"We are working hard to deliver it. We will publish it as soon as we can. We are working flat out to agree the plan with everyone across government. It is important to get the plan right, though I could not give MPs a publication date for the delayed 10-year defence investment plan."
"Labour's Michelle Scrogham warned that arms suppliers were having to lay off staff and put investment decisions on hold while they wait for the report to be published. The Barrow and Furness MP, whose constituency is home to several defence contractors, asked the MoD permanent secretary if he was aware of the impact the delay was having on them."
"I got it wrong. I felt that was where we were. Things drop away over Christmas and New Year, but work was now under way in earnest. The National Armaments Director apologized for his previous statement that the plan would be ready in days, not weeks or months."
The UK government continues to delay the publication of its 10-year defence investment plan, originally promised before Christmas. Jeremy Pocklington, the Ministry of Defence's top civil servant, told MPs the plan requires agreement across all government departments. Defence contractors in constituencies like Barrow and Furness are laying off staff and postponing investment decisions due to the uncertainty. The National Armaments Director apologized for previously stating the plan would be ready within days, acknowledging he underestimated the complexity involved. MPs expressed concern the plan may not be published until after May's elections, with suggestions the delay stems from disagreements between the Chancellor and No 10 over budget cuts.
#defence-investment-plan #government-delays #defence-contractors #armed-forces-readiness #budget-disagreements
Read at www.bbc.com
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