Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

With reference to the news story entitled Live Facial Recognition technology to catch high-harm offenders, published on 13 August 2025, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the use of this capability from Bedfordshire to the tri-force area that includes Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire.

The Home Office has funded the roll-out of ten live facial recognition (LFR) vans to seven host police forces, with Bedfordshire Police being one of those forces. Access to the LFR vans is available to all forces including Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire, subject to operational need and local decision-making.No formal assessment is therefore needed by the government as the capability is already available to those forces should they choose to deploy it.

To which (a) law enforcement, (b) military, (c) Sovereign Base Area police and (d) other arms Length Bodies her Department plans to provide access to Police National Database application programming interfaces.

At present there is no direct application programming interface (API) between PND and the organisations mentioned. Data feeds to PND allow a national search of intelligence. The PND gives a national view of 6.3 billion searchable records, 19.9m images and information from 198 systems/databases. It is used by 49 UK police forces and 56 Law enforcement agencies. A set of processes and security protocols govern access by suitably authorised and vetted individuals.

Whether he plans to redefine the Armoured Cavalry 2025 Programme.

Any plans to redefine the Armoured Cavalry programme will be approved in accordance with extant Department procedures.

What estimate he has made of the number of current North Sea (a) oil and (b) gas fields that cease production by 2030.

The North Sea Transition Authority publishes this data at UKCS Decommissioning Cost and Performance Update 2025

With reference to page 127 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what progress he has made on maximising the intelligence capabilities of the Permanent Joint Headquarters.

As set out in the Strategic Defence Review (SDR), work to establish a single defence intelligence enterprise under the banner of 'Military Intelligence Services' (MIS) is continuing. Key stakeholders across Defence have been consulted, and draft proposals have been developed. This work has been executed through the existing structures of the Intelligence Function, which has already delivered enhanced coherence across several activities. The SDR sets out the requirement for further integration under the MIS, and the enterprise continues to develop as planned. Work on the Defence Intelligence Charter is ongoing, and Defence is aiming to publish the Charter by the end of 2025 however its publication will be coordinated with a wide range of Defence Reform activity and SDR delivery and thus is subject to change with dependencies across both. The Ministry of Defence's existing intelligence capabilities, incorporating Defence Intelligence (DI), PJHQ Joint Intelligence (J2), UK Special Forces J2, and Royal Navy, Army, RAF and Space Command intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance organisations) will operate under MIS with functional leadership provided by DI.

With reference to page 127 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on establishing a single defence intelligence enterprise.

As set out in the Strategic Defence Review (SDR), work to establish a single defence intelligence enterprise under the banner of 'Military Intelligence Services' (MIS) is continuing. Key stakeholders across Defence have been consulted, and draft proposals have been developed. This work has been executed through the existing structures of the Intelligence Function, which has already delivered enhanced coherence across several activities. The SDR sets out the requirement for further integration under the MIS, and the enterprise continues to develop as planned. Work on the Defence Intelligence Charter is ongoing, and Defence is aiming to publish the Charter by the end of 2025 however its publication will be coordinated with a wide range of Defence Reform activity and SDR delivery and thus is subject to change with dependencies across both. The Ministry of Defence's existing intelligence capabilities, incorporating Defence Intelligence (DI), PJHQ Joint Intelligence (J2), UK Special Forces J2, and Royal Navy, Army, RAF and Space Command intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance organisations) will operate under MIS with functional leadership provided by DI.

With reference to page 127 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what progress he has made on maximising the intelligence capabilities of (a) Royal Navy, (b) Army, (c) RAF and (d) Space Command intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance organisations.

As set out in the Strategic Defence Review (SDR), work to establish a single defence intelligence enterprise under the banner of 'Military Intelligence Services' (MIS) is continuing. Key stakeholders across Defence have been consulted, and draft proposals have been developed. This work has been executed through the existing structures of the Intelligence Function, which has already delivered enhanced coherence across several activities. The SDR sets out the requirement for further integration under the MIS, and the enterprise continues to develop as planned. Work on the Defence Intelligence Charter is ongoing, and Defence is aiming to publish the Charter by the end of 2025 however its publication will be coordinated with a wide range of Defence Reform activity and SDR delivery and thus is subject to change with dependencies across both. The Ministry of Defence's existing intelligence capabilities, incorporating Defence Intelligence (DI), PJHQ Joint Intelligence (J2), UK Special Forces J2, and Royal Navy, Army, RAF and Space Command intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance organisations) will operate under MIS with functional leadership provided by DI.

With reference to page 120 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, whether there are existing capability gaps within the development of the Digital Warfighter group.

Development work has begun on the overall project for the Digital Warfighter Group with the intention of delivering the construct at Initial Operating Capability (IOC) by July 2026. Pending adequate resourcing and financing in line with Departmental priorities, there are no specific capability gaps within the development of the group.

How long HMS Ambush has not been operationally deployable.

I cannot provide specific detail regarding the operational deployability of HMS Ambush as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of any relevant forces.

With reference to page 23 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, what steps his Department is taking to help tackle piracy through Diego Garcia.

For operational security reasons, we cannot give details about specific activities or measures. We perform a variety of maritime security tasks to counter a wide range of threats from illegal fishing, terrorism, piracy and hostile state activity. We do this in cooperation with key allies and partners in the region.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to page 89 of the Strategic Defence Review, updated on 8 July 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill on cyber defences.

The Strategic Defence Review sets out the high-level priorities for defence across government and highlights that greater attention must be given to the space and cyber and electromagnetic domain. This includes a more proactive posture to harden critical defence functions against cyber attacks.The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill will benefit defence and the priorities of the Strategic Defence Review by strengthening UK’s overall cyber defence by ensuring that the essential and digital services (including some Critical National Infrastructure) on which the UK public, businesses and Government rely, including the Ministry of Defence, are more resilient and secure. The Bill will be introduced when Parliamentary time allows.

With reference to recommendation 29 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on establishing an initial operating capability for a new Defence Uncrewed Systems Centre.

There are a series of sprints running to scope out the governance and structure of the Defence Uncrewed Systems Centre (DUSC) that will build on the work delivered to date by the Defence Uncrewed systems Design Authority (DUxDA). The outline governance proposals for the DUSC are on course, to be presented to the 3* Uncrewed Systems (UxS) Steering Group in November for endorsement.

With reference to page 113 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what (a) airborne early warning and (b) control capability does the RAF contribute to NATO plans in the Euro-Atlantic.

The UK will contribute the E-7 Wedgetail aircraft once operational. The Wedgetail is an airborne early warning and control aircraft that will deliver cutting-edge capabilities and strengthen the Alliance.

If he will set out when Operation Valour will end.

VALOUR is a new programme that will give veterans across the UK easier access to the essential care and support that is available to them, overseen by the Office for Veterans’ Affairs in the Ministry of Defence. It will improve the coordination of services at a national, regional and local level to ensure that veterans receive the support they need. VALOUR will deliver institutional resilience and is not just a sticking plaster, and therefore it is intended as a long-term solution to cohering the support available to our veterans; crucially making it easier to navigate and therefore access services and support they need.

What progress she has made in delivering the Law Enforcement Data Service programme.

The Law Enforcement Data Service (LEDS) is progressively replacing the legacy Police National Computer (PNC). The LEDS Property product is now the sole system for processing stolen and found items across UK police forces. Currently, 52 police forces, including Jersey and Guernsey, are connected to LEDS.So far in 2025, LEDS has handled over 12 million transactions, demonstrating strong growth and reliability. LEDS Vehicles and Drivers are live and widely used, while LEDS Person is rolling out in phases to support data on suspects, criminals, and missing or wanted individuals. The “Photographs at the Roadside” feature, showing driving licence images on police devices, has saved over 1 million hours of police time since its launch in January 2021.LEDS has achieved BS10008 Certification, confirming the legal admissibility of its electronic records. A Code of Practice has been developed with the College of Policing to guide appropriate use of LEDS and PNC.The programme remains technically complex and under close ministerial oversight. Final delivery and PNC decommissioning are planned for 2026, subject to assurance from policing stakeholders and the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority.

What progress she has made on the East Coast Digital Programme.

1) 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 starting work with Network Rail and industry stakeholders on development of a long-term strategy of investment for the route. 2) The following progress has been made on the East Coast Digital Programme. In May 2025, the first phase of the scheme was complete with the removal of conventional lineside signals, and all services using digital signalling on the Northern City Line (NCL) between Finsbury Park and Moorgate. This is the first no signals commuter railway in the country, and first of any kind since the early Cambrian Line pilot in 2011. 100,000 services have now operated on NCL using digital signalling. The infrastructure between Welwyn and Hitchin has been upgraded for the first European Train Control System (ETCS) section on the ECML. In line with the approach taken on NCL, the Welwyn to Hitchin section will initially operate as an overlay (i.e. able to operate with both conventional and digital signalling) to facilitate driver conversion training. The work is being led by Network Rail who, subject to the necessary assurances and regulatory processes, anticipate being able to begin driver train using digital signalling through that section from summer 2026. 3) Work to implement the ETCS on the East Coast Mainline between Huntingdon and Kings Cross is scheduled to be completed in the early 2030s.

Pursuant to the Answer of 11 September 2025 to Question 75323 on Railways: Mobile Broadband, how much funding her Department plans to provide for low earth orbit satellite technology.

The Department was successful in securing funding of £33m capital and £24m resource (or operational expenditure) as part of the Spending Review to fit all mainline trains with Low Earth Orbit satellite technology to upgrade on -train wifi.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the level of reaction from China to the use of the Taiwan Strait for navigation by HMS Spey in June 2025.

Wherever the Royal Navy operates, it does so in full compliance with international norms and exercises its rights to freedom of navigation under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). HMS SPEY navigated the Taiwan Strait in June 2025, and the People's Liberation Army Navy response was assessed as safe and professional.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of increasing the 15% tax rate paid by bookmakers on racing to align with the 21% tax rate on online gaming on the number of jobs in the horse racing industry.

There has been ministerial engagement between my Department and His Majesty’s Treasury to ensure that they are aware of the specific way British horseracing is funded and the potential implications of any changes to taxation. Future proposals on Gambling Duties are a matter for HMT, should legislative changes come about, we expect them to be accompanied by tax and impact notes from HMT, as is standard practice.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what progress she has made on the (a) refurbishment and (b) remodelling of the British Embassy Tokyo compound.

The sale of a portion of British Embassy Tokyo's land has been completed. To protect the historic Residence and Chancery, and improve facilities on the Embassy compound, works will take several years to complete. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office continually reviews its global estate to maintain a world-class platform for promoting UK interests and maximising value for British taxpayers' money.