Government to publish delayed defence investment plan before July Nato summit

The defence secretary told the Commons on Monday that the prime minister is determined to publish the 10-year defence investment plan before next month's Nato summit. The plan was originally scheduled for release in autumn 2025. The Nato summit begins on 7 July.

Industry and union concerns Unions and defence firms have warned that continued delays threaten British jobs, skills and national security. Prospect general secretary Mike Clancy said defence workers and civil servants are crying out for certainty. Trade body ADS said some small and medium enterprises are really struggling.

ADS chief executive Kevin Craven described the 12-month gap between the SDR and the DIP as pretty abysmal.

Opposition questions funding Conservative shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge asked whether the Treasury has signed off the plan. The defence secretary did not give a direct answer. Liberal Democrat MP Edward Morello said firms in his constituency are frustrated by the repeated delays.

He warned that companies may relocate to Europe or the United States within a year. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the government's ongoing failure to produce the plan is a threat to British jobs and skills. She called for contracts including new Typhoon fast jets, the Skynet satellite and the A400M transport plane to be signed off and production lines in Britain to start rolling.

Defence Minister Luke Pollard said the government has signed 1,200 major defence deals since the July 2024 general election and is not waiting for the plan to secure agreements. On Tuesday the Conservatives will attempt to amend the Armed Forces Bill to require the government to publish the plan within a month of the legislation's approval.