Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis has said “real progress” has been made this week on the long-delayed defence investment plan (Dip), though work within government continues to “get it right” in the coming days. The blueprint for future-proofing the armed forces could be in line for a funding boost, as Jarvis indicated talks with the Treasury have moved forward recently.
Background of the Defence Investment Plan
The Dip was originally due last year but has been held back amid internal government wrangling over the amount of money needed to finance the military. Jarvis’ predecessor, John Healey, quit his Cabinet post earlier this month because the Dip was only set to provide £13.5 billion in extra investment for defence, which he said fell “well short” of what was required. Reports suggest a further £1 billion has been added to the Dip since Healey’s resignation.
Jarvis’ Commitment to Getting It Right
Asked whether the plan is ready, Jarvis told the Press Association: “I’ve been working very hard since I was appointed to satisfy myself that we’ve got the right resource and the right mix of capabilities. The Prime Minister has been clear that we will publish the defence investment plan before the Nato summit. That’s what we’re going to do. I have a responsibility to make sure I get it right and that is what I’m working to achieve.”
He added: “I pay tribute to my predecessor, he did a great job for defence, but the responsibility is now mine to deliver that plan, and what I need to do is satisfy myself that I’ve got the right level of resource and the right mix of capabilities. That is a process across Government. We’ve made real progress with it over the last week or so. I’m determined to get that right and I’m determined to do it before the Nato summit.”
Political Context and Leadership Transition
Outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to press ahead with publishing the Dip before the July 7 Nato summit, despite major policy and spending commitments being paused across government in preparation for the transition of power. The move could potentially cause friction with his likely successor, Andy Burnham, who may want the final say on future military funding.
Jarvis on Defence Spending Priorities
Jarvis said: “There will always be a strong case, not least given the circumstances that we’re operating in, to spend more on defence, but people will understand that there has to be a balance that is struck, and I have to work very closely with colleagues in the Treasury. It’s my job to secure the best deal for defence.” He added that defence should be the UK’s “number one spending priority” and that the Prime Minister had made clear he was focused on this.
Jarvis joined other Cabinet ministers, including Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Chancellor Rachel Reeves, in publicly backing the newly-elected Makerfield MP for the leadership. He said: “I’ve worked very closely with Andy Burnham. He was an exceptional mayor of Greater Manchester and I think he will be an excellent prime minister, he understands the importance of national security and making sure that we’ve got the right amount of resource to invest in our armed forces. That is a process that is absolutely under way, but it is on the back of a commitment already to historic levels of defence funding. Yes, we want to do more, and the Dip will deliver that, and, yes, we want to go further, the other side of the Dip. That is well understood by Andy Burnham. It’s well understood by the current Prime Minister. It’s my job to deliver for defence and that’s what I’m working hard to do.”
