Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

If he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the statement by the Chief of the Air Staff in the foreword to the 2025 Royal International Air Tattoo programme on the number of major equipment programmes planned for the next 15 years.

The Chief of the Air Staff's comments highlighted the critical role of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and the ongoing investment in modern ISR platforms for the RAF with cutting edge technology. The Government is taking steps to ensure we have the right blend of novel and traditional technologies, including with a £400 million UKDI fund and 10% novel tech ringfence.

What discussions are held between UK Search and Rescue Aviation and Magpas Air Ambulance in Cambridgeshire on precedence of responses.

There have been no direct discussions with Magpas Air Ambulance and HM Coastguard search and rescue aviation. On request from an authorised authority for search and rescue air assistance the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Aeronautical Rescue will assess the request to ensure that it is appropriate, achievable and compliant and will deconflict every incident. Search and rescue aircraft are prioritised on the risk to life.

What recent progress has he made in delivering the Great British Nuclear programme.

As announced in June, the Great British Nuclear – Energy (GBE-N) small modular reactor (SMR) programme was allocated over £2.5 billion across the Spending Review period. In November, the government announced that the SMR project will be sited at Wylfa on Anglesey in North Wales, with initial site activity expected to begin in 2026. GBE-N has selected Rolls-Royce SMR as its preferred bidder to partner with to develop the UK’s first SMR project and, subject to final government approvals, is targeting contract signature before the end of the year.

What progress has she made in re-baselining East-West Rail Connection State 2 and 3.

In the Spending Review in June, the Government announced £2.5bn of funding to progress the delivery of East West Rail (EWR). The Government has committed to accelerating work to deliver EWR benefits early where possible and is reviewing what can be done to bring higher frequency services to Bedford ahead of route completion. In assessing the best way to sequence the programme as a whole, East West Railway Company is looking at alternative ways to deliver more passenger services and new stations earlier to unlock benefits for local people and businesses. Work is continuing over the coming months, and more information will be provided in a more detailed plan next year.

What assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the number and proportion of Bangladeshi asylum seekers who arrived in the UK on a) visas or b) other leave in the year to June 2025.

This government has already taken action to stem the surge in asylum claims from visa holders, including record numbers of credibility interviews and mandating a genuine study requirement for short term student routes. The number of student visa holders claiming asylum has reduced every quarter since this government took office.By changing our protection offer, we are making it fairer for those who comply with the Rules. A person who enters the UK on a visa and continues to qualify will be on a faster route to settlement if they remain on that route, rather than claiming asylum. Claiming asylum will no longer provide the advantages that it does under the current system.

What estimate he has made of the volume of imported products that were manufactured using Russian oil in each of the last three years.

The Government works with international partners to constrain Russian oil revenues while maintaining global energy supply and security, protecting critical supply chains, and maintaining the stability of global markets. In December 2022, the Government banned imports of oil and oil products from Russia into the UK. On 16 October 2025, the Government announced it will extend this ban to include imports of oil products refined in third countries using Russian crude. My department does not hold data on the volume of imported products manufactured using Russian oil.

What recent progress he has made on changing the relationship between the Office for Veterans Affairs and the Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committee.

As Minister for Veterans and People I have responsibility for the Office for Veterans Affairs and the Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees, both of which report to me. This Government is steadfast in our commitment to ensuring that support to veterans is better cohered and coordinated including through the development of the VALOUR programme.

What steps her Department took following the approval of the Asylum Support Accommodation Programme Delivery Model Assessment final report by the programme board on 30 June 2025.

Following the Delivery Model Assessment (DMA), the Asylum Support Accommodation Programme has been focussed on the high-level design of an operating model that uses recommendations from the DMA, alongside more recent market engagement. This process has now moved into a detailed design phase, to develop an operating model that is ready for implementation, whilst continuously validating the approach.

If she will make an assessment of the potential implications for her policies of the number and proportion of asylum seekers who previously entered the UK on a) a visa or b) other leave with relevant documentation, including the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to visit the UK since 2024.

This government has already taken action to stem the surge in asylum claims from visa holders, including record numbers of credibility interviews and mandating a genuine study requirement for short term student routes. The number of student visa holders claiming asylum has reduced every quarter since this government took office.By changing our protection offer, we are making it fairer for those who comply with the Rules. A person who enters the UK on a visa and continues to qualify will be on a faster route to settlement if they remain on that route, rather than claiming asylum. Claiming asylum will no longer provide the advantages that it does under the current system.

What assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the number and proportion of people claiming asylum who entered the UK on a work visa.

This government has already taken action to stem the surge in asylum claims from visa holders, including record numbers of credibility interviews and mandating a genuine study requirement for short term student routes. The number of student visa holders claiming asylum has reduced every quarter since this government took office.By changing our protection offer, we are making it fairer for those who comply with the Rules. A person who enters the UK on a visa and continues to qualify will be on a faster route to settlement if they remain on that route, rather than claiming asylum. Claiming asylum will no longer provide the advantages that it does under the current system.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of replacing the Asylum Support Payments contract as part of the Asylum Support Accommodation Programme.

The Asylum Support Payment (ASP) contract was originally included in the Asylum Support Accommodation Programme (ASAP). However, the ASP contract did not terminate at the same time as ASAP, so a decision was taken to descope it. This does not mean this will not be considered in the future.

Which elements of the Asylum Support Accommodation Programme are a) sustainable and b) scalable.

One of the primary drivers behind the Asylum Support Accommodation Programme is to ensure a new model is both sustainable and scalable, with the flexibility required to respond to changes in demand. The work centred around Future Asylum Contract Transformation (FACT), and the replacement of the current Asylum Accommodation Support Contracts (AASC), will ensure that new arrangements meet the requirements for sustainability and scalability.

What recent progress has he made in implementing the Land Ground Based Air Defence programme.

On current plans, the Land Based Air Defence programme is scheduled to reach Initial Operating Capability for its Medium Range Air Defence capability in Q4 2026. In response to Question 45060 the then Minister for Defence Procurement (Maria Eagle) stated that the programme is working towards Initial Operating Capability of Medium Range Air Defence for warfighting by July 2026. In fact, the programme is working towards Initial Operating Capability of Medium Range Air Defence for contingent operations in Q4 2026.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of procuring Anduril's YFQ-44A collaborative combat aircraft.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 19 September 2025 to Question 76688.

What assessment has he made of the potential impact of the decision to reduce the order of Type 45 destroyers from 12 ships to 6 on defence.

The Type 45 destroyers have delivered world-class air defence capability to the Royal Navy since HMS DARING entered service in 2009, and they continue to play a critical role today. Their effectiveness has been demonstrated most recently by HMS DIAMOND during operations in the Red Sea in 2024, and by HMS as part of the global Operation HIGHMAST Carrier Strike Group, which is scheduled to return to the UK later this year. The Ministry of Defence regularly reviews its force structure and capabilities to ensure they remain aligned with evolving threats and operational requirements. The decision on the number of Type 45 destroyers was based on the threat assessment and strategic priorities at the time, and these platforms continue to provide a highly capable air defence shield for the fleet.

With reference to page 91 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing legislation to ensure sufficient supply of (a) services, (b) access to critical national infrastructure and (c) resources for defence.

We are reviewing which additional legal powers the Government might need across the range of Defence business as part of our work in developing the defence readiness legislation announced in the Strategic Defence Review.

What payments to asylum seekers are delivered via the Asylum Support Payments contract.

The Home Office has a legal obligation to meet the essential living needs of destitute asylum seekers. Support is usually provided in the form of accommodation and a weekly allowance, which is reviewed each year to ensure it covers essential living needs.The standard weekly level of allowance for individuals in self-catered accommodation will remain at £49.18. For individuals in catered accommodation, the standard weekly allowance is £9.95.Additional support is also available to pregnant women, young children, and individuals who can show they have exceptional needs.

Communities and Local Government, which Minister would be responsible for the planning decision regarding the UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre following the passage of the Holocaust Memorial Bill.

Arrangements for handling of the planning application for the UK Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre are publicly available on gov.uk here.

What the outcomes were of his meeting with the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission on foreign and security policy.

On 22 October 2025, the Defence Secretary met in London with the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy for the first foreign and security policy dialogue between the United Kingdom and the EU established under the recently agreed UK-EU Security and Defence Partnership. The Foreign Secretary also held a separate engagement with the High Representative during the visit. Together, these discussions underscored the shared commitment to strengthening defence and security cooperation at this critical moment for Euro-Atlantic Security, particularly in support of Ukraine. The Defence Secretary and the High Representative’s discussion emphasised the importance of effectively implementing the UK-EU Security and Defence Partnership, including as a means of bolstering NATO. Their talks also covered European defence industrial mechanisms, including the SAFE initiative, EU Defence Readiness 2030, and the use of frozen Russian assets to help ensure Ukraine receives the support it needs in its defence against Russia. They looked ahead to future dialogues as an opportunity to further shared objectives.

What the Law Enforcement Data Service programme products are.

Further to my answer (20 October 2025) on the delivery progress made on the Law Enforcement Data Service (LEDS); there are five products within LEDS. There are Person, Vehicles, Drivers, Property and Audit.