Committee publication · Correspondence · 10 February 2026
Letter dated 4th February from Permanent Secretary to Defcom and PAC Chairs replying to letter dated 28th January regarding transparency and the Defence Investment Plan
From: Defence Committee
Summary
The Permanent Secretary responds to a joint letter from the Public Accounts Committee and Defence Select Committee chairs dated 28 January regarding timing and transparency of the Defence Investment Plan (DIP). He acknowledges their scrutiny role, outlines the government's defence spending commitments (£270 billion this Parliament, rising to 2.6% of GDP from 2027), describes the DIP as a zero-based review covering all budget lines, and confirms he will give oral evidence in March but cannot yet confirm when committees can take evidence on the DIP specifically.
Key findings
- Defence budgets rising to record levels: £270 billion this Parliament, with £5 billion increase last year and 2.6% of GDP target from 2027 — largest boost since Cold War
- DIP described as first zero-based review of Defence budgets in 18 years, covering all budget lines including people and infrastructure, not just equipment
- Permanent Secretary will appear in oral evidence before both committees in March but cannot confirm specific date for DIP evidence session
- Government framing DIP as response to rising demands: Russian aggression, operational requirements, and Ukraine deployment preparations
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Jeremy Pocklington (Permanent Secretary), Sir Geoffrey (PAC Chair), Mr Dhesi (Defence Select Committee Chair), Public Accounts Committee, Defence Select Committee
Notable line
“The DIP is the first zero- based review of Defence's budgets in 18 years and goes significantly further than the last Government's Equipment Plan by looking across every …”
Key Quotes
“I respect the vital scrutiny function that the PAC and the HCDC deliver on behalf of Parliament.”
“… defence budgets are rising to record levels as this government delivers the biggest boost to defence spending since the Cold War, totalling over £270 billion this Parliament alone”
“The DIP is the first zero- based review of Defence's budgets in 18 years and goes significantly further than the last Government's Equipment Plan by looking across every budget line, including people and infrastructure.”
“While I currently cannot confirm a date when your committees can take evidence on the DIP specifically, we are working flat out to finalise and publish this as soon as possible.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗