Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to the Policy paper: “Replacing animals in science: A strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods”, published on 11 November 2025, what progress she has made on increasing investment in alternative methods.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)

The Government is increasing investment in alternative methods through delivery of the Replacing Animals in Science strategy. The strategy was supported by £75 million of funding to accelerate the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods, with multi‑year funding secured through the Spending Review to provide stability for key programmes. UK Research and Innovation has already launched a £20 million funding call for a preclinical translational models hub, and Innovate UK has launched a £2 million Contracts for Innovation competition to support the development of alternative approaches. Further investment will be taken forward through delivery of the strategy and associated programmes.

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps her Department is taking to provide young people with more enriching activities outside of school.

Answered by Vicky Foxcroft - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)

This Government is committed to providing young people more things to do outside school. Working with local authorities, charities and others, we aim to halve the gap in participation between disadvantaged young people and their peers.

We are deploying £132.5 million from dormant assets through Every Child Can to expand enriching activities.

We are investing £22.5 million into our Enrichment Expansion Programme to join up activities delivered both in and out of school.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made on the potential impact of the rise in employer National Insurance Contributions on the social care sector.

Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General

A Tax Information and Impact Note (TIIN) was published alongside the introduction of the Bill containing the changes to employer NICs. The TIIN sets out the impact of the policy on the exchequer, the economic impacts of the policy, and the impacts on individuals, businesses, and civil society organisations, as well as an overview of the equality impacts.

The Government recognises the significant challenges facing the social care system and is committed to transforming the sector and supporting the care workforce. The Government is making available around £4.6 billion of additional funding in 2028/29, compared to 2025/26, to support the sector to improve social care.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what consideration his Department has made in the Parental Leave and Pay Review of kinship carers.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The Government’s Parental Leave and Pay Review is considering all current parental leave and pay entitlements, as well as the needs of working families who do not qualify for existing leave and pay entitlements, such as kinship carers. We are engaging with a broad range of stakeholders and considering a wide range of evidence as part of the Review. The Review will conclude in early 2027 with findings which will outline next steps for any potential reforms.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of leave entitlement for kinship carers.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The Government’s Parental Leave and Pay Review is considering all current parental leave and pay entitlements, as well as the needs of working families who do not qualify for existing leave and pay entitlements, such as kinship carers. We are engaging with a broad range of stakeholders and considering a wide range of evidence as part of the Review. The Review will conclude in early 2027 with findings which will outline next steps for any potential reforms.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Ugandan counterpart on safeguarding democracy and ensuring free and fair elections in that country.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK works with the Government of Uganda on a range of shared interests including trade, development, refugees, and regional security. Former Minister for Africa, Baroness Chapman, raised rule of law and media freedom with the President during her visit to Uganda in July 2026. The UK regularly raises concerns about issues related to restrictions on political space and on the opposition and their supporters. The UK engaged across the political spectrum to advocate for peaceful and credible January 2026 elections and will continue to do so, including through our High Commission in Kampala.

Retirement of Godfrey Asare and Margaret Labulo from the Members' Tea Room

Shahid Choudhary