Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

If he will take steps to update the apprenticeship levy funding band.

Each apprenticeship standard is allocated to one of 30 funding bands, which range from £1,500 to £27,000. These represent the maximum value that government will contribute towards the training and assessment for each apprenticeship. All apprenticeship standards are reviewed periodically for both content and funding. Employers can also request an exceptional review where they are able to evidence significant cost changes. Skills England continues to work closely with employers throughout the revision process to ensure current delivery costs are reflected, whilst also delivering value for money.

What assessment she has made of the implications for her policies of the potential future domestic application of the Advanced sustainable fuel technology being used in Formula 1.

The Government recognises the contribution that advanced sustainable fuels make. Such fuels must deliver significant carbon savings and meet stringent sustainability criteria. Where they meet criteria, advanced sustainable fuels are eligible for support through either the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation or the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Mandate. The Secretary of State will soon be meeting the President and CEO of Formula 1 to learn more about Formula 1’s fuels programme and any potential wider application of that technology alongside electrification in the Government’s strategy to decarbonise transport.

Food and Rural Affairs, how many formal Section 25 Enforcement Notices requiring riparian owners to complete specific maintenance works have been issued by the Environment Agency in Huntingdon constituency.

Since 2024, the Environment Agency has not issued any Enforcement Notices under Schedule 25, Paragraph 8 of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 to riparian owners in Huntingdonshire. Flood risk concerns have been addressed through direct site visits and the provision of advice and guidance, with all riparian owners visited complying fully with the requested maintenance actions.

Pursuant to the answer of 27 January 2026, to question 107516 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, how much remains to be paid to General Dynamics under contractual obligations for the Ajax programme; and in how many instalments.

I am unable to publish the details of the General Dynamics Land Systems UK milestone payment plan as this may prejudice my Department's commercial interests.

Pursuant to the answer of 26 January 2026, to question 107234 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, by when will he have upgraded all Ajax-family vehicles at a) CD1 and b) CD2 to CD3 or above.

A. The final planned Capability Drop 1 to Capability Drop 3 upgrades are expected to be complete in October 2028B. The final planned Capability Drop 2 to Capability Drop 3 upgrades are expected to be complete in July 2028 As the Hon Gentleman will know there are a series of reviews in place in connection with Ajax that will inform decisions on Ajax that will be included in the DIP. I will notify the House when I have an update.

Pursuant to the answer of 27 January 2026, to question 107516 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, what the next milestone is in the Ajax programme that will trigger a payment as part of contractual obligations.

There is £1.1bn remaining to be paid to General Dynamics Land Systems UK in line with contractual obligations. I am unable to publish the details of the milestone payment plan as this may prejudice my Department's commercial interests.

Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the answer of 27 January 2026 to question 106657 on Secondary Education: Cambridgeshire, by which date the statutory consultation on local government reorganisation will launch.

As set out in my Written Ministerial Statement of 18 December (HCWS1215), I expect to launch the statutory consultation on proposals for the remaining local government reorganisation areas, including Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, in early February.

Pursuant to the answer of 23 January 2026 to question 106285 on Armoured Fighting Vehicles: Decommissioning, what progress he has made on procuring a CBRN capable replacement for the Fuchs CBRN platform.

Options to replace the Fuchs vehicle are being explored as part of the Land Mobility Programme, within the Heavy Protected Mobility sub-programme.The Heavy Protected Mobility sub-programme is in its Concept Phase and is currently evaluating the Finnish led Common Armoured Vehicles System (CAVS) Programme's suitability in meeting UK's Heavy Protected Mobility requirements. All decisions are subject to the outcome of the Defence Investment Plan.

What his Department's timetable is for delivering a minimum viable product for the Digital Targeting Web.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer provided to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge) to Question 96241 on 10 December 2025. The Department aims to deliver the first elements of the Digital Targeting Web, or a 'Minimum Viable Product', in 2026. Plans will be continually reviewed to respond to emerging threats and adjusted as necessary. The Digital Targeting Web is not a single, discrete system or platform but rather an interconnected ecosystem of systems, processes, and capabilities designed to enhance the UK’s targeting effectiveness. As such, it does not conform to traditional definitions and milestones that would be expected of a platform-centric project or capability. Its development will be an ongoing, iterative process to ensure the UK remains competitive in a rapidly evolving operational environment.

Pursuant to the answer of 27 January 2026 to question 107527 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, what the status is of the first 100 Ajax-vehicles.

The majority of the first 100 Ajax vehicles were withdrawn from units in 2024, with the final vehicle withdrawn from 6 Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) in October 2025. These vehicles are currently located in Merthyr Tydfil, Llanelli, and the Bicester Holding Area, where they are awaiting planned upgrades to meet the requirements for the current Capability Drop level before being delivered into service.

Pursuant to the answer of 27 January 2026 to question 107527 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, for what reason the first 100 Ajax-vehicles are not in service with any unit.

The majority of the first 100 Ajax vehicles were withdrawn from units in 2024, with the final vehicle withdrawn from 6 Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) in October 2025. These vehicles are currently located in Merthyr Tydfil, Llanelli, and the Bicester Holding Area, where they are awaiting planned upgrades to meet the requirements for the current Capability Drop level before being delivered into service.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what information her Department holds on the policy reasons why his Department commenced negotiations with the Government of Mauritius on the sovereignty of a) Diego Garcia and b) the wider Chagos Archipelago in 2009.

In 2009/10 interactions between the UK and Mauritius focussed on the creation of the Marine Protected Area (MPA), which the UK declared in 2010 and which Mauritius objected to. It was not until 2022, under the previous government, that negotiations regarding sovereignty began.

Whether the Advanced Reasoning for Decision Advantage (ARDA) is within the projects shortlisted from the Defence AI Sprint.

Yes.

What is the total cost of facility time in the latest period for which reporting is available, across all Government bodies, broken down by body; and where that cost is paid by the public purse.

The most recent public-sector trade union facility time data, including the total cost of facility time broken down by Government body, for the period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 is published here on .gov.uk.

What the five shortlisted projects are from the Defence AI sprint.

The five shortlisted projects are: Advanced Reasoning for Decision Advantage (ARDA)AI Exploitation for the Digital Targeting WebAutonomous Mission ExecutionUnderwater Acoustic Foundation ModelAI Enabled Cyber Defence

What arrangement governs the use of UK-based US fighter jets for interception taskings.

Permissions to utilise UK military bases by foreign partners are considered on a case-by-case basis, dependent on the nature and purpose of their activity. For operational security reasons, we do not offer comment or information relating to foreign nations' military operations.

With reference to the Written Ministerial Statement on Ajax, published on 22 January 2026, what recent assessment he has made of the accuracy of declaring Ajax as safe to operate ahead of Exercise Titan Storm.

I refer hon. Member to Question 107817, answered on 28 January 2026, which remains extant.

Commonwealth and Development Affairs, when she expects to have updated the 1966 Exchange of Notes with the United States regarding the ongoing use of Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia.

I refer the Hon Member to the Urgent Question debate on 26 January and the Opposition Day debate on 28 January, where these and other issues were addressed at length.

When HMS Richmond is due to be decommissioned.

The Royal Navy continues to modernise its Fleet through careful management of a surface fleet transition plan to ensure the highest priority outputs are maintained through this decade and the next. We are replacing our Type 23 Frigates with eight of the world’s most advanced anti-submarine warfare ships, the Type 26 Frigates. They will be bolstered by five general purpose Type 31 Frigates, providing opportunity to project power, support NATO operations and influence on the global stage. The Royal Navy keeps the planned out-of-service dates for its vessels under continual review as part of routine force planning, in light of operational requirements and affordability. Any decisions on the decommissioning of individual ships will be announced in the usual way.

Pursuant to the Answer of 21 January 2026 to Question 106072 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the issue raised in the post-exercise report for Exercise Scorpion Cyclone on the inability of the vehicle CES to be carried by the vehicle whilst up-armoured.

Feedback from user experience in trials and during exercises will continue to inform updates to Ajax including Capability Drop 4. It would not be appropriate to comment on the specifics around the capability and its armoured configurations due to operationally sensitivities.