Every parliamentary written question tabled by Ben Obese-Jecty this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 2,301–2,320 of 4,549 · this parliament
What new accommodation her Department plans to build at Manston as part of the Manston Transformation Programme.
Plans for further improvements to the processing and short-term holding facilities at Manston are under review and have not yet been finalised.
With reference to page 113 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what assessment he has made of the extent of NATO reliance on the RAF’s GUARDIAN Air Battle Management system.
The contribution of the RAF's GUARDIAN Air Battle Management system between the UK and NATO partners is key to delivering the RAF's core mission of Control of the Air. The UK GUARDIAN system currently meets all NATO interoperability requirements, including recent upgrades which have ensured continued integration into the NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) Command and Control (C2) network. The UK remains committed to working closely with NATO to assess and meet future requirements.
With reference to his Department's policy paper entitled AI action plan for justice, published on 31 July 2025, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the early results of the AI rollout.
We have received positive qualitative feedback from staff who have used general purpose productivity tools rolled out to the Ministry of Justice workforce. Staff have cited that these tools have helped them draft documents and summarise information at pace, freeing up time for higher-value work.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential financial impact of Council Tax equalisation following local government reorganisation on low-income households.
Council tax is managed by local authorities, who decide what level of council tax they wish to set. There is an established system for the locally-led harmonisation of council tax levels across the area of a restructured local authority area. The government will continue to set referendum principles each year and any authority which sets a council tax increase above the principles must have it approved by voters. Councils are required to put in place local council tax support schemes to support low-income households. Pension-age council tax support is centrally prescribed and provides reductions of up to 100% for those on the lowest incomes,. Support for working age households is designed by councils in consultation with their residents, taking into account the needs and circumstances of their local communities.
With reference to her Department's press release entitled UK-France treaty targeting illegal crossings comes into force, published on 7 August 2025, how many new specialist enforcement officers have been allocated to the Compagnie de Marche.
The Compagnie de Marche of enforcement officers has been mobilised, similar to the arrangements that were put in place during the Paris Olympics. The unit’s officers have specialist public order powers to address increases in violence on French beaches. This will enable more dynamic patrols of the shoreline to apprehend smugglers, intercept crossings and prevent loss of life in the Channel.However, these are French law enforcement units, and it would be inappropriate for the Home Office to comment upon their composition or duties. It is important to emphasise that French law enforcement units necessarily operate independently of UK law enforcement, though there is regular liaison, information exchange, and alignment of operational approaches between the two countries.
With reference to page 11 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, what recent progress he has made on establishing a closer strategic defence partnership with the EU.
The Government pledged in its manifesto to pursue a new relationship with the EU to strengthen European security, support growth and reinforce NATO. The recently released Strategic Defence Review (SDR) further reiterates this commitment and recognises that international partnerships are crucial for the UK’s security and prosperity. The Government delivered on this commitment at the UK-EU Summit on 19 May where we agreed a new and ambitious Security and Defence Partnership (SDP). Implementation of the SDP is a joint effort with the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office and is progressing. Since May, my Rt Hon Friend, Defence Secretary John Healey has held discussions with the European Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, where they discussed their ambition to explore the potential for enhanced UK-EU cooperation under SAFE. In October, the Foreign Secretary and the Defence Secretary will both meet with the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, for the first UK/EU foreign and security policy dialogue under the SDP. In addition, Ministers and officials from across Government have held consultations with their EU counterparts on a range of issues, including but not limited to, tackling irregular migration and hybrid threats. We continue to work with EU counterparts to strengthen dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation across the range of issues covered in the SDP, including maritime and space security. As the Defence Secretary has previously said to this House, this Government will ensure that any UK commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value for the UK taxpayer and supports our defence goals. We will continue to prioritise engagement and cooperation on the issues that are most important in helping to safeguard European security and prosperity – all in support of this government’s NATO First defence policy.
How many (a) adult males, (b) adult females and c) children have arrived via small boat since 5 July 2024.
The Home Office publishes statistics on detected irregular arrivals to the UK in the ‘Immigration System Statistics Quarterly Release’. Data on detected irregular arrivals by method of entry (including small boat arrivals), age group, and sex is published in table Irr_D01 of the ‘Irregular migration to the UK detailed datasets’, with the latest data up to the end of June 2025.
What type of projects the the Great British Energy Community Fund is permitted to be spent on.
Great British Energy announced that £5 million will be allocated to the Great British Energy Community Fund (GBECF) in 2025/26, a grant funding scheme to support community energy groups to generate their own clean power projects. GBECF can support projects under two broad headings:Type A – Community energy asset project (such as renewable or low carbon energy, electric vehicles)Type B – Community energy efficiency or advice project Further information on project eligibility can be found in the scheme guidance document, which is available on the Local Net Zero Hubs websites. It provides funding for feasibility studies (stage 1 - up to £40k) and business case development (stage 2 - up to 100k).
With reference to his Department's policy paper entitled AI action plan for justice, published on 31 July 2025, when he expects the Assessing Risks Needs and Strengths tool to come into use.
The Assessing Risks, Needs and Strengths (or ARNS) tool is being tested by a small group of practitioners across four probation regions currently, to support its ongoing design and development. Elements of ARNS will begin to roll out nationally from March 2026, with further capabilities being released over time.
With reference to his Department's policy paper entitled AI action plan for justice, published on 31 July 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of using AI to improve scheduling on prison capacity.
AI tools can quickly create the best schedules by analysing real-time data about staff, capacity, risks, and priorities. We are exploring how this could help with managing prison capacity and other scheduling challenges such as listing in courts and tribunals.
Innovation and Technology, with reference to page 117 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on ensuring that defence requirements are reflected in cross‑Government efforts to deliver resilient space‑based Positioning, Navigation and Timing systems.
Ministers meet regularly as required to discuss space policy issues, including through the Space Ministerial Forum which includes MOD. MOD continue to work closely with the DSIT National PNT Office who lead on the delivery of the cross-government Policy Framework for Greater Position, Navigation, and Timing Resilience, ensuring that, where appropriate, Defence requirements are reflected in national programmes.
With reference to page 126 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what the criteria are that determine Level (a) 1, (b) 2 and (c) 3 of NATO’s Special Operations Taskforce 2026.
The criteria that determine Level (a) 1, (b) 2 and (c) 3 of NATO’s Special Operations Taskforce 2026 are outlined in NATO's Minimum Capability Requirements, which are captured in the NATO Defence Planning Process. The Minimum Capability Requirements are held at NATO Confidential.
Innovation and Technology, with reference to page 25 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, what steps she has taken with Ofcom to use the Online Safety Act 2023 in the context of the National Security Strategy.
The government is committed to working with Ofcom to ensure the Online Safety Act is implemented quickly and effectively, recognising its vital role in protecting the public and supporting national security.All services in scope of the Act must comply with illegal content duties and, where relevant, safeguard children from harmful content. The illegal harms codes of practice came into effect in March. Services must take steps to prevent users from encountering illegal content or activity. They must apply additional measures for the most serious and prevalent offences, including child sexual exploitation and abuse, terrorism, and threats to kill.
Pursuant to the Answer of 28 April 2025 to Question 46175 on Sexual Offences Act 2003, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of amending section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 to remove the requirement for the accused to have a penis in order to be charged with rape.
The Sexual Offences Act 2003 provides a robust framework of very serious offences criminalising non-consensual sexual penetration. The offence of rape under section 1 of that Act is committed whenever there is intentional penile penetration of a person’s mouth, anus or vagina without consent or reasonable belief in consent. Intentional sexual penetration of a person’s vagina or anus with something other than a penis and without consent or reasonable belief in consent is criminalised by the offence of assault by penetration under section 2 that Act. “Forced penetration”, where a person forces another to penetrate them with their penis (or something else) is covered by the offence of “causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent” under section 4 of that Act. These three sexual offences are equally serious under the law where penetration is involved and all attract a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. The law in this area is rightly robust, well understood and working effectively. We therefore have no plans to amend the legal definition of section 1 rape, but we continue to keep the criminal law under review.
With reference to page 109 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, which (a) units and (b) formations comprise the UK contribution to NATO’s Strategic Reserve Corps.
The Allied Rapid Reaction Corps provides the UK’s Strategic Reserve Corps Command HQ with associated Corps level enablers and subordinate formations. This includes, HQ 3 (UK) Division, HQ 1 (UK) Division, 1st Aviation Brigade, 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team, 7 Light Mechanised Brigade and an armoured Brigade. The Army’s modernisation programme is in the process of delivering and enabling a growth trajectory that is being communicated with NATO.
With reference to page 27 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, what recent progress he has made on meeting the NATO Alliance-wide resilience objectives.
The UK sees national and collective resilience as an essential basis for credible deterrence and defence and is committed to NATO Article 3, which requires Allies to maintain and develop their individual and collective capacity to resist armed attack. The Government's work to deliver against NATO's seven baseline requirements for resilience is being delivered through the Cabinet Office-led Home Defence Programme, in which Defence has a leading role. As set out in the National Security Strategy and the Resilience Action Plan, this coordinates civil and military preparations across the whole of government to ensure that all sectors are prepared for and able to respond to the most catastrophic risks.
With reference to her Department's press release entitled UK-France treaty targeting illegal crossings comes into force, published on 7 August 2025, what discussions she has had with the French authorities on the steps they are taking in order to increase their enforcement activity to prevent small boat crossings.
In their Joint Declaration of the 37th UK-France Summit on 10 July 2025 the Prime Minister and President Macron committed to deepening UK/France cooperation on tackling irregular migration to the UK.As a result of the strengthened relationship between the UK and France, the Home Secretary and her French counterpart meet regularly to discuss measures for tackling small boat crossings in the English Channel, including the delivery of the new returns pilot, and the ongoing French maritime review which will deploy novel and innovative approaches to intercept boats.The Home Office will continue to engage with French counterparts to support the implementation of these measures, with the intention of contributing to efforts aimed at addressing the issue of small boat crossings.
How many children were (a) arrested, (b) charged and (c) prosecuted for sexual assault, including rape but excluding statutory rape, by (i) age and (ii) gender in each year since 2015.
The information requested on the number of children prosecuted for the offences listed (all forms of violent assault, battery, actual bodily harm, grievous bodily harm, murder and sexual assault offences) by age and gender, can be found at: Criminal Justice System statistics quarterly: December 2024 - GOV.UK.The Ministry of Justice does not hold data on the number of children arrested and charged as this is a matter for the police and the Crown Prosecution Service. However, some information on arrests and charges can be found within the Crime Outcomes in England and Wales produced by the Home Office.Data centrally held does not include the number of children who were victims of crimes committed by other children, beyond information included in the offence type, nor how many children were murdered by other children, beyond infanticide. Whilst this information may be held in court records, examining individual records would incur disproportionate costs.
With reference to recommendation 21 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on co-ordinating with other Government (a) departments and (b) agencies to prioritise the use of the defence instrument in support of (i) UK defence and (ii) wider foreign policy.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State (Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry) (Mr Pollard) on 6 September 2025 to Question 70727 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr Cartlidge).To progress the development of the strategy, the Ministry of Defence is actively engaging with all relevant Government departments. The Department is working to complete the strategy by the end of the year.This work is being led by Minister of State (Minister for the House of Lords) who is responsible for international relations and defence diplomacy.
With reference to page 91 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on establishing a refreshed veterans’ communications strategy.
A new cross-Government Veterans’ Strategy is due to be published later this year.