Ben Obese-Jecty MP: written questions 2026
2827 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Defence: FinanceMinistry of DefenceTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 23083More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 22 July 2026, to question 17498 on Defence: Investment, what is the timescale for development of the Defence Finance and Investment Strategy.
Answer: As set out in the Defence Investment Plan, the Ministry of Defence intends to publish the Defence Finance and Investment Strategy in Autumn 2026. This timetable allows sufficient time following publication of the Defence Investment Plan to engage the sect...
Answered 8 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordWarships: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 23082More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 29 July 2026 to question 14026 on Warships: Procurement, when is the initial design stage of the Common Combat Vessel due to complete.
Answer: Work on the Type 91-94 and Common Combat Vessel continues. Further detail will be released as appropriate as these programmes develop
Answered 14 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces: DeploymentMinistry of DefenceTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 23081More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has he made of the potential impact of the United States Department of War’s Europe Posture Review on the UK’s commitment of a) air and b) land forces in Europe above current deployment levels.
Answer: The Department of War review will examine America's force posture and basing in Europe. The review has commenced and the US have assured us and our Allies that it is intended to strengthen NATO. Whilst we do not provide a running commentary on classified ...
Answered 14 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordPublic Houses: Codes of PracticeDepartment for Business, Innovation, Science and TradeTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 23080More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, pursuant to the answer of 17 June 2026 to question 8261 on Public Houses: Codes of Practice, by when does he plan to publish the beer market access review.
Answer: The Government recognises the importance of ensuring that the beer and pub sector remains diverse, competitive and rooted in local communities, supporting jobs, investment and growth across towns and villages. The Government has conducted a review of the ...
Answered 8 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordIndustry: FinanceDepartment for Business, Innovation, Science and TradeTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 23079More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, which locations have been selected to benefit from the Strategic Sites Accelerator programme.
Answer: No locations have yet been selected to benefit from the Strategic Sites Accelerator programme. The Government is working to establish the programme and secure final approvals, ahead of piloting investments in partnership with the National Wealth Fund, dev...
Answered 3 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordDRIVE35 ProgrammeDepartment for Business, Innovation, Science and TradeTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 23078More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what other government departments are part of DRIVE35.
Answer: DRIVE35 is led by the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST) and is delivered in partnership with the Advanced Propulsion Centre and Innovate UK. Launched by our modern Industrial Strategy, DRIVE35 is the biggest government investme...
Answered 7 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordRiflesMinistry of DefenceTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 23077More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has he made of the potential merits of adopting the Hypervelocity Improved Capability Assault Rifle programme to enhance the performance of the 5.56x45mm round.
Answer: The UK and United States maintain close cooperation on small arms research, development and experimentation, including in support of the British Army's Project GRAYBURN, which will replace the L85 rifle. Through established engagement with US partners, an...
Answered 8 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 23076More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 13 October 2025, to question 77270 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, how many of the 93 ARES vehicles will be fielded to a) Training Regiments, b) Armoured Cavalry units and c) Armoured Inf
Answer: As set out in my answer of 27 October 2025 to Question 83076, detailed allocations of ARES vehicles by unit or formation are not being disclosed for operational security reasons.
Answered 8 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Defence: FraudMinistry of DefenceTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 23075More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 4.5.18 of the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, by when will he publish the counter fraud strategy.
Answer: The Defence Counter Fraud Strategy will be published in the autumn.
Answered 8 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Defence: StaffMinistry of DefenceTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 23074More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 4.2.8 of the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, by when will he publish the Long-Term Workforce Plan.
Answer: The commitment in paragraph 4.2.5 of the Defence Investment Plan is to reduce Civil Service workforce costs by at least 10% by 2030, while reshaping the workforce around Defence priorities and protecting critical skills. Further detail on the future size ...
Answered 8 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordMinistry of Defence: Civil ServantsMinistry of DefenceTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 23073More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 4.2.5 of the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, how many Civil Service posts are planned to be reduced each year until 2030.
Answer: The commitment in paragraph 4.2.5 of the Defence Investment Plan is to reduce Civil Service workforce costs by at least 10% by 2030, while reshaping the workforce around Defence priorities and protecting critical skills. Further detail on the future size ...
Answered 8 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordSubmarine Delivery GroupMinistry of DefenceTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 23072More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 4.1.4 of the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, by when he plans to establish the Submarine Delivery Group.
Answer: The Submarine Delivery Agency and the Submarine Capability area with the Defence Nuclear Organisation (DNO) joined to become the Submarine Delivery Group (SDG) in April 2026. Led by Sir Chris Gardner KBE as Director General Submarines, the SDG unites the ...
Answered 7 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordAir Force: Military BasesMinistry of DefenceTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 23071More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 3.2.47 of the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, which locations are in scope for modernisation under the Airfield Operating Surfaces programme.
Answer: As this Government moves our Armed Forces to warfighting readiness we are investing in our RAF bases. Resurfacing is underway at both RAF Brize Norton and RAF Coningsby, and the following RAF sites are in scope for future modernisation of Air Operating Su...
Answered 7 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordDefence: FinanceMinistry of DefenceTabled 28 Aug 2026Awaiting answerUIN 23070More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 3.2.47 of the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, how much of the £9 billion is planned to be spent in (a) 2026/27, (b) 2027/28, (c) 2028/29, (d) 2029/30 and (e) after
Answer: No published answer in this record yet.
Original Parliament recordQuantum TechnologyMinistry of DefenceTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 23069More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much does the Ministry of Defence plan to invest in Quantum in this Parliament.
Answer: The Ministry of Defence recognises the significant potential of quantum technologies to enhance defence capability, including in areas such as sensing, navigation, communications and computing. The Department is working closely with the wider Government, ...
Answered 14 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordArmy: FirearmsMinistry of DefenceTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 23068More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to procurement notice 713027450 Project Troubler, published on 4 March 2025, if he will set out how how a 5.56mm lightweight assault machine gun will be integrated into infantry platoon formations.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I provided on 12 February 2026 to question 110962. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-02-04/110962
Answered 8 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordArmy: FirearmsMinistry of DefenceTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 23067More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to procurement notice 713027450 Project Troubler, published on 4 March 2025, what progress he has made in procuring a 5.56mm lightweight assault machine gun capability for the dismounted user.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I provided on 12 February 2026 to question 110962. https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-02-04/110962
Answered 8 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordCanada: ArmyMinistry of DefenceTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 23066More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph 3.2.40 of the Defence Investment Plan, published on 30 June 2026, how much will be invested in British Army Training Unit Suffield in (a) 2026/27, (b) 2027/28, (c) 2028/29 and (d) 2029
Answer: The Defence Investment Plan provides for up to £10 million of investment in British Army Training Unit Suffield over the period to 2030/31. The annual funding profile has not yet been determined.
Answered 7 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordDstl and UK Defence InnovationMinistry of DefenceTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 23065More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has appointed a Director General Innovation to manage both UKDI and DSTL.
Answer: Recruitment is underway for Director General Innovation within the National Armaments Director Group, who will oversee UK Defence Innovation and Dstl.
Answered 8 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordAI Expert Advisory GroupMinistry of DefenceTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 23064More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what date was the AI Expert Advisory Group formed.
Answer: The AI Expert Advisory Group was announced in June 2026. The department is currently undertaking the work necessary to establish the Group, including completing due diligence processes, appointing members and developing its initial work programme. Group m...
Answered 8 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordUK Defence InnovationMinistry of DefenceTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 23063More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what information his Department holds on whether UKDI achieved its operating capability on 1 July 2026.
Answer: I refer the hon. Menber to the answer given to question 21689 on the 8 September 2026.https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-08-28/21689
Answered 23 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordMilitary BasesMinistry of DefenceTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 23062More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has he made of the potential impact of his proposal on the number of caretaker posts on caretakers and their families.
Answer: The Army Caretaker Review remains ongoing and no final decisions have been made. Consultation on the proposed implementation plan is taking place with the recognised trade unions. Affected employees have been informed of the proposal and indicative timeli...
Answered 7 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordArmy Foundation CollegeMinistry of DefenceTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 23061More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has he made of the potential merots of opening a second Army Foundational College in the south of England.
Answer: We are committed to addressing the Army’s recruitment and training inflow challenge and supporting Government priorities on skills, employment, social mobility and opportunities for young people, but no final decisions on a second junior entry college hav...
Answered 8 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 23060More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 27 October 2025, to question 83076 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, how many Infantry units will ARES be fielded to.
Answer: As set out in my answer of 27 October 2025 to Question 83076, detailed allocations of ARES vehicles by unit or formation are not being disclosed for operational security reasons.
Answered 8 Sept 2026
Original Parliament recordUkraine: Peacekeeping OperationsMinistry of DefenceTabled 28 Aug 2026AnsweredUIN 23059More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the press release entitled UK takes command of multinational force for Ukraine, published on 24 July 2026, which British Army units are allocated to multinational force for Ukraine.
Answer: Whilst planning continues at pace, we will not be drawn into the details of any future UK Armed Forces deployment, including its levels, composition, assets, and participating nations, due to the risk to operational security.The Secretary of State for Def...
Answered 7 Sept 2026
Original Parliament record
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