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 481–500 of 4,549 · this parliament
What assessment he has made of the potential merits of providing support to help prevent the closure of the Inovyn salt production facility in Cheshire.
Government maintains an ongoing dialogue with Inovyn on the issues facing the operation of their salt plant at Runcorn. I have exchanged correspondence with the Hon Member for Runcorn and Helsby on the matter earlier this year.
Whether he has had recent discussions with the hon. Member for Runcorn and Helsby on the potential closure of the Inovyn salt production facility in Runcorn.
Government maintains an ongoing dialogue with Inovyn on the issues facing the operation of their salt plant at Runcorn. I have exchanged correspondence with the Hon Member for Runcorn and Helsby on the matter earlier this year.
Innovation and Technology, with reference to the policy paper entitled Replacing animals in science: A strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods, published on 11 November 2025, what progress has she made in establishing a new preclinical translational research hub to bring together data, cell engineering, genomic technology, and expertise to create a pipeline of novel translational medicine models.
The delivery of the commitment to Create a preclinical translational models hub is led by the Medical Research Council (MRC).The Preclinical translational models hub funding call to identify a host for the hub was launched on 2 March 2026 with decisions on this expected in July. The Hub is expected to commence work in Autumn 2026.The Government will publish a delivery update, alongside key performance indicators on progress across all elements of the strategy, later in 2026.
Food and Rural Affairs, how many personnel are assigned to the Tactical Delivery Group for bat crime.
The bat crime Tactical Delivery Group (TDG) is comprised of around 40 representatives from several key stakeholder organisations, including the police and the National Wildlife Crime Unit. A Defra representative attends as required. There is a TDG for each of five national wildlife crime priorities. The priority areas are those which have been assessed as posing the greatest current threat to either the conservation status of a species or which show the highest volume of crime and therefore require a UK-wide tactical response. Each TDG is required to report to the UK Tasking and Coordination Group (UKTCG) (on which Defra is represented) twice a year. This allows the UKTCG to oversee the activities of the TDG and ensure its objectives are being met. Each TDG is supported by the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU), which helps prevent and detect wildlife crime by obtaining and disseminating intelligence, undertaking analysis which highlights local or national threats and directly assisting law enforcers in their investigations. Defra is a principal funder of the NWCU and is providing £530,000 for the Unit in the financial year 2026-27. The NWCU holds TDGs accountable and sets their objectives which link back to an overarching national wildlife crime strategy.
What the scope is of the Royal Navy’s Future Maritime Data Gathering programme.
The Future Maritime Data Gathering (FMDG) programme is exploring a range of technologies, including uncrewed and autonomous systems, advanced sensors, and improved data‑processing tools.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Russian use of the Chinese Shennong Shield-3000 mobile high-energy laser directed energy weapon on Taskforce Kindred’s efforts to support Ukrainian armed forces via drone capability.
The Ministry of Defence continues to work closely with the Government of Ukraine on the sharing of knowledge and insights to ensure that our support meets Ukraine's priority requirements and that the Armed Forces of Ukraine is responding effectively to the evolving threat, including from drones and energy weapons.Due to operational security, we do not comment on specific capabilities.
With reference to his Department's press release entitled UK and Belgium sign multi-million pound Mission Data partnership, published on 31 March 2026, what is the total value of Belgian investment over five years.
The maximum financial contribution for Belgium is €150 million. This is inclusive of VAT and other taxes, customs duties and similar charges, and accounts for inflation.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the potential closure of the Inovyn salt production facility in Runcorn on the (a) chemicals and (b) pharmaceuticals industry.
Government maintains an ongoing dialogue with Inovyn on the issues facing the operation of their salt plant at Runcorn. I have exchanged correspondence with the Hon Member for Runcorn and Helsby on the matter earlier this year.
When the Armed Forces Pay Review for 2026-27 will be announced.
The Government has received the independent Armed Forces’ Pay Review Body Pay Round 26 report and is carefully considering its recommendations before publishing both the report and our response to it in due course.
With reference to his Department's Pre-Procurement Notice entitled Strategic Defence Review - Energetics Investment Information Notice, published on 2 April 2026, by what date does he plan to confirm the (a) value for money and (b) affordability criteria.
We plan to confirm value for money and affordability criteria by no later than the beginning of quarter 3 2026. Feasibility studies are planned to be contracted in April 2026, and to conclude in August 2026.
What progress he has made in integrating the Aster 30 missile into the Mk41 Vertical Launching System (VLS).
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question 123067, tabled on 23 March 2026:https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-03-23/123067
With reference to page 24 of the Defence Diplomacy Strategy - Public Summary, by when he plans to (a) commence and (b) conclude the underpinning review.
Due to the size and complexity of Defence’s intelligence partnerships, this work is already underway and is being carried out in stages rather than as a one‑off, time‑limited review. The aim is to ensure that intelligence sharing supports Defence’s international priorities, underpins a NATO First approach, and strengthens the UK’s influence with allies and partners. As outlined in the Defence Diplomacy Strategy, this work will provide recommendations by the end of 2026.
Innovation and Technology, with reference to the policy paper entitled Replacing animals in science: A strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods, published on 11 November 2025, what progress has she made in strengthening the commitment of journal editors to publishing research using alternative methods.
The delivery of the commitment to strengthen the commitment of journal editors to publishing research using alternative methods sits with NC3Rs. As set out in the strategy, this work will be initiated at the start of 2027. To support this, NC3Rs will launch their DRIVER (Designing and Reporting In Vitro Experiments Responsibly) recommendations that underpin improved experimental design and reporting of in vitro studies in 2026.The Government will publish a delivery update, alongside key performance indicators on progress across all elements of the strategy, later in 2026.
What progress he has made in procuring a replacement for the Viking T1 glider.
We are reviewing a Life Extension Plan for the Viking T1 glider. As such, there is currently no requirement to replace the glider.
Innovation and Technology, with reference to the policy paper entitled Replacing animals in science: A strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods, published on 11 November 2025, what progress has she made in collecting annual data on the number of clinical trial applications that include toxicity tests conducted in 2 species.
The delivery of the commitment to collect annual data on the number of clinical trial applications that include toxicity tests conducted in 2 species, sits with NC3Rs.MHRA holds this data and NC3Rs are working with them on the best way to access and share this information. The strategy commits to first publish by mid-2026.The Government will publish a delivery update, alongside key performance indicators on progress across all elements of the strategy, later in 2026.
If he will set out the level of combat search and rescue capability of the Royal Marines Joint Personnel Recovery.
The Ministry of Defence does not routinely comment on combat search and rescue capabilities for reasons of operational security.
What assessment has he made of the potential threat posed to British-flagged ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz by the Sunflower-200 kamikaze drone supplied to Iran by China.
The Ministry of Defence continues to work closely with the Government of Ukraine on the sharing of knowledge and insights to ensure that our support meets Ukraine's priority requirements and that the Armed Forces of Ukraine is responding effectively to the evolving threat, including from drones and energy weapons.Due to operational security, we do not comment on specific capabilities.
With reference to his Department's joint press notice entitled Shadow fleet set to be interdicted in UK waters in latest blow to Russia, published on 25 March 2026, how many Russian shadow fleet vessels under UK sanctions and transiting UK waters have been assessed for boarding since the US operation to seize tanker Bella 1.
We will not go into specifics on our assessments as this could compromise our ability to successfully take action against these ships, only benefitting our adversaries.
Pursuant to the Answer of 6 March 2025 to Question 36208 on USA: Military Alliances, what discussions he has held with his US counterparts on the ongoing commitment of the United States to the European Reassurance Initiative.
The Defence Secretary speaks with his US counterpart regularly on a range of topics to ensure coherence and alignment between our two nations. However, they have not recently discussed the US’ European Reassurance Initiative.
Innovation and Technology, with reference to the policy paper entitled Replacing animals in science: A strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods, published on 11 November 2025, what progress has she made in developing a workforce with the necessary skills set to implement the uptake of new alternative methods.
Commitments in the strategy to build a skilled workforce, including early career researchers, to support the uptake of alternative methods are led by the NC3Rs.This work is focusing on building capacity in the development and adoption of alternative methods through expanded NC3Rs-led 3Rs training, alongside targeted support for method developers and regulators. The aim is to deliver a workforce aligned with the UK’s ambitions and sector demand for non-animal methods.The Government will publish a delivery update, alongside key performance indicators on progress across all elements of the strategy, later in 2026.