Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

How many Warrior armoured vehicles have been written off due to a) enemy action and b) accidents, since its introduction.

I am unable to release the data requested as to do so would, or would be likely to, prejudice the security and capability of our Armed Forces.

When is the demonstration phase trial of Challenger 3 due to be completed.

I refer the hon. Member to my answer to Question 100127, which remains extant: Challenger 3 is currently undergoing demonstration phase trials to prove the performance of the tanks. Manufacturing will begin once the tank's performance is proven, rather than being tied to a specific deadline. The project team will review the timeline regularly to ensure alignment with delivery milestones, operational needs, and emerging technical risks.

What is the out of service date of each Protected Mobility Vehicle platform included within the UK Armed Forces Land Equipment table.

The table below outlines the Out of Service dates for each of the Army’s Protected Mobility Vehicles based on current plans. Protected Mobility VehicleOut of Service DateJackall2030Coyote2030Mastiff2028Ridgeback2028Wolfhound2028Foxhound2030Panther2037Viking2029 These dates are continuously reviewed to ensure that the British Army has the capabilities it requires to deliver against Defence commitments.

Communities and Local Government, what is the projected total cost of local government reorganisation in Cambridgeshire.

Exact costs and savings will vary by area, depending on proposals received and which proposals are implemented. It was for local areas to firstly submit proposals, including estimated costs/benefits of each proposal. We anticipate that we will launch a consultation in February on final proposals for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough that meet the terms of the invitation letter before deciding which, if any, to implement.

What is the size of the processing backlog for firearms licensing applications in Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.

The issuing of firearms certificates, resourcing of firearms licensing teams and the efficiency of police forces, including tackling any backlogs, is a matter for individual Chief Officers of Police and Police and Crime Commissioners. Cambridgeshire Constabulary, Bedfordshire Police and Hertfordshire Constabulary, work together on firearms licensing as part of a tripartite arrangement between the forces and reports to each of the relevant Chief Officers.However, with the agreement of Chief Officers, and in the interests of greater transparency, the National Policing Chiefs Council (NPCC) Lead for Firearms Licensing has since 2025 been publishing quarterly performance data for firearms licensing in all police forces in England and Wales. The data is published on the NPCC website at firearms-licensing-2526-q2-headlines.pdf. This data includes a new performance target for forces to complete applications for the grant or renewal of firearm and shotgun certificates within four months of receipt. We welcome this greater transparency and forces making improvements in performance, subject to ensuring public safety remains the priority and suitability checks are carried out properly.There is also an ongoing firearms licensing thematic inspection by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) that will report later this year. The thematic inspection is looking at a number of forces, and this includes the firearms licensing arrangements and performance in Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.

What is the projected overall financial saving from abolishing the role of Police and Crime Commissioners.

The Government expects to save at least £100m in this Parliament as a result of abolishing Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs).At least £20m per annum will be reinvested back into policing from 28/29, in addition to savings from cancelling future PCC elections which will be retained by the exchequer.

How many noise and vibration injuries were sustained by personnel using Ajax vehicles between 23 July 2025 and Exercise Titan Storm.

The number of personnel with a recorded code for the relevant symptom has been provided. It should be noted that personnel who had a recorded symptom for noise or vibration may have had this on their health record prior to their first Ajax use. For any service person, use of Ajax will be mixed with other hazardous exposures in Defence, such as load-carriage, fitness tests and noise and vibration exposures from other sources such as small arms fire on ranges or other armoured vehicles. It is also possible that any symptoms may be non-Ajax related. Therefore, although a noise or vibration symptom may have been recorded on the health record since the individual first operated Ajax, it does not mean that the symptom was caused as a direct result of operating on the Ajax platform and could be entirely unrelated. Of those recorded as using Ajax since the start of the Armoured Cavalry programme between 23 July 2025 and 13 November 2025: 25 personnel had a noise symptom recorded on their electronic medical record since they first used Ajax.59 personnel had a vibration symptom recorded on their electronic medical record since they first used Ajax.

What progress he has made on delivering the Digital Targeting web.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I provided to Question 96241 on 10 December 2025. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-12-02/96241 The Department aims to deliver the first elements of the Digital Targeting Web, or a ‘Minimal Viable Product’, in 2026. The detail of these first deliverables is being defined now, but in outline will consist of the digitisation of selected targeting processes to deliver increased scale, speed and precision. Plans will be continually developed and upgraded to respond to emerging threats and adjusted as necessary. No target date will be given for the full implementation of the Digital Targeting Web. This is because to be competitive, the UK must continually adapt and develop its ability to target, and this will require constant evolution.

Whether the draft Public Order Act 2023 (Interference With Use or Operation of Key National Infrastructure) Regulations 2025 covers online activity.

On Thursday 27 November 2025, the Home Office laid an affirmative Statutory Instrument in Parliament to amend Section 7 and Section 8 of the Public Order Act 2023 (“POA”). This will amend the list of key national infrastructure within Section 7 of the POA, to add the life sciences sector and define the life sciences sector in Section 8 of the POA.Under Section 7 POA, a person commits an offence if:They do an act which interferes with the use or operation of any key national infrastructure in England and Wales, andThey intend that act to interfere with the use or operation of such infrastructure or are reckless as to whether it will do so.Whether an activity, online or otherwise, meets the criminal threshold within section 7 POA will be fact specific and is an operational matter for the police, the Crown Prosecution Service and the courts, who are all operationally independent from the government.

With reference to the contribution of the Minister for Policing and Crime during the Third Delegated Legislation Committee on 17 December 2025, when she plans to send a command paper to the Home Affairs Select Committee on the use of public order legislation.

The government has committed to undertake post legislative scrutiny of the Public Order Act 2023. This process began in May.When complete, we will send the command paper to the Home Affairs Select Committee as is routine and in line with the guidance on completing post legislative scrutiny.

With reference to the Ministry of Defence accounts 2024-25, what the retirement of Project Chinook and constructive losses of £129,469,000 relate to.

The figure of £129,469,000 recorded as constructive losses in the Ministry of Defence accounts for 2024-25 relates to the early retirement of 14 of the oldest Chinook aircraft and associated equipment announced in November 2024. This ageing equipment is being removed from service to optimise the sustainment of the remaining Chinook fleet. The associated financial adjustment ensures that the Department's accounts accurately reflect the revised date of retirement for these assets.

Pursuant to the answer of 17 December 2025, to question 95176 on Ministers: Official Residences, whether tax is payable on residences owned by the State.

The High Value Council Tax Surcharge (HVCTS) will be paid by property owners, and official residences operate through a range of different ownership structures, including leases and trusts. The details of the HVCTS are to be consulted upon shortly.

Pursuant to the answer of 16 December 2025 to question 98882 on Armoured Fighting Vehicles: Procurement, how much funding has been allocated to Project Rarden in the defence budget in each year since 2000 including financial allocations carried forward for accounting purposes.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer to his Question 98882 which remains extant. There has been no money spent or specific work carried out under Project Rarden in the last ten years, there is no further data prior to this date. Project Rarden is a legacy project that introduced the Rarden cannon into service in the 1970s. The reference to Project Rarden in the 2024-2025 Ministry of Defence Accounts is an error – this will be corrected. I can confirm that this entry relates to ammunition capability which was funded as part of the Armoured Piercing Fin Stabilised Discarding Sabot (APFSDS) munition. The Constructive loss of circa £3.7 million is a result of Defence choosing not to pursue procurement of the APFSDS munition following initial trials.

Pursuant to the answer of 16 December 2025 to question 98882 on Armoured Fighting Vehicles: Procurement, what the £3,777,000 in constructive losses related to Project Rarden in the 2024-25 Ministry of Defence Accounts is for.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer to his Question 98882 which remains extant. There has been no money spent or specific work carried out under Project Rarden in the last ten years, there is no further data prior to this date. Project Rarden is a legacy project that introduced the Rarden cannon into service in the 1970s. The reference to Project Rarden in the 2024-2025 Ministry of Defence Accounts is an error – this will be corrected. I can confirm that this entry relates to ammunition capability which was funded as part of the Armoured Piercing Fin Stabilised Discarding Sabot (APFSDS) munition. The Constructive loss of circa £3.7 million is a result of Defence choosing not to pursue procurement of the APFSDS munition following initial trials.

What are the capabilities of the Gravehawk air defence system.

The Gravehawk air defence system is a bespoke system developed for Ukraine, jointly funded by the UK and Denmark, that uses the Ukrainian R-73/AA-11 air-to-air missile. Gravehawk is primarily intended to defend against Russian drones, but will also offer some capability against fixed wing aircraft, helicopters and potentially cruise missiles.

What progress he has made on waiving visa fees for the dependents of Commonwealth veterans.

This Government is committed to waiving visa fees for non-UK veterans, including Commonwealth citizens, who have served for four or more years, and their dependants. We are working closely with the Home Office to deliver this commitment.

What are the capabilities of the Raven air defence system.

The Raven air defence system is a bespoke system developed for Ukraine, funded by the UK, that uses the RAF's AIM-132 ASRAAM air-to-air missile. Raven is primarily intended to defend against Russian drones, fixed wing aircraft and helicopters, with some capability against cruise missiles.

Pursuant to the answer of 15 July 2025, to question 68113 on Army, what progress has he made in developing the next iteration of Project Asgard.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to his questions 68113, 73577 and 79396 which remains extant and explains the current position for the Army’s project ASGARD.

How many a) Raven and b) Gravehawk air defence systems have been provided for Ukraine.

13 RAVEN air-defence systems have now been provided to Ukraine, giving Ukrainian units the ability to rapidly defend themselves against Russian aerial threats.Two prototype GRAVEHAWK air-defence systems have been delivered to Ukraine so far. Of the additional 15 GRAVEHAWK systems on contract, the first batch will be delivered shortly, and will reinforce Ukraine's ability to protect key infrastructure from Russia's deep-strike barrages.

Communities and Local Government, what his Department's timetable is for publishing its response to the Fair Funding Review 2.0 consultation.

On Thursday 20 November 2025 the government published the response to the Fair Funding Review 2.0 alongside the local government finance policy statement 2026-27 to 2028-29. On Wednesday 17 December 2025 the government published the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement 2026-2027 to 2028-2029, with a 4-week consultation period, that is seeking views by 14 January 2026.