Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

With reference to page 27 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, when the next national exercise to test whole-of-society preparedness will take place.

The Government’s Resilience Action Plan has committed to the delivery of the National Exercise Programme (NEP). This covers a range of whole-system risks, with the priority areas for testing informed by our assessment of cross-cutting and systemic vulnerabilities and capability gaps. The NEP sets out a timetable of annual Tier 1 exercises requiring a central response and cross-government coordination. Tier 1 exercises are scalable national exercises involving devolved governments and regional and local tier responders, as well as relevant industry engagement such as critical businesses and voluntary and community organisations. Government departments fully participate at senior official and ministerial levels. The national exercise for 2025 is a pandemic preparedness exercise led by the Department of Health and Social Care. It is the first of its kind in nearly a decade and is set to be the biggest in UK history. It aims to test our ability to respond to a pandemic arising from a novel infectious disease, involving all regions and nations of the UK and thousands of participants. It is currently underway, with every UK government department participating. As part of the National Exercise Programme future government exercises are being coordinated to test all levels of government and those from across society to increase preparedness across the whole of society.

With reference to the transparency data entitled 29 September 2024: Asylum Transformation Programme Accounting Officer Assessment summary, published on 5 June 2025, what her definition is of an outcome focussed customer journey.

Outcome focussed customer journey’ is terminology used within the Asylum Transformation Programme’s strategic objectives. The objective describes the programmes intent to streamline the end-to-end journey of claimants by delivering a number of interventions to enhance and improve the current system. Examples of these interventions have included AI tooling to assist decision makers with processing asylum claims, automation of the system for booking asylum interviews, and the introduction of a new online portal for Legal Representatives to share key case information with the Home Office.

Communities and Local Government, what assessment she has made of the potential need for additional financial support to local authorities to offset revenue losses during the equalisation process of Council Tax rates.

Council tax is managed by local authorities, who decide what level of council tax they wish to set. There is an established system for the locally-led harmonisation of council tax levels across the restructured local authority area, no later than the start of the eighth year after reorganisation. The Government will continue to set referendum principles each year and any authority which sets a council tax increase above the principles must have it approved by voters.The government is committed to ensuring that funding is targeted effectively at the places and services that need it most and allocated in a way that empowers local leaders to deliver against local priorities. This includes committing to multi-year allocations for each council through the upcoming 2026-27 Local Government Finance Settlement (LGFS) and moving to a more up-to-date assessment of each council’s needs and resources.

With reference to page 27 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, when he plans to publish the report on the biological security strategy.

The Network of Biosecurity Centres will strengthen and formalise the strong existing collaborations between the UK Health Security Agency, the Animal and Plant Health Agency and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory. It will ensure we are better prepared for a crisis, can respond more effectively when an incident does happen, and deliver a more holistic, One Health and National Security approach to biological research.The Network will support the Centres’ development and operation, with investment in the laboratory facilities of more than £1bn over the next four years to ensure we have the capabilities we need. Initial steps will include agreeing collaboration priorities, such as operation standards and skills development.The Cabinet Office oversees implementation of the UK Biological Security Strategy. That includes ensuring we have the capabilities across government to protect the public from a spectrum of biological risks, no matter how they occur and no matter who or what they affect. Funding to tackle specific biological risks is based on the UK ‘Lead Government Department (LGD)’ model. Designated LGDs are responsible for leading work to identify serious risks, and ensuring that the right planning, response and recovery arrangements are in place - including the prioritisation of departmental spending to ensure the right capabilities are in place to mitigate risks, within allocated budgets. The UK Biological Security Strategy is clear that a thriving life sciences sector is key to our biological security. The government has committed £380 million to engineering biology and £2bn to life sciences over the spending review period. At the publication of the UK Biological Security Strategy in June 2023, we committed to update Parliament annually on the progress made to implement the Strategy. The government published its first UK Biosecurity Strategy Implementation report in July 2025, which sets out the range of short term commitments delivered. The report is available here.

With reference to page 34 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, what the themes will be of each of the next three six-monthly foreign and security policy dialogues.

The Government pledged in its manifesto to pursue a new relationship with the EU to strengthen European security, support growth and reinforce NATO. The recently released Strategic Defence Review (SDR) further reiterates this commitment and recognises that international partnerships are crucial for the UK’s security and prosperity. The Government delivered on this commitment at the UK-EU Summit on 19 May where we agreed a new and ambitious Security and Defence Partnership (SDP). Implementation of the SDP is a joint effort with the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office and is progressing. Since May, my Rt Hon Friend, Defence Secretary John Healey has held discussions with the European Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, where they discussed their ambition to explore the potential for enhanced UK-EU cooperation under SAFE. In October, the Foreign Secretary and the Defence Secretary will both meet with the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, for the first UK/EU foreign and security policy dialogue under the SDP. In addition, Ministers and officials from across Government have held consultations with their EU counterparts on a range of issues, including but not limited to, tackling irregular migration and hybrid threats. We continue to work with EU counterparts to strengthen dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation across the range of issues covered in the SDP, including maritime and space security. As the Defence Secretary has previously said to this House, this Government will ensure that any UK commitment– whether financial or non-financial – will provide value for the UK taxpayer and supports our defence goals. We will continue to prioritise engagement and cooperation on the issues that are most important in helping to safeguard European security and prosperity – all in support of this government’s NATO First defence policy.

Media and Sport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of awarding European football viewing rights to streaming platforms for free on access to sport.

The Secretary of State has not made any assessment on the potential impact of awarding European Football viewing rights to streaming platforms for free on access to sport.The Government does not own or have the ability to award the streaming rights for competitions run by private entities, such as FIFA or UEFA.The Government recognises the importance of ensuring access to a number of sporting events, including European football, so that they can be enjoyed by a wide audience. However, this must also be balanced with the ability of sports national governing bodies and rights holders to generate revenue to invest in their sports at all levels. Broadcasting rights provide essential income for these organisations.All UK broadcasters are operationally and editorially independent of the Government. Therefore decisions relating to coverage of particular sporting events, including European football are ultimately a commercial decision for the relevant broadcaster and/or the rights holder of the specific sporting event.

With reference to page 90 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, when plans for home defence were last fully updated.

The Ministry of Defence routinely plans against a range of potential threats to ensure the UK remains prepared to respond swiftly and effectively to any threat, including an armed attack on the UK. While we keep these plans under regular review, we are taking the recommendations of the Strategic Defence Review forward, working closely with the Cabinet Office-led Home Defence Programme.

With reference to page 130 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on the role of his Department in building an NHS fit for the future.

Whilst there have been no recent formal discussions between my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Defence, there is a strong foundation of cross-Government working between Ministry of Defence and the Department of Health and Social Care.The 10-Year Health Plan for England, which was published on 3 July 2025 by the Department of Health and Social Care, sets out a plan to create a new model of care fit for the future. The Strategic Defence Review recognises the interdependencies between the Defence Medical Services and the National Health Service and the need to continue to strengthen this partnership. Implementation of the review’s recommendations is underway.A series of workshops, involving both the Ministry of Defence and the Department of Health and Social Care, are exploring the United Kingdom’s ability to deal with various combat scenarios and the treatment of casualties. The Ministry of Defence is also participating in the cross-Government Exercise PEGASUS, the national tier 1 pandemic preparedness exercise set to assess the UK’s ability to respond to a pandemic. Both activities focus on understanding system-wide capacity and capability, potential future need, and shared plans for delivery.

With reference to page 110 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, what funding he has provided for (a) attack drones, (b) surveillance drones and (c) counter-drone-systems.

Drones and counter drone systems are integral to the modern way of warfighting, exemplified in the lessons gleaned from the war in Ukraine. The Strategic Defence Review announced an increase in autonomy investment of £2 billion in this Parliament, taking total Defence investment in autonomy to circa £4 billion. The funding provided for attack drones, surveillance drones and counter-drone systems will be announced as part of the Defence Investment Plan in Autumn 2025.

With reference to page 43 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published in June 2025, CP 1338, which projects are in scope of the £4 billion funding for autonomous systems.

A wide breadth of autonomous systems are under consideration for autonomous funding as described in the National Security Strategy and will be subject to prioritisation to ensure optimum operational benefit. The projects to be included within the £4 billion funding for autonomous systems will form part of the Defence Investment Plan in Autumn 2025.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to page 119 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what assessment he has made of the level of UK resilience to digital service loss.

The Government recognises the importance of resilient digital infrastructure to national security and public services. The Department has not made an overall assessment of the level of UK resilience to digital service loss. However, the Department reviews the most significant risks to the security and resilience of UK digital infrastructure and makes a detailed assessment of their likelihood and impact through the National Security Risk Assessment, including the impact on human welfare, public behaviour, essential services, the economy, the environment, security and international order. A summary of these risks is published in the National Risk Register.Communications providers are legally required to take appropriate and proportionate measures to ensure their networks are secure and resilient.  Ofcom monitors compliance and enforces standards under the Telecommunications (Security) Act 2021.  Providers designated as Operators of Essential Services under the Network and Information Systems Regulations 2018 must also take appropriate steps to secure their networks and minimise the impact of incidents. The forthcoming Cyber Security and Resilience Bill will further strengthen the UK’s cyber defences and build the resilience of our digital services. In addition, DSIT also works in partnership with communications providers to promote resilience across the sector and respond jointly to emergencies.

What assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of the Immigration Platform Technologies programme on the efficiency of her Department.

The Immigration Platform Technologies Programme delivered three integrated technology services that improved efficiency through driving automation and reducing manual processes, facilitating improved data transparency, and supporting more consistent decision making. It has also enabled rapid responses to Government priorities, such as launching new routes for the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme and the Afghan Resettlement scheme. The Accounting Officer Assessment for IPT was published on 6 September 2022 (6 September 2022: Immigration Platform Technologies (IPT) Programme Accounting Officer Assessment - GOV.UK)The Immigration Platform Technologies programme completed delivery and closed on 15 May 2025.

With reference to recommendation 37 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published on 8 July 2025, what progress he has made in developing an autonomous air dominance system capable of integrating with (a) directed energy weapons and (b) connectivity with integrated air and missile defence system assets.

Integrated Air and Missile Defence investments will be prioritised appropriately against the threat as part of the future Integrated Force. Work to deliver the Strategic Defence Review recommendations, including on homeland Integrated Air and Missile Defence, will be set out in the Defence Investment Plan to be published this year.

With reference to page 78 of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, who the UK’s regional partners are in the South China Sea.

The UK's regional partners listed in the Strategic Defence Review include Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia. The UK also has a long-standing partnership with Brunei, where we have recently renewed our agreement to maintain the Garison, which is home to a battalion from the Royal Gurkha Regiment. Alongside New Zealand and Australia, Singapore and Malaysia, the UK is a member of the Five Power Defence Arrangements, which promotes cooperation and interoperability in the region. The UK also regularly collaborate with our remaining Five Eyes partners Canada and the United States.

With reference to page 130 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, how many and what proportion of reserves work in the NHS for each of the three services.

The Department does not hold the information requested.

On what date the Immigration Platform Technologies programme became fully operational.

The Immigration Platform Technologies Programme delivered three integrated technology services that improved efficiency through driving automation and reducing manual processes, facilitating improved data transparency, and supporting more consistent decision making. It has also enabled rapid responses to Government priorities, such as launching new routes for the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme and the Afghan Resettlement scheme. The Accounting Officer Assessment for IPT was published on 6 September 2022 (6 September 2022: Immigration Platform Technologies (IPT) Programme Accounting Officer Assessment - GOV.UK)The Immigration Platform Technologies programme completed delivery and closed on 15 May 2025.

With reference to page 130 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, what progress his Department has made in rebuilding medical capabilities for warfighting.

A series of joint wargame exercises have taken place that have been used to identify gaps in medical warfighting capabilities. These exercises continue to inform planning between the National Health Service and the Ministry of Defence to ensure both can respond to a wide range of warfighting scenarios that might affect health and patient care.The Department of Health and Social Care and the NHS have actively worked alongside the Ministry of Defence to rebuild medical capabilities for warfighting through the introduction of the digital extraction of redacted patient notes from general practice surgeries. This has reduced the recruitment process significantly for medically trained warfighting personnel. Furthermore, the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS are also reviewing how military medical staff operate across the NHS in clinical placements.

How many independent schools have been bought by Chinese-registered companies since 5 July 2025.

The department does not hold data on investment in or ownership of private schools.

Media and Sport, what recent progress her Department has made on implementing the reprofiled Youth Investment Fund.

The Youth Investment Fund continues to deliver significant numbers of new youth facilities in less advantaged areas across England.The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has invested over £145 million to provide stability to the youth sector and ensure young people can continue to access opportunities, as we transition to the new National Youth Strategy. Part of this funding is in recognition of the urgent need for more youth facilities and has enabled more flexibility with project delivery and continues to support the completion of Youth Investment Fund projects into 2026.

Innovation and Technology, with reference to the guidance entitled Digital ID scheme: explainer, published on 26 September 2025, from which database will the digital ID validate (a) identity, (b) age, (c) residency and (d) a photo.

The Government has announced plans for a new national digital identity credential to be available to UK citizens and legal residents aged 16 and over. This will make it easier for people to securely access the services they are entitled to, where they want to, while also helping to prevent illegal working and deter illegal migration. Employers will be required to conduct digital right to work checks using the new digital ID by the end of this parliament.We recognise the importance of both cybersecurity and privacy. We will consult and engage on the practical operation of the scheme, and the data structures underpinning it, as it is developed. The data for the digital ID scheme will be federated, as doing so is good practice for things like this. That means most data will stay where it is already safely stored, such as in HM Passport Office or other government departments, and only joined up if and when needed.Following the Machinery of Government changes of 23/10/2025 policy responsibility now sits with the Cabinet Office.