Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 30 June 2025 to Question 62328 on Unitary Councils, when will the statutory consultation period for proposed unitary councils in Cambridgeshire begin.

The exact timings and detail will depend on the proposals received. Our working assumption, however, is that following final proposals being submitted at the end of November, a consultation could be launched in early 2026, likely closing at some point after the May local elections.

On what date (a) was the last and (b) is the next meeting of the Honours and Appointments Secretariat.

The UK Honours and awards system does not comprise a committee or administrative team known as the Honours and Appointments Secretariat, which was the previous name of the Honours and Memorialisation Secretariat. This team holds weekly team meetings.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the suitability of the (a) substation connection and (b) grid capacity to support capacity of up to 4,500 homes at the MOD Trailblazer site at RAF Wyton.

Development proposals for new housing at Wyton Airfield are at an early stage and therefore no such assessments have yet been made. The Ministry of Defence and Homes England will work closely with relevant infrastructure providers as detailed proposals are developed.

What recent progress his Department has made on the pursuit of a (a) deployable and (b) persistent wide area anti-submarine warfare search capability.

Atlantic Bastion is the Royal Navy’s plan to secure the North Atlantic for the UK and NATO, as set out by the Strategic Defence Review. Navy Command is now focussed on delivering it. The first phase is now underway with industry engagement and associated commercial activity ongoing. This will see the Royal Navy integrate with commercial partners to provide elements of Anti-Submarine Warfare data collection through a service model that increases operational mass and persistence in targeted areas of the North Atlantic.

What the assessment criteria is for applications for the Armed Forces Independence Payment.

The Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) is a benefit payment for Service personnel and veterans who have been awarded an Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) Guaranteed Income Payment (GIP) Band A - C. An individual may claim for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and AFIP concurrently, however an individual is not entitled to both allowances as they are classed as 'overlapping benefits'. Claimants could however claim and receive PIP in advance of any AFIP application or whilst they wait for the outcome of an AFCS decision. Any AFIP payment due will take account of any PIP already paid for the same period with any only any applicable balance paid.Whilst AFIP is administered by the Ministry of Defence (MOD), the benefit is paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Officials work closely to ensure that DWP benefits correctly interface with the compensation provided by the MOD. Information on the number of individuals who have applied for AFIP is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Statistics on the AFCS are published annually by the MOD on gov.uk, and information relating to AFIP can be found at page 19 at the following link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6694ff57ab418ab05559251a/Armed_Forces_Compensation_Scheme_statistics_6_April_2005_to_31_March_2024.pdf There is no assessment criteria for AFIP; the eligibility criteria is to be in receipt of an AFCS Guaranteed Income Payment (GIP) band A-C.

How many people have applied for the Armed Forces Independence Payment in (a) 2022, (b) 2023, (c) 2024 and (d) to date in 2025.

The Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) is a benefit payment for Service personnel and veterans who have been awarded an Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) Guaranteed Income Payment (GIP) Band A - C. An individual may claim for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and AFIP concurrently, however an individual is not entitled to both allowances as they are classed as 'overlapping benefits'. Claimants could however claim and receive PIP in advance of any AFIP application or whilst they wait for the outcome of an AFCS decision. Any AFIP payment due will take account of any PIP already paid for the same period with any only any applicable balance paid.Whilst AFIP is administered by the Ministry of Defence (MOD), the benefit is paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Officials work closely to ensure that DWP benefits correctly interface with the compensation provided by the MOD. Information on the number of individuals who have applied for AFIP is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Statistics on the AFCS are published annually by the MOD on gov.uk, and information relating to AFIP can be found at page 19 at the following link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6694ff57ab418ab05559251a/Armed_Forces_Compensation_Scheme_statistics_6_April_2005_to_31_March_2024.pdf There is no assessment criteria for AFIP; the eligibility criteria is to be in receipt of an AFCS Guaranteed Income Payment (GIP) band A-C.

What steps he is taking to recover the Royal Air Force F-35B stranded at Thiruvananthapuram civilian airport.

We are working to repair the UK F-35B at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport as quickly as possible. Additional support is being provided by an engineering team deploying from the UK. The aircraft will be recovered once it is serviceable.We thank the Indian Authorities for their continued support. The safe landing, logistics and continuing organisational support provided by India in responding to this situation further demonstrates the close coordination and deepening relationship that exists between the Armed Forces of the UK and India.

How many applicants to the Armed Forces Independence Payment received the Personal Independence Payment whilst waiting for their application to be processed in (a) 2022, (b) 2023, (c) 2024 and (d) 2025.

The Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP) is a benefit payment for Service personnel and veterans who have been awarded an Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) Guaranteed Income Payment (GIP) Band A - C. An individual may claim for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and AFIP concurrently, however an individual is not entitled to both allowances as they are classed as 'overlapping benefits'. Claimants could however claim and receive PIP in advance of any AFIP application or whilst they wait for the outcome of an AFCS decision. Any AFIP payment due will take account of any PIP already paid for the same period with any only any applicable balance paid.Whilst AFIP is administered by the Ministry of Defence (MOD), the benefit is paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Officials work closely to ensure that DWP benefits correctly interface with the compensation provided by the MOD. Information on the number of individuals who have applied for AFIP is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Statistics on the AFCS are published annually by the MOD on gov.uk, and information relating to AFIP can be found at page 19 at the following link: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6694ff57ab418ab05559251a/Armed_Forces_Compensation_Scheme_statistics_6_April_2005_to_31_March_2024.pdf There is no assessment criteria for AFIP; the eligibility criteria is to be in receipt of an AFCS Guaranteed Income Payment (GIP) band A-C.

With reference to the Number 10 press release entitled UK to deliver on 5% NATO pledge as Government drives greater security for working people, published on 23 June 2025, if he will list his Department's (a) projects and (b) programmes by directorate that will contribute to the resilience and security element of national security spending for each year between 2025-26 and 2034-35 inclusive; and if he will list the amount of spending for each item (a) in real terms (b) as a proportion of concurrent forecast GDP.

We will set out detailed plans for meeting this new target at the appropriate time. The Government will continue to report to NATO on delivery against the headline investment pledge and the split, in line with NATO’s reporting schedule.

Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has he made of the potential impact of the reclassification of the St Ives Staunch as a navigation, rather than a flooding, asset on the risk of flooding from the River Great Ouse in Huntingdon constituency.

The Environment Agency (EA) have assessed a range of data and evidence linked to the St Ives Staunch Sluice. This has included hydraulic modelling and real-world data from flood events. The evidence shows that the asset provides very limited flood risk benefit but is important for maintaining water levels for navigation. The change in the primary purpose of the asset reflects this information. The EA will carry out works to the asset to support Navigation in the area, within the next two years. They have also committed to providing regular updates to keep the community informed. The reclassification has no impact on the amount of flood risk funding that the asset is eligible for, and the community can be reassured that the current condition of the asset does not have a significant impact on the risk of property flooding.

With reference to the Number 10 press release entitled UK to deliver on 5% NATO pledge as Government drives greater security for working people, published on 23 June 2025, if she will list her Department's (a) projects and (b) programmes by directorate that will contribute to the resilience and security element of national security spending for each year between 2025-26 and 2034-35 inclusive; and if she will list the amount of spending for each item (a) in real terms (b) as a proportion of concurrent forecast GDP.

We will set out detailed plans for meeting this new target at the appropriate time. The government will continue to report to NATO on delivery against the headline investment pledge and the split in line with NATO’s reporting schedule.

With reference to the Number 10 press release entitled UK to deliver on 5% NATO pledge as Government drives greater security for working people, published on 23 June 2025, if he will list his Department's (a) projects and (b) programmes by directorate that will contribute to the resilience and security element of national security spending for each year between 2025-26 and 2034-35 inclusive; and if he will list the amount of spending for each item (a) in real terms (b) as a proportion of concurrent forecast GDP.

The Government will set out detailed plans for meeting this new target at the appropriate time. The Government will continue to report to NATO on delivery against the headline investment pledge and the split in line with NATO’s reporting schedule.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the Number 10 press release entitled UK to deliver on 5% NATO pledge as Government drives greater security for working people, published on 23 June 2025, if he will list his Department's (a) projects and (b) programmes by directorate that will contribute to the resilience and security element of national security spending for each year between 2025-26 and 2034-35 inclusive; and if he will list the amount of spending for each item (a) in real terms (b) as a proportion of concurrent forecast GDP.

We will set out detailed plans for meeting this new target at the appropriate time. The government will continue to report to NATO on delivery against the headline investment pledge and the split in line with NATO’s reporting schedule.

How many of the proposed F-35A fleet will be designated as Operational Conversion Units.

The number of F-35A aircraft allocated to the F-35 Operational Conversion Unit within 207 Squadron will vary and remain subject to ongoing operational planning.

Pursuant to the Answer of 26 June 2025 to Question 61042 on Armed Forces: Firearms, when analysis into optimum levels of lethality in small teams will be (a) completed and (b) published.

Whilst I can confirm that a study into this area is being undertaken, I cannot provide any further details due to reasons of operational security and commercial sensitivity. As such, there are no current plans to publish the study upon completion.

What steps has he taken to ensure RAF Wyton force protection elements are equipped with an effective C-UAS capability.

Base security at RAF Wyton consists of professionally trained personnel from the Military Provost Guard Service, Ministry of Defence Guards and RAF Police, responsible for maintaining physical security across the site, and the Station works to reduce security risk to as low as reasonably possible. Service personnel are also held at readiness should the threat level be heightened, or a major incident declared. In addition to the sites well-guarded posture, it is encircled by a metal, razor wire topped, fence line which is patrolled. We also work closely with the local Cambridgeshire Constabulary and their Counter Terrorism Policing network. As the local MP, I know the team at RAF Wyton would welcome further visits from the hon. Gentleman.

How many service personnel were discharged after failing a Compulsory Drugs Test in (a) 2023, (b) 2024 and (c) 2025 for which the latest data is available.

The requested information is provided in the table below. Please note that these figures are provided for internal use and not assured to the same level as official Defence Statistics. YearRoyal NavyArmyRoyal Air Force202313559565202414243755202528*212**17*** *Latest figures for Royal Navy up to June 2025.**Latest figures for the British Army up to June 2025. Note that Army figures include those that tested in the previous year but were discharged in the following year.***Royal Air Force figures are up to and including 26 June 2025.

With reference to the policy paper entitled UK-France Joint Leaders' Declaration, published on 23 March 2023, what steps he has taken to demonstrate the sequencing of a more persistent European carrier strike group presence in the Indo-Pacific.

The UK and France, along with Italy, have jointly sequenced aircraft carrier deployments, including coordinating the deployment of HMS Prince of Wales with France's Charles de Gaulle and Italy's Cavour, to strengthen European naval presence in the Indo-Pacific. This cooperation, part of broader initiatives like the European Carrier Group Interoperability Initiative, enhances regional security and strategic alignment.

Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the potential closure of MBR Acres in Wyton Cambridgeshire on the UK pharmaceutical industry.

The Government continues to support MBR as a vital part of the system, helping sustain a strong pharmaceutical sector and life sciences ecosystem, while also looking to reduce animal testing where scientifically viable. The Government is committed to supporting non-animal alternatives and will publish a strategy to support their development, validation, and adoption later this year.

What assessment he has made of the date by which (a) doctrine and (b) training will need to have changed by in order to reflect the option of an air-launched tactical nuclear weapon.

Joining the NATO nuclear mission does not change the UK's Nuclear doctrine. Both the UK and NATO view the fundamental purposes of nuclear weapons to preserve peace, deter aggression, and prevent coercion.UK training plans will also be informed by our NATO Allies already contributing to the mission. Further work is underway.