Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

With reference to the data tables accompanying the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25, published on 11 August 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the rating of the SPEARCAP 3 SRO Delivery Confidence Assessment.

Delivery Confidence Assessments reflect that moment in time and will change throughout a programme's lifecycle. An assessment of Red does not mean that the programme is undeliverable, but that there are management interventions required as a priority in order to increase the likelihood of being able to deliver to approved time, performance and cost.The National Armaments Director holds all the levers of procurement, enabling the necessary interventions to be applied in support of programmes assessed as Red.

With reference to the data tables accompanying the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25, published on 11 August 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the rating of the Protector IPA Delivery Confidence Assessment.

Delivery Confidence Assessments reflect that moment in time and will change throughout a programme's lifecycle. An assessment of Red does not mean that the programme is undeliverable, but that there are management interventions required as a priority in order to increase the likelihood of being able to deliver to approved time, performance and cost.The National Armaments Director holds all the levers of procurement, enabling the necessary interventions to be applied in support of programmes assessed as Red.

With reference to the data tables accompanying the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25, published on 11 August 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the rating of the Type 31 IPA Delivery Confidence Assessment.

Delivery Confidence Assessments reflect that moment in time and will change throughout a programme's lifecycle. An assessment of Red does not mean that the programme is undeliverable, but that there are management interventions required as a priority in order to increase the likelihood of being able to deliver to approved time, performance and cost.The National Armaments Director holds all the levers of procurement, enabling the necessary interventions to be applied in support of programmes assessed as Red.

With reference to the data tables accompanying the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25, published on 11 August 2025, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the rating of Land Environment Tactical Communication and Information Systems IPA Delivery Confidence Assessment.

Delivery Confidence Assessments reflect that moment in time and will change throughout a programme's lifecycle. An assessment of Red does not mean that the programme is undeliverable, but that there are management interventions required as a priority in order to increase the likelihood of being able to deliver to approved time, performance and cost.The National Armaments Director holds all the levers of procurement, enabling the necessary interventions to be applied in support of programmes assessed as Red.

What support has he provided to Lebanon in the development of its armed forces.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a wide range of support to Lebanon in the development of the Lebanese Armed Forces' capacity as the legitimate defender of Lebanon's sovereignty. This includes providing equipment, training on both maritime and counter-terrorism activities, and the contracted construction of infrastructure to enhance their border security. The Department also co-ordinates bilateral support with international partners.

What is the full scope of Operation CROSSWAYS.

The scope of Operation CROSSWAYS is to provide military support to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, primarily focused on training and tailored military advice to the Saudi armed forces. It also includes a phased deployment of air defence equipment to Saudi Arabia.

With reference to the data tables accompanying the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024-25, published on 11 August 2025, what the status is of the New Medium Helicopter programme.

Officials continue to consider the New Medium Helicopter business case as part of the Government’s approval process, with a decision to be made shortly as part of the upcoming Defence Investment Plan.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential merits and disadvantages of Local Government Reform Option D on Huntingdonshire.

Councils in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are due to submit their final proposals for unitary local councils by 28 November. We understand the importance of communities having their say and have been clear on the importance of councils engaging with local residents and organisations as they develop their proposals.The Government will launch a statutory consultation before deciding which proposal, if any, to implement. I anticipate this will be launched in the New Year. It would be inappropriate for Ministers to comment at this stage or give a view on specific unitary proposals, or to pre-empt future decisions under the statutory process.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment has he made of the level of (a) positive and (b) negative public reaction in Huntingdonshire to the proposed options for Local Government Reform in Cambridgeshire.

Councils in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are due to submit their final proposals for unitary local councils by 28 November. We understand the importance of communities having their say and have been clear on the importance of councils engaging with local residents and organisations as they develop their proposals.The Government will launch a statutory consultation before deciding which proposal, if any, to implement. I anticipate this will be launched in the New Year. It would be inappropriate for Ministers to comment at this stage or give a view on specific unitary proposals, or to pre-empt future decisions under the statutory process.

Whether his Department provided support to Vivergo prior to their decision to close their bioethanol plant.

The government did not provide financial support to Vivergo before it’s closure.

Whether she has had recent discussions with the police on the replacement of the Police National Database.

The Home Office established the Public Safety Group Commissioning Board as part of a broader reform programme to strengthen governance and accountability for major technology initiatives and investments. The Board and its sub groups include representatives from the policing sector to provide strategic oversight, ensure value for money, and manage risk across the complex national policing technology portfolio.The purpose of the Commissioning Board is to drive improvements in public safety and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of policing and law enforcement through digital transformation. A key component of this portfolio is the Police National Database, which is regularly discussed given its critical role.

How many affordable homes he plans to build on surplus military land in the next three years.

The recently announced Defence Housing Strategy sets out a vision for the future renewal of the Service family estate, and is backed by a 10-year programme of investment to deliver its recommendations in full, with savings from the Annington Deal put back into fixing Defence family homes and delivering for the nation. The number of affordable homes delivered on surplus land will depend upon a number of factors including macroeconomic conditions, the appetite of development partners and planning decisions.

If she will hold discussions with the the College of Policing on its authorised professional practice guidance entitled Media relations, published on 15 August 2025.

On 13 August 2025, the College of Policing published interim guidance for police forces on the disclosure of suspects’ ethnicity and nationality in serious cases. This interim guidance is included in the College’s public consultation of the Media and Communications Authorised Professional Practice (APP), formerly the Media Relations APP which launched on 5 November 2025. The public are invited to share their views on the guidance as part of this consultation, which will conclude in January next year.Guidance on police communications for officers is provided by the College of Policing, which operates independently of government. Forces are responsible for implementing this guidance, and officers are expected to exercise professional judgement in line with the law and operational priorities.Ministers regularly meet with the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and College of Policing as part of their responsibilities to maintain oversight and discuss policing priorities.

With reference to the National Infrastructure & Service Transformation Authority Annual Report 2024/25, published on 11 August 2025, what are the significant remaining challenges faced in delivering the European Common Radar System Mk 2.

The significant remaining challenges faced in delivering the European Common Radar System (ECRS) Mk 2 centre principally around the international Eurofighter capability programme, known as Phase 4 Enhancements, which will deliver the significant changes to the aircraft's avionics system required to integrate the UK Radar. Work is in hand with NETMA and Eurofighter Partner Nations to ensure that the international programme scope includes all essential UK features, and that these are prioritised to deliver in time for the RAF to test and field the ECRS Mk2 radar by 2030. This is in line with the mandate confirmed by all four Partner Nations' Ministers in May 2025.

What steps he is taking to ensure the provision of (a) suitably qualified and (b) experienced engineers to meet the operational workforce requirements of the Lightning programme.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to his previous Question 87989 on 18 November 2025:https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-11-04/87989I refer the hon. Member to page 15, paragraphs 15-17 of the Fifty First Report of the Committee of Public Accounts of Session 2024-26 on The UK’s F-35 stealth fighter capability, HC 1232, published on 31 October 2025. The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has increased its recruitment of engineers significantly in the last two years; offering joining bonuses and increasing the capacity of its technical training skills to enable more recruits to be trained more quickly. To improve retention the RAF has implemented a Financial Retention Incentive for engineers. The MOD has acknowledged that the F35 programme suffers from a shortage of engineers and that it is crucial that the Department addresses this issue, with significant steps already having been taken to improve the situation. However, training time required for engineers means that it is expected to take three or four years before the programme has the required numbers. The MOD has noted the Public Accounts Committee’s recommendations related to personnel and will be responding through the Treasury Minute Process in due course. The recruitment and retention of personnel remains one of the top two priorities for the Chief of the Defence Staff.

How many foreign national offenders are awaiting removal to their home countries under the UK Borders Act 2007.

The information you have requested is not currently available from published statistics.Work is underway to improve the quality of information held by the department on foreign national offenders (FNOs). If this work progresses as planned, the Home Office intend to publish more detailed information on FNOs subject to deportation. Further information on this work can be found at: Statistics on foreign national offenders and the immigration system - GOV.UK.We are committed to delivering justice for victims and safer streets for our communities. Foreign nationals who commit serious crimes will face the full force of the law and be deported at the earliest opportunity.This government has already removed almost 5,200 foreign national offenders in its first year of office, a 14 per cent increase on the previous twelve months (5 July 2024 to 4 July 2025) and we will continue to crack down on any foreign nationals who come to this country and break our rules.

Communities and Local Government, what the timeline is for the implementation of local government reform in Cambridgeshire.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Question UIN 60179 on 19 June 2025 and to Question UIN 62328 on 30 June 2025. Councils in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are due to submit their final proposals for local government reorganisation by 28 November. The government will then launch a statutory consultation before deciding which, if any, to implement. Decisions on the most appropriate option for each area will be judgements in the round, having regard to the criteria in the statutory guidance, the consultation responses received and all other relevant information. The exact timings will depend on the proposals received and the decision taken on which proposal, if any, to implement. It is anticipated that a consultation could be launched in the New Year with decisions on which proposal to implement potentially announced before the summer recess to allow the legislation to be made which, subject to Parliamentary approval, would allow for elections to the new unitary authorities on 6 May 2027 with the new authorities going live on 1 April 2028.

Communities and Local Government, what (a) criteria and (b) evidence he plans to use to make his final decision on the Local Government Reform option for Cambridgeshire.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Question UIN 60179 on 19 June 2025 and to Question UIN 62328 on 30 June 2025. Councils in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are due to submit their final proposals for local government reorganisation by 28 November. The government will then launch a statutory consultation before deciding which, if any, to implement. Decisions on the most appropriate option for each area will be judgements in the round, having regard to the criteria in the statutory guidance, the consultation responses received and all other relevant information. The exact timings will depend on the proposals received and the decision taken on which proposal, if any, to implement. It is anticipated that a consultation could be launched in the New Year with decisions on which proposal to implement potentially announced before the summer recess to allow the legislation to be made which, subject to Parliamentary approval, would allow for elections to the new unitary authorities on 6 May 2027 with the new authorities going live on 1 April 2028.

Communities and Local Government, by when he plans to have made a decision on which Local Government Reform option to choose for Cambridgeshire.

I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to Question UIN 60179 on 19 June 2025 and to Question UIN 62328 on 30 June 2025. Councils in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are due to submit their final proposals for local government reorganisation by 28 November. The government will then launch a statutory consultation before deciding which, if any, to implement. Decisions on the most appropriate option for each area will be judgements in the round, having regard to the criteria in the statutory guidance, the consultation responses received and all other relevant information. The exact timings will depend on the proposals received and the decision taken on which proposal, if any, to implement. It is anticipated that a consultation could be launched in the New Year with decisions on which proposal to implement potentially announced before the summer recess to allow the legislation to be made which, subject to Parliamentary approval, would allow for elections to the new unitary authorities on 6 May 2027 with the new authorities going live on 1 April 2028.

With reference to his Statement in the House on 11 November 2025, how many personnel from his Department will form the urgent warrant query unit.

The Urgent Warrant Query Unit (UWQU) will be formed out of an existing national service centre which currently answers all calls to the Magistrates’ Courts in England and Wales. Its function will be to provide a reliable and accountable route of escalation for urgent queries to HMCTS from Prisons, covering both Crown and Magistrates' Courts.We anticipate the unit will be initially staffed with 8 members of existing staff daily based on an assessment of likely contact volumes. Staff allocated to the unit will be given additional training and flexibly deployed to the Query Unit to ensure all calls and emails to the Unit from Prisons are answered and then dealt with swiftly.