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 2,061–2,080 of 5,090 · this parliament
Food and Rural Affairs, what information her Department holds on the reservoir from which the proposed new town at Tempsford plans to draw its water supply.
Anglian Water has a statutory obligation to provide water supplies and will plan provision of this supply for the proposed Tempsford New Town, through the Water Resources Management Plan process.
Food and Rural Affairs, what information her Department holds on the reservoir from which the proposed Universal Studios Bedford theme park plans to draw its water supply.
Anglian Water has an existing program to upgrade water resources in the region by 65Ml/d which will provide infrastructure to the Universal application. Universal has committed to a program to minimise water usage through collection of on-site water resources, be that rainwater run-off, lake abstraction, water recycling or possible use of borehole abstraction, as part of the application submission.
How many service personnel are undergoing treatment for hearing loss following operating within an Ajax or Ajax-platform vehicle.
On 22 November 2025, during a routine training exercise, around 30 soldiers operating in Ajax reported being affected by noise and vibration exposure. Out of an abundance of caution, and in line with our safety protocols, the exercise was halted within 30 minutes so that those affected could receive appropriate medical care. Importantly, none of the symptoms were life-threatening or severe enough to require hospitalisation, and most soldiers have already shown significant improvement, with many returning to their duties. As a result, I directed the Army to pause all use of Ajax for training and exercising, while a safety investigation is carried out into the events. Those investigations are ongoing, and I will update the House at an appropriate point.
What assessment has he made of the impact of the analysis that the July and November five day resident doctors’ strikes are estimated to have cost £500 million by the Office for Budget Responsibility’s Economic Financial Outlook (page 122).
We stand by the approximate £500 million figure as a reasonable estimate of the combined cost of resident doctor strikes so far this year in July and November 2025. This figure is based on actual costs from July 2025, approximately £240 million, and an initial estimate for November 2025 based on similar levels of activity output and turnout, to those seen in July. We will continue to update the estimate for November strikes as new data becomes available, in line with receiving business as usual financial data from National Health Service systems.
What assessment has she made of the potential impact of the estimated £6 billion cost of SEND provision identified by the Office for Budget Responsibility’s Economic Financial Outlook (page 17).
The OBR has updated its forecast following publication of the proposed reforms showing a more effective and sustainable system. In 2028/29, we will be spending £7 billion more on the special educational needs and disabilities system, including funding new reform programmes so we intervene earlier and improve life chances.
When she plans to announce her funding plan for financing SEND provision.
The OBR has updated its forecast following publication of the proposed reforms showing a more effective and sustainable system. In 2028/29, we will be spending £7 billion more on the special educational needs and disabilities system, including funding new reform programmes so we intervene earlier and improve life chances.
How much does she estimate the total cost of assuming the full cost of SEND within Central Government will be.
The OBR has updated its forecast following publication of the proposed reforms showing a more effective and sustainable system. In 2028/29, we will be spending £7 billion more on the special educational needs and disabilities system, including funding new reform programmes so we intervene earlier and improve life chances.
Food and Rural Affairs, how much of the £360m Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund has been invested since the fund was announced.
On 19 May 2025, the £360 million Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund was announced to support the next generation of fishers. A key principle of the fund is that we will work with the industry to target investment where it matters most. That engagement has started and will continue until the end of 2025. The fund is intended for delivery from 2026/27, so engagement is a key priority for this year. As such, no funds have yet been invested as we are working through the fund’s priorities with stakeholders. Once this engagement has concluded, further details on the fund will be provided.
How many service personnel have had a hearing assessment following operating within an Ajax or Ajax-platform vehicle.
All Ajax users follow routine audiometry protocols which includes an annual hearing test. This is required for users of all armoured vehicles.
What assessment has he made of the (a) immediate and (b) longer-term impact of grounding the SV fleet following the issues encountered during Exercise Titan Storm.
The safety of our personnel is always our utmost priority. A number of Rheinmetall MAN Military (RMMV) Support Vehicles (SV) been affected by a minor mechanical fault, which is being quickly rectified. This issue did not occur on Exercise TITAN STORM. Following advice from the Defence Safety Authority and Defence Equipment and Support, Field Army has directed a pause on its use of the vehicles while action is taken at pace to rectify the issue as a matter of priority. Whilst repair analysis is ongoing, initial estimates indicate that all vehicles will be returned to full use by early 2026 in accordance with formation priorities.
What assessment she has made of the impact of the additional £32 billion required to meet the pledge to spend 3.5% of GDP identified by the Office for Budget Responsibility in its 2025 Economic Financial Outlook.
We are set to spend 2.6 percent of GDP on defence spending in 2027, with an ambition to spend 3 percent of GDP on defence next Parliament when economic and fiscal conditions allow. The Government is also committed to hitting a headline ambition of 5 percent of GDP on national security spending by the Parliament after next. This is currently split into 1.5% on security and resilience-related spend, and 3.5% core defence spending. This new NATO target is a decade away. We remain committed to plans announced at the Spending Review. In 2029, when NATO review capability requirements and this pledge, the UK and Allies will review the trajectory and the balance of spending between defence and wider national resilience.
What assessment he has made of the impact of the collapse of negotiations on UK access to the SAFE fund.
The Security and Defence Partnership agreed with the European Union on 19 May is an example of this Government's commitment to delivering on its manifesto pledges to strengthen European security, support economic growth, and reinforce NATO. We are working swiftly with the EU to implement the Partnership and are prioritising cooperation on key areas, including support for Ukraine, countering hybrid threats, and promoting stability in the Western Balkans. As the Minister for the Cabinet Office set out in his Written Ministerial Statement on 1 December, the Security and Defence Partnership also unlocked the possibility for enhanced UK participation in the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument. Earlier this autumn, the UK and the EU entered into formal negotiations on a bilateral agreement to facilitate UK participation in SAFE. The UK entered these negotiations in good faith, reflecting our shared strategic interests. However, it was not possible to conclude these negotiations with an agreement. This Government has been clear that we will only enter into agreements that serve the national interest. In this case, the negotiations did not yield an agreement that met this standard. It is disappointing that an agreement on UK participation in the first round of SAFE could not be reached; however, the UK's defence industry will retain access to SAFE under standard third-country terms, with the potential to contribute up to 35% of the content of SAFE contracts. This Government remains committed to pursuing cooperation with the European Union on defence and security that aligns with our NATO First policy, supports our defence objectives and delivers for the UK taxpayer.
What assessment she has made of the National security risk posed by (a) ownership and (b) investment by Chinese companies in Heathrow Airport.
The Government takes its responsibility for national security extremely seriously and balances this with its continued commitment to welcome inward investment in a way that provides investors with the certainty and transparency they need to do business in the UK. We work across government to conduct due diligence and other assessments and ensure that any potential national security risk to the UK is handled appropriately. For any new qualifying investments in sensitive sectors, which include transport, we will use the powers in the National Security and Investment Act 2021 to scrutinise transactions and intervene if necessary to protect national security.
When she plans to announce how her Department will move to a) 3.0% of GDP and b) 3.5% of GDP on defence spending.
We are set to spend 2.6 percent of GDP on defence spending in 2027, with an ambition to spend 3 percent of GDP on defence next Parliament when economic and fiscal conditions allow. The Government is also committed to hitting a headline ambition of 5 percent of GDP on national security spending by the Parliament after next. This is currently split into 1.5% on security and resilience-related spend, and 3.5% core defence spending. This new NATO target is a decade away. We remain committed to plans announced at the Spending Review. In 2029, when NATO review capability requirements and this pledge, the UK and Allies will review the trajectory and the balance of spending between defence and wider national resilience.
What assessment she has made of the potential impact of trends in the level of the Chinese market share of the electric vehicle market on risks to national security.
The Government is closely monitoring China's role in the automotive industry and UK electric vehicle (EV) market, including potential risks to national security.
What assessment she has made of the impact of (a) ownership and (b) investment in Heathrow Airport by Chinese companies.
The Government takes its responsibility for national security extremely seriously and balances this with its continued commitment to welcome inward investment in a way that provides investors with the certainty and transparency they need to do business in the UK. We work across government to conduct due diligence and other assessments and ensure that any potential national security risk to the UK is handled appropriately. For any new qualifying investments in sensitive sectors, which include transport, we will use the powers in the National Security and Investment Act 2021 to scrutinise transactions and intervene if necessary to protect national security.
What assessment has she made of the impact of treating 50% of the gain in disposal to trustees of an Employee Ownership Trust as the disposers' chargeable gain for CGT purposes.
At Budget 2025, the Chancellor announced that the relief from Capital Gains Tax available on qualifying disposals to Employee Ownership Trusts will be reduced from 100% to 50%. This will retain a strong incentive for employee ownership, whilst ensuring that business owners pay their fair share of tax. The relief remains more generous than alternative reliefs that individuals might use when disposing of their companies, such as Business Asset Disposal Relief. An assessment of the impacts can be found in the Tax and Information Note for this measure, here: Capital Gains Tax — Employee Ownership Trusts - GOV.UK
What the current book value of HMS Albion is.
HMS Albion was never due to go to sea ahead of its out-of-service date in 2033. It’s disposal shows that we are delivering for defence by divesting ourselves of old capabilities to make way for the future. This ship was effectively mothballed by the previous Government. The Current Book Value of HMS ALBION is zero. The shift was valued to zero following the Defence Secretary's announcement to remove it from service last year. The annual maintenance cost for HMS ALBION is circa £2 million per annum.
What the current book value is of the British Army’s Warrior fleet of vehicles.
The current Net Book Value of the British Army’s Warrior fleet of vehicles is £19,029,595.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment she has made of the benefits of signing the Security and Defence Partnership in May 2025.
I refer the Hon Member to the answer given on 8 December to question 95528.