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 21–40 of 136 · Cabinet Office
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on what date did Lord Mandelson (a) submit his application for STRAP clearance and (b) receive that clearance.
I refer the Hon Member to the statement made by the Prime Minister on 21 April, and his answers to the questions raised in response, including his commitment that the Government would continue to comply with the instructions of Parliament in the Humble Address of 4 February.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, on what date did Lord Mandelson receive STRAP level access.
I refer the Hon Member to the statement made by the Prime Minister on 21 April, and his answers to the questions raised in response, including his commitment that the Government would continue to comply with the instructions of Parliament in the Humble Address of 4 February.
When his Department plans to respond to the Freedom of Information Act request by the hon. Member for Huntingdon, dated 9 March 2026.
The Cabinet Office responded to the Hon. Member's request for information on 21 April.
For what reason the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister visited Australia in April 2026.
The Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister visited Australia in April 2026 to build critical policy and security links with state and regional authorities in Australia. This included defence visits for the AUKUS programme, and discussions with Ministers at both Federal and State level and with private sector stakeholders on support for British businesses, bolstering regional security and learnings about harnessing technology to modernise public services based on learnings from the Australian government their successes and challenges as pioneers in providing online government services. State-level meetings included understanding the context for the roll out of the New South Wales state digital ID pilot and visiting South Australia to highlight the extent of UK-Australian cooperation, focusing particularly on secure growth, including opportunities presented by the AUKUS programme.
What progress he has made in updating the Government War Book.
The UK has well-developed contingency plans to respond to a wide range of eventualities. The plans and supporting arrangements have been developed, refined and tested over many years. They are risk-based, built on the principle of generic capabilities able to respond to a wide range of events, augmented by specific, niche capabilities, where needed and warranted by the risk.Developing plans for civilian assistance to the military in a time of conflict is a key component of the Cabinet Office’s Home Defence Programme (HDP). It is an ongoing programme of work which provides defence, security and resilience planning, focused on aligning military and civil effort in the event of a period of crisis and international hostilities affecting the UK. This work is informed by and reflects the recommendations from government strategies, including the Strategic Defence Review, National Security Strategy and Resilience Action Plan.
Whether Gordon Brown held discussions with the government of Mauritius in 2009 on the sovereignty of the Chagos Islands.
It has not proved possible to respond to the Hon Member in the time available before Prorogation
How many times the National Security Council Sub-Committee (Nuclear) has met since July 2024.
It is a long-established precedent that information about the discussions that have taken place in Cabinet and its committees, including how often they have met, is not normally shared publicly.
How many times the National Security Council Sub-Committee (Resilience) has met since July 2024.
It is a long-established precedent that information about Cabinet and its Committees, including the discussions that have taken place, how often they have met and attendance, is not normally shared publicly.
For what reason did National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on 23 March 2026.
The National Security Adviser meets with a range of individuals and organisations as part of his role providing advice to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet on national security matters. Such meetings are often sensitive in nature, and the Government does not routinely comment on them or their content.
What his planned timetable is for determining the spending that will count towards the 1.5% of GDP to be spent on resilience and security.
NATO has already agreed the definition of 1.5% as spend “to inter alia protect critical infrastructure, defend networks, ensure civil preparedness and resilience, innovate, and strengthen the defence industrial base”. Officials are currently working through proposals and plans for meeting our obligations will be set out in due course.
How many times the National Security Advisor has been requested to appear in front of the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy since his appointment.
The National Security Adviser appeared in front of the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy in a private session in November 2025 and has offered to do so again. As the Government has said, the longstanding practice is that Special Advisers currently in post do not give public evidence to Select Committees and this is done instead by Ministers or Officials.
Which preparedness plans have been scrutinised by the UK Resilience Academy since April 2025.
The UK Government is committed to enhancing the provision of independent advice and external challenge to UK preparedness plans. The Government has therefore committed to convene a number of independent panels to scrutinise UK whole-system risks. This was announced in the Resilience Action Plan and forms the Government’s response to the COVID-19 Module 1, Recommendation 10. The Cabinet Office has now developed an independent assurance programme, covering the most significant risks in the classified National Security Risk Assessment (NSRA). This draws on independent experts from across sectors outside government to ensure impartial, credible assurance, and offer recommendations on improvements that can be made. In December 2025, the Cabinet Office, working with the UK Resilience Academy, delivered a pilot to help us further refine and strengthen our independent assurance processes ahead of launching the full programme. Lessons learnt from this will inform planning for future whole-system risks, as set out in the internal NSRA.
What is the current process for (a) Ministers, (b) Senior Civil Servants and (c) Government advisers for reporting the theft of a Government mobile phone containing sensitive information.
The former Chief of Staff’s phone was stolen, and he reported it at the time to the police and relevant teams in No10. This was before the Humble Address that was passed in February. The Government is committed to complying with the Humble Address in full, while continuing to support the Metropolitan Police with their investigation. I refer the Hon Member to the statement provided by the Metropolitan Police on 25 March and publication of the transcript confirming that the theft was reported.
What steps his Department took to help prevent the exploitation of data from the unlocked mobile phone of the former Chief Advisor to the Prime Minister following its theft in October 2024.
The former Chief of Staff’s phone was stolen, and he reported it at the time to the police and relevant teams in No10. This was before the Humble Address that was passed in February. The Government is committed to complying with the Humble Address in full, while continuing to support the Metropolitan Police with their investigation. I refer the Hon Member to the statement provided by the Metropolitan Police on 25 March and publication of the transcript confirming that the theft was reported.
What steps were taken by the former Chief Advisor to the Prime Minister to report the theft of his mobile phone to security services in October 2024.
The former Chief of Staff’s phone was stolen, and he reported it at the time to the police and relevant teams in No10. This was before the Humble Address that was passed in February. The Government is committed to complying with the Humble Address in full, while continuing to support the Metropolitan Police with their investigation. I refer the Hon Member to the statement provided by the Metropolitan Police on 25 March and publication of the transcript confirming that the theft was reported.
What assessment he has made of the potential security breach following the theft of the mobile phone of the former Chief Advisor to the Prime Minister, Morgan McSweeney in October 2024.
The Government takes matters of national security very seriously, including cyber security, and has robust procedures in place to prevent the loss of sensitive information. However the Government does not routinely comment on the specifics on matters relating to national security.
Pursuant to the Answer of 18 March 2026 to Question 116964 on Armed Conflict: Iran, when the Government was informed.
In line with policy under successive administrations, the government does not routinely comment on operational matters.
When he plans to answer question 112306, published on 10 February 2026.
A response has been issued here.
When he plans to answer question 113304, published on 12 February 2026.
A response has been issued here.
By when will his department answer question 113290, published on 12 February 2026.
A response has been issued here.