Defence Investment Plan 2026-03-16
2026-03-16
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the delay in publishing the defence investment plan, which could impact capabilities.
When will the government publish the defence investment plan?
We are working flat out to settle the defence investment plan, which is a 10-year vision as laid out in the strategic defence review. It will be affordable and deliverable unlike previous plans.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific timeline for publishing was not provided
Working Flat Out To Settle
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is questioning the timeliness of publishing the defence investment plan, noting previous government's delays.
Will the Secretary of State confirm whether the defence investment plan will be published before the House rises on 26 March?
We are working flat out to deliver the defence investment plan. It will reflect the strategic defence review and we are putting £270 billion into defence in this Parliament, which is a significant increase.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific publication date was not confirmed
Working Flat Out To Deliver
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is inquiring about the status of finalising and approving items from the draft defence investment plan.
Has the Secretary of State received any advice to remove items from the draft defence investment plan? The plan must be completed.
We are working flat out to deliver the defence investment plan, which will put into practice the 10-year vision set out in the strategic defence review. The details will be reported to the House when completed.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific actions mentioned regarding completion or approval
Working Flat Out To Deliver
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the operational arrangements for autonomous mine-clearing vessels in the Gulf and how the delay of the defence investment plan impacts capabilities.
Are the autonomous mine-clearing vessels currently deployable, and what support ship will accompany them? The delay to the defence investment plan should not be affecting important decisions.
The hon. Gentleman is last to expect setting out detail of such operational arrangements in public. Defence investment plan is not holding up decisions; 1,200 major contracts have been awarded since the election.
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Assessment & feedback
Avoided providing details on operational arrangements and specifics on impact
Setting Out Detail Of Such Operational Arrangements In Public
Response accuracy
Q5
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP is interested in the commitment to using UK steel in defence procurement.
Will the Secretary of State commit to directing British defence investment first to British jobs, businesses and innovation?
A principle is to direct British defence investment first to British jobs, businesses and innovation. We will ensure supply chains reflect this policy commitment.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q6
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP is interested in the steps being taken to support working adults in joining volunteer reserve forces.
What steps are being taken to remove barriers to recruitment of working adults into the volunteer reserve forces?
We have swept away long-standing rules that got in the way of people joining. There is no shortage of those who want to join, but the system has been too slow and bureaucratic.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is inquiring about the finance and investment strategy to unlock capital for firms across the supply chain.
Will the Secretary of State update on when the defence finance and investment strategy will be published?
Agrees a strategy is key. We are ensuring capital leverages in additional sources of private investment, with £3.2 billion invested since the election and record foreign direct investment.
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Assessment & feedback
Timeline for publishing DFIS was not provided
Agrees A Strategy Is Key
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is reiterating the question on the timeliness of publishing the defence investment plan.
Will the Secretary of State confirm whether the defence investment plan will be published before the House rises on 26 March?
We are working flat out to conclude the defence investment plan. Previous plans left programmes overcommitted, underfunded and unsuited.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific publication date was not confirmed
Working Flat Out To Conclude
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
The question is prompted by concerns over the timing of the publication of the defence investment plan, which cannot be released during purdah periods before elections. This affects upcoming Scottish, Welsh and local elections.
There is a reason why that date matters: it is the date when purdah commences before the Scottish elections. Then we will have the Welsh and local elections. It is our understanding—and the Secretary of State is welcome to correct this—that the defence investment plan cannot be published during purdah. If that is the case, and if it is not published before the rise of the House on 26 March, we will not see it until well into May. That is why this question is so important.
As the Prime Minister said, it will be published as soon as it is ready. This is not holding up major investments; there have been more than 1,200 major investments in contracts awarded since the election—and 86% of those contracts were awarded to British-based businesses, so we are boosting British security and the British economy at the same time.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific date for publication was not provided. The answer instead focused on general defence investments without addressing when the plan will be published.
As Soon As It Is Ready
Response accuracy
Q10
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from concerns over the timing of both the publication of the defence investment plan and the introduction of the defence readiness Bill, which was promised in last year's strategic defence review. The bill aims to enhance national preparedness for war.
Liberal Democrats share concerns about the whereabouts of the defence investment plan, and urge the Government to come forward with its publication. Last year's strategic defence review also promised a defence readiness Bill, which would give Governments the power to mobilise industry and reserves in a crisis, and would require proper reporting on our warfighting readiness, so that the House and the country were not in the dark.
I appreciate the hon. Gentleman's interest in the issue. He will recognise that, as was pointed out in the strategic defence review, this is a question for the whole of society and the whole of Government. Preparation for greater defence readiness, and greater societal and economic readiness, is going on at present, alongside the work that we are doing in defence with other parts of Government to ensure that we can deliver the defence investment plan. We will then be able to deliver, in due course, a defence readiness Bill.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific date for introducing the Defence Readiness Bill was not provided.
A Question For The Whole Of Society And The Whole Of Government
Response accuracy