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 1,361–1,380 of 5,090 · this parliament
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.
With reference to page 22 of, SEND Reform: Putting Children and Young People First (CP1509), how will Integrated Care Boards be held more accountable for providing support to children and young people with complex needs.
The Schools White Paper and consultation document on special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) reforms set out proposals on strengthening roles and responsibilities. We are working closely with the Department for Education, and with local area partnerships, for instance integrated care boards and local authorities, to explore further opportunities to strengthen accountability for families and children and young people with SEND.These reforms are intended to build a system with clearer roles and responsibilities for all partners, and more collective responsibility for the outcomes of children and young people with SEND in a local area. As part of this, we will update the Ofsted and Care Quality Commission (CQC) Area SEND Inspection framework, so that it aligns with the clarified statutory roles of local authorities and integrated care boards. There will be a full consultation on the proposed changes to the framework. Ofsted and the CQC will continue to inspect the role of education, health and social care partners responsible for the planning, commissioning, and delivery of arrangements for children and young people with SEND in the local area, setting clear standards and holding them accountable. In addition, the Children’s Commissioner for England will take on a new role to monitor the progress and effectiveness of SEND reforms for all children with SEND, focusing on the most vulnerable groups.For the first time, the NHS Medium Term Planning Framework included a clear expectation that integrated care boards and providers fulfil their statutory SEND duties and support the Government’s SEND reform plans. Within their local area partnerships, ICBs are being asked to contribute to Local SEND Reform Plans. This will set out how they will move towards stronger inclusive practices and early intervention, including for children and young people with complex needs. These plans will also be used to assess ongoing performance and delivery of the reforms.
Pursuant to the Answer of 2 March 2026 to Question 115462 on Sovereignty: Chagos Islands, how many times has the Attorney General met with Dapo Akande.
The Attorney and Dapo have met on 5 occasions, including the Attorney General endorsing Dapo Akande’s candidacy to be a judge to the International Court of Justice.
Whether any British military personnel were involved in the (a) planning or (b) intelligence gathering for the US attack on Iran.
No British military personnel were involved in the planning for the US attack on Iran. It is the longstanding policy of successive Governments that we do not comment on intelligence matters.
Pursuant to the answer of 20 October 2025 to question 79699 on Antiship Missiles, by what date will the Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon programme full business case receive a decision on approval.
The Future Cruise Anti-Ship Weapon programme continues to move towards its Full Business Case approval in 2026. The schedule for completing the approval process is structured to allow continued delivery of industry work (where approvals are already in place to protect work throughout 2026) without the approval process introducing any delay.
Whether the Prime Minister was informed by the (a) US and (b) Israeli government of their intention to attack Iran prior to strikes being launched.
The Government was informed of the action in advance.
Pursuant to the answer of 27 October 2025 to question 79399 on Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Procurement, how much funding will he provide to counter-drone capability to RAF Akrotiri.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) continually monitors the threat posed to the UK and our interests, and has processes in place to rapidly deliver capability required by specific Operational Commanders to manage risks to life that arise around the world. 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 Integrated Air and Missile Defence, will be prioritised appropriately against the assessed threat picture as part of the future Integrated Force and will be set out in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan. The MOD, through the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group, is working to speed up financing and licensing for exports to Gulf partners. As part of this, a new Task Force has been created within the NAD Group to collaborate across government to support partners across the Middle East working with UK industry. It will also manage the impact of the conflict on the UK defence supply chain and gather requirements for stock replenishment.
With reference to page 22 of her Department's consultation paper entitled SEND Reform: Putting Children and Young People First, CP1509. how will the voices of (a) children, (b) young people and (c) parents be strengthened within local partnership arrangements.
The department will strengthen the voices of children, young people, and parent carers making it easier for them to access clear advice and practical support from government, both locally and nationally.This includes involving them in local area plans and in holding services to account so that they better meet the need of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).The department will strengthen the framework within which parent carer forums operate with consistent standards and training. We will also increase funding to local parent carer forums to enhance their peer support, and have further influence in local SEND systems, working with local partnership boards, Integrated Care Board and Best Start Family Hubs.
With reference to page 22 of her Department's consultation document entitled SEND Reform: Putting Children and Young People First, CP1509, how will (a) schools, (b) colleges and (c) early years settings access the Inclusive Mainstream Fund in Huntingdonshire.
The Inclusive Mainstream Fund provides £1.6 billion in funding, over three years, to schools, colleges and early years settings to deliver an improved inclusion offer.The department will soon publish methodology documents to explain how the funding will be distributed for the three phases. The funding will be made available to early years, schools and 16-19 institutions through new grants from 2026/27.
With reference to page 22 of her Department's consultation document entitled SEND Reform: Putting Children and Young People First, CP1509, how will mediation be used to resolve disputes more quickly.
Research shows that mediation can reduce the likelihood of disputes escalating to appeals, enabling families and local authorities to work collaboratively to resolve disagreements more quickly and collaboratively.We are engaging with a wide variety of stakeholders, including families, local authorities, representative groups and providers, to identify what more can be done to raise awareness of mediation, address the barriers to effective mediation and share best practice. As a first step, we intend to improve mediation through clearer national guidance for families and professionals, and by supporting improved local authority compliance with existing duties.Where early resolution is not possible, the special educational needs and disabilities tribunal will continue to act as an important legal backstop for key decisions about education, health and care plans.
With reference to page 22 of her Department's consultation document entitled SEND Reform: Putting Children and Young People First, CP1509, when will schools in Huntingdonshire have to publish a legal Inclusion Strategy.
In the recent consultation ‘SEND reform: putting children and young people first’, the government proposed holding schools to account on how they will take meaningful steps to invest in inclusion through a published Inclusion Strategy.On 25 March 2026, the department published the inclusive mainstream fund (IMF) methodology alongside best practice for schools. These documents provided detail on the requirement on schools to produce an Inclusion Strategy, along with information on how the IMF will be allocated to support schools’ inclusive practice. More information on how to produce an effective and ambitious Inclusion Strategy will be published soon.