EDM: Defence Investment Plan

Defence Investment Plan

Tabled by James MacCleary (Liberal Democrat) 19 signatures

The motion

That this House expresses deep concern at the publication of the Defence Investment Plan (DIP), which is nearly a year delayed and delivers a fundamentally unambitious funding package for the nation's security; notes that the £15 billion in new military spending falls significantly short of the sum required to restore defence readiness and meet strategic obligations; regrets that this plan leaves an unfunded £4.7 billion black hole that directly threatens the UK’s defence capabilities and undermines its standing with key NATO allies; urges the Government to deliver a £20 billion defence bonds programme, hypothecated to capital spending on defence to rapidly inject money into the Armed Forces; further regrets that the delays in publishing the DIP have already caused industry uncertainty, leaving vital supply chain partners without a clear demand signal; recognises that SMEs form an increasingly critical part of the UK’s defence industrial base and are disproportionately affected; and calls on the Government to publish a comprehensive, independent report within six months on the specific economic consequences that the delay has had on SMEs within the defence sector and the wider supply chain.

Signatories (19)