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 2,821–2,840 of 4,549 · this parliament
Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of increasing the tax rate paid by bookmakers to align it with the online gaming tax rate on Huntingdon Racecourse.
Future proposals on Gambling Duties are a matter for HMT, should legislative changes come about following this consultation, we expect them to be accompanied by tax and impact notes from HMT, as is standard practice.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, what her planned timetable is for publishing further information on the funding of the Cambridge Growth Company.
The Cambridge Growth Company is focused primarily on the Greater Cambridge area. Greater Cambridge is comprised of the city of Cambridge and the surrounding South Cambridgeshire District Council. Following the Spending Review, my Department is now working through departmental allocations. Once this process is complete, we will be in a position to make clear what the Spending Review means for funding for the Cambridge Growth Company.
How many days were lost to sickness absence by civil servants in their Department (a) in total and (b) on average per employee between 5 July 2024 and 4 July 2025.
Sickness absence data for the Civil Service, including departmental breakdowns is published annually, and is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sickness-absence.The next update will be for the year ending 31st March 2025.
How many days were lost to sickness absence by civil servants in their Department (a) in total and (b) on average per employee between 5 July 2024 and 4 July 2025.
Sickness absence data for the Civil Service, including departmental breakdowns is published annually, and is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sickness-absence. The next update will be for the year ending 31st March 2025.
What assessment he has made of trends in the level of growth potential in defence-related industries in Huntingdon constituency.
The Ministry of Defence is committed to ensuring defence is an engine for growth. However, we have made no assessment of growth potential in defence-related industries in Huntingdon constituency specifically. The Defence Industrial Strategy published on 8 September 2025 clearly set out how we are making defence an engine for growth - investing more money in key defence areas and regions across the UK to create good jobs.
Communities and Local Government, with reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, which areas within Cambridgeshire fall within the scope of the Cambridge Growth Company.
The Cambridge Growth Company is focused primarily on the Greater Cambridge area. Greater Cambridge is comprised of the city of Cambridge and the surrounding South Cambridgeshire District Council. Following the Spending Review, my Department is now working through departmental allocations. Once this process is complete, we will be in a position to make clear what the Spending Review means for funding for the Cambridge Growth Company.
With reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, when he expects the Office for Investment to establish a new national investment partnership framework to help Mayoral Strategic Authorities to build their investment (a) capacity and (b) capability.
The Office for Investment (OfI) aims to support the integration of more seamless investment services through deepened partnership working with key regional partners and building of local investment capacity and capacity. The OfI is already taking steps in line with its commitment in the Modern Industrial Strategy through the delivery of the Strategic Investment and Engagement Framework programme in 2025/26. This is designed to support Mayoral Strategic Authorities (MCAs) and other local authority partners in the North of England and the Midlands to fund locally impactful investment services. We will continue to review this framework to ensure we are effectively supporting MCAs to build investment capacity and capability.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many days were lost to sickness absence by civil servants in their Department (a) in total and (b) on average per employee between 5 July 2024 and 4 July 2025.
The Cabinet Office publishes an annual report on sickness absence in different government departments and agencies, the most recent edition of which - published in January 2025 - can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-sickness-absence-2024/civil-service-sickness-absence-2024-report.
With reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, what progress he has made in developing the new business growth service.
The Modern Industrial Strategy, our 10-year growth plan, will unlock our economic potential and forge a new relationship between business and government. We will make it easier for businesses to invest, cutting bureaucracy and exploring new digital technologies. In July 2025, alongside the Plan For Small Business, we launched the Business Growth Service (BGS), a national service bringing together all existing core services and new, improved elements of the business support offer. We have designed and implemented the BGS by working closely with local and devolved governments, the Growth Hubs network and key partners, such as Innovate UK and the British Business Bank.
With reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, what his Department's approach is to placements within industry.
The department is developing a comprehensive strategy for post‐16 education and skills, to break down barriers to opportunity, support the development of a skilled workforce, and drive economic growth through our Industrial Strategy.T Levels are a key element of our skills strategy and all T Levels contain a mandatory industry placement of at least 45 days with an employer, focused on developing practical and technical skills for that area. Providers are responsible for arranging these placements. To support employers, funding is available in 2025/26 to help cover essential costs.The government has announced a £625 million skills package for the construction sector. This will include measures designed to raise awareness, boost access and improve the quality of training available, ensuring that more young people are equipped with the skills the construction sector urgently needs. As part of this package, the government has committed £100 million alongside a £32 million contribution from the Construction Industry Training Board to fund up to 40,000 Industry Placements each year for all level 2 and level 3 construction learners.
What recent progress she has made in establishing defence technical excellence colleges.
The department is introducing Technical Excellence Colleges (TECs) to specialise in training skilled workforces which industry needs in growth-driving priority sectors. The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy confirmed that we will establish Defence Technical Excellence Colleges, provide funding for courses for defence related skills, and invest in cutting edge university facilities to increase places for defence skills provision. Delivering this package will be a joint endeavour between government and industry. The department has been working with the Ministry of Defence on this and further detail will be set out in the forthcoming Defence Industrial Strategy.
With reference to the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, what recent progress he has made on reducing the administrative costs of regulation for businesses.
The Industrial Strategy included a package of ambitious forms that will contribute to the target to cut administrative burdens to businesses by 25% by the end of the parliament.These included harnessing the potential of new technology to make compliance with money laundering regulations simpler through the use of digital identity verification checks, removing requirements and increasing the permissible size for air source heat pumps. Alongside these, the Government will deliver several recommendations made by the industry-HMG licencing taskforce, including introducing a Licencing Policy Framework; pending consultation, this would significantly reduce the regulatory burden on the UK’s hospitality industry.
Media and Sport, how many days were lost to sickness absence by civil servants in their Department (a) in total and (b) on average per employee between 5 July 2024 and 4 July 2025.
Sickness absence data for the Civil Service, including departmental breakdowns is published annually, and is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sickness-absence.The next update will be for the year ending 31st March 2025.
Which elements of the Global Combat air programme are included within the scope of the Industrial Strategy partnership with the Japanese government agreed in March 2025.
The UK and Japan are pioneering an Industrial Strategy Partnership (ISP) focusing on green and digital transformation, economic security and inclusive regional growth. The ISP aims to deepen UK-Japan industrial and technology collaboration through programmes such as GCAP.
How many days were lost to sickness absence by civil servants in their Department (a) in total and (b) on average per employee between 5 July 2024 and 4 July 2025.
Sickness absence data for the Civil Service, including departmental breakdowns, is published annually, and is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sickness-absence.The next update will be for the year ending 31 March 2025.
With reference to page 14 of the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025, what growth spillover benefits he plans to unlock in Huntingdon constituency.
The Ministry of Defence is committed to ensuring defence is an engine for growth. However, we have made no assessment of growth spillover effects in the Huntingdon constituency, or any constituency level at this stage. The Defence Industrial Strategy published on 8 September 2025 clearly set out how we are making defence an engine for growth - investing more money in key defence areas and regions across the UK to create good jobs.
What the lead time is between purchasing and delivery for Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile missiles.
I hope the hon. Gentleman will understand but I am withholding this information on the grounds of National Security as disclosure would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Ministry of Defence.
How many days were lost to sickness absence by civil servants in their Department (a) in total and (b) on average per employee between 5 July 2024 and 4 July 2025.
Sickness absence data for the Civil Service, including departmental breakdowns, is published annually, and is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/sickness-absenceThe next update will be for the year ending 31 March 2025.
What estimate he has made of the contribution of Typhoon jets to GDP.
The biggest contribution of defence to GDP is peace and security. My Department has made no estimate of the contribution to GDP of any individual programmes and capabilities. The Defence Industrial Strategy published on 8 September 2025 clearly set out how we are making defence an engine for growth - Investing more money in key defence areas and regions across the UK to create good jobs. This year my Department has announced further multi-year contracts with UK companies for the support of in-service Typhoon EJ200 engines and the continuing development of the ECRS Mk2 radar upgrade programme that will be embodied on the RAF fleet. A resilient UK industrial base strengthens Britain's defence companies and supply chains to make us more secure and boost our economy, which will support making NATO stronger.
How attendees at the College for National Security are selected.
Online training courses provided by the College for National Security are open to all civil servants, public servants and crown servants. Attendance at events held by the College are approved on a first come first served basis. For certain practitioner courses, a short application process is sometimes required. When required, these applications are anonymously evaluated based on the applicant’s experience, interest and ambition in the subject. The College will sometimes curate the learning groups to ensure a good mix of departments. As its learner base grows, the College will keep its systems under review.