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 2,861–2,880 of 4,549 · this parliament
For which financial year will the updated Carr-Hill formula be applied from.
The review of the Carr-Hill formula will draw on a range of evidence and advice from experts. Decisions about implementation will need to be taken following consideration of the recommendations of the Carr-Hill review and cannot be pre-empted. Further detail on the review will be confirmed in due course.
With reference to page 134 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made in establishing an infrastructure pillar within the Home Defence Programme.
As set out in the National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence Review, the Cabinet Office led Home Defence Programme is developing greater preparedness against a changing international risk picture. Work to bolster the resilience of UK Critical National Infrastructure forms one strand of the wider programme. These areas are being developed in close cooperation with the MOD and Whitehall departments.
With reference to page 33 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published on 24 June 2025, what progress he has made in establishing an Office for Trade Sanctions Implementation.
The Office for Trade Sanctions Implementation (OTSI) was established in October 2024, as part of the Department for Business and Trade, to strengthen the implementation and enforcement of UK trade sanctions. OTSI has civil enforcement powers, including the ability to impose civil monetary penalties. Further information on OTSI's remit can be found at GOV.UK.
With reference to page 11 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published on 24 June 2025, what progress she has made in rolling out a series of new measures to strengthen our borders.
I refer the Hon Member to the Statement made to the House by the Home Secretary on the 1st September.
How many specialist officers have been recruited for the Border Security Command since 1 September 2024.
The Border Security Command (BSC) has been appropriately resourced with staff in policy, diplomatic and intelligence roles to ensure it can provide strategic leadership across government, with operational partners and in the UK and overseas. The department's staffing detail is published in the Home Office Annual Report and Accounts.
What assessment he has made of the threat posed to UK interests by economic coercion by adversaries.
The weaponisation of trade for geopolitical purposes is growing. This Government recognised those risks in our National Security Strategy, and why the Department of Business and Trade announced in the Trade Strategy that we would reform our trade defence tools, including seeking views on new powers to respond to deliberate economic pressure against the UK. Moreover, through the Trade and Industrial Strategies we are working to make our supply chains and economy more resilient and secure, including through simplifying export support services to help businesses diversify and build resilience, and establishing a Supply Chain Centre and an Economic Security Advisory Service.
Whether her Department has made an estimate of the number of homes that would need to be compulsory purchased in order to deliver the third runway at Heathrow.
The Government is currently assessing proposals for the delivery of a third runway at Heathrow. Detailed impacts, including on homes, social infrastructure and community facilities, will depend on the final scheme design and boundary, which have not yet been confirmed. Further updates will be provided as the assessment progresses.
What estimate she has made of the number of social housing properties that will be demolished in the building of the third runway at Heathrow.
The Government is currently assessing proposals for the delivery of a third runway at Heathrow. Detailed impacts, including on homes, social infrastructure and community facilities, will depend on the final scheme design and boundary, which have not yet been confirmed. Further updates will be provided as the assessment progresses.
What assessment has he made of the potential merits of adopting the (a) L403A1-AIW, (b) the L119A1/A2 and (c) the Sig Sauer MCX as the replacement for the L85A3.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on the 28 April 2025 to Question 45196.
Will the Royal Air Force’s Protector MQ-9B be certified by the (a) civilian aviation authority and (b) the military aviation authority.
As a military registered air system, Protector RG Mk1 only requires certification by the Military Aviation Authority, who issued the Military Type Certificate for the air system in April 2025. Protector is already capable of operating in Class A and C airspace in the UK and the Ministry of Defence continues to work closely with the CAA and international authorities to integrate Protector globally.
What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Royal Air Force’s APPIVATE programme to upskill users.
The effectiveness of the RAF's Appivate programme is continuously assessed through user testing, feedback and engagement from application development through to rollout. For each product delivered through the Appivate programme, metrics on customer satisfaction and engagement are tracked to ensure user needs are met at every stage. The product rollout process involves comprehensive user testing and feedback to guarantee that users are proficient in utilising the new solutions. This includes providing guides or demonstrations and offering in-person support to assist individuals. As part of RAF Digital, there is also wider engagement and input into larger Defence programmes around digital upskilling of users, such as DS4D (Digital Skills for Defence).
What assessment he has made of the capability of the Royal Navy’s Project CETUS crewless submarine demonstrator following its launch in February 2025.
The Ministry of Defence is continuing to assess XV EXCALIBUR to determine its operational capabilities. Since its launch in February 2025, the vessel has already completed Sea Acceptance Trials and recently participated in multinational collaboration as part of Exercise TALISMAN SABRE. As a capability demonstrator, XV EXCALIBUR is not intended to enter operational service, but will continue to be subject to progressive experimentation and capability demonstration activities. XV EXCALIBUR will inform the Royal Navy’s future Extra Large Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (XLAUV) fleet by helping to understand and develop how XLAUVs can be operated, maintained and commanded.
What recent progress has been made in developing SPEAR Capability 5.
SPEAR Capability 5 is being delivered through the collaborative Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon programme. This is progressing with our European partners and it has recently entered the demonstration phase. The programme is designed to be integrated on Typhoon and Rafale aircraft, as well as future platforms including the Global Combat Air Programme.
On what aircraft will SPEAR Capability 5’s (a) low-observable TP15 and (b) supersonic RJ10 be compatible.
SPEAR Capability 5 is being delivered through the collaborative Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon programme. This is progressing with our European partners and it has recently entered the demonstration phase. The programme is designed to be integrated on Typhoon and Rafale aircraft, as well as future platforms including the Global Combat Air Programme.
With reference to the National Infrastructure & Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024/25, published on 11 August 2025, what are the key supplier issues that could impact delivery of the Challenger 3 Armour Main Battle Tank programme.
Initial Operating Capability for Challenger 3 is dependent on the delivery of hardware and software to enable the trials required to prove the final accepted build standard.
What assessment has he made of the potential merits of renegotiating the 1967 Outer Space Treaty to reflect current exploitation of the difference between (a) air and (b) space.
The Outer Space Treaty (OST) is the cornerstone of international space law with all major space-faring nations being party to this treaty. The Treaty explicitly affirms that activities in the exploration and use of outer space must be carried out in accordance with international law, including the United Nations (UN) Charter. This includes the prohibition on the threat or use of force, which applies to States’ space activities, as it does to other domains. The Treaty also prohibits the stationing of nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction in outer space. The Treaty does not impose a formal distinction between air and outer space, and this has not impeded the UK’s ability to pursue its ambitious goals in both aviation and space. We remain steadfast in our commitment to the Outer Space Treaty and the peaceful uses of outer space, ensuring space remains a safe, secure, and sustainable environment for future generations. Across government, there are efforts to strengthen governance of space more generally though the UN, including working through the UN Committee On the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) and promoting norms rules and principles of responsible space behaviours to address threats to space systems.
How many tonnes of humanitarian aid were delivered to Gaza as part of Operation Underhill.
UK Defence delivered approximately 110 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Gaza in 2024. UK aid drops were judged to be accurate and to have landed within the designated drop zones.
What proportion of aid dropped in Gaza during Operation Underhill was on target.
UK Defence delivered approximately 110 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Gaza in 2024. UK aid drops were judged to be accurate and to have landed within the designated drop zones.
With reference to page 25 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published on 24 June 2025, if she will take legislative steps to introduce a new offence for (a) acts preparatory to extreme violence and (b) individuals identified as violence fixated.
As mentioned in the National Security Strategy 2025, the Government accepts and strongly supports the Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation’s (IRTL) recommendation to consider creating a new offence to capture individuals intending to kill multiple people and planning for such attacks.As recognised by the IRTL, this is a complex area of law and will require working through difficult legal and ethical issues to avoid unintended consequences. We are considering carefully the best way to close the gap in the legislation.The Government is also working at pace to understand the causal factors and adequacy of public policy interventions to address the risk posed by individuals fascinated with extreme violence and/or mass casualty attacks, but who do not meet the terrorism threshold.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of F-35B aircraft (a) production and (b) delivery into service on the delivery of the SPEARCAP 3 programme.
The programme for the Spear Capability 3 air-to-surface weapon and its integration onto the F-35B is currently under review, with a Review Note in development and planned for submission towards the end of 2025. The estimated current timeline for in-service capability is expected to be early 2030s, but this will be confirmed as part of the review.