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 501–520 of 4,549 · this parliament
Pursuant to the Answer of 21 May 2025 to Question 52039 on Armed Forces: Housing, how many void properties are in Huntingdon constituency for which the latest data is available.
As at 13 April 2026, there are 99 void Service Family Accommodation properties in the Huntingdon constituency.
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.
What progress he has made in meeting the NATO Industrial Capacity Expansion Pledge.
The NATO Industrial Capacity Expansion Pledge, agreed by Allies at the Washington Summit in July 2024, commits NATO to strengthening defence industrial capacity and resilience across the Alliance. The UK is actively supporting delivery of the Pledge through close engagement with NATO and Allies, including through NATO’s Defence Production Action Plan (DPAP), which provides the practical framework for implementing the commitments. This includes work to aggregate demand, strengthen defence‑critical supply chains, support multinational procurement, and improve NATO–industry engagement. The UK’s Defence Industrial Strategy aligns UK industrial activity with NATO priorities and supports delivery of the Pledge by increasing production capacity, improving resilience, and encouraging long‑term investment in the defence industrial base.
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.
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.
What progress has he made in updating the UK F-35B fleet with Block 4 modifications.
We do not routinely comment on detailed delivery schedules. However, the Block 4 upgrade programme continues, it did not impact the declaration of Lightning Full Operating Capability. The Block 4 upgrade programme will further develop our world leading Combat Air capability, the UK Lightning, through improvements in lethality, survivability and supportability.
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 is the full scope of the the Hypersonic Technologies and Capability Development Framework.
The Hypersonic Technologies and Capability Development Framework (HTCDF) is a bespoke £1b billion Commercial Agile Route to Market to facilitate a spiralled approach to technology development through to a sovereign capability.The framework covers a broad range of scope required to develop a Hypersonic Strike Capability, crucially allowing contracting at all levels of Technology Readiness. Lots include: Design and Integration, Modelling, Simulation and Test and Evaluation, Airframe and Power Generation, Low TRL / Specialists, Lethal Package, Propulsion, Onboard Computing and Seekers with significant supplier capability represented in each Lot.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many times the Soft Power Council has met; and on what dates.
Available information about the Soft Power Council can be found on GOV.UK, including details of the dates of all its meetings to date and records that cover the issues discussed at each meeting. The Soft Power Council is attended on a voluntary basis by its members, and has no separate office or other fixed overheads.
By what date will he establish the joint road map with France to develop the successor to the Meteor missile.
The United Kingdom and France have agreed to undertake a joint study for the development of next‑generation air‑to‑air weapon concepts. The content and precise timing for any future roadmap to replace Meteor will be informed by the outcomes of this analysis.
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.
Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Soft Power Council has submitted (a) reports and (b) formal advice to her Department since January 2025.
Available information about the Soft Power Council can be found on GOV.UK, including details of the dates of all its meetings to date and records that cover the issues discussed at each meeting. The Soft Power Council is attended on a voluntary basis by its members, and has no separate office or other fixed overheads.
Pursuant to the Answer of 9 June 2025 to Question 56964 on F-35 Aircraft: Procurement, on what dates did the Royal Air Force receive the remaining F-35B Lightning II aircraft.
On 13 March 2026, the UK accepted its 48th F-35B aircraft.
Pursuant to the Answer of 25 March 2026 to Question 122231 on Energy: Prices, what estimate he has made of the proportion of demand made up of liquified natural gas imported from Qatar by 2035.
The Department has not made an assessment as to the proportion of demand that Qatari LNG will account for in 2035. LNG will continue to play an important role in the UK’s gas supply mix and it is the Department’s view that this will continue to arrive from a range of different countries.
Innovation and Technology, with reference to the policy paper: Replacing animals in science: A strategy to support the development, validation and uptake of alternative methods, published on 11 November 2025, when does she expect to publish a coherent list of alternative methods that would be acceptable data sources.
The delivery of the commitment to publish a list of regulatory priorities for alternative methods sits with NC3Rs.NC3Rs, working with its Regulatory Sciences Forum, is developing the publication, including its overall structure and the criteria for inclusion and exclusion of alternative methods. As set out in the strategy, we expect the list of priorities for regulatory development and validation to be published by the end of 2026.The Government will publish a delivery update, alongside key performance indicators on progress across all elements of the strategy, later in 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 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.