Every parliamentary written question tabled by Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 621–640 of 1,174 · this parliament
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has received unsolicited correspondence from legal experts on the legality of the Israeli blockade on the delivery of aid to the population of Gaza.
The Government received an open letter concerning the Occupied Palestinian Territory on the 26 May 2025 from signatories comprising lawyers, legal academic and former judges who are UK-based or qualified.
What the total tax revenue collected from (a) business rates and (b) corporation tax was in the Slough constituency in the most recent period for which data is available.
Data on the amount of business rates collected for 2023-24, which is the more recent publicly available data, is published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) online here. Table 9 contains data at the local authority level:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/collection-rates-for-council-tax-and-non-domestic-rates-in-england-2023-to-2024. HMRC publish total Corporation Tax (CT) receipts online here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/corporation-tax-statistics-2024. HMRC do not hold data on the amount of CT paid by companies in individual parliamentary constituencies.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2025 to Question 53953 on Gaza: Infant Mortality, whether he has made an assessment of the likelihood of the British Red Cross humanitarian funding reaching Gaza.
On 4 June, I announced an additional £4 million to the British Red Cross (BRC) in supporting Gaza. The UK has assessed that, despite severe access constraints, BRC, has a credible and realistic pathway to reach Gaza through its partner, the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS). This assessment is based on the PRCS's longstanding operational presence in Gaza and its continued ability to deliver aid where conditions allow. The UK remains in close contact with the BRC to monitor delivery and ensure accountability. Working with the BRC and international partners, we continue to push for improved humanitarian access.
Whether his Department has provided military assistance to Israel since March 2025.
The Ministry of Defence has provided military assistance to Israel since March 2025 for the sole purpose of rescuing hostages in Gaza.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer to Question 53142 on Gaza: Famine, what assessment his Department has made of the causes of (a) famine and (b) starvation risk in Gaza.
The UK is deeply concerned by the recent Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) snapshot report, which found that the whole of Gaza faces a critical risk of famine and that half a million people are facing starvation. The Full IPC Special Report, to be issued shortly, will contain further analysis. We support the IPC's recommendations aiming to avoid Gaza descending into famine, including an end to hostilities, humanitarian access, the protection of aid workers, civilians and civilian infrastructure, multi-sectoral interventions, and commercial supply and essential services restored at scale. We continue to push for these measures along with our partners.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 2 June 2025 to Question 51909 on Gaza: Humanitarian Aid, what the response of the Israeli ambassador was to the Government's positions that (a) it stands firmly against Israel's resumption of military action in Gaza, (b) Israel's plan for aid delivery is wholly inadequate and (c) a full and unhindered resumption in the flow of aid into Gaza should take place immediately.
The Israeli ambassador has been left in no doubt about the UK's position. On 20 May, I summoned the ambassador to express the UK's firm opposition to Israel's resumption of military action in Gaza and its wholly inadequate aid delivery plan. I also demanded the immediate, full and unhindered flow of humanitarian aid. The UK made clear that failure to act risks further international isolation. The Foreign Secretary has said that unless Israel lifts restrictions and halts its offensive, the UK alongside international partners will take further concrete action.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2025 to Question 53953 on Gaza: Infant Mortality, whether the Israeli Government responded to the request to (a) stop military operations in and (b) immediately allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.
The UK continues to make clear that the UK stands firmly against Israel's resumption of military action in Gaza. We continue to call on the Government of Israel to lift restrictions immediately to enable humanitarian aid to enter at scale. We made this clear again at the UN Security Council last week, when we voted in favour of a draft UN Security Council Resolution on Gaza. Ministers continue to make representations to Israeli counterparts on these issues as we call for a lasting peace.
Food and Rural Affairs, what recent progress his Department has made on banning trophy hunting imports.
The Government committed to banning the import of hunting trophies in its manifesto and we will deliver on this. Defra continues to engage with relevant stakeholders to ensure that we can deliver a ban on the import of hunting trophies from species of conservation concern in the most effective way.
What recent steps her Department has taken to help ensure the effective enforcement of legislation relating to e-bikes on roads.
Only e-bikes that comply in full with the requirements of the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983 can be legally used on public roads. Where an e-bike does not comply with these Regulations, it counts as an e-moped or motorbike and must therefore be registered, taxed and insured. The rider must wear a safety helmet and hold the appropriate driving licence. Enforcement is a matter for the police.
What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of (a) legislation and (b) regulations in relation to direct-to-consumer e-bike imports.
UK product safety law requires that all consumer products must be safe before being placed on the market. Businesses, including those in supply chains for products manufactured overseas, have responsibilities to only make safe products available, and UK regulators have powers to remove non-compliant products from the market.Government has introduced the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill to modernise regulations to reflect increasingly globalised and online supply chains. The powers in this Bill will allow us to make any necessary changes to our regulations to ensure the best protections for consumers and support for reputable retailers.
What recent steps she has taken to financially support the installation of solar panel installation on homes.
Deploying rooftop solar remains a key priority for the Government and the forthcoming Solar Roadmap will set out actions for how we and industry will work together to achieve our ambition. As the first step towards the Warm Homes Plan, the Government has committed an initial £3.4 billion over the next 3 years towards heat decarbonisation and household energy efficiency, with £1bn of this allocated to next year (2025 – 26). Additional funding will be considered in Phase 2 of the Spending Review as the Warm Homes Plan is further developed. Additionally, the Smart Export Guarantee continues to ensure that homes with solar panels installed receive payment for the excess renewable electricity they export to the grid.
Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions she has had with local councils on the provision of free parking near (a) parks (b) recreational areas and (c) high streets.
Local authorities are empowered to determine their parking arrangements, as they are best suited to understand the best way of responding to local needs.They must do so in a way which meets standards set by national government that parking policies should be proportionate, support town centre prosperity, and reconcile competing demands for kerb space, and ensure traffic moves freely and quickly on their roads and the roads of nearby authorities as required in the Traffic Management Act 2004.As such the Secretary of State has not held any discussions with local councils regarding the provision of parking.
What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of non-road legal (a) conversion kits and (b) e-bikes on road safety.
E-bikes may only be legally used on public roads where they comply, in full, with the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983. This includes where they have been converted from a conventional pedal bike. E-bikes that do not comply with these Regulations are classed as an e-moped or motorbike in law. Such vehicles can only legally be used on public roads where they have been registered, taxed and insured. The rider must also wear a safety helmet and hold the appropriate driving licence.While enforcement is a matter for the police, the Department's broader approach to road safety is in development and more details will be set out in due course.
Media and Sport, whether she has had discussions with the English Football League on a potential increase in the number of teams promoted from National League into the English Football League.
We recognise the strength of feeling within the National League regarding promotion arrangements to the EFL and understand the desire for greater opportunities for clubs to progress through the football pyramid. The competitiveness and sustainability of the league system are important considerations, and we appreciate the views of all stakeholders on this issue.While promotion and relegation structures are ultimately a matter for the leagues themselves, we remain engaged with the football authorities on broader discussions about the future of the game.
What recent discussions has he had with energy suppliers on the timeline for the distribution of compensation to customers who were forced to have prepayment meters installed.
We have campaigned tirelessly on this issue since this scandal came to light, and I am pleased to see justice is finally being delivered to many of the affected families. The Secretary of State urged Ofgem to accelerate work to deliver payments earlier this year, and on Wednesday 28 May Ofgem announced £18.6m of compensation for households affected by the involuntary installation of pre-payment meters (PPMs). Suppliers will pay £5.6million in compensation – using the guidelines set out by Ofgem – to 40,000 consumers that had an involuntary PPM installed during the assessment period. Suppliers will also write off a further £13million of debt from customers who had an involuntary PPM during the assessment period. I am pleased to see the level of compensation increase significantly from £420,000 in June 2024. Ofgem has been working with suppliers to make sure suppliers are paying compensation in a fair and consistent way. Ofgem has also been negotiating with suppliers on offers of debt write-off, to make sure involuntary PPM customers directly benefit from this work. It is paramount that compensation payments are issued as quickly as possible, and we will continue to work with Ofgem and suppliers to ensure affected consumers are compensated in a timely manner.
What assessment he has made of the stability of the semiconductor supply chain for the UK defence industry.
The Department is actively engaged in de-risking critical defence supply chain vulnerabilities, including for semiconductors, working collaboratively with industry and our international partners to mitigate risks. We aim to identify critical pinch points in our supply chains, for example, critical components, to enable us to make informed decisions around how and if to intervene. The Strategic Review and Defence Industrial Strategy will restate the importance of robust and resilience supply chains to ensure the delivery of critical defence outputs and keep the UK safe and secure.
What estimate he has made of the number of animals used for Defence Science and Technology Laboratory research in 2024.
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory’s (Dstl) remit to provide safe and effective countermeasures for UK Armed Forces could not currently be achieved without some use of animals. The Ministry of Defence does not conduct animal experiments for the development or testing of offensive weapons. Dstl is committed to the principles of Reduction, Replacement and Refinement (3Rs) in its use of laboratory animals, and only use animals where no feasible alternative methodologies exist. In 2024, Dstl used 679 animals in procedures regulated by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA).
What assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of adult social care provision in Slough.
Local authorities are best placed to understand and plan for the needs of their population, which is why, under the Care Act 2014, local authorities are tasked with the duty to shape their care market to meet the diverse needs of all local people. In performing that duty, a local authority must have regard to the need to ensure that it is aware of current and likely future demand for such services and to consider how providers might meet that demand.The Government is supporting local authorities by making available up to £3.7 billion of additional funding for social care authorities in 2025/26, which includes an £880 million increase in the Social Care Grant.
What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the accessibility of financial support available for sole traders.
Small businesses are the heart of our high streets and communities and are essential to our vision for growth and economic success.The Government is committed to improving access to finance for small businesses, including sole traders, so they can grow and reach new domestic and international markets. Sole traders can benefit from the Start Up Loans programme, which helps entrepreneurs access the finance and mentoring advice they need to make their business ideas a reality.Additionally, UK Export Finance offers financial support to boost export activities and helps exporters win contracts, fulfil orders, and make payment guarantees.
What recent discussions he has had with SMEs on barriers to defence procurement.
As part of our development of the Defence Industrial Strategy I have attended a series of Roundtable events with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across the United Kingdom. These events provide an opportunity to engage with SMEs across the defence supply chain, and to receive feedback on their experiences of doing business with defence, including the challenges which they encounter. In addition to this, planning for a new SME Support Centre for SMEs has started. Officials have held multiple consultation events with SMEs and defence industry to ensure that the new service meets defence SMEs needs. We will be holding more consultation events in the coming weeks.