Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

Communities and Local Government, what the minimum population size is that a unitary council can consist of within the local government reform framework.

New unitary councils must be the right size to achieve efficiencies, improve capacity and withstand financial shocks. The population size of 500,000 or more – as set out in the invitation and in the English Devolution White Paper – is a guiding principle, not a target. We understand that there should be flexibility, especially given our ambition to build out devolution and take account of housing growth, alongside Local Government Reorganisation, and have asked that all proposals, whether they are at the guided level, above it, or below it, should set out the rationale for the proposed approach clearly.All proposals will be assessed against all the criteria in the invitation. Decisions on the most appropriate option for each area will be judgements in the round, having regard to the statutory guidance and the available evidence. That evidence will include information provided by the councils as part of their proposals, representations received during the statutory consultation, and other relevant information available.

What steps he is taking to ensure a gas supply at MBR Acres in Wyton in Cambridgeshire.

The Department is aware of concerns regarding the continuity of supply of LPG to MBR Acres in Wyton due to ongoing protests and the potential impact on the delivery of liquefied petroleum gas. We have and are continuing to engage cross-government as well as with LPG suppliers to ensure that lawful supply chains can continue to operate safely.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 June 2025 to Question 58350 on Undocumented Migrants: English Channel and with reference to the policy paper entitled UK-France Joint Leaders' Declaration, published on 23 March 2023, what metrics are used to measure (a) progress and (b) the effectiveness of these policies.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer I gave him on 17 June to Question 58350. Further updates will be announced in the normal way in due course.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz on (a) oil prices and (b) the economy.

Oil and gas markets are well supplied and functioning normally. Though they have responded to events in the Middle East, prices remain within the bounds we have seen over the last year. We have not witnessed any material reduction of traffic passing through the Strait of Hormuz. DESNZ will continue monitoring closely for any future impacts. The Government's Clean Energy Superpower Mission, supported by the largest investment in home-grown clean energy in British history, will enhance energy security by boosting our energy independence, protecting billpayers, and reducing exposure to global supply shocks.

When did the Armed Forces cease to offer gap year commissions.

I refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave on 3 April 2025 to Question 41496 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge).

How many personnel are eligible for service in the strategic reserve in each of the armed forces.

The Strategic Reserve comprises two distinct elements: those former Service personnel with an ongoing legal liability to train and to be called out if needed (the Regular Reserve) and those with a legal liability to be recalled in the direst of situations (the Recall Reserve). Numbers within the Regular Reserve are routinely published within the Quarterly Service Personnel Statistics (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/quarterly-service-personnel-statistics-index). In table 8a of the Excel spreadsheet with the latest April 2025 figures, the Tri-Service UK Regular Reserve forces totalled 36,398 of which: Reserve Naval and Marine Forces Regular Reserve: 6,774Reserve Land Forces Regular Reserve: 22,897Reserve Air Forces Regular Reserve: 6,727 Defence does not currently publish Recall Reserve statistics but as part of the Strategic Defence Review, we are working to step up engagement with the Strategic Reserve and establish a digitised approach to Reserves management. We will reinvigorate our relationship with the Strategic Reserve to ensure the UK is ready to respond at scale to global insecurity. It is also a chance to renew the bond between society and those who’ve served, and to unlock the unique expertise gained through military Service and deploying it when it matters most.

What her definition of NATO-qualifying defence expenditure is.

NATO has a common definition of defence expenditure which is agreed by all NATO Allies. A full definition can be found here: https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_49198.htm

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 18 June 2025 to Question 58713 on Chagos Islands: Sovereignty, what proportion of the annual cost of the deal each year between 2025-2050 will be paid by (a) his department and (b) the Ministry of Defence.

The payments to Mauritius will be split between the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Ministry of Defence. They will be published in the normal manner alongside other departmental spend in the annual accounts.

What the full scope of Project Cairns is; and what the (a) specific technical requirements and (b) core characteristics of the project are as laid out to the defence industry.

Project CAIRNS is not a project of record at this time, however, it will seek to replace the L7A2 General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) upon reaching its Out of Service Date. The Project envisages replacing the GPMG’s roles across both Light and Medium Machine Gun areas. The current GPMG remains a world leading, highly effective and lethal machine gun, operated across Defence.

Pursuant to the Answer of 16 June 2025 to Question 55079 on Armed Forces: Firearms, whether the provision of a replacement rifle-mounted grenade launcher is within the scope of Project Grayburn.

The L123A3 Underslung Grenade Launcher (UGL) remains in-service and compatible with the L85 rifle family. There is currently not a programme of record to replace the UGL, and it is outside the boundaries for Project GRAYBURN. Analysis into optimum levels of lethality in small teams is being conducted, ensuring we continue to deliver highly lethal effects across Defence.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 June 2025 to Question 58350 on Undocumented Migrants: English Channel and with reference to the policy paper entitled UK-France Joint Leaders' Declaration, published on 23 March 2023, whether HM Treasury has paid France the £209m contribution for 2025-26.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer | gave him on 17 June to Question 58350. Further updates will be announced in the normal way in due course.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 June 2025 to Question 58340 on Land Rover: Armed Forces, whether all 5,674 Land Rovers in service across Defence are due to be withdrawn from service by 2030.

Yes, all in-service Land Rovers have a current out of service date of 2030.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 June 2025 to Question 58350 on Undocumented Migrants: English Channel, with reference to the Policy paper published on 23 March 2023 entitled UK-France Joint Leaders' Declaration, what progress she has made in developing a retention centre to (a) increase the number of returns and (b) prevent the recurrence of crossing attempts.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer | gave him on 17 June to Question 58350. Further updates will be announced in the normal way in due course.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 June 2025 to Question 58350 on Undocumented Migrants: English Channel and with reference to the policy paper entitled UK-France Joint Leaders' Declaration, published on 23 March 2023, whether her Department is funding an increase of 500 in law enforcement and human resources deployments in France.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer | gave him on 17 June to Question 58350. Further updates will be announced in the normal way in due course.

How many new cadet detachments in (a) schools and (b) communities he plans to create through the Cadet Expansion Programme in the 2025-26 financial year.

The Cadet Expansion Programme (CEP) is a joint Department for Education and Ministry of Defence initiative, underway since 2012, which aims to increase the number of cadet units in schools, and the number of cadets within those units. The CEP does not cover cadet units in the community. Given the fantastic benefits which can be gained from the cadet experience the Government wants more young people to be able to become cadets. Our recently published Strategic Defence Review recommended an expansion of Cadet Forces across the country by 30% by 2030 – both in-school and community-based. We will bring forward more detail in due course.

What the scope is of Project Grayburn; and what requirements were laid out to the defence industry on the core characteristics of the next-generation individual weapon to replace the SA80 family of rifles.

Project GRAYBURN is currently in the concept phase with the aim of identifying and understanding the capability requirements. As part of this phase, performance, interoperability and complexity are some of the characteristics under consideration. Due to the current phase of the project and commercial sensitivities I am unable to provide further detail. The Strategic Defence Review sets out a clear path for transformation across Defence. The Defence Investment Plan will set out in more detail the Department’s capability plan in the Autumn, replacing the Defence Equipment Plan.

What steps his Department is taking to help ensure that community and school cadet expansion plans (a) do not conflict and (b) maximise (i) coverage and (ii) the use of resources.

The recently published Strategic Defence Review recommended an expansion of in-school and community-based Cadet Forces across the country by 30% by 2030. Planning for this is underway with further detail to follow and as we move forward, we will ensure that our activities yield maximum gain. This Government is firmly convinced of the fantastic benefits of the cadet experience, and we are keen to make these available to more young people. We know from independent research that each year, participation in the Cadet Forces produces a return on investment in the region of £120 million in terms of health and wellbeing, and an estimated lifetime value of the vocational qualifications gained by the most disadvantaged cadets of well over £130 million.

When she plans to complete the review of the application of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

This work is being carried out at pace, and we will provide further updates in the normal way in due course.

How many new cadet detachments will the Cadet Expansion Programme create in (a) schools and (b) communities in 2025/26.

The Cadet Expansion Programme (CEP) is a joint Department for Education and Ministry of Defence initiative, underway since 2012, which aims to increase the number of cadet units in schools, and the number of cadets within those units. The CEP does not cover cadet units in the community. Given the fantastic benefits which can be gained from the cadet experience the Government wants more young people to be able to become cadets. Our recently published Strategic Defence Review recommended an expansion of Cadet Forces across the country by 30% by 2030 – both in-school and community-based. We will bring forward more detail in due course.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 March 2025 to Question 34050 on Railway Stations: Alconbury Weald, whether Network Rail plan to proceed with the proposed new East Coast Mainline Station at Alconbury Weald.

The outcomes from the Spending Review for East Coast Main Line investment are still being finalised but will be communicated shortly as part of the government’s commitment to set out its overall infrastructure strategy.