nationals potentially seeking refuge.
The UK has a proud history of providing protection and we continue to welcome refugees and people in need through our safe and legal routes. However, there is no provision within our Immigration Rules for someone to be allowed to travel to the UK to seek asylum or temporary refuge. Whilst we sympathise with people in many difficult situations around the world, we are not bound to consider asylum claims from the very large numbers of people overseas who might like to come here. Those who need international protection should claim asylum in the first safe country they reach – that is the fastest route to safety. Our visa policy is kept under review. Iran is a visa national country, and we will assess any visa applications against the relevant immigration rules in the normal way.
What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of a) threats, b) surveillance and c) other forms of intimidation by the Iranian state on Iranian activists residing in the United Kingdom.
Though we do not routinely comment on operational matters or specific threats, the UK will always stand up to threats from foreign states. Any attempt by a foreign state to intimidate, harass or harm individuals in the UK will not be tolerated, and will be thoroughly investigated.The National Security Act 2023 strengthens our powers to counter state threats, including from Iran, and provides the security services and law enforcement agencies with the tools they need to deter, detect, and disrupt these threats. Last year, new training for front police officers and staff was rolled out to increase their understanding of state threats, which will improve law enforcement’s ability to detect and investigate incidents which may be state directed.The UK Government, law enforcement and our international partners continue to work together to identify, deter and respond to threats from Iran. In September, the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) issued a public statement condemning transnational repression and other malign activities by Iran.The Government's top priority is our national security, and we will continue to use all appropriate tools at our disposal to protect the UK, and its people, from any Iran-linked threats.
What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of setting the upper age limit for the proposed Youth Experience Scheme with the European Union at 35.
We have agreed that we will work towards the establishment of a balanced youth experience scheme with the EU. We will not comment on ongoing negotiations.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with international partners on referring human rights abuses against protesters in Iran to (a) the International Criminal Court and (b) other appropriate judicial bodies.
On 15 January, the Foreign Secretary joined G7 Foreign Ministers in condemning the deliberate use of violence and the killing of protesters, arbitrary detention, and intimidation tactics by security forces against demonstrators. As the Foreign Secretary told Parliament on 13 January, this government has continually raised human rights violations in Iran through the UN and international forums. The UK was integral to the delivery of the Iran human rights resolution, adopted by the UN Human Rights Council in April 2025, which renewed and expanded the Independent Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) on Iran. We continue to support the FFM to thoroughly and independently monitor and investigate allegations of recent and ongoing serious human rights violations in Iran.
How many people have been discharged from hospitals into rough sleeping in each year since 2023.
The Department and NHS England do not hold this information.
What assessment he has made of the adequacy of access to healthcare services for people facing homelessness.
The Department has considered the adequacy of access to healthcare services for people experiencing homelessness as part of its wider work on reducing health inequalities. To ensure equitable access to healthcare services, the Department supported the development and implementation of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline 214 on Integrated health and social care for people experiencing homelessness, which sets out clear expectations on ways to improve access to, and engagement with, health and social care services for people experiencing homelessness. This guidance is avaiable at the following link: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng214/chapter/Recommendations#intermediate-care As part of the recently published cross-Government Homelessness Strategy, A National Plan to End Homelessness, the Department has committed to improving access to mental health and substance misuse services and updating statutory guidance to strengthen safeguarding responsibilities for people experiencing homelessness. Further information on this strategy is available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-national-plan-to-end-homelessness/a-national-plan-to-end-homelessness
What assessment his Department has made of the number of Integrated Care Boards currently complying with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance on the provision of intermediate care for patients who are experiencing homelessness.
The Department recognises the importance of ensuring that people experiencing homelessness have access to appropriate intermediate care. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline 214 on Integrated health and social care for people experiencing homelessness sets out clear expectations on tailored intermediate care for individuals experiencing homelessness, and we are exploring how best to encourage integrated care boards (ICBs) to adopt and embed this guidance. This guidance is avaiable at the following link: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng214/chapter/Recommendations#intermediate-care Health bodies, including ICBs, are expected to take guidance into account alongside clinical judgement and local priorities. However, NICE guidance is not mandatory. Therefore, there is no published Government assessment showing how many ICBs in England are currently complying with NICE guideline 214.In December 2025, the Government published the National Plan to End Homelessness and Rough Sleeping which commits to ensuring no one eligible for homelessness assistance is discharged to the street after a hospital stay. Further information on the national plan is avaiable at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/a-national-plan-to-end-homelessness/a-national-plan-to-end-homelessness#To support this, the Government will work with the National Health Service and local authorities to ensure the 2024 guidance Discharging people at risk of or experiencing homelessness is embedded in systems and will improve how existing funding streams can be used to support intermediate care services tailored to the needs of people experiencing homelessness. Further information on this guidance is avaiable at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/discharging-people-at-risk-of-or-experiencing-homelessness/discharging-people-at-risk-of-or-experiencing-homelessness
Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of reforming the Expensive Car Supplement component of Vehicle Excise Duty for used vehicles to reflect a) vehicle depreciation and b) purchase price at the point of resale.
The Expensive Car Supplement (ECS) is a supplement to Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) payable by vehicle keepers for five years, from years two to six following a car's first registration. The ECS rate is currently £425 per year, increasing to £440 from 1 April 2026 in line with RPI. The ECS currently applies to new cars with a list price of £40,000 or more. As announced at Budget 2025, the threshold will increase to £50,000 for zero-emissions cars only from 1 April 2026, as such vehicles tend to be more expensive. The ECS was introduced so that those who can afford to access the most expensive cars make a fair contribution. The Government has no plans to change the scope of the ECS.
Communities and Local Government, when he plans to publish the draft Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill.
Leasehold and commonhold reform are key priorities for this government and we remain determined to honour the commitments made in our manifesto and do what is necessary to finally bring the feudal leasehold system to an end. As per my letter to the Chair of the Select Committee dated 18 December 2024, the government expect to be in a position to publish the draft Bill for scrutiny in the coming weeks.
What steps he is taking to ensure the adequate availability of NHS funded continence products in the London Borough of Wandsworth.
Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for commissioning continence services in their areas. These services include assessment, treatment, and, where clinically appropriate, the supply of continence products. Decisions on the type and quantity of products are made by clinicians following individual assessment, in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance on urinary and faecal incontinence and professional standards.NHS Supply Chain supports trusts with the procurement of continence products through value-based procurement initiatives to ensure products are safe, effective, and cost-efficient. Local continence services in Wandsworth are delivered by community providers such as the Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust, which offers specialist assessment and management for housebound patients and those in care settings. Further information on continence commissioning is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/commissioning/continence/
What assessment he has made of the adequacy of support provided by HM Prison Service for the welfare of (a) Qesser Zuhrah, (b) Amy Gardiner-Gibson, (c) Jon Cink, (d) Heba Muraisi, (e) Teuta Hoxha, (f) Kamran Ahmed, (g) Muhammad Umer Khalid and (h) Lewie Chiaramellob during their hunger strike.
The safety and wellbeing of those held in our prisons is of vital importance. Healthcare in prisons is the responsibility of the NHS: Prison Service staff work with healthcare partners to ensure that those held in prison have access to the same quality and range of services as the general public receives from the NHS, as required by the Prison Rules 1999.His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service has well-established and effective procedures in place for managing prisoners who refuse food, and these are being followed in the case of those of the named prisoners who are currently refusing food, with appropriate medical assessment and support in place.When a prisoner refuses food, prison staff will act immediately in accordance with the Prison Safety Policy Framework. This includes notifying healthcare professionals and conducting regular welfare checks. The Framework also provides for close monitoring of the person’s health by healthcare staff. Additionally, prison chaplaincy teams are available to provide pastoral care.
What assessment she has made of the potential merits of allowing individuals to provide a physical proof of residency for applications under the EU Settlement Scheme.
The Home Office seeks to process all applications to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) as swiftly as possible.Details of the processing times can be found on the GOV.UK website – (EU Settlement Scheme: current estimated processing times for applications - GOV.UK) which advises on expected processing times and common reasons why an application may take longer to conclude.As it is now more than four years since the deadline to apply to the main scheme, the majority of applications are from people who already hold an initial grant of pre-settled status who are seeking settled status. To improve customer service we have introduced an automated process to automatically convert eligible pre-settled status holders to settled status, without the need for them to make a further application.The EUSS automation process reduces the burden on tens of thousands of customers and supports our ambition to ensure people have the right EUSS status.The EU Settlement Scheme was the first fully digital immigration route. As such, customers provide evidence to support their applications online, rather than sending in physical evidence. This approach ensures that applicants can retain their key documents.
What steps she has taken to improve the process for applications under the EU Settlement Scheme.
The Home Office seeks to process all applications to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) as swiftly as possible.Details of the processing times can be found on the GOV.UK website – (EU Settlement Scheme: current estimated processing times for applications - GOV.UK) which advises on expected processing times and common reasons why an application may take longer to conclude.As it is now more than four years since the deadline to apply to the main scheme, the majority of applications are from people who already hold an initial grant of pre-settled status who are seeking settled status. To improve customer service we have introduced an automated process to automatically convert eligible pre-settled status holders to settled status, without the need for them to make a further application.The EUSS automation process reduces the burden on tens of thousands of customers and supports our ambition to ensure people have the right EUSS status.The EU Settlement Scheme was the first fully digital immigration route. As such, customers provide evidence to support their applications online, rather than sending in physical evidence. This approach ensures that applicants can retain their key documents.