Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

If he will set out the remaining lifespan of each RAF Chinook airframe in service.

There are currently eight HC5, 14 HC6 and 29 HC6A Chinook variants in service. I am withholding the information relating to the remaining lifespan of each Chinook airframe in service as its disclosure would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces. I can, however, reemphasise that the retirement of the 14 oldest Chinook helicopters will be synchronised with the delivery of 14 new state-of-the-art Chinook H-47 Extended Range aircraft from 2027 onwards.

What recent progress he has made on implementing the Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon programme.

The Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon programme continues to progress with our European partners and has recently entered the development phase.

How many RAF Chinook (a) HC5, (b) HC6 and (c) HC6A variants are in service.

There are currently eight HC5, 14 HC6 and 29 HC6A Chinook variants in service. I am withholding the information relating to the remaining lifespan of each Chinook airframe in service as its disclosure would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces. I can, however, reemphasise that the retirement of the 14 oldest Chinook helicopters will be synchronised with the delivery of 14 new state-of-the-art Chinook H-47 Extended Range aircraft from 2027 onwards.

What assessment has he made of whether the Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon programme will meet all extant key user requirements.

The Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon programme is moving towards its Full Business Case approval in 2026 where the Key User Requirements will be formally set. The programme continues to assess how best it can meet and exceed user requirements which stretch well beyond current requirements and capabilities to meet future threat needs.

What progress he has made on the Phase 4 Enhancement to the Typhoon aircraft.

The four-Nation Phase 4 Enhancement (P4E) upgrade programme is in the System Definition de-risking phase of activity, following the signature of the System Definition Contract in 2024. Over the coming months, the four nations will agree on the final P4E capability package, which will then move into the Design, Development and Demonstration phase. Additionally, Nations have agreed to begin early design work on long lead activities, ensuring that critical path activities for P4E capability are protected.

When he expects the (a) concept and (b) assessment phase of the Future Combat Air System programme to commence.

The Concept and Assessment phase began in 2021 and it is on course to be completed in 2027.

What progress he has made in delivering the NHS Digital Transformation of Screening programme.

The Digital Transformation of Screening programme is leading an ambitious, end-to-end transformation of screening services, rolling out in a test and learn way. New digital services will support screening participants to manage their screening appointments via the National Health Service App as well as delivering new, AI-ready services for staff, freeing up their time to focus on care.Digital invitations along with some results and other routine communications, via the NHS App, have already been rolled out in cervical screening, with bowel cancer and breast screening invitations due to follow.This winter, NHS England will begin rolling out a replacement digital service for the existing breast screening system (a legacy system called ‘the National Breast Screening Service’), which will provide an end-to-end service for frontline staff to manage breast screening in an easier, more efficient way. This follows the rollout of an improved IT system to support management of cervical screening, which went live last summer.Work is also under way to put the IT and digital infrastructure in place to support the effective rollout of HPV self-testing for women and people with a cervix who have not come forward for their cervical screening appointments, due to go live in 2026.

With reference to page 109 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what (a) units and (b) formations comprise the UK contribution to the Advanced Reaction force.

Advanced Forces are forces already in place around the world that provide positional advantage. These include the UK’s contribution to Forward Land Forces in Estonia and Poland, Land Special Operations Forces deployed as part of our global network, the Brunei Task Force, and Cyprus Resident Battalions. Reaction Forces are designed for speed, to react quickly to crisis. These include Defence’s Global Response Force, 16 Air Assault Brigade, and the NATO Allied Reaction Force (Land).

With reference to the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25, if he will publish the complex integration challenge faced by the Royal Navy’s Type 31 programme.

The Type 31 (T31) frigate programme will deliver a maritime security capability at a value for money price in a timescale that compares favourably with other international warship procurement programmes. In common with other enterprises, the T31 programme is experiencing inflationary pressures which are understood and remain in line with the latest plans and forecasts. The reported challenges to the T31 programme reflect this impact.

How many and what proportion of unsuccessfully appealed rejected initial asylum applications have been (a) returned to their country of origin, (b) returned to France and (c) remain in the UK since 5 July 2024.

The information requested is not currently available from published statistics, and the relevant data could only be collated and verified for the purpose of answering this question at disproportionate cost.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, what progress she has made on establishing a clear framework to (a) value and (b) licence public sector data assets.

As the Government outlined in the UK Industrial Strategy, there are significant benefits from the financial, economic, and societal value of the different types of data it holds, and work is ongoing to understand how best to assess that.DSIT is working across departments to fulfil the commitment in the Industrial Strategy by April 2026.

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of a new station at Alconbury Weald as part of the East Coast Mainline Programme.

Following the conclusion of the Spending Review, I can confirm that there are no current plans to construct a new East Coast Main Line (ECML) station at Alconbury Weald. The Department recognises the importance of the ECML and is working with Network Rail and industry stakeholders in developing a sustainable long-term strategy of investment for the route.

With reference to page 53 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, how many meetings of the Defence Growth Board he has chaired in 2025.

The Defence Growth Board met on 30 July 2025. It was attended by the Secretary of State for Defence, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Secretary of State for Business, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Permanent Secretary, the MOD interim National Armaments Director and other senior officials from Departments, and will continue to meet on a regular basis.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, what progress she has made on driving the (a) development and (b) adoption of quantum computers in the UK.

The UK’s National Quantum Computing Mission aims to build a scalable quantum computer within ten years. As part of the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy Government has committed to invest £670 million into the development of quantum computing. Details of key milestones and funding programmes under this investment will be published in due course.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the UK’s level of sovereign compute capacity.

The UK is scaling sovereign compute to protect national interests and unlock growth.In July, DSIT published the Compute Roadmap that sets out how we will significantly bolster compute capacity by 2030. This builds on our commitment during the Spending Review to fund over £1bn to expand the AI Research Resource at least twentyfold by 2030, and up to £750 million for a new national supercomputer in Edinburgh.

Innovation and Technology, what research programmes the Advanced Research and Invention Agency is conducting in Antarctica.

As part of the Advanced Research and Invention Agency’s (ARIA) ‘Scoping Our Planet’ Opportunity Space, ARIA is funding two research projects in Antarctica.The first project aims to assess the role of ocean mixing on Antarctic ice melt and sea level rise. The second project seeks to better understand how glacial meltwater is exported from the Antarctic glacial margins to the open ocean.More information on ARIA’s funded projects can be found on their website.

How many vacancies are there at GB Energy.

Great British Energy (GBE) is currently in its initial start-up phase, with a strong focus on building staff capability to deliver against the Statement of Strategic Priorities. At present, there are 15 roles in recruitment, with numerous additional roles in development that are planned for recruitment in the coming months.

With reference to the data tables accompanying the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25, published on 11 August 2025, what the significant extension of the programme scope is as a result of the closure of another programme for the Asylum Transformation Programme; and what that other programme was.

The Asylum Transformation Programme consists of a number of projects delivering improvements to the people, processes and technology that make up the Asylum system. Those improvements are delivered across 4 operational areas or programme pillars; Asylum Caseworking, Accommodation and Support, Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) Age Assessment, and Appeals and Litigation Review (ALAR). These pillars and associated projects are focused on improving the end to end asylum journey by streamlining, simplifying and digitalising processes to speed up decision making; establishing an asylum accommodation system with the right capacity and at optimum cost, whilst reducing the burden on the Appeals system.Additional scope added to the Asylum Transformation Programme Business Case in April 25 came in two areas. Firstly, the introduction of new appeals focused projects which aim to ease the bottleneck in the appeals and courts system, aligning to the Government ambition to address challenges across the end-to-end asylum system. The second area of expansion enabled the rehousing of three in-flight Age Assessment projects which were added when the Sovereign Borders Programme closed.The Asylum Transformation Programme (ATP) was rated Amber following its most recent Gate 0 review. Successful delivery of the programme to time, cost and quality was acknowledged as feasible but the Amber rating also denoted the existence of significant issues and subsequently led to recommendations from National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA). The recommendations were accepted and have provided additional mitigation against the risk NISTA identified.to Successful delivery of the programme. The programme proactively assesses government policy in this area as part of its planning and business case development cycle.The Home Office Sovereign Borders Programme, which was working to support the previous Government ambitions around the Illegal Migration Act (IMA), was closed 2024. This led to a review of the in-flight projects within the Sovereign Borders Programme to identify and reallocate, any projects for which there continued to be a sound business case. Three in-flight Age Assessment projects were identified and have now moved into the scope of Asylum Transformation Programme (from Business Case 25/26). These projects aim to optimise and digitise the age assessment process through new technology, new tools and updated policy processes. This is in line with the programmes objectives to create a more resilient and effective asylum system.A Move on function was established and has been Operational since August 2024. The Asylum Transformation Programme continues to work with Discontinuations and Move on teams to transform their joint processes to ensure a smooth transition from asylum support into mainstream services.

With reference to the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25, published on 11 August 2025, what assessment has she made of the potential implications for her policies of the Asylum Transformation Programme amber Infrastructure and Projects Authority delivery confidence assessment.

The Asylum Transformation Programme consists of a number of projects delivering improvements to the people, processes and technology that make up the Asylum system. Those improvements are delivered across 4 operational areas or programme pillars; Asylum Caseworking, Accommodation and Support, Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) Age Assessment, and Appeals and Litigation Review (ALAR). These pillars and associated projects are focused on improving the end to end asylum journey by streamlining, simplifying and digitalising processes to speed up decision making; establishing an asylum accommodation system with the right capacity and at optimum cost, whilst reducing the burden on the Appeals system.Additional scope added to the Asylum Transformation Programme Business Case in April 25 came in two areas. Firstly, the introduction of new appeals focused projects which aim to ease the bottleneck in the appeals and courts system, aligning to the Government ambition to address challenges across the end-to-end asylum system. The second area of expansion enabled the rehousing of three in-flight Age Assessment projects which were added when the Sovereign Borders Programme closed.The Asylum Transformation Programme (ATP) was rated Amber following its most recent Gate 0 review. Successful delivery of the programme to time, cost and quality was acknowledged as feasible but the Amber rating also denoted the existence of significant issues and subsequently led to recommendations from National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA). The recommendations were accepted and have provided additional mitigation against the risk NISTA identified.to Successful delivery of the programme. The programme proactively assesses government policy in this area as part of its planning and business case development cycle.The Home Office Sovereign Borders Programme, which was working to support the previous Government ambitions around the Illegal Migration Act (IMA), was closed 2024. This led to a review of the in-flight projects within the Sovereign Borders Programme to identify and reallocate, any projects for which there continued to be a sound business case. Three in-flight Age Assessment projects were identified and have now moved into the scope of Asylum Transformation Programme (from Business Case 25/26). These projects aim to optimise and digitise the age assessment process through new technology, new tools and updated policy processes. This is in line with the programmes objectives to create a more resilient and effective asylum system.A Move on function was established and has been Operational since August 2024. The Asylum Transformation Programme continues to work with Discontinuations and Move on teams to transform their joint processes to ensure a smooth transition from asylum support into mainstream services.

What recent progress she has made on implementing an asylum support discontinuation and move on function as part of the Asylum Transformation Programme.

The Asylum Transformation Programme consists of a number of projects delivering improvements to the people, processes and technology that make up the Asylum system. Those improvements are delivered across 4 operational areas or programme pillars; Asylum Caseworking, Accommodation and Support, Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC) Age Assessment, and Appeals and Litigation Review (ALAR). These pillars and associated projects are focused on improving the end to end asylum journey by streamlining, simplifying and digitalising processes to speed up decision making; establishing an asylum accommodation system with the right capacity and at optimum cost, whilst reducing the burden on the Appeals system.Additional scope added to the Asylum Transformation Programme Business Case in April 25 came in two areas. Firstly, the introduction of new appeals focused projects which aim to ease the bottleneck in the appeals and courts system, aligning to the Government ambition to address challenges across the end-to-end asylum system. The second area of expansion enabled the rehousing of three in-flight Age Assessment projects which were added when the Sovereign Borders Programme closed.The Asylum Transformation Programme (ATP) was rated Amber following its most recent Gate 0 review. Successful delivery of the programme to time, cost and quality was acknowledged as feasible but the Amber rating also denoted the existence of significant issues and subsequently led to recommendations from National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA). The recommendations were accepted and have provided additional mitigation against the risk NISTA identified.to Successful delivery of the programme. The programme proactively assesses government policy in this area as part of its planning and business case development cycle.The Home Office Sovereign Borders Programme, which was working to support the previous Government ambitions around the Illegal Migration Act (IMA), was closed 2024. This led to a review of the in-flight projects within the Sovereign Borders Programme to identify and reallocate, any projects for which there continued to be a sound business case. Three in-flight Age Assessment projects were identified and have now moved into the scope of Asylum Transformation Programme (from Business Case 25/26). These projects aim to optimise and digitise the age assessment process through new technology, new tools and updated policy processes. This is in line with the programmes objectives to create a more resilient and effective asylum system.A Move on function was established and has been Operational since August 2024. The Asylum Transformation Programme continues to work with Discontinuations and Move on teams to transform their joint processes to ensure a smooth transition from asylum support into mainstream services.