Information between 2nd July 2025 - 12th July 2025
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Division Votes |
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2 Jul 2025 - Deferred Division - View Vote Context Afzal Khan voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 326 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes Tally: Ayes - 333 Noes - 168 |
2 Jul 2025 - Deferred Division - View Vote Context Afzal Khan voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 327 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes Tally: Ayes - 338 Noes - 79 |
2 Jul 2025 - Armed Forces Commissioner Bill - View Vote Context Afzal Khan voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 314 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes Tally: Ayes - 321 Noes - 158 |
2 Jul 2025 - Competition - View Vote Context Afzal Khan voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 327 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes Tally: Ayes - 338 Noes - 79 |
2 Jul 2025 - Prisons - View Vote Context Afzal Khan voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 326 Labour Aye votes vs 0 Labour No votes Tally: Ayes - 333 Noes - 168 |
8 Jul 2025 - Football Governance Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context Afzal Khan voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 331 Labour Aye votes vs 1 Labour No votes Tally: Ayes - 415 Noes - 98 |
8 Jul 2025 - Football Governance Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context Afzal Khan voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 338 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes Tally: Ayes - 167 Noes - 346 |
8 Jul 2025 - Football Governance Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context Afzal Khan voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 336 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes Tally: Ayes - 86 Noes - 340 |
8 Jul 2025 - Football Governance Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context Afzal Khan voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 333 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes Tally: Ayes - 178 Noes - 338 |
9 Jul 2025 - Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill - View Vote Context Afzal Khan voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 377 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes Tally: Ayes - 175 Noes - 401 |
9 Jul 2025 - Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill - View Vote Context Afzal Khan voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 377 Labour No votes vs 0 Labour Aye votes Tally: Ayes - 103 Noes - 416 |
9 Jul 2025 - Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill - View Vote Context Afzal Khan voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 356 Labour No votes vs 8 Labour Aye votes Tally: Ayes - 35 Noes - 469 |
9 Jul 2025 - Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill - View Vote Context Afzal Khan voted Aye - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 330 Labour Aye votes vs 37 Labour No votes Tally: Ayes - 335 Noes - 135 |
9 Jul 2025 - Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill - View Vote Context Afzal Khan voted No - in line with the party majority and in line with the House One of 364 Labour No votes vs 7 Labour Aye votes Tally: Ayes - 105 Noes - 370 |
Speeches |
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Afzal Khan speeches from: Sport England: Tackling Racism
Afzal Khan contributed 2 speeches (128 words) Wednesday 9th July 2025 - Westminster Hall Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport |
Afzal Khan speeches from: Generative Artificial Intelligence: Schools
Afzal Khan contributed 2 speeches (117 words) Tuesday 8th July 2025 - Westminster Hall Department for Education |
Afzal Khan speeches from: Fossil Fuel Advertising and Sponsorship
Afzal Khan contributed 1 speech (74 words) Monday 7th July 2025 - Westminster Hall Department for Energy Security & Net Zero |
Written Answers |
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Housing Benefit
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme) Monday 7th July 2025 Question to the Department for Work and Pensions: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of enhanced housing benefit was paid to (a) for-profit landlords, (b) not-for-profit landlords and (c) charities in each year since 2010. Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions) We interpret ‘enhanced housing benefit’ as Housing Benefit payable for exempt accommodation (a category of specified accommodation in the Housing Benefit regulations). For Housing Benefit claims assessed as exempt accommodation, we do not hold data on whether a landlord is a not-for-profit organisation or a charity.
DWP does not form contractual relationships with supported housing landlords or charities in relation to Housing Benefit expenditure. Housing Benefit for specified accommodation is typically paid directly to the landlord at the request of the customer.
Housing Benefit regulations for specified accommodation outline that Housing Benefit cannot be paid for claims where the landlord is for-profit. |
Housing Benefit
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme) Monday 7th July 2025 Question to the Department for Work and Pensions: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how much her Department has spent on enhanced housing benefit in each year since 2010. Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions) We interpret ‘enhanced housing benefit’ as Housing Benefit payable for exempt accommodation (a category of specified accommodation in Housing Benefit regulations). The time series information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur a disproportionate cost.
The estimated annual cost to the benefits system for all accommodation costs associated with supported housing in 2023 is £4.1 billion per year; estimated at just over 10% of total housing support (AME); of which £2.72 billion is for Specified Accommodation through Housing Benefit. |
Schools: Mobile Phones
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme) Wednesday 9th July 2025 Question to the Department for Education: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions she has had with (a) parents, (b) students and (c) teachers on the management of mobile phone use in schools. Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education) Mobile phones have no place in our schools. Schools should prohibit the use of mobile phones and other smart technology with similar functionality to mobile phones throughout the school day, including during lessons, the time between lessons, breaktimes and lunchtime, as set out in the ‘Mobile phones in schools’ guidance, published in 2024. The department expects all schools to take steps in line with this guidance to ensure mobile phones do not disrupt pupils’ learning. New research from the Children’s Commissioner, with responses from nearly all schools and colleges in England, shows that most schools (99.8% of primary schools and 90% of secondary schools) already have policies in place that limit or restrict the use of mobile phones during the school day. We will continue to build a robust evidence base on the effectiveness on school mobile phone policies. The department engages regularly with parents, teachers and pupils on a range of issues, including pupil behaviour and mobile phone use.
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Young People: Mobile Phones
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme) Wednesday 9th July 2025 Question to the Department for Education: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of her Department's guidance on mobile phone use among young people in schools, published in February 2024, on the use of mobile phones in schools. Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education) Mobile phones have no place in our schools. Schools should prohibit the use of mobile phones and other smart technology with similar functionality to mobile phones throughout the school day, including during lessons, the time between lessons, breaktimes and lunchtime, as set out in the ‘Mobile phones in schools’ guidance, published in 2024. The department expects all schools to take steps in line with this guidance to ensure mobile phones do not disrupt pupils’ learning. New research from the Children’s Commissioner, with responses from nearly all schools and colleges in England, shows that most schools (99.8% of primary schools and 90% of secondary schools) already have policies in place that limit or restrict the use of mobile phones during the school day. We will continue to build a robust evidence base on the effectiveness on school mobile phone policies. The department engages regularly with parents, teachers and pupils on a range of issues, including pupil behaviour and mobile phone use.
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Schools: Mobile Phones
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme) Wednesday 9th July 2025 Question to the Department for Education: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of mobile phone usage in schools on (a) levels of bullying and (b) safeguarding. Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education) Mobile phones have no place in our schools. Schools should prohibit the use of mobile phones and other smart technology with similar functionality to mobile phones throughout the school day, including during lessons, the time between lessons, breaktimes and lunchtime, as set out in the ‘Mobile phones in schools’ guidance, published in 2024. The department expects all schools to take steps in line with this guidance to ensure mobile phones do not disrupt pupils’ learning. New research from the Children’s Commissioner, with responses from nearly all schools and colleges in England, shows that most schools (99.8% of primary schools and 90% of secondary schools) already have policies in place that limit or restrict the use of mobile phones during the school day. We will continue to build a robust evidence base on the effectiveness on school mobile phone policies. The department engages regularly with parents, teachers and pupils on a range of issues, including pupil behaviour and mobile phone use.
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Schools: Mobile Phones
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme) Wednesday 9th July 2025 Question to the Department for Education: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of mobile phone use on (a) student behaviour and (b) academic performance in schools. Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education) Mobile phones have no place in our schools. Schools should prohibit the use of mobile phones and other smart technology with similar functionality to mobile phones throughout the school day, including during lessons, the time between lessons, breaktimes and lunchtime, as set out in the ‘Mobile phones in schools’ guidance, published in 2024. The department expects all schools to take steps in line with this guidance to ensure mobile phones do not disrupt pupils’ learning. New research from the Children’s Commissioner, with responses from nearly all schools and colleges in England, shows that most schools (99.8% of primary schools and 90% of secondary schools) already have policies in place that limit or restrict the use of mobile phones during the school day. We will continue to build a robust evidence base on the effectiveness on school mobile phone policies. The department engages regularly with parents, teachers and pupils on a range of issues, including pupil behaviour and mobile phone use.
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Schools: Mobile Phones
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme) Wednesday 9th July 2025 Question to the Department for Education: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to support (a) teachers and (b) school leaders to enforce mobile phone usage policies in schools. Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education) Mobile phones have no place in our schools. Schools should prohibit the use of mobile phones and other smart technology with similar functionality to mobile phones throughout the school day, including during lessons, the time between lessons, breaktimes and lunchtime, as set out in the ‘Mobile phones in schools’ guidance, published in 2024. The department expects all schools to take steps in line with this guidance to ensure mobile phones do not disrupt pupils’ learning. New research from the Children’s Commissioner, with responses from nearly all schools and colleges in England, shows that most schools (99.8% of primary schools and 90% of secondary schools) already have policies in place that limit or restrict the use of mobile phones during the school day. We will continue to build a robust evidence base on the effectiveness on school mobile phone policies. The department engages regularly with parents, teachers and pupils on a range of issues, including pupil behaviour and mobile phone use.
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Young People: Mobile Phones
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme) Wednesday 9th July 2025 Question to the Department for Education: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has commissioned research on the use of mobile phones by young people outside of school. Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education) Mobile phones have no place in our schools. Schools should prohibit the use of mobile phones and other smart technology with similar functionality to mobile phones throughout the school day, including during lessons, the time between lessons, breaktimes and lunchtime, as set out in the ‘Mobile phones in schools’ guidance, published in 2024. The department expects all schools to take steps in line with this guidance to ensure mobile phones do not disrupt pupils’ learning. New research from the Children’s Commissioner, with responses from nearly all schools and colleges in England, shows that most schools (99.8% of primary schools and 90% of secondary schools) already have policies in place that limit or restrict the use of mobile phones during the school day. We will continue to build a robust evidence base on the effectiveness on school mobile phone policies. The department engages regularly with parents, teachers and pupils on a range of issues, including pupil behaviour and mobile phone use.
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Radicalism
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme) Wednesday 9th July 2025 Question to the Home Office: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to tackle (a) extremist radicalisation and (b) forms of non-ideological violence. Answered by Dan Jarvis - Minister of State (Home Office) The Government is committed to tackling those who spread views that promote violence and hatred against individuals and communities in our society, and that radicalise others into terrorism. To understand such threats, we maintain expertise and capabilities to understand terrorist and extremist online communications, in order to produce rapid, high-quality assessments designed to support the Prevent programme. The Prevent programme tackles the ideological causes of terrorism and provides early intervention for people at risk of radicalisation. The programme deals with all forms of terrorist ideology, including Islamist, Extreme Right-Wing, other threats. We work closely with law enforcement and multi-agency partners to respond to any such activity which may pose a threat. |
Artificial Intelligence: Regulation
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme) Tuesday 8th July 2025 Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he plans to establish the AI Security Institute as the primary regulator for artificial intelligence. Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology) Artificial intelligence is the defining opportunity of our generation, and the Government is taking action to harness its economic benefits for UK citizens. As set out in the AI Opportunities Action Plan, we believe most AI systems should be regulated at the point of use, with our expert regulators best placed to do so. Departments are working proactively with regulators to provide clear strategic direction and support them on their AI capability needs. Through well-designed and implemented regulation, we can fuel fast, wide and safe development and adoption of AI. |
Insurance: Prices
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme) Thursday 10th July 2025 Question to the HM Treasury: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will instruct the Financial Conduct Authority to investigate pricing in the insurance market. Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury) Insurers make commercial decisions about the price and terms of cover they offer based on their assessment of the relevant risks.
However, the Government is determined that insurers should treat customers fairly and firms are required to do so under Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) rules. The FCA requires firms to ensure their products offer fair value (i.e. if the price a consumer pays for a product or service is reasonable compared to the overall benefits they can expect to receive).
The FCA monitors firms to ensure they provide products that offer fair value and has robust powers to act against firms that fail to comply with its rules. |
Social Rented Housing: Furniture
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme) Friday 11th July 2025 Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether it is her policy that her Department's planned affordable housing will meet the (a) best practice guidance from the revised Decent Homes Standard and (b) best practice guidance on furniture provision. Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government) On 2 July, the government opened a consultation on a reformed Decent Homes Standard (DHS) for the social and private rented sectors. It seeks views on a range of issues including whether landlords should provide suitable floor coverings in all rooms at the start of every tenancy. The consultation can be found on gov.uk here. |
Social Rented Housing: Manchester Rusholme
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme) Friday 11th July 2025 Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of levels of furniture poverty in social housing in Manchester Rusholme constituency. Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government) On 2 July, the government opened a consultation on a reformed Decent Homes Standard (DHS) for the social and private rented sectors. It seeks views on a range of issues including whether landlords should provide suitable floor coverings in all rooms at the start of every tenancy. The consultation can be found on gov.uk here. |
Social Rented Housing: Furniture
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme) Friday 11th July 2025 Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps she plans to take to help tackle levels of furniture poverty for people living in social housing. Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government) On 2 July, the government opened a consultation on a reformed Decent Homes Standard (DHS) for the social and private rented sectors. It seeks views on a range of issues including whether landlords should provide suitable floor coverings in all rooms at the start of every tenancy. The consultation can be found on gov.uk here. |
Family Hubs: Health Services
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme) Thursday 10th July 2025 Question to the Department of Health and Social Care: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of family hubs playing on (a) neighbourhood health and (b) the delivery of integrated community-based health services. Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care) The 10-Year Health Plan outlined proposals for a new Neighbourhood Health Service, which embodies our preventative principle, that care should happen as locally as it can. Neighbourhood health services will build on, and will coordinate with Best Start Family Hubs and Start for Life services to continue to integrate children’s services, National Health Services, and public health. The Neighbourhood Health Service will mean that millions of patients are treated and cared for closer to their home by new teams of health professionals, providing easier, more convenient access to a full range of healthcare services on people’s doorsteps. The impact of Family Hubs and Start for Life services will take time to be realised. The current Family Hubs and Start for Life programme is subject to two national, independent evaluations to understand its implementation and impact. |
Family Hubs
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme) Thursday 10th July 2025 Question to the Department for Education: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that that integrated family hubs are available to support families in local communities. Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education) On 11 June 2025, my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, set out plans for spending and public sector reforms through the Spending Review 2025. This announcement confirmed departmental budgets for 2026/27 onwards and committed that the government will continue to invest in and expand the Family Hubs programme, working with parents to help give children the best start in life. On 7 July 2025, the government published the policy paper ‘Giving every child the best start in life’, which is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/giving-every-child-the-best-start-in-life. This outlines the government’s commitment to delivering a new Best Start Family Service to bring together parenting, healthcare and education support services, as well as creating and funding Best Start Family Hubs in every local authority to give children the best start in life by strengthening and joining up family services.
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Family Hubs
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme) Thursday 10th July 2025 Question to the Department for Education: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to ensure that family hubs are available in all areas. Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education) On 11 June 2025, my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, set out plans for spending and public sector reforms through the Spending Review 2025. This announcement confirmed departmental budgets for 2026/27 onwards and committed that the government will continue to invest in and expand the Family Hubs programme, working with parents to help give children the best start in life. On 7 July 2025, the government published the policy paper ‘Giving every child the best start in life’, which is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/giving-every-child-the-best-start-in-life. This outlines the government’s commitment to delivering a new Best Start Family Service to bring together parenting, healthcare and education support services, as well as creating and funding Best Start Family Hubs in every local authority to give children the best start in life by strengthening and joining up family services.
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Family Hubs
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme) Thursday 10th July 2025 Question to the Department for Education: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she plans to develop a national outcomes framework for family hubs. Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education) On 11 June 2025, my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, set out plans for spending and public sector reforms through the Spending Review 2025. This announcement confirmed departmental budgets for 2026/27 onwards and committed that the government will continue to invest in and expand the Family Hubs programme, working with parents to help give children the best start in life. On 7 July 2025, the government published the policy paper ‘Giving every child the best start in life’, which is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/giving-every-child-the-best-start-in-life. This outlines the government’s commitment to delivering a new Best Start Family Service to bring together parenting, healthcare and education support services, as well as creating and funding Best Start Family Hubs in every local authority to give children the best start in life by strengthening and joining up family services.
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Family Hubs
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme) Thursday 10th July 2025 Question to the Department for Education: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will require local authorities to provide family hubs in communities. Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education) On 11 June 2025, my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, set out plans for spending and public sector reforms through the Spending Review 2025. This announcement confirmed departmental budgets for 2026/27 onwards and committed that the government will continue to invest in and expand the Family Hubs programme, working with parents to help give children the best start in life. On 7 July 2025, the government published the policy paper ‘Giving every child the best start in life’, which is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/giving-every-child-the-best-start-in-life. This outlines the government’s commitment to delivering a new Best Start Family Service to bring together parenting, healthcare and education support services, as well as creating and funding Best Start Family Hubs in every local authority to give children the best start in life by strengthening and joining up family services.
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Family Hubs: Finance
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme) Thursday 10th July 2025 Question to the Department for Education: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what funding was allocated to family hubs in the Spending Review 2025. Answered by Janet Daby - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education) On 11 June 2025, my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, set out plans for spending and public sector reforms through the Spending Review 2025. This announcement confirmed departmental budgets for 2026/27 onwards and committed that the government will continue to invest in and expand the Family Hubs programme, working with parents to help give children the best start in life. On 7 July 2025, the government published the policy paper ‘Giving every child the best start in life’, which is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/giving-every-child-the-best-start-in-life. This outlines the government’s commitment to delivering a new Best Start Family Service to bring together parenting, healthcare and education support services, as well as creating and funding Best Start Family Hubs in every local authority to give children the best start in life by strengthening and joining up family services.
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Clothing: Manufacturing Industries
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme) Friday 11th July 2025 Question to the Department for Business and Trade: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will include the role of the UK fashion industry in the Invest 2035 strategy. Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero) The Industrial Strategy will support the whole economy, through an improved operating environment, long-term stability and greater dynamism for new entrants to emerge. As set out in the Creative Industries Sector Plan, DCMS will invest in the British Fashion Council’s NEWGEN programme, backing emerging UK designers with funding for London Fashion Week. DBT will continue to champion international trade promotion for the fashion sector through initiatives like guest programmes and key international trades shows. |
Digital Technology: Education
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme) Friday 11th July 2025 Question to the Department for Education: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to promote digital literacy education in schools to encourage the responsible use of mobile technology. Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education) Within the computing curriculum pupils are taught to use technology safely, responsibly, respectfully and securely, to keep personal information private, to recognise unacceptable behaviour, and to understand where to seek support. Within citizenship and relationships, sex and health education (RSHE), pupils learn how to identify misleading and malicious information and to counter the effects of negative and harmful news, events and information online. The Curriculum and Assessment Review’s interim report states a renewed focus on digital literacy is key to responding to the rise of artificial intelligence. The department will consider how best to implement the Review’s recommendations following the final report. The department’s ‘Mobile phones in schools’ guidance is clear that schools should prohibit the use of devices with smart technology throughout the school day to prevent disruption to pupils’ learning. |
Clothing: Manufacturing Industries
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme) Friday 11th July 2025 Question to the Department for Business and Trade: To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the UK fashion industry’s contribution to (a) economic growth and (b) employment in the UK. Answered by Gareth Thomas - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade) The department engages with key businesses and trade associations across the UK to support the fashion and textiles industry’s resilience and growth, including export support. The department has strong relationships with the British Fashion Council and the UK Fashion and Textiles Association (UKFT). The latest report from the UKFT estimates the industry contributed around £62 billion to UK GDP in 2021, supporting 1.3 million jobs across the country. Our Industrial Strategy will support fashion and the whole economy through an improved operating environment, long-term stability and greater dynamism for new entrants to emerge. |
Family Hubs: Finance
Asked by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme) Friday 11th July 2025 Question to the Department for Education: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether funding for family hubs will be included in the Child Poverty Strategy. Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education) Tackling child poverty is at the heart of this government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity. The Child Poverty Taskforce meeting in January focused on the crucial role of local services, including family hubs, in reducing the impact of poverty. Our new publication ‘Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life’ sets out that we are making a significant investment of over £500 million which will build back crucial family services and provide high quality support to parents and children from pregnancy to age five. Proposals include:
This publication is accessible at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/giving-every-child-the-best-start-in-life. The Hubs will help tackle the stain of child poverty ahead of our ambitious Child Poverty Strategy, due to be published in the autumn.
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Early Day Motions |
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Thursday 3rd July Manchester Fashion Institute Robotics Living Lab 2 signatures (Most recent: 7 Jul 2025)Tabled by: Afzal Khan (Labour - Manchester Rusholme) That this House congratulates Manchester Metropolitan University on the opening of the Robotics Living Lab (RoLL) funded by the UKRI Arts and Humanities Research Council; notes that this investment of £3.8m at the Manchester Fashion Institute will enable fashion designers and manufacturers to create and produce more sustainably, modernising fashion … |
Parliamentary Debates |
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Fossil Fuel Advertising and Sponsorship
33 speeches (9,600 words) Monday 7th July 2025 - Westminster Hall Department for Energy Security & Net Zero Mentions: 1: Simon Opher (Lab - Stroud) Friend the Member for Manchester Rusholme (Afzal Khan) mentioned—more than smoking does—and is associated - Link to Speech |
Select Committee Documents |
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Friday 11th July 2025
Special Report - 3rd Special Report - Legislative scrutiny: Mental Health Bill: Government Response Human Rights (Joint Committee) Found: Commons Juliet Campbell (Labour; Broxtowe) Tom Gordon (Liberal Democrat; Harrogate and Knaresborough) Afzal Khan |
Friday 11th July 2025
Special Report - Second Special Report: Accountability For Daesh Crimes: Government Response to the Committee's Second Report of Session 2024 - 2025 Human Rights (Joint Committee) Found: Commons Juliet Campbell (Labour; Broxtowe) Tom Gordon (Liberal Democrat; Harrogate and Knaresborough) Afzal Khan |
Tuesday 1st July 2025
Oral Evidence - Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson Human Rights (Joint Committee) Found: Alton of Liverpool (The Chair); Juliet Campbell; Lord Dholakia; Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws; Afzal Khan |
Bill Documents |
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Jul. 09 2025
Committee of the whole House Amendments as at 9 July 2025 - large print Universal Credit Bill 2024-26 Amendment Paper Found: Jon Trickett Ms Diane Abbott Rebecca Long Bailey Apsana Begum Imran Hussain Kim Johnson Afzal Khan |
Jul. 09 2025
Committee of the whole House Proceedings as at 9 July 2025 Universal Credit Bill 2024-26 Bill proceedings: Commons Found: Jon Trickett Ms Diane Abbott Rebecca Long Bailey Apsana Begum Imran Hussain Kim Johnson Afzal Khan |
Jul. 09 2025
Committee of the whole House Amendments as at as at 9 July 2025 Universal Credit Bill 2024-26 Amendment Paper Found: Jon Trickett Ms Diane Abbott Rebecca Long Bailey Apsana Begum Imran Hussain Kim Johnson Afzal Khan |
Jul. 08 2025
Notices of Amendments as at 8 July 2025 Universal Credit Bill 2024-26 Amendment Paper Found: Jon Trickett Ms Diane Abbott Rebecca Long Bailey Apsana Begum Imran Hussain Kim Johnson Afzal Khan |
Jul. 08 2025
Notices of Amendments as at 8 July 2025 - large print Universal Credit Bill 2024-26 Amendment Paper Found: Jon Trickett Ms Diane Abbott Rebecca Long Bailey Apsana Begum Imran Hussain Kim Johnson Afzal Khan |
Jun. 18 2025
All proceedings up to 18 June 2025 at Report Stage Crime and Policing Bill 2024-26 Bill proceedings: Commons Found: Duncan Smith Mr Mark Francois Wendy Morton Greg Smith Carolyn Harris Dame Harriett Baldwin Afzal Khan |
Calendar |
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Wednesday 16th July 2025 2 p.m. Human Rights (Joint Committee) - Private Meeting View calendar - Add to calendar |
Select Committee Inquiry |
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10 Jul 2025
Human Rights of Children in the Social Care System in England Human Rights (Joint Committee) (Select) Not accepting submissions Out of nearly 12 million children living in England, over 400,000 are in the social care system at any one time.[1] Out of these, nearly 84,000 children in England are” in care” (i.e. being looked after by local authorities).[2] Across the UK, it is estimated that 107,000 children are in care.[3] In 2023, the then Government proposed a plan to reform children’s social care, in its “Stable Homes, Built on Love” strategy. It proposed a series of “missions” to improve the quality of the support provided to children and their families, such as providing better training to social workers, and listening more to children and young people. In 2024, the current Government announced the “biggest overhaul in a generation to children’s social care”, with the stated aim to provide a “wide range of new reform measures… to deliver better outcomes and a more secure life for children across the country”.[4] Against this background, this inquiry will consider the extent to which the human rights of children in England are protected in the social care system. This inquiry will have a particular focus on children in care (“looked after children”), but wider aspects of the children’s social care system will be relevant, for example in regard to the availability of additional support to families with disabled children or to the efficacy of early intervention measures.
[1] This figure includes children in care as well as children assessed as needing help and protection as a result of risks to their development or health. Ofsted, Main findings: children’s social care in England 2024. [2] Ofsted, Main findings: children’s social care in England 2024. A child is in care, or is a “looked after child” if they are in local authority care by reason of a care order or are being provided with accommodation under section 20 of the 1989 Act for more than 24 hours with the agreement of the parents, or of the child if the child is aged 16 or over (section 22(1) and (2) of the 1989 Act). [3] Become, Why the care system has to change [4] Biggest overhaul in a generation to children’s social care - GOV.UK |
23 Jul 2025
Proposal for a draft Human Rights Act 1998 (Remedial) Order 2025 Human Rights (Joint Committee) (Select) Not accepting submissions Background Section 9(3) of the Human Rights Act 1998 provides that in proceedings under that Act in respect of a judicial act done in good faith, damages may not be awarded except in two circumstances. The first is to compensate a person to the extent required by Article 5(5) of the European Convention on Human Rights (‘ECHR’) (deprivation of liberty). The second is to compensate a person for a judicial act that is incompatible with Article 6 ECHR (right to fair trial) in circumstances where the person is detained and, but for the incompatibility, the person would not have been detained or would not have been detained for so long. In the case of Re W (A Child) [2016] EWCA Civ 1140, the Court of Appeal found that accusations of professional misconduct against a witness made by a Family Court judge breached her rights under Article 8 of the ECHR (right to respect for private life). In its judgment of 22 June 2021 in SW v United Kingdom (Application no. 87/18), the European Court of Human Rights held that there had been a violation of Article 13 of the ECHR (right to an effective remedy), because the effect of section 9(3) of the Human Rights Act 1998 was that the witness could not bring a claim for damages in respect of a judicial act that was incompatible with Article 8. Government proposals On 17 July 2025, the Government laid before both Houses of Parliament its proposal for a Remedial Order to amend the Human Rights Act 1998. The proposed order is intended to give effect to the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in SW v United Kingdom, by remedying the incompatibility of section 9(3) of the Human Rights Act 1998 with Article 13 of the ECHR. The Government proposes to address this incompatibility by amending section 9(3) to allow damages to be awarded to compensate a person for a judicial act on an additional basis: that the judicial act is incompatible with Article 8 on the ground that it was done in such a procedurally defective way as to amount to a breach of the requirements of procedural fairness under that Article. Section 9(3) of the Human Rights Act 1998 was previously amended by the Human Rights Act 1998 (Remedial) Order 2020 to give effect to the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Hammerton v United Kingdom (Application no. 6287/10). See the Fifteenth Report of the Joint Committee on Human Rights of Session 2017-19, and its Second Report of Session 2019-21.
Remedial Orders Section 10 of the Human Rights Act 1998 gives Ministers of the Crown the power to make remedial orders. The section applies if it appears to the Minister that, having regard to a finding of the European Court of Human Rights in proceedings against the United Kingdom, a provision of legislation is incompatible with an obligation of the United Kingdom arising from the Convention. In those circumstances, the Minister may by order make such amendments to the legislation as the Minister considers necessary to remove the incompatibility, if the Minister considers that there are compelling reasons for doing so. Reporting on the proposal The Joint Committee on Human Rights is required to report to Parliament on any proposal for a remedial order to be made under the Human Rights Act 1998. The Committee has 60 sitting days to report to each House its recommendation whether a draft order in the same terms as the proposal should be laid before the House. |
25 Jun 2025
Human Rights and the Regulation of AI Human Rights (Joint Committee) (Select) Submit Evidence (by 5 Sep 2025)
In recent years there has been growth in the development and application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. These can be used for a wide variety of applications. There is no universally agreed definition of AI or AI technologies. The then Government’s 2023 policy paper on “A pro-innovation approach to AI regulation” defined Artificial Intelligence (AI), AI systems or AI technologies as “products and services that are ‘adaptable’ and ‘autonomous’.” Adaptability refers to AI systems, after being trained, developing the ability to perform new ways of finding patterns and connections in data that are not directly envisioned by their human programmers. Autonomy refers to AI systems making decisions without the intent or ongoing control of a human. Many argue that AI technologies can offer great benefits to individuals and society – for example, assisting in decision-making and improving productivity. Others are concerned about risks such as:
On 5 September 2024, the UK signed the Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law. It is the first legally binding treaty in this area and "aims to ensure that activities within the lifecycle of artificial intelligence systems are fully consistent with human rights, democracy and the rule of law, while being conducive to technological progress and innovation." The UK also adheres to the OECD’s AI Principles, which were the “first intergovernmental standard on AI”. The five principles are:
The UK Government has signalled its intention to “bring forward legislation which allows us to safely realise the enormous benefits and opportunities of the most powerful AI systems for years to come.” (PQ 41098 on Artificial Intelligence: Regulation, 31 March 2025) Against this backdrop, the Joint Committee on Human Rights will explore what regulation might be required in order to safeguard human rights when AI technologies are being developed and used, and any implications this might have for future legislation. The inquiry will not be considering topics such as social media, misinformation and harmful algorithms,[3] or how malign actors are seeking to undermine democracy.[4] While these are important topics, they are outside the scope of this inquiry.
[1] POSTbrief 57, Artificial intelligence: An explainer, 14 December 2023 [2] UK Parliament, Artificial Intelligence (AI) glossary, January 2024 [3] The subject of a report by the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee: Social media, misinformation and harmful algorithms [4] The subject of a current inquiry by the Foreign Affairs Committee: Disinformation diplomacy: How malign actors are seeking to undermine democracy |