Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

What progress has she made in maturing the eVisa programme.

eVisas were introduced in 2018 and are replacing physical evidence of immigration status such as Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs), Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs) and vignettes.The Minister for Migration and Citizenship provided an update on the transition to a digital immigration system, which included progress made in the latest transition phase of the rollout of eVisas, in his statement made on 25 February 2026: Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament.There are now over 10 million eVisa holders, including approximately 6 million EUSS status holders. Over 5 million online (UKVI) accounts were created between March 2024 and January 2026, enabling people to access their eVisa.The transition to eVisas is being carefully delivered in phases, with the latest significant milestone reached on 25 February 2026, from when successful applicants for visit visas will receive an eVisa instead of a vignette, as set out in the Minister’s statement. Vignettes for most other routes have already been phased out.By the end of 2026, the Government intends to stop issuing all physical visa vignette stickers in passports, with all successful visa applicants receiving an eVisa.

What progress has he made in developing an airborne electromagnetic attack capability running proven counter-C5ISRT software, including third-party software applications.

I welcome innovation across the Defence industrial sector. The Ministry of Defence is aware of the importance of the Electromagnetic battlespace and is pursuing a number of options, both in the near-term and in the research and development programme, to address military needs.

What progress she has made in implementing nationwide E-HGV charging infrastructure.

Through the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme, Government has already provided £120 million of funding to kickstart the deployment of zero emission HGV infrastructure. This is funding 73 planned infrastructure locations, representing over 360 chargers. The Government is further supporting the installation of charging equipment at depots through the £30 million Depot Charging Scheme. We will set out further detail in a zero emission HGV and Coach Infrastructure Strategy in due course.

What assessment has he made of the efficiency of the current grid access prioritisation process.

Government has worked closely with the National Energy System Operator and network companies on their programme of connections reforms which have already reduced the queue for generation and storage connections by over half. NESO and the network companies have recently set out a revised timeline for issuing updated connections agreements.

What the scope is of the UK's participation in Project Convergence.

Project Convergence is a series of multinational experiments led by the United States Army Futures Command to test, integrate, and evaluate emerging technologies that enable faster, data driven decision making across domains. The United Kingdom participates in Project Convergence as part of its long-standing cooperation with the United States Army on future force development, experimentation, and interoperability. The British Army’s participation ensures that it remains interoperable, digitally connected and prepared for the future demands of conflict.

What the terms of reference are for the Ministerial-led review of the Ajax Programme.

As you will be aware, I released a written Ministerial Statement in the House on 22 January 2026 in which I provided an update to Parliament on the British Army’s Armoured Cavalry Programme (commonly known as Ajax) and the findings of the Ministerial review which has now concluded. It would not be appropriate to release any further specific details than those contained in my previous statement.

How much was a) overall and b) core spending on defence in each of the last ten years.

The UK's defence spending is reported to and published by NATO. The figures requested can be found online: https://www.nato.int/content/dam/nato/webready/documents/finance/def-exp-2025-en.pdf

Whether he has had recent discussions with (a) the Prime Minister, (b) Cabinet colleagues, (c) senior civil servants and (d) the Attorney General on the legality of authorising the United States to launch offensive military operations from RAF Fairford.

UK bases were not involved in the initial strikes on Iran. Permissions to utilise UK military bases are considered on a case-by-case basis and the decision to grant permission is dependent on the nature and purpose of their activity.

Innovation and Technology, what progress she has made in developing photonic computing.

DSIT are funding an Innovation and Knowledge Centre led by the University of Southampton’s world leading silicon photonics research foundry, Cornerstone. This centre is focused on translating silicon photonics technologies from research to industry, including photonic integrated circuits that are essential for optical computing. In parallel, the UK’s National Quantum Computing Mission aims to build scalable quantum computers. We have already announced over £1bn of funding for the quantum technologies sector – which includes over £500m specifically around the development of quantum computing of which photonic approaches are an integral part. Details of key milestones and funding programmes under this investment will be published soon.

On how many occasions the Attorney General held discussions with Dapo Akande on the Chagos Islands.

The Attorney General has never engaged in discussion with Dapo Akande on the UK-Mauritius Agreement concerning the Chagos Archipelago.

When the National Security Advisor was (a) appointed and (b) commenced his role.

The National Security Adviser was appointed on the 8th November 2024 (as announced on gov.uk) and commenced his role on the 2nd December 2024.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when the National Security Advisor first received any (a) email and (b) other digital communications from her Department on the British Indian Ocean Territory prior to his commencement of the role as Special Envoy.

I refer the Hon Member to the answer given to Question 115118 on 3 March.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes on the importation of illegal drugs into the UK.

We assess the recent death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes to have limited potential impact on the importation of illegal drugs into the UK.However, we continue to monitor for potential changes in drug supply, including the potential impact of the related civil unrest in Mexico.

With reference to page 65 of the Police reform white paper entitled From Local to National: A New Model for Policing, CP1489, when she plans to introduce a local intervention model to policing.

The Home Secretary announced her plans to introduce a local intervention model and new powers for His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) to intervene in failing forces in the police reform White Paper entitled “From Local to National: A New Model for Policing”, which was published on 26 January.Under this local intervention model, intervention leads may be appointed to take responsibility for turning around failing forces, providing focused leadership and oversight where local arrangements have failed. This approach has been used successfully in sectors such as local government, health and education to drive rapid improvement and restore public confidence.In addition, new powers will be introduced to strengthen HMICFRS’ ability to intervene in failing forces and ensure that other policing bodies respond to its recommendations.We intend to bring forward legislation to introduce both the local intervention model and the new HMICFRS powers when Parliamentary time allows.

With reference to page 64 of the Police reform white paper entitled From Local to National: A New Model for Policing, CP1489, when she plans to give HMICFRS new powers to intervene in failing forces.

The Home Secretary announced her plans to introduce a local intervention model and new powers for His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) to intervene in failing forces in the police reform White Paper entitled “From Local to National: A New Model for Policing”, which was published on 26 January.Under this local intervention model, intervention leads may be appointed to take responsibility for turning around failing forces, providing focused leadership and oversight where local arrangements have failed. This approach has been used successfully in sectors such as local government, health and education to drive rapid improvement and restore public confidence.In addition, new powers will be introduced to strengthen HMICFRS’ ability to intervene in failing forces and ensure that other policing bodies respond to its recommendations.We intend to bring forward legislation to introduce both the local intervention model and the new HMICFRS powers when Parliamentary time allows.

With reference to the press release published on 5 February 2026 titled Clean energy upgrades for hospitals and military sites, whether funding for new batteries and solar panels will be allocated to Hinchingbrooke hospital.

None of this funding was allocated for Hinchingbrooke Hospital.

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the flight testing performance of the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Collaborative Combat Aircraft YFQ-42A Dark Merlin.

The RAF continues to monitor the development of the global collaborative combat air market and develop advanced capabilities to augment crewed combat air as part of the Future force mix that will deliver control of the air for the UK.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of levels of (a) workforce skills, (b) industrial capacity and (c) sustainment of specialist manufacturing expertise on the effective delivery of Project GRAYBURN.

Project GRAYBURN is in the formal concept phase and therefore the scope, timeline and complexity are yet to be determined. Project GRAYBURN will deliver against the Defence Industrial Strategy and our strategic partnership with industry will generate new long-term skilled jobs, including in STEM, and increase our industrial capacity and resilience.

What is the full scope of the bilateral Nuclear-Powered Submarine Partnership and Collaboration Treaty regarding the a) design, b) build, c) operation, d) sustainment and e) disposal of SSN-AUKUS submarines.

The Government is fully committed to AUKUS. The Nuclear-Powered Submarine Partnership and Collaboration Treaty is a key part of this partnership and will enable comprehensive cooperation between the UK and Australia on the design, build, operation, sustainment, and disposal of our SSN-AUKUS submarines. This includes port visits, and notably HMS ANSON has recently arrived in Perth, Australia – a major milestone that will see Australian personnel conducting maintenance on the Astute Class submarine. The text of the treaty can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68b1814ecc8356c3c882a8dc/CS_Australia_2.2025_Nuclear_Powered_Submarine_Partnership_Agreement.pdf

Pursuant to the Answer of 23 February 2026 to Question 112783 on Prisons: Unmanned Air Systems, what is the full scope of the challenge launched on behalf of the Ministry of Justice by UK Defence Innovation.

This UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) competition is run on behalf of the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS), the Ministry of Defence (MOD), the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), the Home Office, the Police, Innovate UK, and wider UK security stakeholders. It is seeking proposals that offer innovative, low-collateral solutions to counter or defeat hostile drones targeting secure sites and locations. Drones, or ‘uncrewed aerial systems’ (UAS), pose a growing challenge when used for contraband delivery, surveillance and disruption near prisons, sensitive sites or critical national infrastructure, including in congested urban areas. The users for the solutions would include HMPPS security teams, MOD, police, law enforcement agencies, and operational staff, these groups need solutions to work alongside existing ‘last line of defence’ technology that are activated when other mitigation measures fail. Technologies in this area are developing rapidly. UKDI is keen to understand how innovation can keep up with the pace of development while remaining legally and ethically compliant, fully considering operational constraints, and integrating easily into existing security frameworks such as the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA), SAPIENT (Situational Awareness and Preparedness for Improved Operational Effectiveness and Efficiency), the Prison Act 1952, and the Police Act 1997. The calling notice can be found on GOV.UK.