Asked by: Angus MacDonald (Liberal Democrat - Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help strengthen the UK’s relationship with Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK maintains a strong relationship with Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), working closely on improving BiH's defence capabilities, tackling organised crime, and facilitating reconciliation. We engage intensively, including through the Peace Implementation Council, to support the country's security and stability. Most recently, in May, the Foreign Secretary and UK Special Envoy to the Western Balkans visited BiH and met key leaders to underline our support. I reaffirmed this when I met BiH Foreign Minister Konaković at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in April, and with Presidency members Komšić and Bećirović in London on 17 June. The UK looks forward to hosting BiH at the upcoming Berlin Process summit.
Asked by: Angus MacDonald (Liberal Democrat - Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent diplomatic steps his Department has taken to help promote freedom of religion or belief in Nigeria.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government is deeply concerned about the ongoing violence in Nigeria's Middle Belt and we express our sincere concern for all those impacted. The root causes of intercommunal violence are complex and often linked to land disputes, historical tensions, and criminal activity. While religion is not a causal factor in these conflicts, the impacts are felt acutely by religious communities, including hindering people's ability to practice their faith freely. The UK supports all affected communities, regardless of faith or ethnicity, and is working through programmes like Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria and the UK-Nigeria Security and Defence Partnership to promote peace, strengthen local institutions, and protect civilians. The UK remains committed to defending Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), with Nigeria a priority country under the new FoRB strategy, and we will continue to raise this issue in our engagements with Nigeria.
Asked by: Angus MacDonald (Liberal Democrat - Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what criteria his Department uses to decide when to recognise the state of Palestine.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK commitment to a two-state solution is unwavering. We are committed to recognising a Palestinian state at a time that has the most impact in achieving this reality and is most conducive to long-term prospects for peace. We are clear that does not need to be at the end of a process. UK bilateral recognition is the single most important action the UK can take with regard to Palestinian statehood. That is why it is important to get the timing right so that it creates genuine momentum and is not simply a symbolic gesture. We are continuing to engage all partners on advancing a two-state solution and supporting the foundations of Palestinian statehood.
Palestinian statehood is the right of the Palestinian people. It is not in the gift of any neighbour and is also essential to the long-term security of Israel. The people of the West Bank and Gaza must be given the political perspective of a credible route to a Palestinian state and a new future. That is why this Government supports a two-state solution that guarantees security and stability for both the Israeli and Palestinian people. The Government agrees strongly on the importance of recognition, and that is why we will make sure the timing is right. We are committed to recognising a Palestinian state at a time that has the most impact in achieving this reality and is most conducive to long-term prospects for peace.
Asked by: Angus MacDonald (Liberal Democrat - Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to maintain progress towards (a) a two-state solution in Israel and Palestine and (b) the recognition of a Palestinian state by the United Kingdom.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK commitment to a two-state solution is unwavering. We are committed to recognising a Palestinian state at a time that has the most impact in achieving this reality and is most conducive to long-term prospects for peace. We are clear that does not need to be at the end of a process. UK bilateral recognition is the single most important action the UK can take with regard to Palestinian statehood. That is why it is important to get the timing right so that it creates genuine momentum and is not simply a symbolic gesture. We are continuing to engage all partners on advancing a two-state solution and supporting the foundations of Palestinian statehood.
Palestinian statehood is the right of the Palestinian people. It is not in the gift of any neighbour and is also essential to the long-term security of Israel. The people of the West Bank and Gaza must be given the political perspective of a credible route to a Palestinian state and a new future. That is why this Government supports a two-state solution that guarantees security and stability for both the Israeli and Palestinian people. The Government agrees strongly on the importance of recognition, and that is why we will make sure the timing is right. We are committed to recognising a Palestinian state at a time that has the most impact in achieving this reality and is most conducive to long-term prospects for peace.
Asked by: Angus MacDonald (Liberal Democrat - Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has had discussions with representatives of the food industry on the health impact of ultra-processed foods.
Answered by Ashley Dalton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department regularly engages a range of stakeholders including in the food industry. My rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has had no meetings with the food industry specifically on the health impact of ultra-processed foods.
Asked by: Angus MacDonald (Liberal Democrat - Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has had recent discussions with education stakeholders on the inclusion of financial education in the curriculum review.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)
The Curriculum and Assessment Review is evaluating the existing national curriculum and statutory assessment system in England, to ensure they are fit for purpose, and to ensure a rich, broad, inclusive and innovative curriculum that readies young people for life and work.
The Review is being informed by evidence, data and in close consultation with education professionals and other experts, parents, children and young people, and other stakeholders such as employers, universities and trade unions. This includes over 7,000 responses to the public call for evidence, and a range of research and polling.
During the public consultation, the Review Group heard consistently from parents and children that they want more focus on the applied knowledge and skills that will equip them for later life and work, such as financial education. The Review is considering whether there is sufficient coverage of these skills within subjects, and how content can remain relevant and support young people to thrive in a fast-changing world. The Review’s final report and recommendations will be published in the autumn.
Asked by: Angus MacDonald (Liberal Democrat - Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the effectiveness of existing financial education provision in helping pupils understand (a) saving, (b) budgeting, (c) mortgages and (d) banking.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)
I refer the hon. Member for Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire to the answer of 9 April 2025 to Question 43513.
Asked by: Angus MacDonald (Liberal Democrat - Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that financial education in schools adequately prepares young people for (a) adult life and (b) work.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)
I refer the hon. Member for Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire to the answer of 9 April 2025 to Question 43513.
Asked by: Angus MacDonald (Liberal Democrat - Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of including financial education provision in primary schools as part of the national curriculum.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Education)
The Curriculum and Assessment Review is evaluating the existing national curriculum and statutory assessment system in England, to ensure they are fit for purpose, and to ensure a rich, broad, inclusive and innovative curriculum that readies young people for life and work.
The Review is being informed by evidence, data and in close consultation with education professionals and other experts, parents, children and young people, and other stakeholders such as employers, universities and trade unions. This includes over 7,000 responses to the public call for evidence, and a range of research and polling.
During the public consultation, the Review Group heard consistently from parents and children that they want more focus on the applied knowledge and skills that will equip them for later life and work, such as financial education. The Review is considering whether there is sufficient coverage of these skills within subjects, and how content can remain relevant and support young people to thrive in a fast-changing world. The Review’s final report and recommendations will be published in the autumn.
Asked by: Angus MacDonald (Liberal Democrat - Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to help strengthen the UK’s relationship with Bulgaria.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Bulgaria remains a key partner and North Atlantic Treaty Organization ally for the United Kingdom, and we cooperate on many key priorities including Russia-Ukraine and tackling organised immigration crime. We signed a Strategic Partnership in October 2023, and held the first of our yearly Strategic Dialogues in Sofia in June 2025, providing an opportunity to discuss a range of bilateral and international priorities. The Foreign Secretary met Foreign Minister Georgiev on 21 July in London, and on 17 January in Sofia, where they discussed the full range of the bilateral relationship. The Minister for the Cabinet Office met the Interior and Foreign Ministers in Sofia on 17 June when he visited regarding the roll-out of eGates to UK nationals. I met the Bulgarian Ambassador to London on 23 June.