Every parliamentary written question tabled by Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
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Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to page 92 of the Strategic Defence Review, how many meetings officials from their Department have attended on the national conversation on defence and security; which directorate in their Department is responsible for the departmental contribution to that national conversation; and what the job title is of the official responsible.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer he was provided on 5 March in response to Question 115943.
Innovation and Technology, with reference to page 92 of the Strategic Defence Review, how many meetings officials from their Department have attended on the national conversation on defence and security; which directorate in their Department is responsible for the departmental contribution to that national conversation; and what the job title is of the official responsible.
Officials from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology regularly attend meetings to discuss matters of national security, defence and resilience as well as the associated public communications required to deliver these lines of efforts. The conversation on National Defence was a recommendation in the 2025 Strategic Defence Review (SDR), which the Government accepted. The Ministry of Defence is the lead department for delivering the SDR, with support from the Cabinet Office, and particularly from the National Security Secretariat. As set out in the Strategic Defence Review, the national conversation will be a multi-year, cross-departmental effort designed to deliver on the whole-of-society approach to national security and defence allowing Government, the private sector and public to play their part in strengthening the UK’s resilience to any potential future shocks. This work addresses the risks and threats the UK faces, including those below and above the threshold of an armed attack. DSIT is actively supporting this work.
With reference to page 92 of the Strategic Defence Review, how many meetings officials from their Department have attended on the national conversation on defence and security; which directorate in their Department is responsible for the departmental contribution to that national conversation; and what the job title is of the official responsible.
Officials from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero regularly attend meetings to discuss matters of national security, defence and resilience as well as the associated public communications required to deliver these lines of efforts. The conversation on National Defence was a recommendation in the 2025 Strategic Defence Review (SDR), which the Government accepted. The Ministry of Defence is the lead department for delivering the SDR, with support from the Cabinet Office, and particularly from the National Security Secretariat. As set out in the Strategic Defence Review, the national conversation will be a multi-year, cross-departmental effort designed to deliver on the whole-of-society approach to national security and defence allowing Government, the private sector and public to play their part in strengthening the UK’s resilience to any potential future shocks. This work addresses the risks and threats the UK faces, including those below and above the threshold of an armed attack. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is actively supporting this work, with the Director for Energy Security and Resilience engaging closely with domestic and international partners, to monitor threats to energy infrastructure in the UK and abroad, share situational awareness, and identify trends that may have implications for national security.
With reference to page 92 of the Strategic Defence Review, how many meetings officials from their Department have attended on the national conversation on defence and security; which directorate in their Department is responsible for the departmental contribution to that national conversation; and what the job title is of the official responsible.
Officials from the Department for Work and Pensions regularly attend meetings to discuss matters of national security, defence and resilience as well as the associated public communications required to deliver these lines of efforts. The conversation on National Defence was a recommendation in the 2025 Strategic Defence Review (SDR), which the Government accepted. The Ministry of Defence is the lead department for delivering the SDR, with support from the Cabinet Office, and particularly from the National Security Secretariat. As set out in the Strategic Defence Review, the national conversation will be a multi-year, cross-departmental effort designed to deliver on the whole-of-society approach to national security and defence allowing Government, the private sector and public to play their part in strengthening the UK’s resilience to any potential future shocks. This work addresses the risks and threats the UK faces, including those below and above the threshold of an armed attack. The Department for Work and Pensions is actively supporting this work.
With reference to page 92 of the Strategic Defence Review, how many meetings officials from their Department have attended on the national conversation on defence and security; which directorate in their Department is responsible for the departmental contribution to that national conversation; and what the job title is of the official responsible.
The conversation on National Defence was a recommendation in the 2025 Strategic Defence Review (SDR), which the Government accepted. The MOD is the lead department for delivering the SDR, with support from the Cabinet Office, and particularly from the National Security Secretariat.This will be a multi-year, cross-departmental effort designed to deliver on the whole-of-society approach to national security and defence allowing Government, the private sector and public to play their part in strengthening the UK’s resilience to any potential future shocks. This work addresses the risks and threats the UK faces, including those below and above the threshold of an armed attack.The Scotland Office is actively supporting this by working closely with the MOD, as well as on the development of a Defence Growth Deal in Scotland and wider engagement with industry, local authorities and academia to support jobs, investment, and skills development in Scotland’s defence sector.
Media and Sport, with reference to page 92 of the Strategic Defence Review, how many meetings officials from their Department have attended on the national conversation on defence and security; which directorate in their Department is responsible for the departmental contribution to that national conversation; and what the job title is of the official responsible.
Officials from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport regularly attend meetings to discuss matters of national security, defence and resilience as well as the associated public communications required to deliver these lines of efforts. The conversation on National Defence was a recommendation in the 2025 Strategic Defence Review (SDR), which the Government accepted. The Ministry of Defence is the lead department for delivering the SDR, with support from the Cabinet Office, and particularly from the National Security Secretariat.As set out in the Strategic Defence Review, the national conversation will be a multi-year, cross-departmental effort designed to deliver on the whole-of-society approach to national security and defence allowing Government, the private sector and public to play their part in strengthening the UK’s resilience to any potential future shocks. This work addresses the risks and threats the UK faces, including those below and above the threshold of an armed attack.The department is actively supporting this work and regularly attends Cross-Whitehall fora on national resilience. The work is supported at official level through the Project Delivery and Major Events, and Media and International directorates, and the Permanent Secretary’s Office.
With reference to page 92 of the Strategic Defence Review, how many meetings officials from their Department have attended on the national conversation on defence and security; which directorate in their Department is responsible for the departmental contribution to that national conversation; and what the job title is of the official responsible.
Officials from the Department for Transport regularly attend meetings to discuss matters of national security, defence and resilience as well as the associated public communications required to deliver these lines of efforts. As set out in the Strategic Defence Review, the national conversation will be a multi-year, cross-departmental effort designed to deliver on the whole-of-society approach to national security and defence allowing Government, the private sector and public to play their part in strengthening the UK’s resilience to any potential future shocks. This work addresses the risks and threats the UK faces, including those below and above the threshold of an armed attack. The Department for Transport is actively supporting this work through teams including those in the Resilience, Analysis, International and Sanctions Directorate and the Transport Security Directorate.
With reference to page 92 of the Strategic Defence Review, how many meetings officials from their Department have attended on the national conversation on defence and security; which directorate in their Department is responsible for the departmental contribution to that national conversation; and what the job title is of the official responsible.
Officials from the Department of Health and Social Care regularly attend meetings to discuss matters of national security, defence, and resilience as well as the associated public communications required to deliver these lines of efforts. The conversation on national defence was a recommendation in the 2025 Strategic Defence Review (SDR), which the Government accepted. The Ministry of Defence is the lead department for delivering the SDR, with support from the Cabinet Office, and particularly from the National Security Secretariat.As set out in the Strategic Defence Review, the national conversation will be a multi-year, cross-departmental effort designed to deliver on the whole-of-society approach to national security and defence allowing the Government, the private sector, and the public to play their part in strengthening the United Kingdom’s resilience to any potential future shocks. This work addresses the risks and threats the UK faces, including those below and above the threshold of an armed attack.The Department of Health and Social Care is actively supporting this work. The Emergency Preparedness and Health Protection Directorate works across the Department, the health system, and wider partners to strengthen our response on health security, which includes defence and officials having regular meetings with their defence counterparts.
With reference to page 92 of the Strategic Defence Review, how many meetings officials from their Department have attended on the national conversation on defence and security; which directorate in their Department is responsible for the departmental contribution to that national conversation; and what the job title is of the official responsible.
Officials from the department regularly attend meetings to discuss matters of national security, defence and resilience as well as the associated public communications required to deliver these lines of efforts. The conversation on national defence was a recommendation in the 2025 Strategic Defence Review (SDR), which the government accepted. The Ministry of Defence is the lead department for delivering the SDR, with support from the Cabinet Office, and particularly from the National Security Secretariat.As set out in the SDR, the national conversation will be a multi-year, cross-departmental effort designed to deliver on the whole-of-society approach to national security and defence allowing government, the private sector and public to play their part in strengthening the UK’s resilience to any potential future shocks. This work addresses the risks and threats the UK faces, including those below and above the threshold of an armed attack.The department is actively supporting this work. It plans to promote communications as part of National Preparedness Week later this year and is increasing engagement with its sectors on resilience issues.
Representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, whether there is any different funding provided by IPSA to MPs representing constituencies with populations a) below 30,000 and b) above 130,000.
IPSA sets core staffing and office costs budgets which differ depending on whether an MP's constituency is based in London or is outside of London. This is because IPSA recognises the increase costs of being based in the capital.IPSA does recognise there are many other factors that may present increased costs for MPs, including constituency demographics, socio-economic differences, and geographical factors. However, rather than seeking to devise and justify different budgets for all MPs, IPSA provides exceptional funding to support thos who have a proven requirement for additional support.MPs run their offices in different ways, and it is not for IPSA to make assumptions as to how various factors will affect work that they undertake. IPSA takes a flexible approach which respons on a case-by-case basis with targeted and tailored support where it is needed.
Representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, whether IPSA has undertaken research on the potential link between (a) average headcount per office, (b) average salaries for staff and (c) constituency populations, constituency deprivation levels, social housing waiting lists, hon. Members' additional parliamentary responsibilities and other constituency demographic information.
IPSA funds MPs to undertake their parliamentary duties and this includes providing MPs with budgets for travel, accomodation, office costs, and staffing. The MP is the legal employer of their staff. The structure of an MP's office and the management of the workload is decided by the MP and may differ according to variations in constituency populations, constituency deprivation levels, social housing waiting lists, Members' additional parliamentary responsibilities, and other constituency demographic information.The core MPs' staffing budget is set to a level that will accomodate a 'notional' office of five full time equivalent staff but is intended to provide flexibility for MPs to decide how best to staff their office. Where offices require additional support, IPSA provides exceptional funding to support those in need.IPSA will work with the House services to collect data on caseload volume and complexity to inform plans for the future.
Representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, whether the Speaker's Committee has the power to withhold approval of IPSA main estimates and business plans; and what assessment the Speaker's Committee has made of the potential impact of an IPSA main estimate not being approved on (a) IPSA, (b) hon. Members and (c) hon. Members' staff.
The Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (SCIPSA) is a statutory body established under the Parliamentary Standards act 2009. It reviews IPSA's annual estimate of the resources it needs in accordance with the provisions set out in the Act.The Committee must review an estimate and decide whether it is satisfied that the estimate is consistant with the efficient and cost-effective discharge by the IPSA of its functions. If it not satisfied, the Committee must make such modifications as it considers necessary to achieve the consistency specified in the statutory condition.The Committee considers IPSA's business plans alongside the main estimate but has no statutory power in relation to approving those plans.The Committee recently published a statement on IPSA's supplementary estimate for 2025/26, which included comments on what could be the practical implications of an estimate not being approved. The statement was published as the Committee's First Report of 2026 and is available on the Committee's website.A transcript of the Committee's public session with IPSA on 4 March 2026, when it considered IPSA's main estimate for 2026/27, is available on SCIPSA's website.
How many driving tests (a) took place, (b) were cancelled and (c) went unused at the Slough Driving Test Centre in each month of (i) 2024 and (ii) 2025.
The attached Excel spreadsheet shows how many practical car driving tests were conducted and cancelled, at Slough driving test centre in each month of 2024 and 2025. Also included is the number of practical car driving test slots that were available to book during this period but were not used. It is not possible to include data on the number of tests cancelled that then go on to be unused. Please note this data is up to 31 March 2025. Data for individual driving test centres is updated annually. The next update to this information will be published in June/July. DVSA publishes some of this data which is available on GOV.UK DVSA is continuing with recruitment campaigns across the country, including in Slough and the southeast, to provide as many tests as possible. A full-time driving examiner (DE) can be expected to add approximately 1,200 tests per year to the booking system.For Slough driving test centre (DTC), a new entrant driving examiner has successfully completed their training which will help to increase the number of tests available at this centre. Two further new entrant driving examiners will also be undertaking training shortly.For the southeast, since 1 April 2025, DVSA has successfully recruited 108 new driving examiners.
What recent steps she has taken to reduce waiting times for practical driving tests in (a) Slough and (b) South East.
The attached Excel spreadsheet shows how many practical car driving tests were conducted and cancelled, at Slough driving test centre in each month of 2024 and 2025. Also included is the number of practical car driving test slots that were available to book during this period but were not used. It is not possible to include data on the number of tests cancelled that then go on to be unused. Please note this data is up to 31 March 2025. Data for individual driving test centres is updated annually. The next update to this information will be published in June/July. DVSA publishes some of this data which is available on GOV.UK DVSA is continuing with recruitment campaigns across the country, including in Slough and the southeast, to provide as many tests as possible. A full-time driving examiner (DE) can be expected to add approximately 1,200 tests per year to the booking system.For Slough driving test centre (DTC), a new entrant driving examiner has successfully completed their training which will help to increase the number of tests available at this centre. Two further new entrant driving examiners will also be undertaking training shortly.For the southeast, since 1 April 2025, DVSA has successfully recruited 108 new driving examiners.
Whether he has considered the potential merits of the introduction of licensing for locksmithing.
The Department keeps the consumer protection framework under regular review and is aware of some issues with rogue traders in the locksmith industry. Locksmiths must comply with existing consumer legislation. Where traders do not comply with the law, the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 has strengthened enforcement powers. It has given the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) new administrative powers to enable them and the courts to impose significant monetary penalties. Consumers are advised to use providers that operate under a regulated trusted trader scheme, such as the Master Locksmiths Association, which ensures approved locksmiths are appropriately vetted, inspected and qualified.
Representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, what the a) median salary, b) mean salary, c) turnover rate, d) mean length of service, e) median length of service and f) salary increase for 2026-27 is for i) IPSA employees and ii) Members' staff.
Salaries for MPs’ staff are decided by MPs, who employ and manage their staff, within pay bands that in 2026-27 will be uplifted by 5%.The median annual salary, when calculated by actual pay and not full-time equivalent hours, for MPs’ staff (not including MPs or House of Commons staff) is £30,900. The mean annual salary, when calculated by actual pay and not full-time equivalent hours, for MPs’ staff is £30,658. It should be noted that MPs are also able to pay reward and recognition payments and overtime payments to their staff. So far in 2025-26, 500 offices have made such payments, at an average of £5,294 per office.Due to the nature of the work that IPSA carries out, there are no roles that are directly comparable with those found within MPs' offices. For example, IPSA is required to have senior qualified finance and payroll professionals and managers who are responsible for teams significantly larger than those in MPs’ offices. Nearest comparable roles amongst IPSA's people include MP Services Managers and Account Managers, Payroll Support Officers and Managers, Communications Officers, and the Chief of Staff. For the purpose of illustration, the median annual salary across such roles is £38,782. The mean annual salary is £35,855.The annual turnover rate averaged across all MPs’ offices is 20.8% and for nearest comparable IPSA roles is 10.8%. The mean length of service for current (as of 5 March 2026) MPs’ staff is 926 days and for nearest comparable IPSA roles is 1,307 days. The median length of service for current (as of 5 March 2026) MPs’ staff is 528 days and for nearest comparable IPSA roles is 1,739 days. The significantly longer service of IPSA staff is reflected in the median and mean salaries.IPSA has provided for an automatic pay award in 2026-27 of 3.5% for both MPs’ staff and IPSA’s people in its 2026-27 main estimate, with additional increases within the 5% staffing budget uplift available at the employing MP’s discretion. MPs’ staff members who are paid at the minimum rate of their pay band will receive either a 5%, 7.1%, or 9.4% increase in pay automatically, depending on their role.
Representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, how IPSA assesses how many staff are required to meet workload demands on hon. Members' offices; and how is this scrutinised by the Committee.
The core MPs' staffing budget is set at a level that will accomadate a 'notional' office of five full time equivalent staff, but is intended to provide flexibility for MPs to decide how best to staff their office. For example, an MP could decide to have fewer full-time equivalent staff members paid at higher salaries if what they value is experience. Alternatively, they could prioritise experience and leadership quailties in one role and leave room for progression in other roles. Many MPs do employ more than five full-time members of staff.In making decisions about the use of public money, IPSA consults widely and uses all of the available evidence as well as taking into account wider economic and fiscal context. IPSA understands from data that not all offices require an additional staff member.Most MPs underspend their budgets. Approximately one third of MPs are projested to spend more than 95% of their budget this year. A small number of offices have applied for additional funding this year to help with an exceptionally busy period.Rather than applying for a one-size-fits-all solution at significant cost to the taxpayer, IPSA believes that a more targeted approach is a better and more prudent way of supporting offices. This is why IPSA is creating a £7.7 million staffing support fund, which will become available from 1 April 2026. This will provide structural financial and advisory support for temporary staffing pressures, that can be tailored to each office's needs.IPSA will work with the House services to collect data on caseload volume and complexity to inform plans for the future.The Speaker's Committee's remit is set out in the Parliamentary Standards act 2009. The Committee last met IPSA on 4 March 2026 to consider IPSA's draft main estimate for 2026/27, where MPs' staffing was discussed. This was a public meeting, and a recording of that session has been made available on Parliament Live.
What recent discussions he has had with the Solicitors Regulation Authority on the adequacy of waiting times for complaint resolutions.
The legal profession in England and Wales, together with its regulators, operates independently of government. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is responsible for regulating the professional conduct of solicitors and most law firms in England and Wales. The Legal Services Board (LSB) oversees the SRA’s performance to ensure it operates effectively and in the public interest, including through performance assessments, targeted reviews and ongoing supervisory engagement. As the minister with responsibility for legal services I meet regularly with the SRA to hold it to account for its performance and am happy to rase the issue of waiting times for complaint resolutions at future meetings. Where allegations of solicitor misconduct are raised with the SRA, it assesses the complaint to determine whether it meets the threshold for formal investigation. The SRA publishes information about its performance, including data on the timeliness of investigations and enforcement activity, through its corporate reporting and Board papers. It has reported an increase in complaints about solicitor misconduct and has taken steps to manage this, including increasing investigative resource and seeking to improve the quality and timeliness of its investigation work. Within the framework of regulatory independence, Ministers and officials in the Ministry of Justice engage frequently with the SRA on matters relating to the regulatory framework. This has included engagement on the steps the SRA is taking to improve the timeliness of its investigations.
Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to help tackle exploitative and non‑transparent sub‑letting in the private rented sector; and whether he has assessed the merits of strengthening redress for sub‑tenants who have been misled into paying rent to a legal tenant rather than the landlord.
Subletting a property is subject to the conditions outlined in the tenancy agreement between the tenant and landlord, and the agreement between the sub-tenant and the main tenant. Where disputes arise, established legal routes and access to the courts are available to provide appropriate remedies. On 13 November 2025, the government published a roadmap for implementing the Renters' Rights Act, which can be found on gov.uk here. In implementation Phase 2 from late 2026, we will introduce the national Private Rented Sector Database, providing tenants with more information about private landlords, and supporting local authorities to identify and take action against illegal subletting.
What assessment he has made of the adequacy of regulations relating to the i) regulation of conduct and operations and ii) remuneration of High Court Enforcement Officers.
On 9 June 2025, the Government announced a balanced package of measures to strengthen independent regulation of the enforcement sector to protect people in debt, whilst ensuring fair and effective enforcement. As part of this package, reforms to the Taking Control of Goods Procedure will be made to improve the experience of those facing enforcement action, as well as uplifting the enforcement fees High Court Enforcement Officers can charge to support sector sustainability.The Government intends to bring forward legislation to implement these reforms when parliamentary time allows.