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.
Showing 661–680 of 1,288 · this parliament
Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps she has taken to ensure that imported meat products are slaughtered to animal welfare standards equivalent to those in the UK.
The Government encourages the highest standards of animal welfare at slaughter. Under existing legislation, imports of meat must meet standards at least equivalent to welfare at slaughter requirements set out in assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing.
What information her Department holds on the number of children (a) with epilepsy and (b) without an individual healthcare plan in Slough.
The department does not collect data on pupils who have specific health issues, such as epilepsy, and only collects information where a pupil has a learning need. As such, we do not hold figures on either the number of children with epilepsy, or the proportion who do not have an education, health and care plan.
What recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the supply of epilepsy medications.
The Department is working hard with industry to help resolve intermittent supply issues with some epilepsy medications. As a result of ongoing activity and intensive work, including asking manufacturers to expedite deliveries, most issues have been resolved.We are currently aware of a supply issue affecting topiramate 25mg, 50mg, 100mg and 200mg tablets and phenobarbital 15mg tablets, used in the management of epilepsy, from certain manufacturers. Resupply from the affected manufacturers is yet to be confirmed but stock remains available from alternative manufacturers to meet patient demand, and we have issued management guidance to the National Health Service.
What recent steps he has taken to help reduce the average diagnosis time for endometriosis.
It is unacceptable that women can wait too long for an endometriosis diagnosis and this government is committed to improving the diagnosis, treatment and ongoing care for gynaecological conditions including endometriosis.Tackling waiting lists is a key part of our Health Mission. We have now exceeded our pledge to deliver an extra two million operations, scans, and appointments, having now delivered 4.9 million more appointments.In November 2024, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence updated its guideline on the diagnosis and management of endometriosis to make firmer recommendations on referral and investigations, which will help women receive a diagnosis and effective treatment faster. This includes updated recommendations that for women with symptoms of endometriosis, initial pharmacological treatment should take place in primary care, and that this can take place in parallel with additional investigations and referral to secondary care if needed. The guideline is available at the following link:https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng73
What recent estimate she has made of the number of property management companies that have (a) delivered services for and (b) made payments on behalf of sanctioned individuals for the (i) maintenance and (ii) management of property in the UK.
OFSI has not made an estimate for the information requested but robustly enforces UK sanctions where breaches are identified. OFSI imposed a penalty in September 2024 against a firm for breaches of Russia sanctions relating to property management. Through OFSI’s enhanced capabilities and increased collaboration between government agencies, OFSI is able identify breaches proactively and is not reliant on self-reported breaches. Since February 2022, just over 1% of all suspected breach reports submitted to OFSI were reported by property and related services firms. Meanwhile, 7% of all suspected breaches reported to OFSI by other types of firms involved property and related services firms in some capacity.OFSI is taking concrete action to increase sanctions awareness within the sector, through direct engagement with the sector and publication of its Threat Assessment Report and guidance for letting agents.For the Threat Assessment Report, click here: OFSI_Property_and_Related_Services_Threat_Assessment.pdfFor OFSI’s letting agents guidance, click here: Financial sanctions guidance for letting agents - GOV.UK
What recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of microplastics on health outcomes.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has conducted research to understand if there are potential health risks from exposure to micro and nano plastics through inhalational and oral routes. This was part of the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) funded Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Exposures and Health. The potential impact of microplastic materials on human health has been assessed by the UK Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment. The most recent statement was published in 2024 and is available at the following link: https://cot.food.gov.uk/M-statementsandpositionpapers#microplastics In 2022, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs initiated a research project to investigate the risks of intentionally added microplastics. This project reviewed the emissions from microplastics, and the risks they pose both to human health and the environment. Earlier this year, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs published the Option Appraisal for Intentionally Added Microplastics, which provides a welcome addition to our knowledge on the options to protect human health and the United Kingdom’s environment from the risks of microplastics. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is considering the results of this study, which is available at the following link: https://sciencesearch.defra.gov.uk/ProjectDetails?ProjectId=21802
Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with local authorities in (a) Slough and (b) the Thames Valley region on the implementation of mandatory digital waste tracking.
The department has had no recent direct discussions with local authorities in Slough or the Thames Valley region on the implementation of mandatory digital waste tracking. Information is shared with stakeholders including local authorities via our Circular Economy newsletter. Through this newsletter we have invited organisations to sign up to the project’s user panel to get involved in testing of the developing service and provide feedback.
Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the Environment Agency on trends in levels of fly-tipping in the (a) South East and (b) Slough.
There have been no recent discussions with the Environment Agency (EA) on trends in levels of fly-tipping in the South East and Slough. The EA is a member of the Defra-chaired National Fly-Tipping Group which aims to share best practice on tackling fly-tipping. Local authorities are required to annually report fly-tipping incidents and enforcement actions to Defra, which are published each year. These are available at Fly-tipping statistics for England - GOV.UK.
Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential impact of fly-tipping on private land owners.
While no recent assessment has been made, we appreciate the difficulty and cost that fly-tipping poses to landowners and we are working with a wide range of interested parties through the National Fly-Tipping Prevention Group, such as the National Farmers Union, to promote and disseminate good practice, including how to prevent fly-tipping on private land. We encourage local authorities to make good use of their enforcement powers which include prosecution. On conviction, a cost order can be made by the court so that a landowner’s costs can be recovered from the perpetrator.
What recent steps she has taken to help prevent people who have been sanctioned from concealing property assets in the UK.
In April, OFSI released a Property Threat Assessment Report. The report identifies key evasion threats, red flags that businesses should be aware of, and observations on areas where compliance could be strengthened.For the Threat Assessment Report, click here: OFSI_Property_and_Related_Services_Threat_Assessment.pdf OFSI also has specific guidance for letting agents. This guidance helps to facilitate OFSI’s aim of encouraging better sanctions compliance, raising impacted businesses’ awareness of their sanctions obligations, and assisting OFSI in identifying potential circumvention gaps and financial sanctions breaches. For OFSI’s letting agents guidance, click here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/financial-sanctions-guidance-for-letting-agents/financial-sanctions-guidance-for-letting-agents Since 2022, OFSI has significantly increased its headcount and capability, including procuring leading tools and training, which means OFSI is able to undertake proactive, intelligence-led sanctions enforcement.
Food and Rural Affairs, what recent support he has provided to local authorities to help tackle fly-tipping.
We want to see local authorities make good use of their enforcement powers and are taking steps to help them do so. For example, we are currently reviewing their powers to seize vehicles of suspected fly-tippers to identify ways in which we help them make better use of this tool. Defra also chairs the National Fly-Tipping Prevention Group through which we work with a wide range of stakeholders, including local authorities, to promote and disseminate good practice with regards to preventing fly-tipping. Various practical tools are available from their webpage which is available at: https://nftpg.com/. From 2026–27, the Government will deliver the first multi-year Settlement in a decade, fundamentally improving how we fund councils and directing funding to where it’s most needed. We’re committed to simplifying the wider local funding landscape by reducing the number of grants and consolidating them into the Settlement, so councils can plan more effectively. Detailed decisions will follow the funding reform consultation and be set out at the provisional Settlement later this year.
Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps he has taken to help reduce plastic pollution in (a) rivers, (b) seas and (c) other waterways.
The Government is working domestically and internationally to implement measures that will prevent plastic from reaching the environment. Domestically, bans and restrictions on single-use plastic products, such as cutlery, straws, and polystyrene takeaway containers, plates and bowls have been introduced alongside the single-use carrier bag charge. The Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers will introduce a deposit on single-use drinks containers which is redeemable when the empty container is returned. DRS will reduce plastic litter and increase recycling rates. The Government is considering what further steps are needed to help local authorities reduce litter and thus prevent it from entering and damaging our waterways and ecosystems. Plastic pollution is a global crisis that no country can solve alone. The UK is also working with international partners to conclude an ambitious and effective new international treaty to end plastic pollution which protects the environment and paves the way to a circular economy.
What recent steps he has taken to ensure adequate availability of mental health support services for (a) children and (b) young adults.
We are investing an extra £688 million this year to transform mental health services by hiring more staff, delivering more early interventions, and getting waiting lists down.We have confirmed that we will fulfil our commitment to recruit an additional 8,500 staff across child and young people and adult mental health services by the end of the Parliament, and 6,700 of these extra workers have been recruited since July 2024.We also want to intervene much earlier to support better outcomes for children and young people. That is why the 10-Year Health Plan sets out how we will work with schools and colleges to better identify and meet children's and young people’s mental health needs by expanding mental health support teams in schools and colleges to cover 100% of pupils by 2029/30 and by embedding mental health support in the new Young Futures hubs, to ensure there is no 'wrong front door' for young people seeking help.Additionally, we are continuing to provide top-up funding of £7 million to 24 existing early support hubs, to expand their services and to take part in an ongoing evaluation of these services in 2025/26. This funding will enable the supported hubs to deliver at least 10,000 additional mental health and wellbeing interventions, so that more children and young people are supported.
Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment he has been made of the potential impact of commercial greyhound racing on animal welfare.
The welfare of greyhounds in England is protected by the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The Act allows action to be taken where there is evidence of cruelty to an animal or a failure to provide for that animal’s welfare needs. This includes where greyhounds are raced or kept at trainers’ kennels. Specific welfare standards at all greyhound racing tracks in England are also required by the Welfare of Racing Greyhounds Regulations 2010, including having a vet present while dogs are running (with all greyhounds inspected by the vet before being allowed to run). In addition to these statutory protections, the sport’s main regulatory body, the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), enforces welfare standards at GBGB affiliated tracks, as well as at GBGB licensed trainers’ kennels. Independent, external oversight of GBGB’s regulatory work at tracks and trainers’ kennels is provided by the UK’s National Accreditation Body, the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). The GBGB has also undertaken a number of welfare reforms, including publishing a long term, national welfare strategy – ‘A Good Life for Every Greyhound’. The Government is monitoring GBGB’s progress in delivering the strategy and should further measures be required the Government will consider options which are targeted, effective, and proportionate.
What recent mental health support her Department has provided within schools for pupils in Slough.
41% of schools and colleges in Slough constituency were supported by an NHS-funded Mental Health Support Team (MHST) in March 2025. Data on the coverage of MHSTs in England in 2024/25 can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/transforming-children-and-young-peoples-mental-health-provision. This has been available since 16 May 2025 at national, regional and local authority level and at constituency level since 10 July 2025.Data on MHST coverage is collected annually, as part of the government’s commitment to expand MHSTs to every school, so every child and young person has access to early support to address problems before they escalate.Around six in ten pupils nationally are expected to have access to an MHST by March 2026.
What recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the availability of mental health support within schools.
41% of schools and colleges in Slough constituency were supported by an NHS-funded Mental Health Support Team (MHST) in March 2025. Data on the coverage of MHSTs in England in 2024/25 can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/transforming-children-and-young-peoples-mental-health-provision. This has been available since 16 May 2025 at national, regional and local authority level and at constituency level since 10 July 2025.Data on MHST coverage is collected annually, as part of the government’s commitment to expand MHSTs to every school, so every child and young person has access to early support to address problems before they escalate.Around six in ten pupils nationally are expected to have access to an MHST by March 2026.
What recent assessment she has made of the (a) effectiveness and (b) timeliness of the delivery of EHCPs.
The department recognises that some parents have struggled to get the right support for their children, particularly through long and difficult education, health and care (EHC) plan processes. We know that even after fighting to secure a plan, support is not always necessarily guaranteed or delivered quickly enough.The department wants to ensure that needs assessments are progressed promptly, and high-quality plans are issued quickly. This will provide children and young people with the support they need, when they need it.Our priority is improving outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) so that they get the chance to achieve and thrive in their education.Details of our intended approach to strengthening the SEND system will be set out in a schools white paper, which will be followed by a public consultation.
What recent discussions has she had with SEND service providers on Government proposals on SEND reform.
This government’s ambition is that every child or young person in our country deserves the best possible educational experience, one that is academically stretching, where every child or young person feels like they belong, and that sets them up for life and work.Over the last year, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, supported by expert advisers like Tom Rees and Dame Christine Lenehan, has engaged intensely with parents, teachers, experts and children and young people on the shape of solutions. We are continuing to engage closely with children, parents and experts as we develop plans to ensure all children get the outcomes and life chances they deserve.We will build a better system which is grounded in evidence, identifies and supports need at the earliest opportunity, and ensures families can secure support swiftly without a fight. There will always be a legal right to the additional support needed by children with special educational needs and disabilities.
What her expected timetable is for the (a) publication of the White Paper, (b) consultation and (c) implementation of reform on SEND provision in schools.
This government’s ambition is that every child or young person in our country deserves the best possible educational experience, one that is academically stretching, where every child or young person feels like they belong, and that sets them up for life and work.Over the last year, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, supported by expert advisers like Tom Rees and Dame Christine Lenehan, has engaged intensely with parents, teachers, experts and children and young people on the shape of solutions. We are continuing to engage closely with children, parents and experts as we develop plans to ensure all children get the outcomes and life chances they deserve.We will build a better system which is grounded in evidence, identifies and supports need at the earliest opportunity, and ensures families can secure support swiftly without a fight. There will always be a legal right to the additional support needed by children with special educational needs and disabilities.
What recent steps she has taken to ensure that people moving from Employment Support Allowance Support Group to Universal Credit do not require a further fit note.
We want the migration process to be as simple as possible for claimants when they move their claim to Universal Credit (UC) from Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). If they have been receiving ESA, they will not need to provide medical evidence such as fit notes, or have a Work Capability Assessment (WCA) again if all of the following apply:They move from ESA to UC without a breakThey have already completed a WCAThey were in the ‘support group’ or ‘work related activity group’ in ESA when they made their claim to Universal Credit. If they were providing medical evidence on ESA before they moved, they will still need to provide medical evidence on Universal Credit until a WCA decision is received.