Government undermining UK defence as Keir Starmer’s dithering blasted by MPs | UK | News

The government’s delay in publishing the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) has undermined the UK government’s ability to provide a stronger deterrent to its adversaries, MPs have claimed. The Public Accounts Committee warned that the long delay to the DIP risks squandering the opportunities provided by advances in technology, hindering the government’s attempts to modernise the Armed Forces.

The plan, which had been due for release last autumn, has suffered a series of delays due to wranglings between the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Treasury, the Daily Express understands. Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, believes that excuses given for the delay “do not cut it”, as a report by the group found that delays are seriously undermining the Department’s efforts to modernise the Armed Forces and achieve value for money for the taxpayer

Sir Geoffrey said: “Those responsible may argue there are good reasons for the DIP’s continuing absence, but our report makes clear that excuses to the effect of ‘taking the time to get the details right’ simply do not cut it.

“Whatever the content of the DIP when it eventually does appear, the damage from its absence has been done – to the nation’s credibility, to its safety, to its Armed Forces, and to certainty within its entire defence industrial base.

“Any government minister attempting to explain away this delay to the DIP should instead ask themselves what message the bureaucratic drift of the past months has given to the public, as well as the UK’s allies and its adversaries, and simply apologise.

“Whatever else the government hopes to achieve with the DIP, it has certainly gained the unwelcome honour of being the most anticipated document in my entire political career.

“As we still await its publication at time of writing, I know I speak for the defence interests of the whole UK when I say – this had better be good.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has insisted the plan, originally promised in autumn 2025, will be published before the NATO summit in Turkey, beginning on July 7.

The committee also expressed serious concerns about the decision to push ahead on plans to bring the beleaguered Ajax armoured vehicle into service despite years of delays, overspending and injuries caused to soldiers.

The Ajax system was initially expected to enter into operation in 2017 but has been repeatedly hit by setbacks over crew safety concerns.

The vehicle was finally cleared for operations in November last year but within weeks an exercise had to be halted because soldiers experienced symptoms linked to noise and vibration.

In its report, the Public Accounts Committee said the MOD asserted there were “no safety concerns about Ajax provided it was operated and maintained correctly within its design parameters”.

It said soldiers had been instructed to carry out maintenance checks every time they stop the vehicle but the MOD “did not explain the practicality of this for soldiers operating Ajax for long periods in combat”.

Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown added: “Our thoughts are with all those soldiers who reported symptoms from noise and vibration after operating these vehicles, and we were frankly astounded to hear officials explain that proper use of Ajax requires maintenance checks every time it is stopped.

“This is frankly an insult to intelligence, and much good may this advice do our fighting men and women if called upon to operate Ajax in combat. The MoD must now explain how it will make Ajax fit for purpose, and how much this will cost.”

The committee said: “It remains a matter of concern whether the Ajax armoured vehicle is fit for purpose.

“Armoured vehicles which injure soldiers when they are operated outside rigid parameters will be of little use on the modern battlefield.

“The department discussed a potential package of ‘Ajax 2’ improvements, but there is a risk that it ends up having to spend even more than it planned in the hope of salvaging something from the Ajax programme.”

A MOD spokesman said the Government is providing a “generational increase” in defence spending, with an extra £270 billion across this Parliament.

The spokesman said: “The defence investment plan will fix the outdated, overcommitted and underfunded programme we inherited.

“We are working hard to finalise it. As the Defence Secretary told Parliament this week, the Prime Minister is determined to publish it before the Nato Summit.”