Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

With reference to her Department's press release entitled First small boat migrant returned under new UK-France agreement, published on 18 September 2025, what the terms of the contract are under which the man was removed.

Details of changes to the Immigration Rules covering the UK-France Treaty are published on gov.uk in an explanatory memorandum here.It means that those who use dangerous small boats crossings to enter the UK can be returned to France. The Home Office uses existing legislative provisions, guidance and operational processes including the inadmissibility guidance to facilitate the readmission process under the pilot. These powers enable the UK to declare an asylum claim as inadmissible and not substantially consider the claim, where the individual has a connection to a safe third country such as France.Further details on inadmissible claims are published here on gov.uk.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when she plans to publish the UK Antarctic Strategy.

As confirmed in the Government's response to the Environmental Audit Committee's report into the UK and the Antarctic Environment, a UK Antarctic Strategy will be published by the Government by the end of the year.

With reference to the press release entitled Foreign Influence Registration Scheme to come fully into effect, published on 30 September 2025, on what date the FIRS Case Management Team became fully operational.

The FIRS Case Management Team were fully operational on 1 July, when the scheme went live. Staff were in post ahead of that date, supporting the scheme’s implementation prior to go-live.

With reference to the press release entitled Foreign Influence Registration Scheme to come fully into effect, published on 30 September 2025, what criteria is used to assess whether a country poses an elevated national security risk, qualifying it for the enhanced tier.

As set out in the National Security Act 2023, the Secretary of State may make a specification under the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS) where they consider it is reasonably necessary to do so to protect the safety or interests of the United Kingdom.The Secretary of State will consider a broad range of UK interests when deciding if a country should be specified, and the nature and scope of any such specification. This will include how a specification would support the UK’s national security and the Government’s long-term, strategic approach to the country under consideration

With reference to page 71 of the Defence Industrial Strategy: Making Defence an Engine for Growth, published on 8 September 2025, CP 1388, what the scope is of the test and evaluation transformation programme.

To achieve the Strategic Defence Review’s vision of the UK as a leading tech-enabled defence power, with an Integrated Force that deters, fights, and wins through constant innovation at wartime pace, Defence must transform to become more integrated by design, innovation-led, and industry backed. One of the ways we will achieve this transformation is by making it easier for everyone developing UK military equipment, to rapidly assess if their systems are safe, fit for purpose, and capable of contributing to the success of UK military operations. Operations which will increasingly rely on advanced technology, rapid and reliable integration of new systems into complex capabilities, and a faster feedback loop from the frontline to the factory floor. This is the scope of the Test and Evaluation Transformation programme, to build the world’s most productive, relevant, and responsive, military test and evaluation enterprise here in the UK. The programme will focus on delivering the common technical, commercial, and architectural enablers required to make this a reality by the early 2030s, with several initiatives already underway and others announced recently in the Defence Industrial Strategy. Future levels of funding in the programme are subject to the outcome of the Defence Investment Plan, and its delivery will be guided by the ideas set out in ‘Future Advantage Through Evaluation’ (FATE), MOD’s concept for future test and evaluation: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/defence-test-and-evaluation-future-advantage-through-evaluation-fate

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 October 2025 to Question 73402 on Schools: Huntingdon, when applications will reopen for the expansion of the school rebuilding programme.

The department plans to set out further details about the selection process for the additional 250 schools to be selected for the school rebuilding programme later this year.

With reference to page 64 of the Defence Industrial Strategy: Making Defence an Engine for Growth, published on 8 September 2025, CP 1388, when he expects UK Defence Innovation to establish a defence innovation portfolio.

UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) represents a fundamental transformation of how the Ministry of Defence approaches innovation. We recognise that innovative companies, start-ups and non-traditional defence suppliers have long faced significant barriers when engaging with defence innovation programmes. UKDI will invest in frameworks and initiatives to foster business growth and attract increased investment into SMEs, start-ups, and non-traditional defence suppliers. This approach aims to cultivate a diverse and agile supply chain, ensuring the delivery of cutting-edge capabilities to support national security and defence. Simultaneously, these efforts will align with the UKDI's strategic objectives of advancing the technology sector and driving economic growth.

With reference to page 63 of the Defence Industrial Strategy: Making Defence an Engine for Growth, published on 8 September 2025, CP 1388, to what structures UK Defence Innovation plans to provide funding to help support non-traditional defence suppliers.

UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) represents a fundamental transformation of how the Ministry of Defence approaches innovation. We recognise that innovative companies, start-ups and non-traditional defence suppliers have long faced significant barriers when engaging with defence innovation programmes. UKDI will invest in frameworks and initiatives to foster business growth and attract increased investment into SMEs, start-ups, and non-traditional defence suppliers. This approach aims to cultivate a diverse and agile supply chain, ensuring the delivery of cutting-edge capabilities to support national security and defence. Simultaneously, these efforts will align with the UKDI's strategic objectives of advancing the technology sector and driving economic growth.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to her Department's press release entitled UK formally recognises Palestinian State, published on 21 September 2025, what (a) technical and (b) financial support she is providing to the Palestinian Authority.

I refer the Hon Member to the statement made on the Middle East by the Prime Minister on 14 October, in which he addressed at length the issues arising from the UK's decision to recognise the State of Palestine. Any further updates will be announced in the normal way in due course.

With reference to page 28 of the Defence Industrial Strategy: Making Defence an Engine for Growth, published on 8 September 2025, when he plans to establish a defence competition index.

This Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) (published on 8 September 2025) sets how we will deliver a more competitive, innovative, resilient and integrated defence sector to make defence an engine for growth. To assess progress against the priority outcomes of the strategy we will consider a range of indicators, including a competition index. This is being considered as part of our DIS implementation plan.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to her Department's press release entitled UK formally recognises Palestinian State, published on 21 September 2025, what demands she has made of the Palestinian Authority to conduct extensive reform.

I refer the Hon Member to the statement made on the Middle East by the Prime Minister on 14 October, in which he addressed at length the issues arising from the UK's decision to recognise the State of Palestine. Any further updates will be announced in the normal way in due course.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 April 2025 to Question 44144 on Armed Forces: Training, what recent steps his Department has taken to help improve HMNB Clyde’s OFSTED rating to Outstanding.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to ensuring the highest standards of training and welfare across all its establishments, including HMNB Clyde which was rated GOOD following Ofsted’s most recent inspection. The Royal Navy has reflected on the recommendations made by Ofsted following their inspection of HMNB Clyde and continues to implement improvements as recommended by the Ofsted report. This continues to make HMNB Clyde a safe place for living, studying and working. This has included: implementing new governance structures for learning, as well as care and welfare, and the continued renovation and refurbishment of trainee accommodation and facilities, complementing the wider works to improve HMNB Clyde.

With reference to page 21 of the Defence Industrial Strategy: Making Defence an Engine for Growth, published on 8 September 2025, CP 1388, what steps he has taken to help reduce barriers to innovation within the defence industry.

As of July 1, 2025 UK Defence Innovation has reached initial operating capability. UK Defence Innovation (UKDI) represents a fundamental transformation of how the Ministry of Defence (MOD) approaches innovation. We recognised that for too long, innovative companies and start-ups faced significant barriers when trying to engage with defence innovation programmes. The previous landscape was fragmented, slow, and difficult to navigate, which prevented promising companies from scaling their solutions and securing the investment they needed to grow. The Establishment of UKDI consolidates and simplifies structures, creating a clearer pathway for innovation that aligns with the Government's agile state agenda and ensures we can harness the best of British innovation for our defence capabilities. Sat at the heart of the National Armaments Director Group, UKDI will accelerate the adoption of cutting-edge commercial technology in support of Defence’s most pressing strategic challenges. We are drawing upon the success of the US Defence Innovation Unit (DIU) model relevant to the UK Ministry of Defence.

With reference to page 71 of the Defence Industrial Strategy: Making Defence an Engine for Growth, published on 8 September 2025, CP 1388, what his planned timetable is for reducing the burden of Defence Standards and Conditions by at least 50%.

As this work is still in its early stages, a definitive timeline cannot be confirmed at this time.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 April 2025 to Question 44144 on Armed Forces: Training, what recent steps his Department has taken to help improve the Britannia Royal Naval College’s OFSTED rating to Outstanding.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to ensuring the highest standards of training and welfare across all its establishments, including the Britannia Royal Naval College, which was rated GOOD following Ofsted’s most recent inspection. The Royal Navy has reflected on the recommendations made by Ofsted following their inspection of Britannia Royal Naval College, and continues to invest in all areas recommended by the Ofsted report. This continues to make Britannia Royal Naval College a safe place for living, studying and working. This has included: enhancing staff training and support; the renovation and refurbishment of trainee accommodation and facilities; and establishing processes to better identify learning needs and introduce the tailored support needed so that all trainees have an equal opportunity to learn.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to her Department's press release entitled UK formally recognises Palestinian State, published on 21 September 2025, when she plans to take further action to sanction senior figures in the Hamas leadership.

I refer the Hon Member to the statement made on the Middle East by the Prime Minister on 14 October, in which he addressed at length the issues arising from the UK's decision to recognise the State of Palestine. Any further updates will be announced in the normal way in due course.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 September 2025 to Question 71964 on Asylum: Finance, what criteria qualifies a person for (a) Section 4 and (b) Section 95 Asylum Support.

Asylum seekers and their dependents who would otherwise be destitute can obtain support under section 95 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. The destitution threshold is the minimum an individual needs to enable them to obtain adequate accommodation and meet other essential needs. The guidance used to assess and calculate destitution for those applying for support is set out at: Assessing destitution: caseworker guidance - GOV.UKTo be eligible for support under section 4, a person must be a failed or inadmissible asylum seeker or the dependant of a failed or inadmissible asylum seeker, appear to the Secretary of State to be destitute, and meet at least one of the five conditions set out in Regulation 3(2) of the Immigration and Asylum (Provision of Accommodation to Failed Asylum Seekers) Regulations 2005.The exception to this is families – where an asylum-seeker’s household includes a child dependant under the age of 18, they will remain eligible for support under section 95 of the 1999 Act after their asylum claim is refused or declared inadmissible.

With reference to page 42 of the Defence Industrial Strategy: Making Defence an Engine for Growth, last updated on 18 September 2025, CP 1388, what his planned timetable is for the establishment of the Defence Investors Advisory Group.

The Defence Investors Advisory Group has been established, and its co-chairs have been announced as Kerry Baldwin and Sharon White.

With reference to page 71 of the Defence Industrial Strategy: Making Defence an Engine for Growth, published on 8 September 2025, CP 1388, when he plans to begin the targeted sprint on autonomous systems.

The targeted sprint on autonomous systems has already begun, with the initial sprint stage due to conclude in November 2025.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the speech entitled PM statement on the recognition of Palestine: 21 September 2025, what her (a) criteria and (b) definition is of a viable Palestinian State.

I refer the Hon Member to the statement made on the Middle East by the Prime Minister on 14 October, in which he addressed at length the issues arising from the UK's decision to recognise the State of Palestine. Any further updates will be announced in the normal way in due course.