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 1,541–1,560 of 5,090 · this parliament
Pursuant to the answer of 16 February 2026 to question 111934 on Armed Forces: Parachuting, what roles across the Armed Forces are defined as specialists.
Within the Armed Forces there are two levels of parachute specialisation: Low Level Para and High Altitude Para.
How many medically discharged personnel have been referred to (a) Op COURAGE, (b) Op RESTORE and (c) Op VALOUR in each of the last five years.
Op COURAGE and RESTORE are both NHS initiatives; to date Op COURAGE has received 35,000 referrals, whilst over 1,000 veterans have used the Op RESTORE service.VALOUR is a programme which will give veterans across the UK easier access to the essential care and support available to them. There are three components of VALOUR. VALOUR Recognised Centres will facilitate access to multiple services for veterans, and will connect local, regional, and national services. A network of VALOUR Field Officers will bring together charities, service providers, and local government to improve collaboration and coordination, enabling data-driven policy and service development. Finally, a VALOUR HQ, within the MOD, will gather data and insight, working with policy and research teams to ensure services are designed to meet local needs.
What assessment he has made of the potential impact of proposed strike action by Royal Fleet Auxiliary seafarers on Royal Navy operations.
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary remains essential in supporting operations alongside the Royal Navy and our global allies. They continue to meet their operational commitments, and we are dedicated to resolving this dispute through ongoing dialogue with their trade unions.
What assessment has she made of the potential impact on UK security of the inclusion of BYD Company Limited on the recent update to the “Entities Identified as Chinese Military Companies Operating in the United States in Accordance with Section 1260H of the William M. (“Mac”) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116-283)1".
As part of the National Security Strategy the Government is implementing new measures to make the UK a harder target for actors who seek to exploit our open, democratic society. This includes bolstering our cyber and economic security defences.For example, the national security powers in the Procurement Act 2023 allow the Government to exclude suppliers from public sector procurement, terminate their public contracts and debar them from future ones. These powers target risk from individual suppliers—not specific countries—and will be used proportionately based on the threat posed.
With reference to the press release entitled UK announces urgent new air defence package for Ukraine worth over half a billion pounds, published on 12 February 2026, what is the a) total value of the package announced and b) from which budget will the funding be taken.
The total value of the air defence package announced by the Defence Secretary at the most recent Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting, is £540 million. This is funded through the UK’s annual commitment of military aid to Ukraine and Ukrainian funding underwritten by UK Export Finance.
Pursuant to the Answer of 11 February 2026 to question 110522 on Ajax Vehicles: Modernisation, when he expects the Ajax-family vehicles due to reach Drop 3 standard by October 2028 reach Drop 4 standard.
All 589 Ajax family vehicles will reach Capability Drop 4 by September 2029 as contracted, subject to reviews that are ongoing.
How many (a) warranted Police Officers, (b) Police Community Support Officers and (c) Special Constables there were on (i) 31 March 2025 and (ii) 11 February 2026.
The Home Office collects and publishes data on the size of the police workforce in England and Wales, on a biannual basis, as at 31 March and 30 September each year in the Police Workforce, England and Wales statistical bulletin available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/police-workforce-england-and-wales.Data for this release is collected as a snapshot at 31 March and 30 September only. As such, data for 11 February 2026 is not available. The latest information covers the situation as at 30 September 2025.Information on the number of police officers, police community support officers and special constables, on both a full-time equivalent and headcount basis, as at 31 March 2007 to 2025 can be found in the Police Workforce Open Data Table here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/697255b5a1311bdcfa0ed8f3/open-data-table-police-workforce-280126.ods
With reference to the press release Battlefield tactics to inspire UK fight against prison drones, published on 16 January 2026, how many prisons across the prison estate currently have access to active counter-UAS capabilities.
We are working hard to deter, detect and disrupt the illegal use of drones that deliver contraband so that prisoners have access to a safe and stable rehabilitative environment. Our approach is multi-faceted and includes physical security countermeasures, legislation and working across Government and with international partners on this global issue. H M Prison & Probation Service uses targeted physical countermeasures, such as improvements to windows, installing specialised netting and grills to prevent drones from delivering contraband into prisons. HMPPS also conducts vulnerability assessments across the estate, to understand the risk and develop and implement plans to mitigate the threat. We work widely across Government to understand how current and emerging counter-drone capabilities can be used to keep our prisons and the public safe. We are also engaging with international counterparts to develop our learning, support our strategy and share best practice. We cannot share information about our counter-drone tactics, but HMPPS uses suitable technology, alongside a variety of countermeasures and intelligence tools to prevent drones delivering contraband such as drugs, mobile phones and weapons.
What counter-Unmanned Aircraft System capabilities are available to HM Prison and Probation Service staff.
We are working hard to deter, detect and disrupt the illegal use of drones that deliver contraband so that prisoners have access to a safe and stable rehabilitative environment. Our approach is multi-faceted and includes physical security countermeasures, legislation and working across Government and with international partners on this global issue. H M Prison & Probation Service uses targeted physical countermeasures, such as improvements to windows, installing specialised netting and grills to prevent drones from delivering contraband into prisons. HMPPS also conducts vulnerability assessments across the estate, to understand the risk and develop and implement plans to mitigate the threat. We work widely across Government to understand how current and emerging counter-drone capabilities can be used to keep our prisons and the public safe. We are also engaging with international counterparts to develop our learning, support our strategy and share best practice. We cannot share information about our counter-drone tactics, but HMPPS uses suitable technology, alongside a variety of countermeasures and intelligence tools to prevent drones delivering contraband such as drugs, mobile phones and weapons.
Pursuant to the answer of 11 February 2026 to question 110522 on Ajax Vehicles: Modernisation, by when will those Ajax-family vehicles due to reach Drop 3 standard by October 2028 will reach Drop 4 standard.
All 589 Ajax family vehicles will reach Capability Drop 4 by September 2029 as contracted, subject to reviews that are ongoing.
Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 11 February 2026 to question 111279 on Thatched Roofing, what steps is she taking to increase the number of thatching-straw growers in the UK.
Agricultural policy is the responsibility of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The Government has allocated a record £11.8 billion to sustainable farming and food production over this parliament, investing more than £2.7 billion a year in farming and nature recovery. This includes the Government's Paludiculture Exploration Fund, which has been exploring opportunities to support multi-functional crops on rewetted lowland peatlands. One of the twelve trials, the Broads Authority's "FibreBroads", funded a series of workstreams including fibre products for building materials such as reed for thatch, as well as fibreboards and acoustic panels from other wetland crops.DCMS supports thatching-straw growers through the work of Historic England, Government statutory advisors on the historic environment and arms length body of DCMS. Historic England is hosting a thatching-straw growers’ workshop on 11 March 2026, in Marlborough Wiltshire. The event is aimed at thatch straw growers, and will be a unique opportunity for them to meet one another, share knowledge, and hear updates from Historic England on the work being done to support the production of thatching straw. If you wish to find out more about the event and related issues you can contact the National Specialist Services Team at Historic England on nationalspecialistservices@historicengland.org.uk.
What is the total planned number of tanks to be upgraded to Challenger 3.
148 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tanks are being upgraded to the Challenger 3 standard. All 148 are for the Royal Armoured Corps.
Media and Sport, pursuant to the Answer of 11 February 2026 to Question 111279 on Thatched Roofing, what is the date and location of the April 2026 thatching-straw growers workshop.
Agricultural policy is the responsibility of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The Government has allocated a record £11.8 billion to sustainable farming and food production over this parliament, investing more than £2.7 billion a year in farming and nature recovery. This includes the Government's Paludiculture Exploration Fund, which has been exploring opportunities to support multi-functional crops on rewetted lowland peatlands. One of the twelve trials, the Broads Authority's "FibreBroads", funded a series of workstreams including fibre products for building materials such as reed for thatch, as well as fibreboards and acoustic panels from other wetland crops.DCMS supports thatching-straw growers through the work of Historic England, Government statutory advisors on the historic environment and arms length body of DCMS. Historic England is hosting a thatching-straw growers’ workshop on 11 March 2026, in Marlborough Wiltshire. The event is aimed at thatch straw growers, and will be a unique opportunity for them to meet one another, share knowledge, and hear updates from Historic England on the work being done to support the production of thatching straw. If you wish to find out more about the event and related issues you can contact the National Specialist Services Team at Historic England on nationalspecialistservices@historicengland.org.uk.
Pursuant to the answer of 12 February 2026 to question 110957 on Electronic Warfare: Procurement, by when will the delivery phase of Project Goldweed be completed.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I provided on 12 February 2026 to Question 110957. As I hope the hon. Member will understand, due to operational and commercial sensitivities I am unable to provide any further detail on Project Goldweed.
What is the total planned number of Challenger 3 tanks for Royal Armoured Corps Regiments.
148 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tanks are being upgraded to the Challenger 3 standard. All 148 are for the Royal Armoured Corps.
What is the current level provided for the (a) service pupil premium and the (b) primary pupil premium in Cambridgeshire.
Pupil premium and service pupil premium allocations, including at local authority level, can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pupil-premium-allocations-and-conditions-of-grant-2025-to-2026.The allocations amount in the 2025/26 financial year for Cambridgeshire thus far are as follows: Quarter 1 June 2025Quarter 2 September 2025Quarter 3 December 2025Service pupil premium£323,750£323,050£323,050Deprivation pupil premium - primary pupils£16,755,143£16,755,143£16,680,908Quarter 4 pupil premium allocations will be published in late March 2026.
Pursuant to the Answer of 12 February 2026 to Question 110953 on Military Intelligence: Digital Technology, when does he expect the SCC to be fully operational.
Secret Community Cloud capability will continue to be delivered on a phased basis, with Full Operating Capability expected in Autumn 2026.
When does he expect the UK’s commitment to Atlantic Strike to commence.
I refer the hon. Member to the response to Question 98877 provided on 18 December 2026.
What progress has he made in developing a Quantum Radar capability.
Defence quantum experts within Defence Science and Technology (DST), the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), and Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) work closely with our international allies and partners in wider Government, industry and academia to support the UK’s world class expertise in quantum, and to identify and exploit the potential opportunities this developing technology can bring. Defence is a founding partner of the National Quantum Technology Programme (NQTP) and works closely with the NQTP, DSIT, Innovate UK and the UKRI quantum research activities. ‘Quantum Radar’ and ‘Quantum Illumination’ have specific meanings. In both cases the technology is immature and the potential benefits to Defence remain uncertain.However, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) is conducting science & technology research into Quantum Technologies more broadly. This includes a focus on clock technology to enhance timing capabilities and sensing for navigation and situational awareness. Trials have been undertaken to understand the utility this technology can offer and inform technology development. MOD is collaborating with the UK’s Quantum Ecosystem, including the Quantum sensing, Imaging and Timing (QuSIT) Hub (led by the University of Birmingham) that is researching Quantum enhanced RADAR. The particular focus and priorities of Defence research activity is classified and cannot be released for National Security reasons.
Pursuant to the answer of 12 February 2026 to question 111273 on Military Bases: Sales, what his planned timetable is for a decision on the disposal of JITG Chicksands.
The decision has already been taken to dispose of Ministry of Defence Chicksands when it becomes surplus to military requirement, as announced by the previous administration in December 2023.