Zarah Sultana Portrait

Zarah Sultana

Independent - Coventry South

10,201 (23.9%) majority - 2024 General Election

First elected: 12th December 2019


Science and Technology Committee
2nd Mar 2020 - 29th Nov 2022
Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
2nd Mar 2020 - 29th Nov 2022
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee
21st Sep 2020 - 22nd Feb 2021
Business and Trade Committee
21st Sep 2020 - 22nd Feb 2021


Division Voting information

During the current Parliament, Zarah Sultana has voted in 143 divisions, and 1 time against the majority of their Party.

23 Jul 2024 - Immigration and Home Affairs - View Vote Context
Zarah Sultana voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 7 Labour Aye votes vs 361 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 103 Noes - 363
View All Zarah Sultana Division Votes

Debates during the 2024 Parliament

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
David Lammy (Labour)
Foreign Secretary
(9 debate interactions)
Keir Starmer (Labour)
Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury
(7 debate interactions)
Lindsay Hoyle (Speaker)
(4 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Home Office
(5 debate contributions)
Cabinet Office
(4 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Zarah Sultana's debates

Coventry South Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Zarah Sultana has not participated in any petition debates

Latest EDMs signed by Zarah Sultana

3rd June 2025
Zarah Sultana signed this EDM on Tuesday 3rd June 2025

Climate Finance Fund (Fossil Fuels and Pollution) Bill

Tabled by: Richard Burgon (Labour - Leeds East)
That this House welcomes the contribution made by the Climate Finance Fund (Fossil Fuels and Pollution) Bill, published on 15 May 2025, to the debate on how to fund the urgent action needed to address climate change; welcomes the Bill’s emphasis on the ‘polluter pays’ principle that fossil fuel giants …
31 signatures
(Most recent: 4 Jun 2025)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 23
Independent: 7
Social Democratic & Labour Party: 2
Green Party: 1
19th May 2025
Zarah Sultana signed this EDM as a sponsor on Thursday 22nd May 2025

Gary Lineker's contribution to Match of the Day

Tabled by: Shockat Adam (Independent - Leicester South)
That this House pays tribute to the extraordinary career and enduring legacy of Gary Lineker as he retires from his role on Match of the Day; celebrates him not only as one of England’s greatest ever goal scorers and a former England team captain, but as the beating heart of …
14 signatures
(Most recent: 6 Jun 2025)
Signatures by party:
Independent: 7
Labour: 6
Green Party: 1
View All Zarah Sultana's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Zarah Sultana, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


Zarah Sultana has not been granted any Urgent Questions

Zarah Sultana has not been granted any Adjournment Debates

3 Bills introduced by Zarah Sultana


A Bill to extend eligibility for free school meals to all children in state primary schools; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 40%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 15th September 2023

A Bill to make provision for an inquiry into the end use of arms sold to foreign states to determine whether they have been used in violation of international law; to immediately suspend the sale of arms to foreign states where it cannot be demonstrated that arms sold will not be used in violation of international law; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading
Tuesday 21st January 2025
Next Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 11th July 2025
Order Paper number: 58
(Unlikely to be Debated - would require unanimous consent to progress)

A Bill to make provision for an inquiry into the end use of arms sold to foreign states to determine whether they have been used in violation of international law; to immediately suspend the sale of arms to foreign states where it cannot be demonstrated that arms sold will not be used in violation of international law; and for connected purposes.

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 2nd Reading
Friday 19th January 2024
(Read Debate)

Latest 29 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
14th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will publish a list of all previously controlled goods removed from the UK Strategic Export Control Lists in the last 10 years.

The Export Control Act 2002 and the Export Control Order 2008 provide the legal framework for the UK’s strategic export controls.

Through this, HM Government controls the export of a range of military and “dual-use” items in the UK Strategic Export Control Lists. Changes to the UK’s control lists are made periodically primarily to implement our obligations under multi-lateral export control regimes, but also to introduce or amend national controls.

Changes to the list are published on legislation.gov.uk.

Douglas Alexander
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
14th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether any types of unmanned aerial vehicle engines have been removed from (a) ML10d and (b) 9A001 of the UK Strategic Export Control Lists since 2020.

Since 2020 the only changes made to the ML10d & 9A001 control entries were, respectively, to exclude aero engines originally manufactured prior to 1946 and to delete the control on aero gas turbine engines for aircraft able to cruise above Mach 1. It is considered that these changes do not substantively alter the extent of the controls that apply to engines designed for unmanned aerial vehicles.

Douglas Alexander
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
14th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has exempted the company RCV Engines Ltd from applying for arms export licenses for the sale of (a) engines and (b) engine parts.

The requirement for an export licence for military and dual-use goods is set out in the Export Control Order 2008. Export licence applications for all controlled goods are rigorously assessed on a case-by-case basis against strict assessment criteria, the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria.

The Export Control Joint Unit does not issue exemptions from requirements for export licences except those specifically prescribed in law (e.g. the list of controlled goods under the 2008 Order exempts any engine manufactured before 1946). Where individual licence applications include items that are not covered by the 2008 Order, exporters can be informed that no licence is required.

Douglas Alexander
Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
11th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of mental health and wellbeing support for children with special educational needs in primary education.

Schools are required to identify and address the special educational needs (SEN) of the pupils they support and, in the case of mainstream settings, to use their best endeavours to make sure that a child or young person who has SEN gets the support they need. All schools should apply the ‘graduated approach’ that is outlined in the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) code of practice, which means identifying a child’s needs, planning appropriate support, implementing that support and reviewing it regularly to ensure it continues to meet the identified needs. Through this, schools should develop personalised approaches to supporting the unique needs of individual pupils.

The department is aware of the challenges in the SEND system, and we understand how urgently we need to address these. But these are complex issues which need a considered approach to deliver sustainable change.

This government’s ambition is that all children and young people with SEND or in alternative provision receive the right support to succeed in their education and as they move into adult life.

We want to drive a consistent and inclusive approach to supporting children and young people with SEND through early identification, effective support, high-quality teaching and effective allocation of resources. The department is also working closely with experts on reforms, who will play a key role in convening and engaging with the sector, including leaders, practitioners, children and families, as we consider the next steps for the future of SEND reform.

This government will expand mental health support teams so that every young person has access to early support to address problems before they escalate. We will also be putting in place new Young Futures Hubs, including access to mental health support workers, and will recruit an additional 8,500 new mental health staff to treat children and adults.

The department has already provided a resource hub for mental health leads, which signposts practical resources and tools to embed effective whole-school approaches. To further help schools identify and embed the most effective targeted support options for their setting, we have also launched a targeted mental wellbeing toolkit. This practical guide and tool covers a range of evidence-based interventions.

On top of this, schools are also able to arrange their own mental health interventions that are best suited to their pupils using the core revenue funding they receive from the department.

Schools are also able to spend pupil premium funding on providing mental health support. Schools must use pupil premium in line with the department’s ‘menu of approaches’. The list of approaches was published in the 2024 policy document ‘Using pupil premium, guidance for school leaders’, which can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65cf69384239310011b7b91f/Using_Pupil_Premium_-_Guidance_for_School_Leaders.pdf.

The Autumn Budget 2024 confirmed an additional £2.3 billion for the core schools budget for the 2025/26 financial year compared to 2024/25. This means that overall core schools funding will reach over £63.9 billion in the 2025/26 financial year.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
11th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to improve accountability mechanisms for schools that do not provide adequate support for children with special educational needs.

The department is committed to improving our approach to accountability for all schools. We are working with Ofsted to ensure that schools are inspected against clear, rigorous expectations for the inclusivity of special educational needs and disabilities provision.

The consultation on improving the way Ofsted inspects education runs until 28 April 2025 and can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/improving-the-way-ofsted-inspects-education.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
4th Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of including (a) taekwondo and (b) other martial arts in the activity lists for (i) GCSE, (ii) AS and (iii) A-Level physical education.

The current GCSE, AS and A level PE activity lists were last reviewed in 2018. These lists are based upon the reliability and practicality of activities as a basis for assessing whether students had demonstrated the skills required by the relevant qualification specification.

The government has launched an independent Curriculum and Assessment Review covering ages 5–18, chaired by Professor Becky Francis CBE. The Review will consider the current qualification pathways available at Key Stages 4 and 5. A call for evidence will be published in the coming weeks which will set out the areas where the review group would particularly welcome input. More information about the Review is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-launches-curriculum-and-assessment-review. Decisions on any possible changes to specifications and assessment arrangements for exams will be taken in the light of the Review.

Catherine McKinnell
Minister of State (Education)
4th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to increase the availability of practical driving tests in Coventry South constituency.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times.

On the 18 December, DVSA set out further plans to reduce driving test waiting times across the country. These steps include recruiting 450 driving examiners (DEs). Full details of these steps can be found on GOV.UK.

To ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a practical driving test, DVSA continues to work hard to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests and has announced further measures to review the driving test booking system.

On the 18 December 2024, a call for evidence was launched, seeking views on the current rules to book tests. This will lead to consultation on improving processes, with potential future legislative changes.

On 6 January 2025, DVSA also introduced tougher terms and conditions for the service driving instructors use to book and manage car driving tests for their pupils.

DVSA continues recruitment for DEs at driving test centres (DTCs) that serve customers in Coventry South and is currently working through the recruitment process from recent campaigns.

As part of this, DVSA has two potential new DEs for Coventry DTC in training. Another potential new DE is currently undergoing checks as part of the recruitment process.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
4th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to prevent (a) the bulk buying of driving tests by bot accounts and (b) the reselling of driving slots.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times.

On the 18 December, DVSA set out further plans to reduce driving test waiting times across the country. These steps include recruiting 450 driving examiners (DEs). Full details of these steps can be found on GOV.UK.

To ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a practical driving test, DVSA continues to work hard to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests and has announced further measures to review the driving test booking system.

On the 18 December 2024, a call for evidence was launched, seeking views on the current rules to book tests. This will lead to consultation on improving processes, with potential future legislative changes.

On 6 January 2025, DVSA also introduced tougher terms and conditions for the service driving instructors use to book and manage car driving tests for their pupils.

DVSA continues recruitment for DEs at driving test centres (DTCs) that serve customers in Coventry South and is currently working through the recruitment process from recent campaigns.

As part of this, DVSA has two potential new DEs for Coventry DTC in training. Another potential new DE is currently undergoing checks as part of the recruitment process.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
4th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what support she is providing to the DVSA to improve the recruitment of driving instructors and reduce driving test waiting times.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s (DVSA) main priority is upholding road safety standards while it works hard to reduce car practical driving test waiting times.

On the 18 December, DVSA set out further plans to reduce driving test waiting times across the country. These steps include recruiting 450 driving examiners (DEs). Full details of these steps can be found on GOV.UK.

To ensure fairness for everyone wanting to book a practical driving test, DVSA continues to work hard to combat the unscrupulous practice of reselling tests and has announced further measures to review the driving test booking system.

On the 18 December 2024, a call for evidence was launched, seeking views on the current rules to book tests. This will lead to consultation on improving processes, with potential future legislative changes.

On 6 January 2025, DVSA also introduced tougher terms and conditions for the service driving instructors use to book and manage car driving tests for their pupils.

DVSA continues recruitment for DEs at driving test centres (DTCs) that serve customers in Coventry South and is currently working through the recruitment process from recent campaigns.

As part of this, DVSA has two potential new DEs for Coventry DTC in training. Another potential new DE is currently undergoing checks as part of the recruitment process.

Lilian Greenwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
4th Sep 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the accessibility of (a) buses, (b) trains and (c) other public transport for disabled people; and what steps she plans to take to improve such accessibility.

This Government is fully committed to our promise to deliver reliable, affordable and accessible transport, with accessibility at the heart of our bold reforms for bus and rail reform and improved passenger standards across the transport network.

The Department has recently published an annual evaluation of accessibility through the Inclusive Transport Strategy scorecard, based upon analysis by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen). In addition to this the department publishes annual statistics on disability, accessibility and blue badge holding, which includes data on public satisfaction with different aspects of public transport provision. The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee is the Department’s expert committee on accessibility, making sure that proper consideration and assessment of disabled people’s views and needs are central to our decision making.

Simon Lightwood
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
12th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps her Department is taking to increase (a) transparency and (b) control for consumers in the defined contribution pension transfer process, in relation to the inability of Independent Financial Advisers or pension holders to execute transfers based on a specified date or value.

The Department is working with regulatory bodies, the pensions industry and other stakeholders to identify and explore potential changes to pension transfer processes that will enable greater efficiency, whilst providing savers with effective consumer protection.

In December 2024, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published a discussion paper (DP24/3). The document sought views on how to ensure that consumers who ask to transfer or consolidate, do so on a well-informed basis. It also explores how pension providers can action these requests both diligently and efficiently.

The FCA is working closely with the Department for Work and Pensions as it analyses the feedback received and determines next steps.

Additionally, DWP officials have conducted work with other government departments, pensions institutions, consumer organisations and the pensions industry to consider if the practical application of the Conditions for Pension Transfer regulations could be improved, whilst retaining appropriate levels of protection for pension scheme members.

We will look to share the outcome of these areas of work as soon as it is practical to do so.

Torsten Bell
Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
7th Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of the additional £880 million allocated to the Social Care Grant.

The £880 million uplift in the Social Care Grant is in recognition of the important role local authorities have in commissioning and delivering social care services. This funding will support social care delivery and will take the total funding in the Social Care Grant to £5.9 billion in 2025/26.

This additional funding forms one part of a wider increase in local government funding, with up to £3.7 billion of additional funding being made available for social care authorities in 2025-26. Overall, the Government is providing an increase to core local government spending power in 2025/26 of 6% in cash terms.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is responsible for ensuring the adequacy of local government budgets. The Department of Health and Social Care will continue working closely with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, local authorities, and the adult social care sector to understand what the impact of cost and demand pressures will be on service delivery and budgets.

Stephen Kinnock
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
15th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many times the International Humanitarian Law Compliance Assessment Process Cell has submitted assessments on Israel's compliance with international humanitarian law since July 2024.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has carried out regular International Humanitarian Law assessments since the beginning of the conflict on 7 October 2023. To date we have undertaken 14 assessments. Further information on the assessment process can be found on Gov.uk:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/summary-of-the-international-humanitarian-law-ihl-process-decision-and-the-factors-taken-into-account/summary-of-the-ihl-process-decision-and-the-factors-taken-into-account

Hamish Falconer
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
15th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the International Humanitarian Law Compliance Assessment Process Cell has requested access to footage from the Royal Air Force's surveillance missions over Gaza.

Our International Humanitarian Law (IHL) assessments include information from a wide range of sources, including a third-party contractor specialising in geolocation verification and consider analysis from a wide range of sources including the UN, Non-Governmental Organisations, media and organisations on the ground.

The UK's operational mandate has been narrowly defined to focus on securing the release of the hostages only. These Royal Air Force surveillance flights are unarmed and do not have a combat role. We will not comment further on detailed intelligence matters to protect operational security.

Hamish Falconer
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
15th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has used contractors to provide (a) information and (b) analysis to the International Humanitarian Law Compliance Assessment Process Cell.

Our International Humanitarian Law (IHL) assessments include information from a wide range of sources, including a third-party contractor specialising in geolocation verification and consider analysis from a wide range of sources including the UN, Non-Governmental Organisations, media and organisations on the ground.

The UK's operational mandate has been narrowly defined to focus on securing the release of the hostages only. These Royal Air Force surveillance flights are unarmed and do not have a combat role. We will not comment further on detailed intelligence matters to protect operational security.

Hamish Falconer
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
7th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to make an assessment of Israel's compliance with international humanitarian law in the context of its airstrikes in the Israeli-designated safe zone in Al-Mawasi in southern Gaza on 13 July 2024.

On 2 September 2024 we suspended export licences to Israel for use in military operations in Gaza, following a review into Israel's compliance with International Humanitarian Law (IHL) which concluded there was a clear risk that some UK exports might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of IHL. Our ongoing IHL assessments are informed by legal advice, and supported by a detailed evidence base, including reporting and analysis from international bodies, Non-Governmental Organisations and partner countries and analysis of military incidents - including airstrikes - verified through an independent third-party provider. The assessments continue to raise concerns about possible breaches of IHL in the areas of humanitarian access and in the treatment of detainees. The lack of sufficient verifiable evidence about individual incidents means that in the majority of cases we are unable to reach a determination of Israel's compliance. However, our findings in relation to conduct in other areas give us cause for concern about Israel's overall commitment to IHL, including in the conduct of hostilities.

We are appalled by civilian casualties in Gaza and urgently call for an immediate return to a ceasefire. All parties must re-engage with negotiations to get hostages out, surge aid, and secure a permanent end to this conflict.

Hamish Falconer
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
7th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many and what proportion of the potential violations of international humanitarian law that have been assessed by the Government in relation to Israel’s actions in Gaza involved (a) F-35 jets and (b) 2000lb bombs.

On 2 September 2024 we suspended export licences to Israel for use in military operations in Gaza, following a review into Israel's compliance with International Humanitarian Law (IHL) which concluded there was a clear risk that some UK exports might be used to commit or facilitate a serious violation of IHL. It was necessary to exclude exports to the F-35 programme from the suspension, as previously set out to Parliament. This is due to the F-35 programme's broader strategic role in North Atlantic Treaty Organization and wider implications for international peace and security.

Our ongoing IHL assessments continue to raise concerns about possible breaches of IHL in the areas of humanitarian access and in the treatment of detainees. The lack of sufficient verifiable evidence means that we have not been able to reach a determination regarding Israel's IHL compliance in the conduct of hostilities. Our assessment findings give cause for concern about Israel's commitment to IHL generally, including in the conduct of hostilities.

Hamish Falconer
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will visit Alaa Abd el-Fattah during his visit to Egypt.

The UK remains committed to securing Alaa Abd El-Fattah's release so he can be reunited with his family. The Foreign Secretary raised Mr El-Fattah's case with the Egyptian Foreign Minister during his visit to Egypt on 23 January. The Prime Minister wrote to President Sisi to raise Mr El-Fattah's case on 8 January. The National Security Adviser, Jonathan Powell, raised with the Foreign Minister on 2 January. The UK will use the upcoming Universal Periodic Review on Egypt in January to raise issues relating to human rights. The Egyptian government does not recognise Mr El-Fattah as a British national and are refusing consular access. UK Government representatives are therefore unable to visit him in prison or communicate with him directly.

Hamish Falconer
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will use one of the three formal recommendations of the UK to the upcoming UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review on Egypt to advocate for the release of Alaa Abd el-Fattah.

The UK remains committed to securing Alaa Abd El-Fattah's release so he can be reunited with his family. The Foreign Secretary raised Mr El-Fattah's case with the Egyptian Foreign Minister during his visit to Egypt on 23 January. The Prime Minister wrote to President Sisi to raise Mr El-Fattah's case on 8 January. The National Security Adviser, Jonathan Powell, raised with the Foreign Minister on 2 January. The UK will use the upcoming Universal Periodic Review on Egypt in January to raise issues relating to human rights. The Egyptian government does not recognise Mr El-Fattah as a British national and are refusing consular access. UK Government representatives are therefore unable to visit him in prison or communicate with him directly.

Hamish Falconer
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
21st Jan 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made (a) to his Egyptian counterpart and (b) to the President of Egypt on the safe release of Alaa Abd el-Fattah.

The UK remains committed to securing Alaa Abd El-Fattah's release so he can be reunited with his family. The Foreign Secretary raised Mr El-Fattah's case with the Egyptian Foreign Minister during his visit to Egypt on 23 January. The Prime Minister wrote to President Sisi to raise Mr El-Fattah's case on 8 January. The National Security Adviser, Jonathan Powell, raised with the Foreign Minister on 2 January. The UK will use the upcoming Universal Periodic Review on Egypt in January to raise issues relating to human rights. The Egyptian government does not recognise Mr El-Fattah as a British national and are refusing consular access. UK Government representatives are therefore unable to visit him in prison or communicate with him directly.

Hamish Falconer
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
17th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the human rights situation in Islamabad, in the context of reports of deaths and mass detentions of protesters from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf on 26 and 27 November 2024.

The UK strongly supports individuals' rights to expression without censorship, intimidation or unnecessary restriction. We will continue to urge the Government of Pakistan to respect these fundamental freedoms, underlining that any human rights violations should be fully investigated in line with international human rights law. I raised the importance of upholding civil and political rights with senior Ministers, including the Minister for Human Rights and Interior Minister, on my visit to Pakistan last month. The British High Commission also regularly raises these issues with the Pakistani authorities at a senior level.

Hamish Falconer
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
17th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make representations to his Pakistani counterpart for an independent investigation into the deaths of civilians in Islamabad on 26 and 27 November 2024.

The UK strongly supports individuals' rights to expression without censorship, intimidation or unnecessary restriction. We will continue to urge the Government of Pakistan to respect these fundamental freedoms, underlining that any human rights violations should be fully investigated in line with international human rights law. I raised the importance of upholding civil and political rights with senior Ministers, including the Minister for Human Rights and Interior Minister, on my visit to Pakistan last month. The British High Commission also regularly raises these issues with the Pakistani authorities at a senior level.

Hamish Falconer
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
17th Dec 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to the Pakistani government to secure the safe release of Imran Khan.

The Foreign Secretary met with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on 24 October to discuss a range of key issues, including Pakistan's domestic political situation and Imran Khan's detention. I also raised this on my recent visit to Pakistan. While Pakistan's judicial processes are a domestic matter, we have been very clear that the Pakistani authorities need to respect fundamental freedoms, including the right to a fair trial, due process and humane detention. This applies to Imran Khan as it does to all Pakistan's citizens.

Hamish Falconer
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
6th Mar 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of predictive policing methods on freedom of association.

AI, and other technologies, can provide a wide range of benefits to improve efficiency and productivity in policing, as well as boosting public confidence by improving the prevention, detection and investigation of crime. However, the procurement and deployment of AI technology to assist with forecasting potential areas of crime or disorder, commonly known as 'predictive policing', must always be subject to strong safeguards.

The AI Covenant for Policing was agreed at National Police Chiefs Council in September 2023. This provides practical high-level principles that, if followed, will ensure that the police develop and use AI tools that are lawful, transparent, explainable, responsible, accountable and robust.

The Home Office has provided funding to support the National Police Chiefs Council AI Portfolio to drive consistency and create guidance for forces to develop and deploy AI tools, and we are undertaking further detailed work in this area. There are a number of essential wider protections in place, including the Public Sector Equality Duty, to ensure that all Government policies take account of the human rights impacts on individuals.

Diana Johnson
Minister of State (Home Office)
13th Feb 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to (a) identify and (b) protect survivors of modern slavery in the context of immigration enforcement raids.

I refer the Honourable Member to the Answer given on 19 February to Question 30592.

Angela Eagle
Minister of State (Home Office)
15th May 2025
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to his Department's letter dated 13 May 2025, reference MC2025/08064, how he decides whether intelligence collected by Royal Air Force surveillance missions over Gaza and shared with Israeli authorities will be used in accordance with international humanitarian law.

Defence activity with Israel, as with any other State, is subject to rigorous processes to ensure that it is compliant with domestic and international law.

Luke Pollard
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)
25th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an estimate of the proportion of F-35 components exported from the UK to the US that have since been received by Israel Government since October 2023.

The global distribution of F-35 components is controlled by the US Government led F-35 programme. The Government does not have visibility of F-35 components distributed by the programme to each F-35 nation and is unable to provide an estimate.

Maria Eagle
Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
26th Nov 2024
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment she has made of the (a) adequacy of the (i) provision of disabled toilets and (ii) systems that seek to ensure that only disabled people can access disabled toilets using RADAR keys and (b) effectiveness of (A) RADAR keys and (B) the National Key Scheme in offering disabled people independent access to locked public toilets.

This government has made no recent assessment of the adequacy of provision of wheelchair-accessible toilets. Research assessing layout and equipment of unisex wheelchair-accessible toilets has been published on GOV.UK but, as RADAR keys are not part of the regulated built fabric, research of their use was not included. RADAR keys involve a management oversight which goes beyond the powers and scope of the Building Act. The Building Act gives no powers to building control bodies over how buildings are operated post completion. RADAR keys are managed by building owners to serve the community of people able to access a RADAR key. The sale or use of RADAR keys is not a government backed scheme, nor is the design and use of RADAR keys an expectation of Part M of the Building Regulations. The functional requirement in Part M of the Building Regulations is for new building works to make reasonable provision for people to access and use a building and its facilities.

Alex Norris
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)