Defence secretary Dan Jarvis is set to unveil the full details of the £15 billion defence investment plan (DIP) in the House of Commons.
Already, the long-awaited plan has faced criticism that it’s “too little, too late” despite Sir Keir Starmer’s hopes to cement a more positive legacy as he announces it before his premiership ends.
The prime minister announced a £5 billion boost in new military weapons as part of the full settlement of £14.5 billion, rounded up by an extra billion pounds. His DIP has been at the centre of a fierce political row, which saw defence minister John Healey quit in protest after arguing it did not provide enough money to keep Britain safe from growing threats.
“I think anyone who is standing back and objectively would say this is a massive step forward,” he said, despite critics calling the boost a “drop in the ocean” when compared to the £28 billion many defence officials have said is needed.
Road and energy projects are set to be scrapped to pay for the military, the prime minister acknowledged.
Donald Trump warned the UK and Nato allies on Monday to abide by the five per cent defence pledge.
Read MoreStarmer finds an extra £1bn for defence as long-delayed spending plan finally revealed
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The questions Andy Burnham urgently needs to answer
Key Points
- Analysis: Keir Starmer makes his last stand as PM with a case for the defence
- Starmer: We are facing a more dangerous and volatile world than at any time for decades
- Starmer hails defence investment plan a game-changing move to keep UK 'safe and secure long into the future'
- Trump warns UK to abide by five per cent defence pledge
- Defence boost criticised as 'too little, too late' by shadow defence secretary
£298 bn invested over the next four years, Jarvis claims
14:37 , Bryony GoochDan Jarvis has claimed that the defence investment plan will commit £298 billion over the next four years.
“That includes an additional £15 billion on top of last year's spending review settlement, of which most is extra day-to-day spending for training and improving availability of ships and aircraft to increase our war fighting readiness, that is £1.5 billion more than when I took up this job just a couple of weeks ago.
“This means that defense spending will now increase in real terms by 27 per cent between 2023 and 2024 and 2029 and 2030 that is a bigger increase across a parliament than any present member of this house has ever seen.
“It means the £74 billion allocated to our armed forces next year is now £20 billion more than the last year of the previous government and it means by the end of this decade the proportion of GDP spent on defense will now be higher than at any time during the last 30 years.”
Jarvis thanks prime minister and chancellor for 'support' in negotiations
14:35 , Bryony GoochDefence secretary Dan Jarvis has opened his speech with thanks to the prime minister and chancellor for “support” in negotiations for the defence investment plan.
“I also want to place on the record my profound thanks to my right hon friends, Prime Minister and the Chancellor, for their support and the spirit of goodwill, which has guided our negotiations over the past fortnight.
“They have for two years demonstrated steadfast commitment to our national security, and our armed forces are today better prepared and better supported as a consequence of that.”
Dan Jarvis is set to speak imminently
14:31 , Bryony GoochDefence secretary Dan Jarvis is expected to make a statement on the defence investment plan imminently in the House of Commons.
We will bring you the latest lines as debate begins.
Ex defence secretary warns government needs to set out a clear path to meet Nato target
14:18 , Bryony GoochFormer defence secretary John Healey, who quit in a row over funding, said the government still had to set out a clear path to meet its Nato target.
Writing on social media site X he said: “Today is the next downpayment for defence. It builds on the record defence investment Labour in government has already made.
“But Britain will still be spending just 2.7 per cent of GDP in 2030, the date when Nato has warned we could face a Russian attack.
“European security is at stake. The PM has said today that 3 per cent must be the number 1 priority for the next spending review.
“We need a target date for 3 per cent and a clear, credible funding plan to meet our Nato commitment for 3.5 per cent on defence by 2035.”
I want the Defence Investment Plan to be a success. And I thank the MOD officials who've worked so hard over many months on it. I welcome the extra funding and focus the Treasury has ceded over the last couple of weeks. (1/6)
— John Healey (@JohnHealey_MP) June 30, 2026
National security committee chair says investment in defence must meet the moment to secure safety
14:07 , Bryony GoochThe chair of the joint committee on the national security strategy, Matt Western MP, has said that the defence investment plan must
“The details of this announcement will be much scrutinised in the months to come, particularly in the aftermath of the upcoming Nato summit.
“A concrete plan for funding defence is critical, particularly in the context of Russia increasingly targeting the UK and our growing role in European security.
“For deterrence to be effective, our military capabilities must be credible. They must cover a broad spectrum, from nuclear and conventional warfare through to biological threats or cyber disruption.
“The emphasis on the Royal Navy’s hybrid capabilities is particularly notable. It suggests the government is aware of the changing nature of maritime security threats, something my committee has repeatedly raised concerns about. But we must also ensure that these investments will genuinely meet the moment to secure our safety and prosperity.
“I look forward to scrutinising the plans in detail to ensure that these investments truly deliver on our national security priorities.”
Analysis: Starmer makes his last stand with a case for the defence
14:00 , Bryony GoochPolitical editor David Maddox suggests that Keir Starmer’s Defence Investment Plan (DIP) is less a legacy and more a monument to the failures which means he will soon no longer be prime minister.
Read more here:
Starmer makes his last stand with a case for the defence
Watch: Starmer unveils widely-criticised defence investment plan: The Independent reports from Maidenhead
13:45 , Bryony GoochLib Dems: Starmer's legacy involves hard choices for defence chiefs and military heroes in mouldy homes
13:33 , Bryony GoochResponding to Keir Starmer's speech on the Defence Investment Plan today, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said that the prime minister’s decision would leave military personnel in substandard accommodation while failing to raise enough needed.
"Keir Starmer has taken the political choice to leave our military heroes in mouldy homes and barracks, to undermine our security, and to put jobs and business investment at risk across the country. Defence chiefs have been forced into hard choices, instead of being given what they need.
"This was the Conservatives' legacy, and now it is Keir Starmer's.
"The Liberal Democrats' plans for defence bonds would raise £20 billion for investment in our Armed Forces, but Starmer has once again put his fingers in his ears. Andy Burnham needs to go much further and take up our plans to repair the damage done, keep our country safe, and allow the UK to meet its NATO commitments."
Watch: Defence investment plan funded by 1% cuts in capital budgets across government, says Starmer
13:25 , Bryony GoochDefence spending to increase to £80bn by 2029, prime minister says
13:10 , Bryony GoochAnnual defence spending will increase from £54 billion when Labour came to power to £80 billion by 2029, Sir Keir Starmer said.
The plan reversed the “corrosive hollowing out” of the armed forces, he said in a speech at a drone company in Berkshire.
Starmer tours drone factory in sombre mood after defence investment plan launch
13:00 , Bryony GoochSir Keir Starmer toured a drone factory in Berkshire after launching the defence investment plan.
The Prime Minister appeared in a sombre mood after finishing his speech, which touched on his legacy in office.
He shook hands with chancellor Rachel Reeves, defence secretary Dan Jarvis and Sir Richard Knighton, chief of the defence staff, who had been in the audience.
Not long afterwards, as he toured the factory floor, Sir Keir spoke to staff about the warfighting robots made at the business.
When he was shown an early prototype drone that appeared to be made of wood, the prime minister joked about it being the equivalent of “people with feathers on their arms” trying to fly, when compared with top-of-the-range models.
He also made a light-hearted comment that he would like to stay to see a drone display, but he was “worried about getting back in time” for defence secretary Mr Jarvis’s statement to the House of Commons about the spending plan.
Nato chief says defence investment plan a 'good step' towards GDP target
12:57 , Bryony GoochNato secretary general Mark Rutte has welcomed the UK’s defence investment plan.
“I welcome the UK’s Defence Investment Plan. Stronger UK defence makes us all safer. This is a good step towards reaching the 3.5 per cent of GDP on defence agreed in The Hague last year Defence spending and production will be an important focus of the #NATOsummit next week”.
I welcome the UK’s Defence Investment Plan. Stronger UK defence makes us all safer. This is a good step towards reaching the 3.5% of GDP on defence agreed in The Hague last year
— Mark Rutte (@SecGenNATO) June 30, 2026
Defence spending and production will be an important focus of the #NATOsummit next week
In pictures: Sir Keir Starmer steps up to deliver investment plan speech
12:45 , Bryony Gooch
Starmer tours drone factory in sombre mood after defence investment plan launch
12:39 , Bryony GoochSir Keir Starmer toured a drone factory in Berkshire after launching the defence investment plan.
The Prime Minister appeared in a sombre mood after finishing his speech, which touched on his legacy in office.
He shook hands with chancellor Rachel Reeves, defence secretary Dan Jarvis and Sir Richard Knighton, chief of the defence staff, who had been in the audience.
Not long afterwards, as he toured the factory floor, Sir Keir spoke to staff about the warfighting robots made at the business.
When he was shown an early prototype drone that appeared to be made of wood, the prime minister joked about it being the equivalent of “people with feathers on their arms” trying to fly, when compared with top-of-the-range models.
He also made a light-hearted comment that he would like to stay to see a drone display, but he was “worried about getting back in time” for defence secretary Mr Jarvis’s statement to the House of Commons about the spending plan.
Watch: Starmer: 'Any Labour prime minister will stand behind defence investment plan'
12:30 , Bryony GoochDaily operations and maintenance missed in investment plan, ex-commodore warns
12:15 , Bryony GoochRUSI associate fellow retired commodore Steve Prest has said that while news about drone investment is positive, it remains to be seen how sufficient this will be.
“The announcements about drones and setting up this centre of excellence and testing in Swindon is pretty good news. It's the right direction of travel.
“We've seen in a range of conflicts recently how these sorts of technologies are changing some of the ways in which war is fought, and so it's absolutely necessary…Is it sufficient? Well, I think that's a really big question.”
While the investment emphasises unmanned technology, day-to-day operations funding appears to be missing from the investment.
Mr Prest said: “The Chief of Defence staff, air chief marshal Sir Richard Knighton said to the House of Lords Committee just the other week that he was really concerned that there was an adequacy and insufficiency of day-to-day spending money, so-called resource and departmental expenditure limits, and that without an uplift in that, and there's no sign of that coming in any of the reporting …
“So the UK military is going to have to dial back its day-to-day operations, training, exercise and deployment activities.
“So while some of this is very welcome, actually there's a whole load of underpinning budgetary misalignment not least this day-to-day expenditure but also money for maintenance.
“All five of our nuclear attack submarines are stuck alongside for want of maintenance facilities and the engineering support necessary to get them to see I mean, I think that's a national scandal, but there we are.”
Road and energy projects get scrapped for £15bn plan
11:59 , Bryony GoochRoad and energy projects are set to be scrapped to pay for the military, the prime minister acknowledged.
Sir Keir said: “When the world is arming and aggression is rising, the best way to avoid war is to prepare for it.
“The best way to defend is to deter, to have the strength to make your adversaries think again before they act.
“And that is what we are doing.”
Watch: Starmer announces extra £15bn for armed forces in defence investment plan unveiling
11:40 , Bryony GoochDIP shouldn't come at the expense of UK aid, warns charity
11:39 , Bryony GoochAs the prime minister set out the defence investment plan, a UK network for NGOs has called on the government to make sure any boost doesn’t come at the expense of UK aid.
Gideon Rabinowitz, director of policy and advocacy at Bond, the UK network for NGOs, said: “Keeping communities at home and abroad safe cannot rely on defence spending alone. The conflicts that threaten global peace and force people to flee their homes are often rooted in poverty, inequality, and fragility. UK aid saves lives and addresses the underlying drivers of instability, reducing the conditions that allow conflict and insecurity to take hold.
“By investing in measures to prevent conflicts from breaking out in the first place, we can save British taxpayers money in the long run.
“That is why senior former military chiefs are right to warn that cutting the UK aid budget to fund an increase in defence spending is a ‘false economy’ that would diminish the UK’s valuable soft power and legitimacy on the global stage.
“The next prime minister should see international development and humanitarian assistance as essential tools for building a safer, more stable world that ultimately makes us all more secure.”
Starmer defends Reeves for 'wrangling' between departments and treasury
11:36 , Bryony GoochSir Keir Starmer defended Rachel Reeves’s actions as chancellor as he acknowledged “wrangling” between government departments and the treasury.
Asked about comments by Andy Burnham arguing departments should spend less time battling the treasury, the prime minister said Ms Reeves had put the economy “on a stable footing”.
Arguing the UK been less affected by the Iran war than it would have been otherwise, he said: “I’m very proud of Rachel in relation to that.
“To have stabilised our economy in two short years after what we picked up means that I can depart the stage – because it’s the end of my journey, it’s not the end of anybody else’s – but I depart knowing that we have left this country in a better state than we got it.
“Are there wranglings between departments and the treasury? Yes, of course there are, always have been, always will be.
“Because at the end of the day, the prime minister and the chancellor have to look at the overall judgments for the government, the overall affordability and prioritise between different things.
“Departments of course will put forward, in good faith, the commitments they think we should make, (I) understand that, but what we have to do is judge them against what we can afford, what the priorities of the country are.”
Sign on the wall reads ‘final inspection’ as Starmer gave last major speech
11:30 , Bryony GoochKate Devlin, Whitehall Editor reporting from Maidenhead
In the end, what is likely to be the last big speech by Keir Starmer in office, on the defence investment plan, was a strangely muted affair.
Sir Keir was a notably more relaxed Prime Minister than we have seen before. He even laughed as he mistakenly called a question from Beth Rigby and claimed she worked for Sky Sports instead of Sky News.
Perhaps Sir Keir, a fanatical Arsenal supporter, is already looking ahead to watching more football when he leaves No 10. He defiantly defended his legacy as he set out his controversial defence plans.
These have already seen the government lose one defence secretary - and have been criticised by former defence chiefs. He also defenced Rachel Reeves’ legacy, days before she is also expected to lose her job under a new Prime Minister.
Of course, the spectre at the feast was Andy Burnham. The next PM will take up the job within weeks. And his choices will help define how Sir Keir’s time in charge is remembered. For his part, Sir Keir said he wanted “more than anything” for Mr Burnham to succeed.
As he gave the speech, inside a building on an airfield - with planes outside taking off just as his administration comes in to land - a sign on the wall read “Aircraft Final Inspection”.
On his own final inspection, his critics and supporters might feel they could argue this speech showcased the pros and cons of the man who has been at the top of the government for the last two years.
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Analysis: Keir Starmer makes his last stand as PM with a case for the defence
11:20 , Bryony GoochDavid Maddox, political editor
Keir Starmer will be out of office in just a few weeks time with Andy Burnham set to be the next holder of the great office of prime minister.
But even as he heads to the exit door in fairly humiliating style, Sir Keir has decided to make one last stand to create a legacy for his premiership by unveiling the long awaited and much delayed Defence Improvement Plan (Dip).
In some ways it reflects everything that went wrong with his premiership. Sir Keir today has revealed a reasoned and costed Dip which with some good communications would be a positive story about how he is turning around the armed forces with record investment.
But the whole thing is overshadowed by the resignations last month of his former defence secretary John Healey and ex-armed forces minister Al Carns over the failure to meet the necessary ambitions with cash.
The outgoing PM himself dithered for months and months over an argument between the Treasury and Ministry of Defence. And even at the last minute his new defence secretary Dan Jarvis forced him into a mini U-turn to find an extra £1.5bn.
As last stands go this would barely register even as a pyrrhic victory. His troops have mostly deserted him or been lost in political battle and the document he is announcing is likely to be rewritten by his successor.
The infamous General Custer would have sympathy with the embattled soon to be former PM such is the inevitability of his situation. In some ways it is surprising that the Dip was unveiled at all.
Starmer 'proud' of investment in military personnel amid concerns DIP takes from military housing funds
11:18 , Bryony GoochSir Keir Starmer has affirmed the government has invested in military housing amid reports that an extra billion pounds was procured for the defence investment plan by taking from the money set to upgrade substandard military accommodation.
“Firstly, let me start by saying we have put a lot of money into military housing, and I'm proud that we've had very important reviews,” he said, adding that military personnel had seen pay increases.
“We will continue to do that, of course. We have to balance that against investment in the military capability that we need, but in relation to money we have put into housing, in relation to payables we have already made. I'm proud that we made those. We made it to reflect what we know our armed services give to our country, of which we are very thankful and very proud.”
Starmer ‘certain’ next PM will stick to his plan
11:14 , Bryony GoochAthena Stavrou, political reporter
Sir Keir Starmer has insisted his successor in No 10 will remain committed to his defence investment plan.
The outgoing prime minister said he “hand on heart” believes his government has “passed on a better country than one I inherited”, and said he want “more than anything” for his successor to have “every prospect of success”.
“As for the future, I have no doubt that all Labour governments will remain that number one commitment to our defence and security,” he said “Labour governments have always done that, and always will do that. And I'm absolutely certain, therefore, that this is a platform on which whoever comes after me can build.”
Starmer calls investment the 'biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the 1980s
11:03 , Bryony GoochSir Keir Starmer has claimed the government is “already delivering the biggest sustained increase in defense spending since the 1980s.
“£270 billion over the spending review period, and I can announce today that under the defense investment plan we are increasing this by a further £15 billion, setting a new record of spending almost £300 billion over the next four years to back our armed forces and strengthen our national security.”
Keir Starmer sets a benchmark for his successor
10:55 , Bryony GoochKate Devlin, Whitehall Editor in Maidenhead
Sir Keir Starmer warned Andy Burnham that Labour ministers had brought inflation and mortgage rates down and “we should not sacrifice that now”.
During his speech, he said: “This government has fought hard to bring the public finances under control, and it has paid off helping to bring inflation and mortgage rates down, we should not sacrifice that now.”
‘A legacy in which I take pride’
10:54 , Bryony GoochAthena Stavrou, political reporter
Sir Keir Starmer has touted his record on defence a “legacy in which I take pride” as he makes what could be his final speech as prime minister.
The outgoing PM confirmed the defence investment plan would provide a further £15 billion, referring to the “huge focus on the numbers” of the plan in recent weeks.
“By any measure, this is a huge historic shift for our nation, and a legacy in which I take pride,” he said.
“And we must use this investment wisely, because I know that in the past defence spending has sometimes been seen as a bottomless pit, people see the money going in, but they don't feel the benefits, so this time must be different.
“We can't just spend more, we've got to spend better.”
Starmer dismisses calls to slash public services in favour of defence
10:52 , Bryony GoochSir Keir Starmer has dismissed arguments that public services must be cut in favour of defence.
“Strong public finances are a fundamental part of our strength in this world. Lose control of them, we're not just poorer, we're much less secure,” he warned. “Slash funding to our public services in favour of defence, and we would be fundamentally as a nation or fractured as a society, less able to defend ourselves when our enemies prey on social division.
“So the hard truth is there are no easy answers, but the settlement I am setting out today is the right choice for the country.
“It delivers the decisive action we need on defense in a way that is within our fiscal rules and that will not take resources away from day-to-day spending on frontline services like health and education, instead it's funded by reallocating spending from across government departments, reallocating capital budgets by one penny in every pound, while still maintaining public investment at the highest sustained levels since the 1970s it means departments making better use of allocate and underused land.”
Keir Starmer hits out at critics on defence funding
10:50 , Bryony GoochDavid Maddox, political editor
The outgoing prime minister insisted that he and his government “have fought hard to bring the public finances under control.”
He warned that losing control of public finances means “we are much less secure.”He hit out at those who want to “borrow on the never never” with defence bonds which is “borrowing under another name.”
Although he admits that his government did “look very carefully” at defence bonds.
He also had a side swipe at former defence secretary John Healey attacking those who want to increase defence spending at the expense of other departments.
Reeves announces £15bn defence funding increase
10:49 , Bryony GoochRachel Reeves said defence funding would increase by £15 billion through “re-prioritising spending” across Government.
The chancellor said: “Last year, I made the decision in the national interest to re-prioritise aid spending towards defence and achieved the biggest uplift in defence spending since the end of the Cold War.
“That was the right choice, because the world has changed. National security is economic security.
“Today, we uplift defence spending further, an additional £15 billion worth of funding, by against re-prioritising spending across Government.”
UK must ‘stand on own two feet’, Starmer says
10:48 , Bryony GoochAthena Stavrou, political reporter
Sir Keir Starmer has said Britain must “stand on our own two feet” as he spoke about the changing nature of warfare and Nato.
The prime minister said the alliance is “more vital than ever”, but recognised “things have changed here too”.
He said European nations should take more responsibility for defence, and said: “These are the changes and the challenges which have defined my premiership and that will continue to shape our times.
“And look, my view has been the same since day one.
“We must stand more firmly on our own two feet, we must do what it takes to meet this new world head on, to keep our country safe and seize the opportunities that come from investing in our sovereign strength.”
Show of unity at the bitter end between PM, chancellor and defence secretary
10:46 , Bryony GoochDavid Maddox, political editor
After John Healey put the nail into Keir Starmer’s coffin as prime minister by resigning as defence secretary over the poor settlement in the Defence Investment Plan (Dip), it was important today to have a show of unity.
So after months of trying to decide whether to side with the Treasury or Ministry of Defence he needed a show of unity. That is why Sir Keir led out chancellor Rachel Reeves and new defence secretary Dan Jarvis.
Mr Jarvis, a former Paratrooper, has already rung out another £1.5bn from Ms Reeves in a few short days.
But of course all this looks too little too late.
Starmer reflects on a 'more dangerous and volatile world than at any time for decades'
10:43 , Bryony GoochThe prime minister has opened his speech by reflecting on the volatile nature of the world at the moment.
“We see countries that are arming and tensions that are rising, a more dangerous and volatile world than at any time for decades. We see the horrendous human toll of these conflicts, which cuts across our values of justice and sovereignty, and that simple British impulse that bullies and dictators cannot be allowed to push people around now. we also know that these threats are not remote.
“We see foreign states targeting our nation as well, thugs hired by foreign powers conducting violence, vandalism, and arson on our streets.
“Disinformation aimed at sowing division and spreading lies and undermining our democracy. Russian ships targeting the underwater cables that carry the data on which modern life depends.”
Reeves welcomes 'my friend' the prime minister to the stage
10:40 , Bryony GoochRachel Reeves introduced Sir Keir Starmer to the stage: “I also want to recognise, Keir, how important you have been to this work right from the beginning.
“You'll hear from the Prime Minister in a moment.
“The defence of our country in an age of insecurity has been a defining pillar of his leadership, and his absolute moral clarity in the face of the threats that we face as a nation will go down as part of his legacy.”
Rachel Reeves takes to the stage
10:38 , Bryony GoochChancellor Rachel Reeves is speaking in Maidenhead ahead of Sir Keir Starmer’s final speech where he will unveil the defence investment plan.
Jarvis praises Starmer’s record on defence
10:37 , Bryony GoochAthena Stavrou, political reporter
Dan Jarvis has praised the outgoing prime minister’s record on defence as he prepares to unveil the defence investment plan.
He said Sir Keir Starmer has “made the right choices on the issues that counted” when it came to defence.
“Credit goes to the Prime Minister, and not only for getting us here today on matters of national security,” he said.
“I’ve seen him make tough decisions, and always with conviction and assurance. Under his leadership, Britain has proved itself a reliable partner and a trusted ally. With our help, Ukraine's forces are still in the fight and fighting with determination and momentum.
"We were first out of the door to support a peace deal in Ukraine. Same again to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He made the right choices on the issues that counted, and he also knows that in the end it is our people that matter most."
Defence secretary references speculation over defence spending plan
10:34 , Bryony GoochAthena Stavrou, political reporter reports:
Defence secretary Dan Jarvis is introducing Sir Keir Starmer as the prime minister unveils his highly-anticipated defence investment plan.
The DIP has been at the centre of a political row, and been subject to much speculation over its funding,
“Now, there's been no shortage of column inches or speculation dedicated to this document, but we shouldn't lose sight of what the defence investment plan is truly about,” Mr Jarvis said.
“The measure of our security is the strength of those who defend it. The central purpose of this plan is to get the kit and technology that our armed forces need, so they can fight and deter now and in the years ahead.”
Dan Jarvis has started to speak
10:33 , Bryony GoochDefence minister Dan Jarvis has taken to the stage in Maidenhead. We will bring you the latest lines.
Starmer travels to an airfield to give his speech…indoors
10:32 , Bryony GoochKate Devlin reports from Maidenhead
Keir Starmer has travelled to an airfield full of planes to give what could be his last big speech as Prime Minister - to speak indoors in front of a muted backdrop. Printed on the Labour red canvas is his often repeated slogan “stronger fairer Britain”. But the optics risk doing little to convince his critics within the party they are wrong to say they need a better communicator at the top.
Will Keir Starmer’s last big speech be worth the wait?
10:13 , Bryony GoochKate Devlin, Whitehall Editor in Maidenhead
Keir Starmer is imminently about to unveil the defence investment plan, as part of what could be his last big speech before he leaves office.
The announcement is months late and has already cost the job of one defence secretary, who resigned in protest at a lack of, er, investment. Since then the Prime Minister has been working to improve the blueprint for Britain’s defences, which will surely be seen as one of the legacies of his time in No 10.
Defence boost criticised as 'too little, too late' by shadow defence secretary
09:59 , Bryony GoochShadow defence secretary James Cartlidge has said the defence investment plan was “too little, too late”.
He said: “Too little because it is barely more money than John Healey and Al Carns resigned over when they said Britain would be ‘less safe’. And too late because the plan is now almost a year overdue and only being rushed through because Keir Starmer is desperate for a legacy.
“This plan is not worth the paper it’s written on – Keir Starmer is Prime Minister in name only. The next prime minister needs to cut welfare and give our armed forces the funding they need to keep Britain safe. The problem is, it doesn’t matter who is in charge, all Labour MPs want is more benefits. Labour are now the welfare party.”
Extra £1bn funding found by 'delaying plans to upgrade military homes and expand cadets'
09:56 , Bryony GoochThe extra £1 billion worth of funding found by new defence secretary Dan Jarvis was reportedly freed up by delaying plans to upgrade military homes and expand the cadets.
Mr Jarvis wants to prioritise being “war-ready”, which means directing money at spending on offensive and defensive systems, The Times reported. These delays are likely to cause a stir as military housing continues to be considered substandard.
A review was launched in January to fix substandard military accommodation for around 80,000 single and unaccompanied service personnel.
Why will so much of the defence investment plan go towards drones and autonomous weapons?
09:23 , Bryony GoochMore than a third of the defence investment plan will focus on drones and autonomous weapons in response to lessons from the Ukraine war.
The war in Ukraine has seen both sides of the conflict take up unmanned aerial vehicles as a key weapon in their artilleries. Drones have proven to be cheap and quick to produce, and destructive without relying on much manpower to deploy.
Ukrainian drone unit commander Neo told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Tuesday morning that drones “are much [a] cheaper weapon and a lot more accurate than majority of the previous weapons and that's probably like the first or second step.
“We are looking forward for much more autonomously because AI is also getting more and more advanced, so we will see probably much more improvement in in in the sense of how effective drones will become.”
£5bn to go towards drones and autonomous weapons
09:14 , Bryony GoochThe UK’s use of drones and autonomous weapons will be ramped up under the defence investment plan, funded by a £5 billion cash injection in response to lessons from the Ukraine and Iran conflicts.
Reflecting this shift, plans for a new fleet of next-generation destroyers have been ditched, to be replaced instead by “hybrid” vessels which will act as command hubs for drones.
DIP won't 'crack the issue' warns ex-commander
09:02 , Bryony GoochGeneral Sir Richard Barrons, who helped co-author the strategic defence review, has told BBC Radio 4 Today that while the defence investment plan has some transformative elements, it won’t be a silver bullet for the UK’s defence problems.
“It is still not going to crack the issue of, in order to defence the UK sufficiently well, sufficiently quickly, more has to be done sooner and that requires more money than is currently on the table,” he said.
Analysis: Starmer’s legacy defence plan has an Andy Burnham problem
08:24 , Bryony GoochThe Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou reports:
After months of speculation, Sir Keir Starmer is finally publishing his long-awaited defence investment plan (DIP).
The plan - which promises an extra billion pounds to round the full settlement up to £14.5 billion - has been at the centre of a political row having forced the resignation of defence secretary John Healey and armed forces minister Al Carns.
Sir Keir has sought to spotlight his efforts on defence throughout his premiership, so it’s no surprise he wants a boost in spending to act as his final swan song.
But with Andy Burnham set to take over in No 10 in weeks, how much of it will be actually be put into action remains to be seen.
What is Starmer’s plan to boost UK defence spend and is it affordable?
08:07 , Bryony Gooch
What is Keir Starmer’s plan to increase UK defence spending and is it affordable?
Trump warns UK to abide by five per cent defence pledge
07:57 , Bryony GoochDonald Trump expects the UK and other Nato allies to stick to their defence spending pledges, the White House said on Monday.
A White House spokesman warned the government that the US president expected Nato allies “to abide by their five per cent defence spending pledge”.
Nato chief 'not at all' concerned about Burnham's lack of foreign policy experience
07:48 , Bryony GoochNato general secretary Mark Rutte said he would not be worried at all about Andy Burnham’s lack of foreign policy experience if he were to become prime minister.
He later told Sky News he was “not at all” concerned at the former Greater Manchester mayor’s lack of foreign policy experience because any incoming prime minister would have ambassadors, security advisers and military advisers to get them up to speed.
“Not at all, because what you see with most prime ministers when they come in, except for when they have been defence secretary or foreign secretary before, but most of them will come in with there’s a lot of political clout, a lot political experience, but when it comes to the international stage, you have the best advisers in this country,” he said.
Mr Burnham outlined his vision of devolution for the country on Monday as part of a bid to be prime minister but distinctly kept foreign policy out of his speech.
How will the extra £1bn help the defence investment plan?
07:35 , Bryony GoochCritics have described the £1 billion uplift as “a drop in the ocean” of what is needed to support the defence investment plan.
Officials originally said £28 billion was needed to uplift defence investment.
The £1 billion is expected to take the full settlement to some £14.5 billion – up from the £13.5 billion offered to John Healey when he was defence secretary.
Why did John Healey quit as defence secretary?
07:25 , Bryony GoochJohn Healey quit as defence secretary earlier this month over delays in the defence investment plan.
He suggested in his resignation letter that the UK was on course to spend only 2.68 per cent of GDP on core defence by 2030, casting doubt on the country’s ability to meet its Nato target of five per cent of GDP by 2035.
Mr Healey said the long-delayed defence investment plan (Dip), which is expected to be published this week, was only due to provide an extra £13.5 billion, far short of the £28 billion over four years which officials had argued for.
Mr Healey was well-respected by his Nato peers especially for his role in the UK’s support for Ukraine amid the full-scale Russian invasion.
Armed forces minister Al Carns, a former Royal Marine, also resigned from government, arguing the defence investment plan was “not built for the threat we face”.
Watch: Nato chief Rutte meets outgoing prime minister Starmer at Downing Street
07:17 , Bryony GoochExtra £1bn secured for defence budget
07:13 , Bryony GoochSir Keir Starmer has found an extra £1bn to fund Britain’s defence following John Healey’s resignation over the issue.
The Defence Investment Plan (DIP), originally due last year, has been held back amid furious wrangling within government over the amount of money required to finance the military.
DIP will back British innovation, industry and jobs, Starmer says
07:11 , Bryony GoochSir Keir Starmer has said that the Defence Investment Plan will back British innovation, industry and jobs.
Speaking ahead of the launch, the prime minister said: “This game-changing investment will strengthen our armed forces on land, at sea and in the air, ensuring our servicemen and women have the cutting-edge capabilities they need to deter evolving threats and keep the British people safe.
“At the same time, we are backing British innovation, British industry and British jobs and delivering opportunity to every corner of the country.
“Today’s defence investment plan will help drive growth across the UK, giving our industrial base the confidence, certainty and support it needs to develop and scale the technologies that will keep our country safe and secure long into the future.”
Starmer hails defence investment plan a game-changing move to keep UK 'safe and secure long into the future'
07:08 , Bryony GoochSir Keir Starmer has hailed the long-delayed plan for defence spending as a game-changing move that will keep the UK “safe and secure long into the future” as he announced it will be published on Tuesday.
