Asked by: Christine Jardine (Liberal Democrat - Edinburgh West)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what consideration has made of improving paternity leave entitlement for self employed fathers.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
I thank the Honourable Member for campaigning on behalf of new parents.
The current parental leave and pay system was designed around employee-employer relationships, as employee parents have less flexibility over how and when they work. This may leave self-employed parents and partners without support.
This is being considered as part of the Review of Parental Leave and Pay System, which is examining all entitlements, and whether the support available meets the needs of working families who do not qualify for entitlements, including the self-employed. Findings are expected in early 2027.
Asked by: Christine Jardine (Liberal Democrat - Edinburgh West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps is the UK taking to help the Syrian Government develop governance and security structures which reflect the religious and ethnic makeup of that country.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
I refer the Rt Hon Member to the answer provided by the former Minister for the Middle East on 4 June in response to Question 5915.
Asked by: Christine Jardine (Liberal Democrat - Edinburgh West)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what support or emergency grant funding her Department provides to animal welfare charities and rescue shelters experiencing high surrender rates of pets.
Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra meets with stakeholders regularly to understand issues and trends that are affecting the companion animal sector, including the impact of the rise in the cost of living on pet keepers and welfare organisations.
This Government does not provide grant funding to animal welfare charities and rescue shelters, however, it welcomes the support such stakeholders are providing such as through pet food banks and financial support with veterinary treatment, which is helping to reduce the pressure on pet owners and the risk of pet abandonment.
Additionally, the Codes of Practice for Dogs and Cats remind prospective owners that owning a pet is a major responsibility, including financial and time implications which should be considered before getting a pet.
Asked by: Christine Jardine (Liberal Democrat - Edinburgh West)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the role of small engine supplies on the number of small boat crossings in the English Channel.
Answered by Jo White - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)
The creation of the Border Security Command (BSC) in 2024 brought together the UK's response to organised immigration crime, strengthening coordination across law enforcement, intelligence and international partners to tackle the criminal networks facilitating illegal migration.
Since 2024, the National Crime Agency working with international partners have disrupted the supply chains used by organised immigration crime groups. This includes action against suppliers, facilitators and money launderers, as well as the seizure of more than 1,100 boats and engines since the election, preventing equipment from being used in dangerous small boat crossings
We are confident this coordinated approach is delivering results. The lower number of small boat arrivals seen in 2026 reflects the sustained activity being undertaken across the border security system to secure the border and target the criminal gangs behind these crossings.
Asked by: Christine Jardine (Liberal Democrat - Edinburgh West)
Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps she has taken to review levels of gambling advertising.
Answered by Vicky Foxcroft - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
The Government is clear that all policy and regulatory decisions related to gambling advertising must be made by considering a wide range of impartial, accurate and up-to-date research.
We will always consider a wide range of evidence, including on the volume of advertising, when making policy and regulatory decisions. This remains an area we keep under regular review.
Asked by: Christine Jardine (Liberal Democrat - Edinburgh West)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what consideration she has given to piloting solar PV reuse schemes.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
This is not something the government has given consideration, although we are aware markets exist for second hand solar PV in the UK and that countries such as Australia are piloting recycling schemes.
Legislation is in place to control the disposal of solar equipment at the end of its life for the collection and recycling of old PV panels with some companies globally and in the UK able to take the materials from the panels to use in different industries.
Asked by: Christine Jardine (Liberal Democrat - Edinburgh West)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what consideration has she given to the potential merits of introducing a government wide strategy to reduce overfishing in UK waters.
Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government is committed to maintaining or restoring fish stocks to sustainable levels whilst supporting the long-term viability of the UK fishing industry.
The Government's approach to reducing the risk of overfishing is set out through the Fisheries Act 2020, Joint Fisheries Statement and Fisheries Management Plans (FMPs), which together provide the UK's strategic framework for sustainable fisheries management. Eleven Defra-led FMPs have been published and are being implemented, with the final four due to be published this year.
Our approach is based on the best available scientific advice and supports the sustainable management of fish stocks over the long term.
Asked by: Christine Jardine (Liberal Democrat - Edinburgh West)
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 support humanitarian access into Sudan to provide aid for civilians.
Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK has worked ceaselessly since the conflict broke out to push for a ceasefire, prevent atrocities, and this year will spend £146 million on humanitarian aid, making us the third largest bilateral donor.
As UN Security Council (UNSC) penholder for Sudan, we have secured eight resolutions and twelve press statements galvanising global action in support of a ceasefire. In April, we co-hosted the International Sudan Conference in Berlin, which helped to cohere the 55 states present to press for a ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian access. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Ministers regularly speak to all those with influence on this conflict - including members of the Quad, the Quintet, and through our Special Representative to Sudan the warring parties themselves - to work towards a ceasefire.
Through our humanitarian funding this year, we are providing £15 million to local responders and mutual aid groups, who are often able to deliver aid to communities in the hardest-to-reach areas where international humanitarian organisations are often prevented from going.
Asked by: Christine Jardine (Liberal Democrat - Edinburgh West)
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 work toward a ceasefire in Sudan.
Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK has worked ceaselessly since the conflict broke out to push for a ceasefire, prevent atrocities, and this year will spend £146 million on humanitarian aid, making us the third largest bilateral donor.
As UN Security Council (UNSC) penholder for Sudan, we have secured eight resolutions and twelve press statements galvanising global action in support of a ceasefire. In April, we co-hosted the International Sudan Conference in Berlin, which helped to cohere the 55 states present to press for a ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian access. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Ministers regularly speak to all those with influence on this conflict - including members of the Quad, the Quintet, and through our Special Representative to Sudan the warring parties themselves - to work towards a ceasefire.
Through our humanitarian funding this year, we are providing £15 million to local responders and mutual aid groups, who are often able to deliver aid to communities in the hardest-to-reach areas where international humanitarian organisations are often prevented from going.
Asked by: Christine Jardine (Liberal Democrat - Edinburgh West)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of establishing a recognised second-life certification pathway for solar PV.
Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
This is not something we have made an assessment of, although note it would support the transition to a circular economy.
We note that solar panels are nontoxic, with around 85% of their materials being suitable for recycling.
Legislation is in place to control the disposal of solar equipment at the end of its life for the collection and recycling of old PV panels with some companies globally and in the UK able to take the materials from the panels to use in different industries.