Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

With reference to page 135 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what progress he has made on decarbonising energy systems across defence.

The Strategic Defence Review sets a path for the next decade and beyond to transform Defence and make the UK stronger both at home and abroad. The Government endorses the Review's vision and accepts all 62 recommendations.The implementation of the Review's recommendations is underway. Implementation will be priority business of the Department and will be executed through a whole of UK Defence effort. We will develop a new Defence Investment Plan to take onboard the Review's vision and recommendations and turn them into a delivery plan. We will ensure that this Plan is affordable, considers infrastructure and people, alongside capabilities, enables flexibility to seize new technological opportunities, and maximises the benefits of defence spending to grow the UK economy. The decarbonisation of energy systems is incorporated into this approach.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to page 12 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published on 24 June 2025, what progress he has made in building the UK national security agenda for (a) AI and (b) other frontier technologies in order to create more national capacity.

DSIT is supporting the implementation of the National Security Strategy by identifying, nurturing, and protecting the UK’s sovereign strengths in science, technology, and innovation, and by aligning objectives and metrics to achieve measurable results.The government's response to the AI Opportunities Action Plan sets out a comprehensive programme of work to build national capacity and accelerate adoption. This includes our commitment to 20x public compute, establishing the sovereign AI unit backed by up to £500 million, and our investment into cutting edge research via the AI security institute. We have also committed to publishing an AI for Science strategy.DSIT has also committed to work with the Ministry of Defence to pull through innovative capabilities to mission at speed and foster a thriving and world-leading UK defence technology sector through collaboration in multiple areas e.g. on the creation of UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) and closer working on National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF) investment programmes.

With reference to the Answer of 24 July 2025 to Question HL9397 on Typhoon Aircraft: Factories, what proportion of the funding for Combat Air will be spent with companies in the North West.

The planned Combat Air investment will benefit every region of the United Kingdom in the next ten years. In a new era of threat, we need a new era for our defence industry and the Defence Industrial Strategy launched on 8 September 2025 is designed not just to spend more, but to spend smarter: speeding up development to delivery (factory to frontline) and ensuring our defence investment benefits local communities.A significant proportion of investment will be devoted to companies in north-west England as a key region for the manufacture of fixed-wing military aircraft, and support of complex weapon systems from concept to delivery. The region also offers unique platform and system testing capabilities.The Defence Investment Plan will be published in the Autumn and provide further detail on how we will deliver our Strategic Defence Review vision for Combat Air investment.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to page 12 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published on 24 June 2025, what progress he has made in building the UK national security agenda for (a) AI and (b) other frontier technologies in order to accelerate adoption in key sectors.

DSIT is supporting the implementation of the National Security Strategy by identifying, nurturing, and protecting the UK’s sovereign strengths in science, technology, and innovation, and by aligning objectives and metrics to achieve measurable results.The government's response to the AI Opportunities Action Plan sets out a comprehensive programme of work to build national capacity and accelerate adoption. This includes our commitment to 20x public compute, establishing the sovereign AI unit backed by up to £500 million, and our investment into cutting edge research via the AI security institute. We have also committed to publishing an AI for Science strategy.DSIT has also committed to work with the Ministry of Defence to pull through innovative capabilities to mission at speed and foster a thriving and world-leading UK defence technology sector through collaboration in multiple areas e.g. on the creation of UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) and closer working on National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF) investment programmes.

What estimate he has made of the level of available resource within the NHS of (a) resident doctors, (b) consultants and (c) nurses in the event of strike action.

The National Health Service makes every effort through rigorous contingency planning to minimise disruption as a result of industrial action and its impact on patients and the public. Assessments are made by local Trusts about the level of resourcing, and they can escalate via regions and nationally, where appropriate.NHS staff are not obliged to inform their employer that they will be taking part in strike action ahead of strike action taking place.

Innovation and Technology, what estimate he has made of the potential impact of removing legislation that requires the Intellectual Property Office to seal patents with wax on (a) money and (b) time savings.

Legislation requires that certified office copies, which verify the content of patent applications, are provided with a physical seal but the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) does not use wax. The IPO is exploring measures to modernise its services, this includes giving users the option of choosing between digital and paper certified copies. A consultation on this has revealed that the majority of users support the introduction of digital certified office copies alongside paper, with some highlighting that this would make processes more efficient, quicker and cheaper. Legislation to remove the requirement would be accompanied by an impact assessment in which these matters would be addressed.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has (a) witnessed and (a) seen verified video evidence of the Israeli Defence Forces deliberately firing on the civilian population in Gaza during the distribution of humanitarian relief.

Reports and footage of the chaos at Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) sites are horrifying. It is appalling that at least 2,294 people have been killed and over 16,839 injured at or near the distribution sites. This further illustrates why humanitarian partners such as the UN and humanitarian non-governmental organisations must be allowed to operate in line with their principles. We have repeatedly urged Israel to remove restrictions on aid and ensure that aid can be delivered across the Gaza strip safely.The UK has been clear that we will not support any aid mechanism that seeks to deliver political or military objectives or puts vulnerable civilians at risk while retrieving aid.On 11 July, I called for an independent investigation into the killing of women and children while collecting aid in central Gaza. Indications that Israel's Military Advocate General may open an investigation into allegations of deliberate targeting of civilians at aid distribution sites are a step in the right direction. We expect those responsible to be held to account.

How does StormShroud function autonomously as part of the RAF’s Autonomous Collaborative Platforms.

StormShroud supports RAF F-35B Lightning and Typhoon pilots by jamming enemy radars, which increases the survivability and operational effectiveness of our crewed aircraft. As StormShroud is the first Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP) introduced into RAF service it does not currently function autonomously with other ACP as it is the first platform and no other ACPs exist yet to collaborate with yet. StormShroud may be directly controlled from a ground station or operate autonomously at range, where it confuses or jams adversary radar. However, I am withholding the exact nature of the autonomous behaviour as it would harm the security or effectiveness of the Armed Forces.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of procuring orchestrike for the Royal Air Force.

While the Ministry of Defence is not currently procuring Orchestrike as a discrete capability, the development of Spear Capability 3 and STRATUS-LO includes the integration of such network-enabled technology.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the proposed loan of the Parthenon Sculptures to Greece on trends in the number of visitors to the (a) British Museum and (b) UK in the next five years.

No such assessment has been made.

With reference to page 28 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published on 24 June 2025, when he plans to publish the new Critical Minerals Strategy.

Critical minerals have been included in the recently published National Security Strategy and also in the UK Government's Resilience Action Plan, highlighting their fundamental importance to safeguarding the UK's economic security and resilience. Thanks to the extensive engagement and insights from our industry and expert stakeholders as well as through cross-government collaboration, we have developed a powerful new vision and plan for securing critical minerals in the UK.We will continue to refine this ahead of publication this year, taking into account the evolving international context.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has he made of the factors causing (a) agriculture, (b) forestry and (c) fishing businesses to close since 5 July 2024.

Defra is aware of the Office for National Statistics' quarterly business openings and closures data. There are many factors unrelated to government policy that might explain why businesses would be shown as "closing" in the data source, including purely statistical factors. Defra monitors data on the number of farm businesses registered with Defra for England published here Structure of the agricultural industry in England and the UK at June - GOV.UK. This Government is committed to supporting economic growth. We continue to work closely with our agriculture, fishing, seafood and forestry sectors to ensure they are vibrant, profitable, and sustainable.

What assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the result of the trial drone against drone engagement using the APKWS precision-guided rocket conducted by BAE Systems Falconworks unit.

The trial referenced by the hon. Member was conducted by BAE Systems for a multi-rotor Uncrewed Air System (UAS) and the information on the trial can be found on the open internet.The UK Armed Forces remain steadfast in their commitment to advancing their already strong capabilities. They continuously explore the potential adoption of new equipment, including drones, to ensure they remain at the forefront of operational effectiveness.This Government launched the Strategic Defence Review (SDR) a path for the next decade and beyond to transform Defence. We are delivering our commitment to spend 2.6% of GDP on defence, accelerating it to 2027, and we have set the ambition to reach 3% in the next Parliament.A key part of the SDR's vision for UK defence is innovation driven by lessons from Ukraine - harnessing drones, data, and digital warfare to make our Armed Forces stronger and safer. The SDR recommends that the Royal Air Force should shift towards the greater use of uncrewed systems as an immediate priority.As part of this transformation, uncrewed and autonomous systems will be incorporated into the Royal Air Force through a broad mix of capabilities to enhance operational effectiveness. This Government is investing an additional £2 billion this Parliament into autonomous systems, including drones, and will establish a new Defence Uncrewed Systems Centre at initial operating capability by February 2026.The exact types of uncrewed systems to be procured and the associated investment will be determined as part of the Defence Investment Plan.

With reference to page 26 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published on 24 June 2025, who will be responsible for the creation of a National Action Plan on confronting Antimicrobial Resistance.

A cross-government National Action Plan (NAP) to confront antimicrobial resistance (AMR) exists. The NAP, covering 2024 to 2029, was published on 8 May 2024, and is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-5-year-action-plan-for-antimicrobial-resistance-2024-to-2029/confronting-antimicrobial-resistance-2024-to-2029It is the second of four five-year NAPs that the United Kingdom Government committed to developing in order to deliver its 20-year vision that AMR is contained, controlled, and mitigated by 2040.The content of this NAP was developed by the Department in consultation with a broad range of stakeholders across different sectors and the four UK nations. This allowed the NAP to take a One Health approach, encompassing cross-sector activity to drive collaborative and innovative action.Organisations responsible for delivery provide regular updates to the Department, and the appropriate governance structures ensure delivery is kept on track and that progress is being made on the NAP’s commitments and targets.

Which schools are included in the scope of the School Rebuilding Programme in Huntingdon constituency.

The government has given a long-term commitment for funding through to 2034/35 to improve the condition of schools and colleges across England. The department is investing almost £20 billion in the school rebuilding programme (SRP), delivering rebuilding projects at over 500 schools across England within the existing programme. The department is also expanding the SRP, with a further 250 schools to be selected within the next two years.The department invited responsible bodies to nominate schools to be considered for the SRP in early 2022. There are currently no schools in the constituency of Huntingdon in the programme. The department will set out further details about the selection process for the additional 250 schools to be selected for the SRP later this year.

With reference to page 36 of the National Security Strategy, published on 24 June 2025, what progress he has made in unlocking investment across a range of cutting-edge technologies via the Technology Security Initiative with India.

The Technology Security Initiative (TSI) is a landmark agreement aimed at strengthening UK-India collaboration on critical and emerging technologies - such as AI - to drive growth and strengthen national security in both countries. It was launched by the Foreign Secretary and Prime Minister Modi in India in July 2024. Since then, it has enabled industry, academia, and government to deliver a number of new strategic opportunities - for example, a £7 million joint research programme on Future Telecoms.For the sixth year running, India remains the second-largest source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) projects into the UK. Last year, Indian FDI created over 6,000 jobs - with many of these in the tech sector. More than 300 Indian tech companies attended London Tech Week, with most of them expressing interest in AI, a key area within TSI.

What is the full scope of Project EVE.

Project EVE is an innovative Communications & Information Systems (CIS) network which digitally connects front-line Commando Forces and supporting elements within 3 Cdo Brigade to globally dispersed Command and Control (C2) elements. EVE will be fielded by the Army’s Very High Readiness forces under Project CAIN for 16X.

What recent progress has been made on the delivery of the future air superiority effectors programme.

The Future Air Superiority Effectors programme is currently in pre-concept phase, and work is actively underway to establish a concept phase.

When he plans to replace the remaining in-service Tranche 1 Typhoons.

The remaining in-service Tranche 1 Typhoons have a planned out of Service date of 2027. Upon Tranche 1 retirement, Typhoon will continue to serve as the backbone of the UK's Combat Air Force until at least the 2040s. To ensure it remains at the cutting edge of capability, the UK is planning significant investment in the Typhoon through-life equipment programme. This includes the delivery and integration of the advanced European Common Radar System Mark 2 (ECRS Mk2) radar, which will enhance the aircraft's operational effectiveness.

How many Afghans housed in Service Families Accommodation under Operation Lazurite were brought to the UK under the Afghan Response Route.

We are committed to honouring the promise made to those Afghans who supported the UK mission in Afghanistan, often at great personal risk.As of 4 September 2025, there are 97 Afghan Response Route (ARR) eligible families residing in Settled Service Family Accommodation (SSFA). MOD does not hold data on the specific number of individuals in each SSFA. There are 293 ARR eligible persons residing in temporary accommodation on the Defence Estate which includes transitional SFA and barrack block style accommodation.The Afghan Resettlement Programme provides our Afghan friends and allies with the opportunity to begin new lives in the UK. Each arrival is entitled to nine months transitional accommodation – allowing them time to orient themselves to the UK, establish roots and integrate into communities to begin the path to self-sufficiency.