Defence Committee

7 July 2026

Defence Committee Actual start House of Commons

17:00 - 18:14
Speaker 1
Order, order.  I call to order today's House of Commons Defence Committee session.  It's a one-off session on the Defence Investment Plan. 

It is a pleasure to have in front of us again the lead reviewers for the Strategic Defence Review, namely Lord Robertson, who was the lead reviewer for the Strategic Defence Review, and also wonderful to welcome back General Sir Richard Barrons, also a reviewer of the Strategic Defence Review.  Unfortunately, Fiona Hill, the other reviewer, could not join us today, but no doubt we will welcome her in the next future to get her perspective on the DIP.  Gents, we've had a lot of discussion on the Defence Investment Plan over the last few months.  I know all of us have been pushing for the publication of that.  Unfortunately, it was substantially delayed for several months. 

So before we get into the nuts and bolts of the DIP itself, what do you think have been the key impacts of the delay of the DIP, and in your view, could some of those have been avoided or managed better?  Lord Robertson? 
18:14 - 18:28
Speaker 2
I think the delay has caused a degree of confusion inside the Ministry of Defence and considerable disturbance in the industry as well, who had waited for this to take place. 

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