Written questions by Dhesi.

How many officials were investigated under their Department's disciplinary processes in each of the last 5 years.

In this instance, ‘disciplinary process’ has been defined as a misconduct and discpline case and ‘officials’ as Civil Servants. The table below shows the total number of misconduct cases over the last five years. Financial YearNumber of Misconduct cases2020-211512021-221512022-232092023-243042024-25334 The total numbers of misconduct cases that had full investigations is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

What steps he is taking to improve systems for delivering oxygen to battlefield trauma casualties without making use of pressurised cylinders; and what estimate he has made of when this will be available for frontline use.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) deploys oxygen concentrators under certain circumstances to deliver oxygen without pressurised cylinders. The Defence Investment Plan will set out any further funding available to support the wider roll out of oxygen concentrators to deliver oxygen to battlefield trauma casualties.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his counterpart in Pakistan on levels of religious freedom in that country.

Promoting freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) is a core part of the UK's diplomatic engagement with Pakistan. Ministers and senior officials have consistently raised this issue with Pakistani counterparts, including in August 2025 when I voiced concern over violence against the Ahmadiyya community with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister. Our High Commission in Islamabad also continues to engage regularly on the persecution of religions minorities, as well as wider issues of misuse of blasphemy laws, desecration of places of worship, and the need to uphold fundamental rights in line with international standards. The UK Government remains concerned by the FoRB situation in Pakistan and will continue to urge the Pakistani authorities to guarantee the rights and safety of all religious communities.

When she plans to answer Question (a) 74612 and (b) 74613, tabled on 3 September 2025.

The responses to Written Parliamentary Questions 74612 and 74613 were published on 22 October 2025.

How many officials were investigated under their Department's disciplinary processes in each of the last 5 years.

From HR data, there are currently 911 individual staff showing on the disciplinary report as at 30/09/2025. The disciplinary report is a point in time report of all staff who are or have been undergoing disciplinary action including those cases where an investigation has been or is taking place. We are unable to provide further information as the report does not show historic data beyond live cases and those closed in the past 12 months.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of creating a single firearms licensing authority for England and Wales.

The Government has no plans to introduce a single firearms licensing authority. The Firearms Act 1968 places statutory responsibility for firearms licensing on the Chief Officer of Police of each individual force in England, Wales and Scotland. This framework is supported by Statutory Guidance to Chief Officers of Police issued by the Home Secretary in respect of firearms licensing, and by Authorised Professional Practice issued by the College of Policing.

How many officials were investigated under their Department's disciplinary processes in each of the last 5 years.

HM Treasury does not hold data on the number of investigations it has conducted. Its disciplinary data collection is limited to the number of formal disciplinary cases that have taken place and number of sanctions issued

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what support his Department is providing to humanitarian organisations operating in conflict-affected areas of Ethiopia.

Combatting conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) within Ethiopia continues to be a key focus for the UK and we work with UN partners as well as NGOs and the Red Cross in order to support those affected by these particular human rights violations. Civilians across various regions have been severely impacted over many years of conflict and the number of people affected continues to rise.The UK has prioritised healthcare, psychosocial support, access to justice, as well as policy efforts to increase accountability. In the last financial year, we allocated £4.6 million to deliver Gender Based Violence (GBV) and child protection services in Tigray, Afar, Amhara, Oromia and Somali regions. Between June 2023 and January 2025, GBV and child protection services reached over 50,000 women and girls, across 19 health facilities in affected regions. The UK remains committed to preventing CRSV and funding for GBV prevention and response has increased this financial year. Funding for future years has not yet been allocated.Civilians in Amhara region have been severely impacted by over two years of conflict between government forces and 'Fano' militias. The ongoing conflict has led to significant humanitarian need and widespread conflict-related human rights violations and abuses, including extra-judicial killings, sexual and gender-based violence and attacks against civilians. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission has called for full investigations into abductions and killings of civilians and for perpetrators to be held accountable. Humanitarian indicators are deteriorating with 68 per cent of children now acutely malnourished and diseases, including cholera, spreading. The UK has consistently called for civilians to be protected, human rights abuses to be independently investigated and for the conflict to be resolved through dialogue.

Communities and Local Government, how many officials were investigated under their Department's disciplinary processes in each of the last 5 years.

The data held on how many officials were investigated under the department’s disciplinary processes is not held in the format requested, and is contemporaneous and personally sensitive in nature. For that reason information on disciplinary proceedings is not usually disclosed.

Communities and Local Government, what recent steps he has taken to protect renters' rights in Slough constituency.

The Renters’ Rights Bill received Royal Assent on Monday 27 October.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the safety of ethnic Amhara communities in Ethiopia.

Combatting conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) within Ethiopia continues to be a key focus for the UK and we work with UN partners as well as NGOs and the Red Cross in order to support those affected by these particular human rights violations. Civilians across various regions have been severely impacted over many years of conflict and the number of people affected continues to rise.The UK has prioritised healthcare, psychosocial support, access to justice, as well as policy efforts to increase accountability. In the last financial year, we allocated £4.6 million to deliver Gender Based Violence (GBV) and child protection services in Tigray, Afar, Amhara, Oromia and Somali regions. Between June 2023 and January 2025, GBV and child protection services reached over 50,000 women and girls, across 19 health facilities in affected regions. The UK remains committed to preventing CRSV and funding for GBV prevention and response has increased this financial year. Funding for future years has not yet been allocated.Civilians in Amhara region have been severely impacted by over two years of conflict between government forces and 'Fano' militias. The ongoing conflict has led to significant humanitarian need and widespread conflict-related human rights violations and abuses, including extra-judicial killings, sexual and gender-based violence and attacks against civilians. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission has called for full investigations into abductions and killings of civilians and for perpetrators to be held accountable. Humanitarian indicators are deteriorating with 68 per cent of children now acutely malnourished and diseases, including cholera, spreading. The UK has consistently called for civilians to be protected, human rights abuses to be independently investigated and for the conflict to be resolved through dialogue.

Communities and Local Government, what recent steps he has taken to support community cohesion in (a) the South East and (b) Slough.

MHCLG's Community Cohesion Unit works to support and promote cohesion across England, through working closely with local authorities, voluntary and community sector and faith organisations, and other government departments. The government's new £2.87 million Common Ground Resilience Fund is supporting community connection and cohesion by funding locally led interventions to build community resilience. MHCLG will work with Slough Borough Council and other local authorities to deliver activities that build cohesion through the Common Ground Resilience Fund. As part of this overarching funding package, the Common Ground Award aims to recognise good practice in promoting social cohesion by investing capital funding into VCSE sector organisations that are bringing people together from different backgrounds, by supporting the cost of constructing or renovating facilities, or the purchasing of equipment to deliver services. Additionally, the South East region, including Slough has been allocated £12 million from the Pride in Place Impact Fund (PiPIF). Slough has been allocated £1.5 million from the PiPIF. The PiPIF will enable local authorities, in partnership with local communities, local MPs and other local stakeholders to support a range of projects such as upgrades to community facilities and public spaces such as parks, playgrounds and piers to improve health and well-being, bring people together and strengthen communities. Furthermore, MHCLG is co-ordinating cross-Government efforts to develop a longer-term, more strategic approach to social cohesion - working in partnership with stakeholders to rebuild, renew and address deep-seated issues.

Whether he plans to include diagnosis targets for myeloma in the national cancer plan for England.

Early diagnosis is a key focus of the National Cancer Plan. It is a priority for the Government to support the National Health Service to diagnose cancer, including blood cancers such as myeloma, as early and quickly as possible, and to treat it faster, to improve outcomes.To tackle late diagnoses of blood cancers, the NHS is implementing non-specific symptom pathways for patients who present with symptoms such as weight loss and fatigue, which do not clearly align to a tumour type. Blood cancers are one of the most common cancer types diagnosed through these pathways.We will get the NHS diagnosing blood cancers earlier and treating them faster, and we will support the NHS to increase capacity to meet the demand for diagnostic services through investment, including for magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography scanners.The National Cancer Plan will include further details on how we will improve outcomes for cancer patients, including speeding up diagnosis and treatment, ensuring patients have access to the latest treatments and technology, and ultimately driving up this country’s cancer survival rates. Having consulted with key stakeholders and patient groups, the Plan will be published early in the new year.

What recent steps he has taken to help reduce the time taken to diagnose myeloma.

Information on the average time taken to diagnose myeloma in the South East is not held centrally. We publish 28-Day Faster Diagnosis data by suspected cancer, including provider and commissioner data, monthly. The latest publication is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/cancer-waiting-times/monthly-data-and-summaries/2025-26-monthly-cancer-waiting-times-statistics/cancer-waiting-times-for-august-2025-26-provisional/We recognise that there is more to be done to ensure that patients have timely access to diagnosis, and we remain committed to diagnosing all cancer types earlier, including myeloma. To tackle late diagnoses, the National Health Service is implementing non-specific symptom (NSS) pathways for patients who present with symptoms such as weight loss and fatigue, which do not clearly align to a tumour type. Blood cancers are one of the most common cancer types diagnosed through these pathways. There are currently 115 NSS services operating in England, ensuring more patients benefit from quicker access to the right investigations.

What recent estimate he has made of the average time taken to diagnose myeloma in the South East.

Information on the average time taken to diagnose myeloma in the South East is not held centrally. We publish 28-Day Faster Diagnosis data by suspected cancer, including provider and commissioner data, monthly. The latest publication is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/cancer-waiting-times/monthly-data-and-summaries/2025-26-monthly-cancer-waiting-times-statistics/cancer-waiting-times-for-august-2025-26-provisional/We recognise that there is more to be done to ensure that patients have timely access to diagnosis, and we remain committed to diagnosing all cancer types earlier, including myeloma. To tackle late diagnoses, the National Health Service is implementing non-specific symptom (NSS) pathways for patients who present with symptoms such as weight loss and fatigue, which do not clearly align to a tumour type. Blood cancers are one of the most common cancer types diagnosed through these pathways. There are currently 115 NSS services operating in England, ensuring more patients benefit from quicker access to the right investigations.

Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with local councils on improving street cleanliness.

I have not had any recent discussions with local councils on street cleanliness. My officials chair the National Fly-Tipping Prevention Group (NFTPG), through which they engage with a wide range of interested parties such as local councils, National Farmers Union and others, to promote and disseminate good practice with regards to preventing fly-tipping. Local councils are responsible for keeping streets clear of litter and refuse. The Pride in Place Strategy sets out how Government will support local action by bringing forward statutory enforcement guidance on both littering and fly-tipping, modernising the code of practice that outlines the cleaning standards expected of local authorities, and refreshing best practice guidance on the powers available to local authorities to force land and building owners to clean up their premises. This Government also remains focused on delivering a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers due to go live in October 2027. Single-use drinks containers are some of the UK’s most commonly littered items. It is expected that providing a financial incentive for people to return their drinks containers through the Deposit Return Scheme will drastically reduce the amount of litter.

With reference to the Law Commission report entitled Firearms Law: Reforms to Address Pressing Problems, published on 16 December 2015, whether she plans to implement the recommendation on codifying the law on firearms.

The Government has no plans at present to codify existing firearms legislation but we keep the law in this area under review to ensure we maintain strong controls on firearms.The Government response to the 2023 firearms licensing consultation, published on 13 February this year, included a commitment to having a consultation specifically on strengthening the licensing controls on shotguns in the interests of public safety which we intend to publish shortly.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had with international partners on women and girls' rights in Afghanistan.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given on 21 October to question 81210.

Media and Sport, how many officials were investigated under their Department's disciplinary processes in each of the last five years.

From 1st January 2021 until 16th October 2025 25 officials have been investigated under the department’s disciplinary processes. We are unable to provide the yearly breakdown of disciplinary investigations because doing so would breach the Data Protection Act. This is due to the risk of identifying individuals in years where the case count is five or less, as the information relates to someone other than the data subjects and the risk of individuals becoming identifiable where case numbers for some years are 5 or less.

How many officials were investigated under his Department's disciplinary processes in each of the last 5 years.

On 1st July 2023 due to a Machinery of Government Change, the Department of International Trade (DIT) became the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), alongside parts of the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). We therefore only hold information from DBT from 1st July 2023, and information from DIT before this date, and all information shared will be within these parameters. YearNo. of officials investigated202519202492023112022112021<5 Here are the figures for UK Export Finance: YearNo. of officials investigated2025<52024<52023<52022<52021<5