Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

What steps he plans to take to increase the Army Active Reserve numbers by 20 per cent.

As the SDR has recommended, it is our intention to increase the UK's Active Reserve forces by at least 20 per cent. We recognise the need to adopt a whole of society approach to defence and the requirement for defence in depth. We are committed to growing the reserves. This will be part of an integrated approach to growing all of Defence’s Reserves. We are looking hard at policies to ensure we can meet the intent when funding allows. In the meantime, we are making better use of the resources available already by urgently reinvigorating how we engage with those ex-Regulars who have a mobilisation obligation (the Strategic Reserve), and reviewing our Reserves model. We are also improving recruitment and retention within the Active Reserves through more flexible careers, better accommodation, and more stable, family-friendly postings.

What steps he plans to take in order to implement Recommendation 1 of the 2025 Strategic Defence Review.

This Government is endorsing the vision and accepting all 62 recommendations in the SDR, which will be implemented. We are developing a new Defence Investment Plan to deliver the SDR's new vision. We will ensure the Plan is deliverable and affordable, considers infrastructure alongside capabilities, enables flexibility to seize new technology opportunities, and maximises the benefits of defence spending to grow the UK economy. This will supersede the old-style Defence Equipment Plan. This will deliver the best kit and technology into the hands of our frontline forces at speed and, importantly, invest in and grow the UK economy. The Defence Investment Plan will be completed in Autumn 2025. Another key factor in success in the coming years will be the Defence Reform programme which is driving the deepest defence reforms for 50 years. The SDR recognises that one cannot succeed without the other and that where the SDR states what Defence must do in the next decade and beyond, Defence Reform will ultimately determine how, and how successfully, it is delivered.

When the British Army’s new Recce-Strike approach will come into effect.

In line with the outcome of the Strategic Defence Review, the Army will become ten times more lethal – Recce-Strike is a key element of this transformation, and sees a significant shift in how the Army prepares for and conducts warfare. Fighting by Recce-Strike at every level is one element of how the British Army will fight and operate differently to achieve domain advantage over adversaries. Army’s Project ASGARD will enhance the Army’s ability to find (‘recce’) and destroy (‘strike’) enemy targets, and through Project WAVELL, the Army is adapting its structures, which combined with our modernisation programme, will align our capabilities to revise our approach set out in the Land Operating Concept.

What assessment has he made of the potential merits of reconstituting the National Space Council.

The Ministry of Defence along with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and other Departments, remains committed to ensuring that space activities are effectively coordinated across government. Ministers from across Government met on the 22 April to discuss our approach, and the Strategic Defence Review has recommended that a Cabinet sub-committee or equivalent be used to take forward our space strategy. This will be developed by Government to ensure strong Ministerial support for this vital area.

If he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the scope of the National Nuclear Strategic Plan for Skills published on 15 May 2024, in the context of trends in the level of global security.

Renewing and maintaining the nuclear deterrent is truly a national endeavour, providing highly skilled jobs across the United Kingdom. The National Nuclear Strategic Plan for Skills is vital to that endeavour. Delivery of the plan is underway, cultivating economic growth and providing greater opportunity and access to careers in the defence nuclear sector nationwide, with the defence nuclear workforce set to increase from around 47,000 to 65,000 by 2030. The plan will be reviewed and refreshed, following publication of the Strategic Defence Review.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of removing the requirement for armed forces personnel to pay (a) Income Tax and (b) Council Tax when deployed on overseas operations.

Whilst there is no income tax exemption for the salaries of armed forces personnel serving overseas, there are a number of exemptions for specific payments or expenses including for UK accommodation, uniform laundering, and some travel expenses and professional fees. The Ministry of Defence also pays a tax-free allowance called Council Tax Relief for certain Service personnel on specified operations or assignments. This demonstrates the Government's commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant and supporting our vital Armed Forces personnel.

When (a) SKYNET 6A and (b) SKYNET 6EC satellite communications programmes will come into service.

The Skynet 6 Programme continues to progress to meet Defence’s satellite communication needs. The build of the Skynet 6A satellite has transitioned into the testing and validation phase. The contracted in-service date is August 2026. Negotiations for the acquisition of the Enduring Capability satellites are progressing. The in-service dates will be agreed as part of that process, which remains commercial sensitive until the competition and final negotiations conclude.

What steps she plans to take to develop understanding of the armed forces among young people in schools.

Cadets can be an excellent opportunity for enrichment and welcomes the Ministry of Defence (MoD)-commissioned University of Northampton report which explores the benefits of a cadet unit in schools, which is available here: https://www.northampton.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/institute-for-social-innovation-and-impact-cadets-report-2025.pdf. Cadet Forces offer challenging and enjoyable activities for young people, preparing them to play an active part in the community while developing valuable life skills.The department works jointly with MoD on the Cadet Expansion Programme, which was launched to establish new cadet units in English state secondary schools. We will continue to work with MoD as they implement the Strategic Defence Review’s recommendation to expand in-school and community-based Cadet Forces.We will also work with MoD on the Strategic Defence Review’s recommendation to increase understanding of the Armed Forces in schools in a way that creates opportunities.MoD will review existing support with us over the coming months and in consultation with teachers. Schools themselves are best placed to determine how to use this available support.

What assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing Cadet Forces into secondary schools within the state sector.

Cadets can be an excellent opportunity for enrichment and welcomes the Ministry of Defence (MoD)-commissioned University of Northampton report which explores the benefits of a cadet unit in schools, which is available here: https://www.northampton.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/institute-for-social-innovation-and-impact-cadets-report-2025.pdf. Cadet Forces offer challenging and enjoyable activities for young people, preparing them to play an active part in the community while developing valuable life skills.The department works jointly with MoD on the Cadet Expansion Programme, which was launched to establish new cadet units in English state secondary schools. We will continue to work with MoD as they implement the Strategic Defence Review’s recommendation to expand in-school and community-based Cadet Forces.We will also work with MoD on the Strategic Defence Review’s recommendation to increase understanding of the Armed Forces in schools in a way that creates opportunities.MoD will review existing support with us over the coming months and in consultation with teachers. Schools themselves are best placed to determine how to use this available support.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the global posture review undertaken by the US government on (a) the UK's defence policy, (b) NATO deployments and (c) use of RAF bases by USAFE in the UK.

The US Administration is currently undertaking its Global Posture Review. Decisions on the deployment and posture of US forces are for the US Administration. We welcome the continued presence of United States forces in the UK, their engagement with the local communities in which they are based and the role they play in contributing to European defence, security and deterrence.

How much the Government has spent on contracts with temporary teaching agencies for staff at schools in Huntingdon constituency since 5 July 2024.

Supply teachers make an important contribution to the smooth running of schools across the country by filling posts on a temporary basis and covering teacher absences.Schools and local authorities are responsible for the recruitment of their supply teachers and there are currently various approaches to providing supply teachers, including using agencies. Therefore, the department does not hold contracts with temporary agencies for staff at schools and does not hold the data requested.The department collects financial data from schools across England through the Consistent Financial Reporting framework for local authority maintained schools, and through the Academy Accounts Return for academies and multi-academy trusts. The Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool reports on school and academy spend on supply teaching, including expenditure on agency supply teaching staff. This includes “costs paid to an agency for teaching staff that have been brought in to cover teacher absence”. The Tool can be accessed here: https://financial-benchmarking-and-insights-tool.education.gov.uk/data-sources.

With reference to the Restoring control over the immigration system white paper, published on 13 May 2025, if she will make an assessment of the potential impact of doubling the number of workers that an overseas business can send to the UK with the aim of establishing a presence in the UK on levels of immigration.

The Immigration White paper, published 12 May, set out proposed reforms in a number of areas.Over recent years, proper control and management of the immigration system has been lost. Levels of net migration have risen to a record high of 906,000 in the year ending June 2023 - a four-fold increase in the space of under four years.Further details will be set out in due course.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 June 2025 to Question 53718 on Trade Agreements: USA, whether the sugar beet farming industry will be impacted by the UK-US trade deal on ethanol.

The landmark economic deal with the United States announced on 8 May protects jobs in the automotive, steel, aluminium, pharmaceutical and aerospace sectors - sectors that employ over 320,000 people across the UK. For the first time ever, this deal will also open up exclusive access for UK beef farmers to the US market. Other than beef and ethanol, no access has been offered to US farmers into the UK market. The Government is engaging closely with the bioethanol industry to find a way forward. The Secretary of State of Department of Business and Trade has met with the affected companies and officials from his department continue to work with the industry. Sugar beet used in biofuel production is predominantly derived from sugar beet betaine residue, a waste by-product of processing. UK-sourced bioethanol from beet represents a very small proportion of the total ethanol supplied to the UK. Department for Transport data indicates that 1,406 million litres equivalent of ethanol were supplied to the UK in 2022/23, of which 49 million litres was produced from UK beet - a very small share (less 4% of the total).

What his planned timetable is for establishing a fair pay agreement process in the adult social care sector.

The Government is committed to consulting on the design of the Fair Pay Agreement process and aims to begin the public consultation after the bill receives Royal Assent later this year. Secondary legislation and the establishing of the Negotiating Body will follow. The body will then negotiate the first Fair Pay Agreement. The Government is committed to establishing the first Fair Pay Agreement, and to doing so within this Parliament.

Pursuant to the Answer of 2 June 2025 to Question 53712 on Prisons: Construction, how many Category A prison places she plans to be built as part of the Prison Capacity Strategy.

This Government will get the prison places built that the previous Government failed to deliver or fund. We are delivering 14,000 additional prison places and aim to do so by 2031, as set out in the 10-Year Prison Capacity Strategy. This consists of the construction of four new prisons, including the recently delivered HMP Millsike, as well as the expansion and refurbishment of the existing estate and temporary accommodation. These places are all within the Category B, Category C, and Category D estates, where the greatest level of demand is projected.

Communities and Local Government, what progress she has made in updating all relevant National Policy Statements by this summer.

Consultation on proposed amendments to the Energy National Policy Statements (NPSs) 1, 3 and 5 closed on 29 May, with the relevant period for parliamentary scrutiny of these NPSs closing on 22 July 2025.Consultation on a draft revised Ports NPS began on 4 June and will close on 29 July. The relevant period for parliamentary scrutiny of this NPS will close on 14 November 2025.Completion of the updates to these NPSs is subject to the outcome and timings of these consultation and parliamentary scrutiny processes.The NPS for Water Resources Infrastructure was designated in September 2023. The Department for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs are considering whether the NPS needs to be reviewed at this time.Consultation on the draft new nuclear NPS EN-7, which will be applicable to nuclear power stations expected to deploy beyond 2025, closed on 3 April. Parliamentary scrutiny of the draft NPS is expected to be completed by 23 June. Depending on the completion and outcome of these processes, the government aims to designate this new NPS before the end of the year.We are introducing legislation through the Planning and Infrastructure Bill to require National Policy Statements to be updated every five years. This will include a transitional period, which will require any NPS that is more than 5 years old at the time of Royal Assent to be updated within 2 years of the Bill being enacted.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing a next-generation, overhead, persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability with the ability to (a) sense, (b) warn of and (c) track threats in the Euro-Atlantic.

The Strategic Defence Review recommended the Ministry of Defence (MOD) should seek partners to develop a next-generation, overhead, persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capability to sense, warn and track threats in the Euro-Atlantic for the purpose of air and missile defence. The Review announced a £1 Billion investment in air and missile defence of the UK. Specific decisions on the UK's Integrated Air and Missile Defence will follow through the Defence Investment Plan which is in development within the MOD and due for publication in Autumn 2025.

Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 3 January 2025 to Question 53292 on Farms: Domestic Visits, if he will list (a) the 14 farms he has visited, (b) the size of each farm in acres, (c) the type of farming, (d) the constituency each farm is in and (e) the date each visit took place.

We respect the privacy of those hosting visits to farms and so are unable to share this information.

Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the press notice entitled Government to crack down on waste incinerators with stricter standards for new builds, published on 30 December 2024, what are the strict new local and environmental conditions that new waste incinerators will be required to meet.

The Residual Waste Infrastructure Capacity Note and an accompanying statement, set out that the Government will only back new Energy from Waste projects which:Demonstrate a clearly defined need to facilitate the diversion of non-recyclable waste away from landfill, or enable the replacement of older, less efficient waste incinerators; ANDCan be built Carbon Capture ready, in accordance with the Government’s ‘Decarbonisation Readiness’ requirements once they come into force;Demonstrate that making use of the heat they produce is viable. We are considering how to reflect in the new set of national policies for development management to be developed. The Government has consulted on revisions to the National Policy Statements that support decisions on major energy infrastructure to reflect these conditions. The consultation ran from 24 April 2025 to 29 May 2025.

What estimate he has made of when the upgrade of the RAF Typhoon FGR4’s radar to CAPTOR-E will be completed.

The European Common Radar System Mk2 programme is forecast to achieve an initial operating capability on the Typhoon aircraft fleet by the end of the decade.