Written Question·Ministry of Justice·UIN 101253

Child Rearing

Tabled: 17 December 2025
Answered: 5 January 2026

Question

Jenny Riddell-Carpenter

LabourSuffolk Coastal

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on recognising parental alienation as a form of emotional harm to children.

Answer

Alex Davies-Jones
The Government does not recognise the concept of “parental alienation” syndrome and does not believe it is capable of diagnosis.The Family Justice Council has published guidance on “responding to a child’s unexplained reluctance, resistance or refusal to ...

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