Every parliamentary written question tabled by Tahir Ali this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–10 of 10 · this parliament
Whether Government officials, diplomats, advisers or political appointees been appointed in instances where they have failed the security vetting process.
It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps her Department is taking to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure in Beirut's southern suburbs; and what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Business and Trade on the use of economic measures and sanctions on this matter.
I refer the Hon. Member to the statement made to the House by the Prime Minister on 13 April, in which he discussed the situation in Lebanon, and the Foreign Secretary's press statement on 17 April. The UK is supporting the ceasefire and continued direct talks between the governments of Lebanon and Israel as the best path to deliver lasting peace and security for both countries. We will provide further updates to the House in due course as the situation develops.
What steps he is taking to raise awareness of the risk of severe injury from using e-scooters; and what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on reducing accidents involving e-scooters.
The Department for Transport continues to assess the safety impacts of e‑scooters through the rental trials and will share these findings in due course. All vehicles carry inherent safety risks, and we have taken a safety‑first approach by running controlled trials before permitting widespread use. The second national evaluation of the trials, due to conclude this summer, will provide an updated casualty rate and further evidence to inform decisions on future regulation. The Department of Health and Social Care contributes a public health perspective to this work, including consideration of injury prevention and health impacts. In the meantime, private e‑scooters remain illegal for use on public roads, and enforcement is a matter for the Police.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps is the Government taking to help ensure that the ceasefire in Gaza is maintained.
I refer the Hon Member to the answers that the Foreign Secretary and I provided on these issues at departmental oral questions on 20 January, and the statement I made to the House on the Middle East on 5 January. We will continue to update the House on these issues on a similarly regular basis over the weeks and months to come.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to help uphold international law in the West Bank.
I refer the Hon Member to the answers that the Foreign Secretary and I provided on these issues at departmental oral questions on 20 January, and the statement I made to the House on the Middle East on 5 January. We will continue to update the House on these issues on a similarly regular basis over the weeks and months to come.
What steps she is taking to help ensure that police forces in England remain independent from political agendas.
Operational independence is a fundamental principle of British policing, and this Government is committed to ensuring the police can perform their role without fear or favour. At the same time, being able to scrutinise police decisions, and Chief Constables being able to account for the decisions they make, are essential especially when it comes to issues with clear implications for public safety and confidence The Government’s recently published White Paper ‘From Local to National: A New Model for Policing’ announced plans to fundamentally reform the Policing Protocol Order 2023 and clarify the boundaries of operational independence to provide policing with direction and support to drive improvement where necessary. Police officers take an oath of attestation on appointment which underscores the importance of policing with impartiality. They are required to act with impartiality, in accordance with their statutory standards of professional behaviour. The College of Policing sets standards and provides guidance for policing, including an updated Code of Ethics published in 2024 to support everyone in policing to act in a professional manner, reiterating the need for fairness and impartiality. Failure to act in accordance with relevant standards and guidance could result in formal disciplinary action being taken.
What steps he has taken to help ensure that NHS trusts assigned Advanced Foundation Trust status retain direct accountability and patient views are heard for Trusts where the requirement for a Council of Governors has been removed.
As part of NHS England’s assessment process, eligible National Health Service trusts and foundation trusts which apply for the Advanced Foundation Trust Programme will need to demonstrate effective mechanisms to engage meaningfully with patients, staff, and communities, and that involvement influences decisions.The removal of councils of governors from NHS foundation trusts forms part of the wider aim of the 10-Year Health Plan to ensure that hospitals put patient experiences and outcomes at the heart of their decision-making. While governors have provided helpful advice and oversight for some foundation trusts, we now need to move to a more dynamic model of drawing on patient, staff, and stakeholder insight.
When will her planned timetable and proposed transitional funding for changes to SEND be communicated to schools.
The government set out its planned reforms to the special educational needs and disabilities system in the Schools White Paper published on 23 February 2026 here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/every-child-achieving-and-thriving.Further details on the distribution of that funding will be published in the due course.
If she will take steps to establish a dedicated resettlement route for Palestinians leaving Gaza.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains extremely challenging. The UK committed £129 million in the last financial year, including £41 million for UNRWA. This supports vital infrastructure and ensures that those most in need across the Occupied Palestinian Territories, as well as those in neighbouring countries, are able to access healthcare, shelter and food assistance. In any humanitarian situation, the UK must carefully consider its approach in response. Any decision to implement a bespoke visa scheme would need to consider a range of factors, including assessing the unique crisis and relevant impacts on security, compliance and returns. The Government is working with the Israeli, Jordanian and Egyptian authorities to identify safe routes for British nationals and other eligible people to leave Gaza. Palestinians who wish to settle in the UK can do so via the existing routes available which allow a person to apply to work, study, settle or join family in the UK. Further information can be found on the GOV.UK website: UK Visas and Immigration - GOV.UK.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the merits of establishing a medical evacuation team for children in Gaza requiring urgent treatment.
Officials from all relevant Whitehall departments are exploring avenues to ensure our support best meets the needs of the critically ill in Gaza, including children, and we continue to support the provision of healthcare in Gaza and the region. The Government is keeping our humanitarian programme and existing policies on medical evacuations and visa pathways under review in response to events in Gaza.We have announced £1 million for the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population, delivered through World Health Organisation (WHO) Egypt, to support medically evacuated Palestinians from Gaza. The UK is also supporting the provision of essential healthcare to civilians in Gaza, including support to UK-MED who have now provided vital care to over 330,000 Gazans since the start of the conflict.