Every parliamentary written question tabled by Ben Obese-Jecty this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1,521–1,540 of 4,542 · this parliament
Communities and Local Government, from which local authorities in Cambridgeshire he has received formal submissions for the proposed local government reorganisation.
My Department has received submissions from all councils in the invitation area of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
Pursuant to the Answer of 27 November 2025 to Question 93240 on Armoured Fighting Vehicles: Procurement, what was the a) start and b) finish date of Project RARDEN.
Project RARDEN is a legacy project that introduced the Rarden cannon into service in the 1970s. On current planning, the Rarden cannon will be removed from service December 2027.
With reference to the Prime Minister’s comment that You will see 3,000 neighbourhood police officers on your streets by March in his speech on 1st December 2025, what recent progress has she made in delivering those additional officers.
We have made £200 million available in 2025/26 to support the first steps towards delivering 13,000 more neighbourhood policing personnel across England and Wales by the end of this parliament, including up to 3000 additional neighbourhood officers by the end of March 2026.The Government has committed to publishing neighbourhood policing numbers every six months to align with the official police workforce statistics, with the next update due at the end of January 2026 setting out the numbers in neighbourhood policing roles as at the end of September 2025.
Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the number of local authorities which may need to issue Section 114s if required to recognise historic DSG deficits on their balance sheets, identified by the Office for Budget Responsibility’s Economic Financial Outlook, November 2025 (page 128).
At Autumn Budget 2025, the Office for Budget Responsibility gave an assessment of Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) deficits which are based on current Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) policy. This government has clarified that we will set out ambitious plans for reform of SEND provision early in the new year and that funding for SEND will be managed within the government’s overall departmental spending limits from 2028-29. Therefore, we do not expect local authorities to need to fund future SEND costs from general funds, once the DSG Statutory Override ends at the end of 2027-28. The government does not speculate on the number of local authorities that will need financial support, but we recognise that local authorities are continuing to face significant pressure from the impact of these deficits on their accounts. We will set out further details on our plans for support with historic and accruing deficits the upcoming Local Government Finance Settlement.
What does he estimate the total cost of implementing digital ID cards to be across the a) resource departmental expenditure limit and b) capital departmental expenditure limit budgets.
Any costs in this Spending Review period will be met within existing settlements. The Government will run a public consultation in the new year.
Communities and Local Government, what assessment has he made of the potential impact of the removal of the statutory override on local authority budgets by the end of the 2027-28 financial year.
At Autmn Budget 2025, the government clarified that ambitious Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) reform plans will be set out early in the new year and that funding for SEND will be managed within the government’s overall departmental spending limits from 2028-29. Therefore, we do not expect local authorities to need to fund future SEND costs from general funds, once the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) Statutory Override ends at the end of 2027-28. We recognise that local authorities are continuing to face significant pressure from the impact of historic and accruing DSG deficits on their accounts. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government engages regularly with local authorities and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy on the impact of the deficits and the extent to which they are expected to grow. We will set out further details on our plans to support local authorities with their historic and accruing deficits through the upcoming Local Government Finance Settlement.
Pursuant to the answer of 27 November 2025 to question 93243 on Defence: Procurement, for what reason was Project Magenta cancelled.
A routine programme review found Project Magenta was no longer viable in terms of cost or time. The review led to an alternate solution that was not available at the time of project approval.
What is the projected total cost of a third runway at Heathrow, including the consultation process; and who will be responsible for funding the planning and construction.
The Government has been clear that any expansion at Heathrow must be affordable and firmly in the interests of passengers. The costs of the scheme, should be kept to a minimum and met through private funding, including any associated surface-transport requirements.Whilst we have set out our ambition to move at pace, decisions on construction and operational costs are ultimately a matter for the scheme promoter. Scheme promoters are responsible for any consultation in relation to their DCO application in accordance with Planning Act 2008 requirements.
On what date was the Gazelle AH Mk1 helicopter withdrawn from service In Northern Ireland.
The Gazelle AH Mk1 helicopter was withdrawn from service in Northern Ireland on 26 October 2023.
What assessment has she made of the potential impact on airline ticket prices from Heathrow Airport of the need to fund the public consultation process for the proposed third runway.
The Government is committed to delivering a third runway at Heathrow in a cost-effective way. The Civil Aviation Authority have launched a consultation on their working paper of regulatory options in their role as the independent economic regulator for the aviation industry. They propose several criteria for assessing future regulatory models, including how effective these options are in keeping costs for the travelling public low. Aviation operates predominantly in the private sector, with ticket prices determined by many factors including competition between airlines.
Food and Rural Affairs, what information her Department holds on the reservoir from which the proposed new town at Tempsford plans to draw its water supply.
Anglian Water has a statutory obligation to provide water supplies and will plan provision of this supply for the proposed Tempsford New Town, through the Water Resources Management Plan process.
Food and Rural Affairs, what information her Department holds on the reservoir from which the proposed Universal Studios Bedford theme park plans to draw its water supply.
Anglian Water has an existing program to upgrade water resources in the region by 65Ml/d which will provide infrastructure to the Universal application. Universal has committed to a program to minimise water usage through collection of on-site water resources, be that rainwater run-off, lake abstraction, water recycling or possible use of borehole abstraction, as part of the application submission.
How many service personnel are undergoing treatment for hearing loss following operating within an Ajax or Ajax-platform vehicle.
On 22 November 2025, during a routine training exercise, around 30 soldiers operating in Ajax reported being affected by noise and vibration exposure. Out of an abundance of caution, and in line with our safety protocols, the exercise was halted within 30 minutes so that those affected could receive appropriate medical care. Importantly, none of the symptoms were life-threatening or severe enough to require hospitalisation, and most soldiers have already shown significant improvement, with many returning to their duties. As a result, I directed the Army to pause all use of Ajax for training and exercising, while a safety investigation is carried out into the events. Those investigations are ongoing, and I will update the House at an appropriate point.
What assessment has he made of the impact of the analysis that the July and November five day resident doctors’ strikes are estimated to have cost £500 million by the Office for Budget Responsibility’s Economic Financial Outlook (page 122).
We stand by the approximate £500 million figure as a reasonable estimate of the combined cost of resident doctor strikes so far this year in July and November 2025. This figure is based on actual costs from July 2025, approximately £240 million, and an initial estimate for November 2025 based on similar levels of activity output and turnout, to those seen in July. We will continue to update the estimate for November strikes as new data becomes available, in line with receiving business as usual financial data from National Health Service systems.
What assessment has she made of the potential impact of the estimated £6 billion cost of SEND provision identified by the Office for Budget Responsibility’s Economic Financial Outlook (page 17).
The OBR has updated its forecast following publication of the proposed reforms showing a more effective and sustainable system. In 2028/29, we will be spending £7 billion more on the special educational needs and disabilities system, including funding new reform programmes so we intervene earlier and improve life chances.
When she plans to announce her funding plan for financing SEND provision.
The OBR has updated its forecast following publication of the proposed reforms showing a more effective and sustainable system. In 2028/29, we will be spending £7 billion more on the special educational needs and disabilities system, including funding new reform programmes so we intervene earlier and improve life chances.
How much does she estimate the total cost of assuming the full cost of SEND within Central Government will be.
The OBR has updated its forecast following publication of the proposed reforms showing a more effective and sustainable system. In 2028/29, we will be spending £7 billion more on the special educational needs and disabilities system, including funding new reform programmes so we intervene earlier and improve life chances.
How many service personnel have had a hearing assessment following operating within an Ajax or Ajax-platform vehicle.
All Ajax users follow routine audiometry protocols which includes an annual hearing test. This is required for users of all armoured vehicles.
Food and Rural Affairs, how much of the £360m Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund has been invested since the fund was announced.
On 19 May 2025, the £360 million Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund was announced to support the next generation of fishers. A key principle of the fund is that we will work with the industry to target investment where it matters most. That engagement has started and will continue until the end of 2025. The fund is intended for delivery from 2026/27, so engagement is a key priority for this year. As such, no funds have yet been invested as we are working through the fund’s priorities with stakeholders. Once this engagement has concluded, further details on the fund will be provided.
What assessment she has made of the National security risk posed by (a) ownership and (b) investment by Chinese companies in Heathrow Airport.
The Government takes its responsibility for national security extremely seriously and balances this with its continued commitment to welcome inward investment in a way that provides investors with the certainty and transparency they need to do business in the UK. We work across government to conduct due diligence and other assessments and ensure that any potential national security risk to the UK is handled appropriately. For any new qualifying investments in sensitive sectors, which include transport, we will use the powers in the National Security and Investment Act 2021 to scrutinise transactions and intervene if necessary to protect national security.