Asked by: James MacCleary (Liberal Democrat - Lewes)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of providing aid to women and girls in Afghanistan who had their special immigration visas for resettlement removed by the US government.
Answered by Hamish Falconer - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is committed to supporting the rights of all women and girls in Afghanistan. Decisions on how the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget will be used from 2026/27 onwards will be worked through as part of the ongoing Spending Review, based on various factors including impact assessments. In 2025/26 we have allocated up to £140 million to support those Afghans most in need, including marginalised and vulnerable groups. We also remain committed to ensuring at least 50 per cent of people reached by UK aid are women and girls.
Asked by: James MacCleary (Liberal Democrat - Lewes)
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 adequacy of the availability of (a) child psychologists and (b) other qualified specialists to assess severely disabled children for (i) ADHD and (ii) other neurodevelopmental conditions in (A) cases where a lack of assessment prevents access to appropriate (1) medication and (2) other support and (B) other cases.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
It is the responsibility of integrated care boards to make appropriate provision to meet the health and care needs of their local population, including access to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism assessments and support, in line with relevant National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines.
NHS England has established an ADHD taskforce which is bringing together those with lived experience with experts from the National Health Service, education, charity, and justice sectors to get a better understanding of the challenges affecting those with ADHD, including in accessing services and support. An interim report was published on 20 June, with the final report expected to be published later in the year, and we will carefully consider its recommendations.
The 10-Year Health Plan, published on 3 July 2025, sets out the core principle of early intervention and support, without the need for diagnosis, including specifically for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). In the autumn, the Government will bring forward a schools white paper, which will detail the Government’s approach to SEND reform, ensuring joined-up support for children and young people, including education and healthcare providers working together with other local services to plan and deliver evidence-based early interventions for children.
The 10-Year Health Plan also sets out plans for new neighbourhood health services to work in partnership with family hubs, schools, nurseries, and colleges to offer timely support to children, young people, and their families, including those with SEND.
Asked by: James MacCleary (Liberal Democrat - Lewes)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Answer of 16 May 2022 to Question 245 on Migrant Workers: Football, whether her Department considers football academies to be places of employment for children; and if she will take steps to ensure that children on dependent visas can participate in football academy non-professional developmental programmes.
Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)
The restriction on work as a ‘professional sportsperson’ is present in certain routes’ visa conditions, including for dependent children. The condition and associated definition have been established following extensive consultation with over 60 Home Office approved Sports Governing Bodies (SGBs), including the four home nations’ football associations (FAs). The restriction includes those registered at an academy of a professional or semi-professional sports team. The definition, and the visa condition restricting such activities, is currently being reviewed.
Asked by: James MacCleary (Liberal Democrat - Lewes)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department holds data on the number of EU airports which (a) offer and (b) are expected to offer e-gate access for UK passport holders by 23 July 2025.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
At the UK-EU Summit on 19 May, we secured confirmation that there will be no legal barriers for British nationals to use eGates after the introduction of the EU's Entry/Exit system (EES). Whether to grant British Citizens eGates access is a matter for Member States.
A number of Member States already offer British Citizens eGates access at certain airports and ports, in a range of circumstances, including Italy, France and Spain. We are working at pace with individual Member States to expand access to eGates for British Citizens where this is currently limited. Recently, Bulgaria has begun offering eGates access in Sofia airport and the UK-Germany Friendship and Bilateral Cooperation Treaty signed on 17 July commits to rolling out eGate access for frequent travellers by the end of August, followed by rollout for all UK nationals as soon as technically possible.
We anticipate more Member States will be able to offer access at further locations over the coming months.
Asked by: James MacCleary (Liberal Democrat - Lewes)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department holds data on the number of EU airports which (a) offer and (b) are expected to offer e-gate access for UK passport holders by 23 July 2025.
Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
At the UK-EU Summit on 19 May, we secured confirmation that there will be no legal barriers for British nationals to use eGates after the introduction of the EU's Entry/Exit system (EES). Whether to grant British Citizens eGates access is a matter for Member States.
A number of Member States already offer British Citizens eGates access at certain airports and ports, in a range of circumstances, including Italy, France and Spain. We are working at pace with individual Member States to expand access to eGates for British Citizens where this is currently limited. Recently, Bulgaria has begun offering eGates access in Sofia airport and the UK-Germany Friendship and Bilateral Cooperation Treaty signed on 17 July commits to rolling out eGate access for frequent travellers by the end of August, followed by rollout for all UK nationals as soon as technically possible.
We anticipate more Member States will be able to offer access at further locations over the coming months.
Asked by: James MacCleary (Liberal Democrat - Lewes)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has assessed the potential merits of a focus on plant-based foods in the forthcoming food strategy.
Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government is committed to ensuring access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food for all, and recognises the role that plant-based options can play in supporting a healthier, more sustainable, and resilient food system. Through the lens of a new food strategy, there is an opportunity to explore where we can go further to create a positive food culture with access to healthier diets for all.
The Eatwell Guide sets out government recommendations for a healthy diet. This guidance recognises the valuable contribution of plant-based foods and drinks, illustrating that both plant-based products and animal-based products can be part of a healthy balanced diet.
Asked by: James MacCleary (Liberal Democrat - Lewes)
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 adequacy of the availability of (a) child psychologists and (b) other qualified specialists to assess severely disabled children for (i) ADHD and (ii) other neurodevelopmental conditions where (A) a lack of assessment prevents access to appropriate medication and support and (B) in other circumstances.
Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
Asked by: James MacCleary (Liberal Democrat - Lewes)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of issuing national prescribing guidance to Integrated Care Boards to ensure the availability of Xonvea.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department recognises that hyperemesis gravidarum is a debilitating condition that can have a devastating impact on women and their families.
Decisions about what medicines to prescribe are made by the doctor or healthcare professional responsible for that part of the patient’s care. Prescribers are accountable for their prescribing decisions.
Prescribers must always satisfy themselves that the medicines they consider appropriate for their patients can be safely prescribed and that they take account of appropriate national guidance on clinical effectiveness, as well as the local commissioning decisions of their respective integrated care boards.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s guideline on antenatal care includes guidance on the advantages and disadvantages of different pharmacological treatments, including Xonvea, for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy to support shared decision making.
Asked by: James MacCleary (Liberal Democrat - Lewes)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure equitable access to Xonvea for women with hyperemesis gravidarum.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department recognises that hyperemesis gravidarum is a debilitating condition that can have a devastating impact on women and their families.
Decisions about what medicines to prescribe are made by the doctor or healthcare professional responsible for that part of the patient’s care. Prescribers are accountable for their prescribing decisions.
Prescribers must always satisfy themselves that the medicines they consider appropriate for their patients can be safely prescribed and that they take account of appropriate national guidance on clinical effectiveness, as well as the local commissioning decisions of their respective integrated care boards.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s guideline on antenatal care includes guidance on the advantages and disadvantages of different pharmacological treatments, including Xonvea, for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy to support shared decision making.
Asked by: James MacCleary (Liberal Democrat - Lewes)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to encourage farmers to farm sustainably.
Answered by Daniel Zeichner - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Government is backing British farming. We are prioritising investment that supports the Government’s Plan for Change and building on the Secretary of State’s work to reform Defra to drive growth while maintaining a steadfast commitment to farming, food security, and nature’s recovery.
We are providing farmers and land managers with the support needed to help restore nature, which is vital to safeguard our long-term food security and build resilience to climate change. There are currently record numbers of farmers taking part in farming schemes such as the Sustainable Farming Incentive. As of April 2025, these schemes supported 885,000 hectares of arable land being farmed without insecticides; 330,000 hectares of low input grassland being managed sustainably; and 85,000 kilometres of hedgerows being protected and restored.
In the recent spending review, we committed to carrying on the transition towards paying to deliver public goods for the environment, with over £7 billion directed into nature’s recovery between 2026 and 2029. This includes environmental farming schemes (£5.9 billion), tree planting (£816 million) and peatland restoration (£85 million).