Ben Obese-Jecty MP: written questions
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Written questions
Autonomous Weapons: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79244More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 43 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published in June 2025, CP 1338, which projects are in scope of the £4 billion funding for autonomous systems.
Answer: A wide breadth of autonomous systems are under consideration for autonomous funding as described in the National Security Strategy and will be subject to prioritisation to ensure optimum operational benefit. The projects to be included within the £4 billi...
Answered 27 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: IndustryMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79243More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 42 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published in June 2025, CP 1338, in what ways the defence industrial base will be redefined to include (a) academia, (b) dual-use civilian-militar
Answer: The Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) (published on 8 September 2025) sets out our approach to redefining the defence industrial base. In order to adopt a whole of society approach to keeping the UK safe and boosting economic growth, our definition must r...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordTrident Submarines: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79242More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 42 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published in June 2025, CP 1338, how much of the £10 billion contingency for the Dreadnought programme he estimates will be spent this Parliament.
Answer: To date £3.37 billion contingency has been utilised with the remainder allocated to future years including beyond the current Parliament. Dreadnought contingency spend is reported to Parliament via the Defence Nuclear Enterprise Annual Update, once final ...
Answered 18 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordNational SecurityMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79241More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 41 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published in June 2025, CP 1338, in which cases does the UK plan to become a more activist state willing to intervene more deeply in the economy.
Answer: The Government will not hesitate to intervene, where necessary, to protect our national security interests, and we will use the Defence Industrial Strategy to make Defence an engine for growth, backing British jobs, British industry and British innovation...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordNational SecurityMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79240More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 41 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published in June 2025, CP 1338, what progress he has made on (a) identifying, (b) protecting and (c) cultivating other sovereign capabilities tha
Answer: The Defence Industrial Strategy (published on 8 September 2025) outlines a dynamic, defence and innovation-focused industrial base, emphasising the growing importance of ensuring UK sovereignty, operational advantage, and freedom of action. It sets out th...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordAdvanced Research and Invention Agency: AntarcticDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79239More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what research programmes the Advanced Research and Invention Agency is conducting in Antarctica.
Answer: As part of the Advanced Research and Invention Agency’s (ARIA) ‘Scoping Our Planet’ Opportunity Space, ARIA is funding two research projects in Antarctica.The first project aims to assess the role of ocean mixing on Antarctic ice melt and sea level rise. ...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordICTDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79238More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the UK’s level of sovereign compute capacity.
Answer: The UK is scaling sovereign compute to protect national interests and unlock growth.In July, DSIT published the Compute Roadmap that sets out how we will significantly bolster compute capacity by 2030. This builds on our commitment during the Spending Rev...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordArtificial IntelligenceDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79237More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to page 46 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published in June 2025, CP 1338, what progress she has made on strengthening the UK’s asymmetric position in sovereign
Answer: As stated in the National Security Strategy 2025, the Government is delivering on its ambition for the UK to become world-leading in priority areas where we have a strategic edge, such as high-impact sectors like defence, healthcare, and computing. Throug...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence Growth BoardTreasuryTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79236More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to page 53 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, how many meetings of the Defence Growth Board she has chaired in 2025 to date.
Answer: The Chancellor has chaired one meeting of the Defence Growth Board in 2025 to date. The Defence Industrial Strategy, published on 8 September 2025, details how this government is making Defence an engine for growth, and the Chancellor and Defence Secretar...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordCancer: VaccinationDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79235More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what pre-clinical animal testing was conducted prior to reaching the clinical vaccine trial stage for AHEAD-MERIT (BNT113).
Answer: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for ensuring that all medicines and vaccines, including cancer vaccines, meet appropriate standards of safety, quality and efficacy before they are approved for use in humans. N...
Answered 21 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: Manufacturing IndustriesTreasuryTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79234More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to page 46 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published in June 2025, CP 1338, what progress she has made on reducing the cost of finance for defence companies.
Answer: As set out in the Defence Industrial Strategy, a Defence Finance and Investment Strategy will be published by early next year, explicitly looking at how barriers to investment in defence can be removed while making the sector more attractive for private i...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordNational Security Strategic Investment FundTreasuryTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79233More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to page 42 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published in June 2025, CP 1338, what progress she has made on scaling up the National Security Strategic Investment Fund.
Answer: The government’s recent Spending Review included the scaling of the National Security Strategic Investment Fund – further funding will therefore be provided from the next financial year. Officials from relevant government departments are currently working...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: Manufacturing IndustriesTreasuryTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79232More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to page 42 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published in June 2025, CP 1338, what progress she has made on supporting priority sectors through a new National Wealth Fund investment for defence
Answer: The National Wealth Fund was directed in its Statement of Strategic Priorities to consider the role it can play in supporting the delivery of the wider Industrial Strategy, including in the defence sector. It was also directed to consider investments in d...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordForeign Influence Registration Scheme: ChinaHome OfficeTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79231More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to page 39 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published in June 2025, CP 1338, whether she plans to place China on the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme.
Answer: As set out in the National Security Act 2023, the Secretary of State may make a specification under the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS) where they consider it is reasonably necessary to do so to protect the safety or inte...
Answered 21 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordNational Security: ChinaCabinet OfficeTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79230More
Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to page 39 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published in June 2025, CP 1338, what measures are contained within each pillar of the Strategic Framework in order to bolster overall security w
Answer: The three pillars of the National Security Strategy 2025 set out comprehensive measures on how we will bolster the UK's overall security. Our approach to China, as a country that poses both a series of threats to UK national security and significant econo...
Answered 22 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordUK Soft Power CouncilForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79229More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to page 45 of the National Security Strategy 2025, published in June 2025, CP 1338, what progress she has made on establishing a new Soft Power Council.
Answer: The Soft Power Council was launched on 15 January 2025. The Council is supporting the UK to take a more strategic approach to soft power, helping to build relationships, deepen trust, enhance our security and drive economic growth.
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordDiplomatic RelationsForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79228More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to page 45 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, what recent progress she has made on establishing a College of British D
Answer: The College will be launched in the coming months. In preparation, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) launched on 6 October a new pilot Global Network Programme, a flagship initiative of the forthcoming College. Further details will...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordCybersecurity: FinanceForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79227More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to page 45 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, how much funding her Department plans to provide for digital technologie
Answer: All details will be announced in the usual way in due course.
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordGuided Weapons: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79226More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 34 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, what recent progress he has made on developing a new precision long-range strike capability.
Answer: The UK continues to work closely with Germany and has recently launched concepting work with industries in both countries on choices to deliver a joint long-range strike capability. Wider collaborative options involving other nations are also under active...
Answered 18 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordPoland: Military AlliancesMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79225More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 34 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, what the scope is of the agreement with Poland on reinforcing NATO’s eastern flank.
Answer: The UK is committed to deepening its defence collaboration with Poland through a new UK-Poland Defence and Security Treaty and Bilateral Defence Plan. These agreements will strengthen our partnership in the areas of military cooperation including joint ex...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordItaly: Military AlliancesMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79224More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 34 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, what recent progress he has made on strengthening the interoperability of carrier strike groups with Italy.
Answer: Italy is an important partner of the United Kingdom, demonstrated in the context of Carrier Strike, through our memberships of NATO, the F-35 Lightning II programme, and the European Carrier Group Interoperability Initiative (ECGII). Interoperability has ...
Answered 17 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordIndia: Military AlliancesMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79223More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 36 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, whether he has made recent progress on developing capability under the defence partnership with India.
Answer: Defence Partnership India was formally launched in India at Aero India in February 2025. Since its inauguration there have been advancements in a range of capability areas across the air, maritime and land domains, as can be seen through the recent announ...
Answered 21 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: UK Relations with EUMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79222More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 34 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, what the scope is of mechanisms within the UK-EU Security and Defence Partnership to help improve maritime sec
Answer: The Government pledged in its manifesto to pursue a new relationship with the EU to strengthen European security, support growth and reinforce NATO. The recently released Strategic Defence Review (SDR) further reiterates this commitment and recognises tha...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: UK Relations with EUMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79221More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 34 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, what the scope is of mechanisms within the UK-EU Security and Defence Partnership to help improve space securi
Answer: The Government pledged in its manifesto to pursue a new relationship with the EU to strengthen European security, support growth and reinforce NATO. The recently released Strategic Defence Review (SDR) further reiterates this commitment and recognises tha...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament recordDefence: UK Relations with EUMinistry of DefenceTabled 10 Oct 2025AnsweredUIN 79220More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 34 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, what the scope is of mechanisms within the UK-EU Security and Defence Partnership to help tackle hybrid threat
Answer: The Government pledged in its manifesto to pursue a new relationship with the EU to strengthen European security, support growth and reinforce NATO. The recently released Strategic Defence Review (SDR) further reiterates this commitment and recognises tha...
Answered 20 Oct 2025
Original Parliament record
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