Every parliamentary written question tabled by Ben Obese-Jecty this session, with the full answer and department. See how every department answers, or back to the MP page.
Showing 1,701–1,720 of 4,561 · this parliament
With reference to his Statement in the House on 11 November 2025, how many personnel from his Department will form the digital rapid response unit.
We plan to allocate up to 15 members of staff to the digital rapid response unit. We will keep this resource allocation under review.
By when is his target to reduce the average times to contract for (a) major projects of six years, (b) pace-setting modular upgrades to two years and one year respectively and (c) a target of three-month cycles for rapid commercial exploitation.
Reducing the time taken to deliver capability is a key driver of our acquisition reforms. Our new segmented approach to procurement, supported by accelerated commercial pathways, is designed to enable programmes to get to contract faster.No timescale for achieving the targets has been set; however, we are making progress towards the target date of 1 April 2026 for establishment of the segmented approach in line with the Strategic Defence Review. It will start with an initial phase of pilot projects aimed at realising opportunities early on.
Innovation and Technology, pursuant to the Answer of 17 July 2025 to Question 66464 on Submarine Telegraph Act 1885, by when will she have considered whether existing penalties and definitions remain fit for purpose to address modern threats.
Existing penalties for acts of sabotage to submarine cables are significant. Under the National Security Act (NSA) 2023 the sabotage offence carries a maximum penalty of life in prison or a fine, or both, where the activity is conducted for, on behalf of, or for the benefit of a foreign power.Where the foreign power condition cannot be met, the offence under the NSA does not apply, and the penalties available under the Submarine Telegraph Act 1885 are more limited. This is under review.
Pursuant to the Answer of 27 October to Question 83095 on Armed Forces: Training, what the five key recommendations for improvement for the University Officer Training Corps were.
The five recommendations made by Ofsted after its inspection in February 2024 were as follows: Provide staff with the training they need to further develop their teaching and assessment skills. Swiftly complete any necessary repairs to buildings and facilities. Reduce the time taken to complete medical checks and clearance after recruitment. Minimise the impact of budget reductions and unfilled posts on the care, welfare and training of Officer Cadets and staff workload. Coordinate and collate cross-UOTC quality improvement processes to secure sustainable improvements in care, welfare and training. The University Officer Training Corps aims to continually improve across all safeguarding and safe training aspects, and in doing so, has made significant progress against the recommendations.
What workshops the Defence Medical Services have participated in with the NHS to explore the United Kingdom’s ability to deal with various combat scenarios and the treatment of casualties.
The Defence Medical Services and NHS have participated in a series of exercises to explore the UK’s ability to deal with various combat scenarios and the treatment of casualties in February and July 2025. Further exercises are planned for the end of November 2025 and in 2026. The health services for Devolved Administrations, NATO partners and voluntary sector organisations are engaged in this work.
Pursuant to the Answer of 29 October 2025 to Question 79538 on NHS: Defence Medical Services, when was the process of digitally extracting redacted patient notes from general practice surgeries introduced.
The British Army introduced the use of the Intelligent General Practice Supporting (iGPR) software for the secure and efficient processing of sensitive medical reports in January 2025 following an initial pilot. The Royal Navy adopted Medi2data to digitally access candidate medical reports from 9 April 2025, noting the wider benefits of using this service. The Armed Forces Recruiting Service (AFRS) will provide a streamlined, single-entry point for prospective recruits. The service will launch in 2027, replacing the individual schemes run by the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force. The Defence Medical Services is engaged in this work.
Pursuant to the Answer of 27 October 2025 to Question 83507 on Undocumented Migrants: English Channel, whether that figure refers to the number of people prevented from crossing.
9,686 refers to the number of attempts by people prevented from crossing in that time period.
Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of ICL being the UK water industry’s sole domestic supplier of sodium hydrochlorite on the security of the water supply.
Defra works routinely with the water sector to proactively identify and mitigate risks to safeguard the security of water supplies. The Government is preparing to respond to the recommendations of the Independent Water Commission, including on assessing potential vulnerabilities in the supply chains needed to produce safe drinking water. Reforms outlined in this response will form the basis of a new water reform bill to be introduced early in this Parliament.
Which Royal Air Force sub-unit has been deployed to Belgium in a counter-unmanned aerial systems role.
The RAF Regiment's No2 Counter Uncrewed Air Systems (CUAS) Wing has been deployed to Belgium.
Pursuant to the Answer of 23 October 2025 to Question 81534 on Hinchingbrooke Hospital: Medical Records, when his Department assessed the level of digital maturity at Hinchingbrooke Hospital; and what level was identified.
Hinchingbrooke Hospital is part of the North West Anglia Foundation Trust (NWAFT). All National Health Service trusts complete an annual self-assessment of their digital maturity against the seven dimensions of the What Good Looks Like framework. The results of this assessment have not yet been released. Further information is available on the What Good Looks Like framework at the following link: https://transform.england.nhs.uk/digitise-connect-transform/what-good-looks-like/what-good-looks-like-publication/ NHS England is supporting NWAFT to produce a robust and affordable Outline Business Case to procure an Electronic Patient Record that meets the core capabilities set out by the NHS England Frontline Digitisation programme. This includes providing procurement support, subject matter expertise, and funding, including both capital and revenue. NHS England has provided £9.7 million to support NWAFT with these activities to date.
What his Department's contribution is to Exercise PEGASUS.
Defence fully participated in Exercise PEGASUS, a tier one national exercise designed to simulate a realistic pandemic scenario. A Defence team was fully integrated with DHSC and UKHSA to plan and design Defence's contribution to the exercise.For each of the three full-play 'anchor' exercise days that ran between September and October 2025, a Departmental Operations Centre was stood up. This included a mix of civilian and military experts to simulate a fully informed response to a pandemic. Defence Ministers also participated in simulated Cabinet Office Briefing Room (COBR) meetings.Defence teams are now involved in the evaluation process, identifying any lessons learned from the exercise. Defence will take action on these lessons and will incorporate them into our existing pandemic management plan.
What assessment he has made of his Department’s capability during Exercise PEGASUS.
Defence fully participated in Exercise PEGASUS, a tier one national exercise designed to simulate a realistic pandemic scenario. A Defence team was fully integrated with DHSC and UKHSA to plan and design Defence's contribution to the exercise.For each of the three full-play 'anchor' exercise days that ran between September and October 2025, a Departmental Operations Centre was stood up. This included a mix of civilian and military experts to simulate a fully informed response to a pandemic. Defence Ministers also participated in simulated Cabinet Office Briefing Room (COBR) meetings.Defence teams are now involved in the evaluation process, identifying any lessons learned from the exercise. Defence will take action on these lessons and will incorporate them into our existing pandemic management plan.
How many and what proportion of critical national infrastructure sites on the v-list are located in Cambridgeshire.
The UK Government does not publicly communicate the location or identity of Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) sites.
When HMP Welland Oaks was first planned to be built.
Plans to build four new prisons, including HMP Welland Oaks, were announced by the Ministry of Justice in June 2020. As set out in the 10-Year Prison Capacity Strategy, the four new prisons are part of this Government’s plans to deliver 14,000 additional prison places, with an aim to do so by 2031. We are currently on track to do so, having delivered c.2,600 since taking office, including c.1,500 places through the new prison HMP Millsike, which opened earlier this year.
What prison construction projects were due to be completed by ISG Construction.
Construction projects were planned for completion by ISG Construction Limited at the below prisons:HMP BirminghamHMP LiverpoolHMP PrescoedHMP The VerneHMP Kirklevington GrangeHMP Warren HillHMP Guys MarshHMP ErlestokeHMP LeyhillHMP FordHMP Standford HillThe planned new prison in Buckinghamshire Work is underway to recommence delivery across these projects. We are committed to delivering an additional 14,000 prison places and are on track to do so by 2031. We have already delivered c.2,600 of these since taking office.
If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of his prison capacity strategy on the number of Category A prison places that will be created.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 2 June 2025 to Question 57465.
What assessment he has made of the feasibility of including directed energy weapons in the specification for the Global Combat Air Programme.
The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), has considered a wide range of existing and future weapon capabilities to meet the evolving threat.
Pursuant to the Answer of 22 October to Question 83151 on Warrior Vehicles, what the disposal timeline is of each Warrior variant.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 9 June to Question 55779, which remains extant and applies to all variants of Warrior vehicles: As at 1 June 2025, there are 359 Warrior vehicles in service. As the Out of Service date for Warrior is 2027, with all vehicles withdrawn from service by the end of the decade, any that remain held by the Department beyond this will be classed as surplus to requirements. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2025-05-30/55779
What the full scope is of Project Beehive.
Project BEEHIVE is a joint endeavour between the Royal Navy (RN) and UK Defence Innovation to deliver 20 uncrewed surface vessels to the Surface Flotilla and Commando Force. This initiative will not only deliver a vital Maritime Remote and Autonomous Systems (MRAAS) capability for Coastal Forces and Commando Force, but also serve as an accelerator and proving ground for the RN’s future Hybrid Navy. By enabling rapid adoption and operational testing of cutting-edge technologies, Project Beehive will drive innovation, de-risk future acquisition, and ensure the RN remains ready to meet evolving threats.
By when he expects Phase 2 of Project REPLICATOR 2 to be completed.
The final report for the current phase is due in May 2026.