Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she has made a recent assessment of the impact of Ukrainian egg imports on the egg industry in the UK.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Under the Free Trade Agreement with Ukraine, tariffs on all goods are temporarily removed until March 2029, except for poultry and eggs, where the liberalisation is due to end on 31 March 2028.

The UK is around 90% self-sufficient in eggs for human consumption and has been for the past ten years.

The proportion of egg imports which originate in Ukraine has increased, but overall, UK imports of eggs and associated products decreased by 6% in the 12 months to June 2026, compared to the previous 12 months.

Defra is closely monitoring trade flows and market conditions and will continue to engage with the UK poultry and egg sectors throughout the period of liberalisation.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what comparative assessment his Department has made of child poverty trends in England and Wales compared to Scotland since the introduction of the Scottish Child Payment.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

No comparative assessment has been made of child poverty trends in England and Wales compared to Scotland since the introduction of the Scottish Child Payment.

Information on child poverty levels and percentage in England, Scotland and Wales from 1994/95 to 2024/25 can be found in tables 1.4a and 1.4b in the Households Below Average Income (HBAI) summary results file. Country level estimates are presented as three-year averages as single year regional estimates are considered too volatile.

HBAI data from 2021/22 uses administrative data in place of survey responses for the major DWP and HMRC benefits. This means that data prior to 2021/22 (unlinked) is not directly comparable to data from 2021/22 onwards (administrative linked). Comparisons across unlinked and administrative linked data can be made using the methodology outlined in section 3.2 of the Background Information and Methodology report.

The UK Government welcomes action taken by devolved governments to tackle child poverty and continues to work constructively with the Scottish Government on areas of shared interest.

We have considered evidence from across the UK, including approaches taken by the devolved governments, throughout development of the Child Poverty Strategy. The Strategy sets out the UK Government's own approach to reducing child poverty through boosting incomes, reducing the cost of essentials and strengthening local support for families. The Government is committed to a sustainable, long-term approach to tackling child poverty and supporting low-income families and will continue to learn from evidence on what works.

Our focus is on addressing both the immediate pressures facing families and the structural drivers of poverty, with the measures announced through the Child Poverty Strategy expected to lift around 550,000 children out of relative poverty after housing costs in 2029-30.

Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will set out the required steps for an independence referendum in Scotland.

Answered by Melanie Ward - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)

This Government was elected on a clear commitment not to support independence or another referendum. People need and want their governments focused on the big issues our country faces - economic growth, the cost of living, public services and security. That is what this Government is doing.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what his planned timetable is for the prohibition of illegal settlement trade with Israel.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

I refer the Hon Member to the statement made by the Foreign Secretary on 8 September in relation to Israel and Palestine.

Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will set out the the conditions under which the Government would grant permission for Scotland to hold another Independence Referendum.

Answered by Melanie Ward - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)

This Government was elected on a clear commitment not to support independence or another referendum. People need and want their governments focused on the big issues our country faces - economic growth, the cost of living, public services and security. That is what this Government is doing.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether an assessment under the Overseas Security and Justice Assistance Human Rights Guidance was completed in respect of (a) the £8 million migration cooperation package announced in June 2026 and (b) UK counter-terrorism assistance to Pakistan.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The UK applies the Overseas Security and Justice Assistance (OSJA) Human Rights Guidance to security and justice assistance overseas. Relevant UK assistance in Pakistan is delivered in accordance with the Government's established OSJA processes. OSJA assessments are reviewed regularly and updated where necessary to reflect changes in the operating context.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when he plans to release the Government's review and response to the ICJ's Provisional Measures of January, March and May 2024 regarding Gaza.

Answered by Stephen Doughty - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Government has been clear that Israel has an obligation to implement the Provisional Measures indicated by the Court. The Foreign Secretary was clear in our support for the ICJ and its processes in his 8 September statement.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will ban with immediate effect the import of Brazilian beef.

Answered by Stephen Morgan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Sanitary and phytosanitary trade restrictions must be evidenced-based and proportionate in line with World Trade Organization rules.

Defra is assessing Brazilian production systems in place to ensure that beef from animals treated with certain antimicrobial products is not exported to Great Britain, as a priority.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the bedroom tax and benefit cap through Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) in Scotland on the public purse.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities)

Since April 2017, Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) have been fully devolved in Scotland, and the Scottish Government is responsible for the allocation and payment of funding to Scottish local authorities. Further information on the funding of DHPs in Scotland can be found for 2025/26 using this link: Official statistics: Applications, determinations, awards and award total value - Discretionary Housing Payments in Scotland: 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 - gov.scot

Any assessment of the costs or fiscal impact of these devolved arrangements is a matter for the Scottish Government.

Prohibiting Members of Parliament from having paid second jobs

US sanctions on Cuba