Ben Obese-Jecty MP: written questions
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Written questions
Floods: CambridgeshireDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104942More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment was made by her Department of the recommendations within the Section 19 report regarding flooding in St Ives in 2024 prior to the decision by the Environment Agency to
Answer: The Environment Agency (EA) has reviewed a range of data and evidence relating to the St Ives Staunch Sluice and Lock, including hydraulic modelling and analysis of recent flood events. The EA’s assessment has confirmed that St Ives Staunch Sluice provide...
Answered 19 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordEelsDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104941More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the total cost is of the Mildenhall eel pass.
Answer: Turf Lock Fish passage project at Mildenhall was developed and funded in partnership as part of the catchment-based approach to help improve our water environments. The project was delivered over 5 years as part of the Water Environment Improvement Fund (...
Answered 19 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRiver Great Ouse: Flood ControlDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104940More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the potential benefit to flood alleviation of replacing St Ives sluice gates with a weir.
Answer: The Environment Agency is assessing the potential flood alleviation benefits and impacts of a range of options, including the replacing of the St Ives sluice with a weir, through the current project development. The project’s objective is to maintain the ...
Answered 19 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordRiver Great Ouse: Flood ControlDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 12 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104939More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the estimated cost is of fixing all sluice gates at (a) Brownshill and (b) St Ives.
Answer: The gate refurbishment project is currently undergoing phase 1 which includes inspections, surveys and testing to determine all aspects of phase 2 work required.
Answered 19 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 8 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104285More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 5th January 2026, to question 100522 on General Dynamics, what was the complete list of criteria for Ajax Initial Operating Capability (IOC) that was met on 23 July 2025.
Answer: The Armoured Cavalry Programme met all pre-agreed elements required to confirm Initial Operation Capability on 23 July 2025. The criteria spanned across all recognised Defence Lines of Development including Training, Equipment, Personnel, Information, Doc...
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 8 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104283More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 5th January 2026, to question 100522 on General Dynamics, when was a) he or b) the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, informed, formally or informally that all criteria for Aja
Answer: As previously confirmed, prior to Initial Operating Capability being announced on 5 November 2025, assurances and advice were provided to Ministers regarding the safety of the platform and confirming all criteria had been met.
Answered 14 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordLocal Government: ReorganisationMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 8 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104280More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what is the projected total cost of local government reorganisation in England.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to Question UIN 77631 on 13 October 2025.
Answered 15 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordChallenger TanksMinistry of DefenceTabled 8 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104279More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the decrease in power-to-weight ratio between Challenger 2 and Challenger 3.
Answer: I thank the hon. Gentleman for his intent and he will know that Challenger 3 has been designed to deliver an optimal balance of lethality, survivability, and mobility to meet its operational requirements.
Answered 15 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces Foundation SchemeMinistry of DefenceTabled 8 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104278More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether people participating in the Armed Forces Foundation Scheme will be eligible for promotion.
Answer: The Armed Forces Foundation Year Scheme (‘Gap Year’) helps deliver on the Strategic Defence Review 2025’s recommendation that Defence must offer novel ways of entry into the Armed Forces that attract more people from a wider range of backgrounds; options ...
Answered 19 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces Foundation SchemeMinistry of DefenceTabled 8 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104277More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the projected cost of the Armed Forces Foundation Scheme in a) 2026/27, b) 2027/28 and c) 2028/29.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 13 January 2026, to Question 102946.https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-01-05/102946
Answered 16 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordUncrewed SystemsMinistry of DefenceTabled 8 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104276More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the full scope of Project Vanquish.
Answer: Project Vanquish has been launched by the Royal Navy to seek proposals from industry for a Technical Demonstration of a Fixed-Wing, Short Take Off and Landing, Autonomous Collaborative Platform. Vanquish will be a jet-powered aircraft able to take off and...
Answered 15 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordTyphoon AircraftMinistry of DefenceTabled 8 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 104275More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what was the (a) role and (b) location of the RAF’s Typhoon Squadrons on 1 January 2026.
Answer: The details of the RAF’s Typhoon squadrons and their roles can be found on the RAF website at www.raf.mod.uk
Answered 3 Feb 2026
Original Parliament recordIslamic State: Military InterventionMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103969More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when is Operation Shader scheduled to end.
Answer: The UK remains committed to the enduring defeat of Daesh through Op SHADER. Whilst all UK operations remain under constant review, there are no plans to end Op SHADER. The UK will continue to do what is necessary to prevent a Daesh resurgence, support reg...
Answered 15 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordHigh Speed 2 Line: Compulsory PurchaseDepartment for TransportTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103968More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much is received annually in rental income from the 782 properties purchased along the route of HS2.
Answer: In financial year 2024/25, a total of 1,723 properties were managed within the HS2 Managed Property Portfolio along the route of HS2 Phase 1 and the former Phase 2. This included residential, commercial, agricultural, forestry and wayleave interests, whic...
Answered 16 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordNHS: Business RatesTreasuryTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103967More
Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what is the total increase in business rates for 2026/27, compared to 2025/26, across the entire NHS estate.
Answer: The Government does not hold data on the total increase in business rates across the entire NHS estate in (a) 2026-27 compared to (b) 2025-26. The total change in business rates revenue is set out in the OBR’s Economic and Fiscal Outlook.
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordChina: PropertyForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103966More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, how many (a) residential and (b) commercial properties in the UK are owned by the Chinese state.
Answer: The Government does not control the purchase of private property within the United Kingdom, and keeps no central record of purchases made on behalf of individual nation states.
Answered 15 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordFirearms: LicensingHome OfficeTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103965More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when does she intend to launch the consultation on changes to firearms licensing.
Answer: We intend to publish this consultation shortly.
Answered 15 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordLandmines: Bomb DisposalMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103964More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress his Department has made developing the WEEVIL mine-clearance vehicle.
Answer: I refer the hon. Member to my response to Question 95410 on 8 December 2025 which remains extant.
Answered 15 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces CommissionerMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103963More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, at what stage in the interview process is the forthcoming appointment of the Armed Forces Commissioner.
Answer: Five candidates have been interviewed for the role of the Armed Forces Commissioner to date. The recruitment follows the Governance Code on Public Appointments, which is designed to ensure the process is fair, open, and transparent. We are committed to ap...
Answered 12 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordBoxer vehicles: ArtilleryMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103962More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what is the current planned dates for the (a) Initial Operating Capability and (b) Full Operating Capability declaration for the RCH 155.
Answer: The Mobile Fires Platform Project which will deliver the Remote-Controlled Howitzer 155mm (RCH 155) Calibre Wheeled Artillery System intended to be mounted on Boxer, remains in its assessment phase and is subject to contract. It is therefore too early to ...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces Foundation Scheme: Workplace PensionsMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103961More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what pension scheme will people participating in the Armed Forces Foundation Scheme be eligible for.
Answer: The Armed Forces Foundation Year Scheme (‘Gap Year’) helps deliver on the Strategic Defence Review 2025’s recommendation that Defence must offer novel ways of entry into the Armed Forces that attract more people from a wider range of backgrounds; options ...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArmed Forces Foundation SchemeMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103960More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what will the terms of engagement be for those participating in the Armed Forces Foundation Scheme.
Answer: The Armed Forces Foundation Year Scheme (‘Gap Year’) helps deliver on the Strategic Defence Review 2025’s recommendation that Defence must offer novel ways of entry into the Armed Forces that attract more people from a wider range of backgrounds; options ...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordArmoured Fighting VehiclesMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103959More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment was made by his Department of the potential benefits of adopting the Soucy Defence Composite Rubber Track for the Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle following the 2017 trial of the system.
Answer: The Composite Rubber Track (CRT) trial conducted in 2017 was a success and achieved its aim of completing 5,000 kilometres on one set of tracks. The trial identified several possible exploitation opportunities in the current and future United Kingdom Armo...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103958More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has he made of the standard of work completed by the Ajax Programme’s Joint Acceptance Group with regards to (a) assembly line output, (b) quality control and (c) level of remedial work required b
Answer: As previously announced, there are ongoing reviews into the Ajax programme. An assessment will be made should the outcomes identify any concerns with the vehicle acceptance process.
Answered 21 Jan 2026
Original Parliament recordAjax Vehicles: ProcurementMinistry of DefenceTabled 7 Jan 2026AnsweredUIN 103957More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 5 January to Question 98881, on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, what issues were (a) identified and then (b) resolved during the pause in delivery of the programme between June 2021-2023.
Answer: In 2021, under the last Government, the Department publicly acknowledged concerns about levels of noise and vibration on the Ajax vehicles. The issues were investigated at the time and appropriate remedial action was put in place. This remedial work was t...
Answered 13 Jan 2026
Original Parliament record
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