Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

What is the full scope of Project SAGE.

SAGE is a project to test the use of satellite communications, 4G, and Wi-Fi in places or buildings where digital signals are normally restricted.

What is the full scope of Project Synergia.

Project SYNERGIA is the Royal Air Force's research and development programme to inform the requirements for a core capability to provide protection for fixed sites from the threat of drones.

With reference to page 22 of the policy paper entitled SEND Reform: Putting Children and Young People First, published on 23 February 2026, CP1509, how (a) schools, (b) colleges and (c) early years settings in Huntingdonshire will access the capital funding.

We are investing at least £3.7 billion in high needs capital funding between 2025/26 and 2029/30 to support local authorities to provide places for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), or who require alternative provision. This funding is expected to fund a transformative expansion of inclusion bases, as well as adaptations to improve the accessibility and inclusivity of mainstream settings. It can also be used to create special school places for pupils with the most complex needs.This reflects the statutory responsibility of local authorities to ensure there are sufficient school places for pupils in their area, including those with SEND. Accordingly, schools, colleges and early years settings in Huntingdonshire access this investment through Cambridgeshire County Council. In 2025/26, Cambridgeshire County Council received £7.1 million high needs capital. We will publish local authority high needs capital allocations for 2026/27 in Spring 2026.

If he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the use of the Shuiqiao landing barge by the Chinese navy.

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy’s Shuiqiao landing barge is a significant development in China’s amphibious power projection capability. As laid out in last year’s Strategic Defence Review, the UK recognises China's rapid military modernisation and its use of new capabilities to attempt to establish regional dominance. Growing Chinese assertiveness is a key driver of regional and global instability. Defence can contribute to wider Government efforts to defend and shape international rules and norms in the region through strengthening regional partners and protecting freedom of navigation. In regional disputes, we continue to encourage all parties to settle their disputes peacefully through existing legal mechanisms.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Australia-UK Defence Industry Dialogue: Joint Statement, published in 23 February 2026, what steps he has taken to explore options that maximise opportunities to strengthen the UK collective steel industrial base with that of Australia.

I was pleased to host Minister Pat Conroy for the first Australia-UK Defence Industry Dialogue since 2018. As one of our closest allies, we had constructive discussions on how we can work together towards a safer and prosperous future. A cornerstone of doing so is the AUKUS partnership, which will drive growth, create thousands of jobs and provide new opportunities across the trilateral submarine supply chain, building essential resilience into this vital area of our Defence industry. With this in mind, we continue to work with Australia to understand how each country’s steel industry can provide optimal support for our respective SSN-AUKUS build programmes. Opportunities for the UK steel industry have already been realised, with Sheffield Forgemasters producing components for Australia’s SSN-AUKUS submarines. This has been underpinned by the £6 billion investment into the UK’s submarine building infrastructure that the Government announced in the Strategic Defence Review and a further £2.4 billion that Australia is providing to support capacity growth at Rolls-Royce Submarines and Sheffield Forgemasters.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact on global reinsurance markets of war risk insurance coverage for the Strait of Hormuz being cancelled by marine insurers.

The Treasury is in regular contact with the Bank of England, international counterparts, and affected industries, including our maritime sector. I recently met with Lloyd’s of London as part of the government’s ongoing work to monitor impacts from the unfolding conflict in Iran and the Middle East. The Treasury will continue to monitor global insurance markets, including war risk insurance coverage.

What is the full scope of Project ONION.

You will note the recent publication on the Gov.UK website on 24 February which confirmed that the Ministry of Defence has trialled a series of projects designed to improve the UK's ability to outload munitions quickly and at scale. ONION seeks to capture lessons and policy challenges which have constrained munitions innovation.

How many ORCUS counter-UAS systems have been procured by the Ministry of Defence.

I am withholding the information requested as its disclosure would, or would likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

What is the full scope of Project PAXO.

PAXO is a project to look at ways of packing munitions more efficiently. It tests new tools and methods to speed up loading munitions into shipping containers making the process faster, safer and less labour-intensive.

What information his Department holds on the type of drone struck the runway during the attack on RAF Akrotiri on 2 March 2026.

The Ministry of Defence can confirm that a drone targeted RAF Akrotiri on 2 March was not launched from Iran. Our best assessment is that it came from Lebanon or Iraq.

What country was the launch location of the drone that struck the runway during the attack on RAF Akrotiri on 2 March 2026.

The Ministry of Defence can confirm that a drone targeted RAF Akrotiri on 2 March was not launched from Iran. Our best assessment is that it came from Lebanon or Iraq.

With reference to page 64 of the policy paper entitled SEND Reform: Putting Children and Young People First, published on 23 February 2026, CP1509, when she expects recommendations from the national expert panel on specialist provision packages to be published.

The government’s consultation on special educational needs and disabilities reform, ‘Putting Children and Young People First’, sets out the proposal to introduce Specialist Provision Packages, which would provide comprehensive, evidence-based support for children and young people with the most complex needs. This is subject to consultation.The packages will be developed and reviewed by experts, tested with parents and supported through continued multi-agency working. Legislation to introduce the new packages, and the independent expert panel that will oversee them, will be brought forward at the earliest opportunity, with guidance to follow so settings can plan and prepare ahead of proposed implementation from September 2029.

With reference to page 63 of the policy paper entitled SEND Reform: Putting Children and Young People First, published on 23 February 2026, CP1509, when she plans to introduce new specialist provision packages.

The government’s consultation on special educational needs and disabilities reform, ‘Putting Children and Young People First’, sets out the proposal to introduce Specialist Provision Packages, which would provide comprehensive, evidence-based support for children and young people with the most complex needs. This is subject to consultation.The packages will be developed and reviewed by experts, tested with parents and supported through continued multi-agency working. Legislation to introduce the new packages, and the independent expert panel that will oversee them, will be brought forward at the earliest opportunity, with guidance to follow so settings can plan and prepare ahead of proposed implementation from September 2029.

Whether he has received the completed Defence Finance and Investment Strategy.

As set out in the Defence Industrial Strategy, the Defence Finance and Investment Strategy (DFIS) is set to be developed by early 2026. It is currently on track for publication in spring, and the Secretary of State for Defence has been kept informed of the progress.

If he has received the overarching Infrastructure Recapitalisation Plan as per Recommendation 59 of the Strategic Defence Review.

The overarching Infrastructure Recapitalisation Plan, as outlined in Recommendation 59 of the Strategic Defence Review, has not yet been submitted.

What assessment she made of the potential merits of raising the threat level following the US and Israeli strikes on Iran.

The UK National Threat Level is subject to continuous review and assessment, of which the threat to the UK from all forms of terrorism is currently assessed as SUBSTANTIAL. It is not for the Home Secretary to set the UK National Threat Level. Instead, this is done independently of Government by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC), ensuring it accurately reflects the threat of a terrorist attack in the UK.Separate to the UK National Threat Level, the threat from Iran, and other states, is kept under constant review and we take protection of individuals’ rights, freedoms, and safety in the UK very seriously.Any attempt by a foreign power to intimidate, harass or harm individuals or communities in the UK will not be tolerated. Since the start of 2022, the UK has responded to over 20 Iran-backed plots presenting potentially lethal threats to British citizens and UK residents. The Government’s top priority is our national security, and we will continue to use all appropriate tools at our disposal to protect the UK, and its people, from the threats we face.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact upon the US and Israeli strikes on Iran on levels of immigration from Iran.

The Home Office is monitoring the situation in Iran and the impacts that it will have.

What her planned timetable is for a decision on a proposed increase to the financial incentive for illegal migrants to co-operate with returns enforcement.

The Home Office commenced a time-limited enhanced family returns pilot on 5 March, which offers eligible families up to £10,000 per person to leave the UK, capped at £40,000 per family.

Whether his Department has any current contracts with Anthropic.

The Department does not hold any contracts with Anthropic.

With reference to page 22 of her Department's consultation entitled SEND reform: Putting Children and Young People First, CP1509, when she plans to implement a fast-track route to support for children under five.

The department will work closely with colleagues at the Department for Health and Social Care and with parents and carers, to develop a fast-track route to support children under five years old with the most complex special educational needs to access the support they and their families need to achieve and thrive in early education. This will include exploring options to trial such a process ahead of legislation.