Britain is facing growing warnings over delays to a long-awaited defence investment plan, with senior military figures and political opponents accusing the Government of failing to move fast enough on military funding decisions.

Former NATO deputy supreme commander in Europe General Sir Richard Shirreff warned that Britain could face what he described as a “blood cost” if defence spending is not urgently strengthened.

He said the country risked “catastrophic costs” unless the Government acted quickly to reinforce its armed forces and deterrence capability.

Speaking to the BBC, Sir Richard said: “We’ve got to secure our country. It’s important to do that, to spend now… what we cannot have is catastrophic costs, not only for treasure but blood downstream. We want to avoid future conflict – Russia is a threat, we’ve got to deter it.”

He added that repeated delays risked undermining national security decision-making.

What is happening with the defence investment plan?

Ministers are still reportedly negotiating funding arrangements linked to a strategic defence review completed more than a year ago, with discussions described by one insider as “chaos”.

Defence sources have suggested the Ministry of Defence could ultimately receive as little as £2billion per year in additional funding, significantly lower than other recent government spending commitments.

The Treasury is understood to be seeking to reduce an initial “compromise” figure from around £18billion to £15billion over several years, while also reviewing how funding is allocated across major defence programmes.

This includes discussions over a multi-billion-pound fighter jet project, with proposals that could see up to £6billion reallocated or controlled centrally.

How have political opponents responded?

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticised the delays, calling them a “mark of shame”, reported the Daily Mail.

She said: “It has been over a year since the Government concluded its review of our Armed Forces. The investment plan should have been published last autumn.”

“The military is tearing its hair out waiting for Keir Starmer to make a decision. British jobs are on the line. Our national security is being undermined.”

She also accused the Government of prioritising welfare spending over defence.

Shadow Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho said rising welfare costs should instead be targeted to fund military investment.

What is happening inside government?

Whitehall negotiations have continued alongside wider international discussions, including a Downing Street summit hosted by Sir Keir Starmer with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

One government source reportedly said delays had created an avoidable situation.

“The whole point of doing the defence review alongside the spending review last year was so that we didn’t end up in this situation. But now it’s gone on for so long that we’re in it anyway.”

What is the UK Government’s position on defence?

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy defended the approach, saying delays were necessary to ensure decisions were properly considered.

He said: “The money will be found, our commitment to spending 2.6 per cent (of GDP) and then to 3 per cent is absolutely sacrosanct under this Government.”

He added that defence remained “the first purpose of any Government”.

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