Overview

• The Public Accounts Committee said it was extremely disappointed by the Ministry of Defence’s failure to disclose affordability assessments and detailed expenditure figures since the last equipment plan in 2022.
• Forecast nuclear programme costs for 2023-34 have risen by about £10 billion to £128 billion, raising concerns that spending on other defence priorities will be squeezed.
• The government has pledged to raise defence spending to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2027 and to invest £15 billion in nuclear warheads by 2030.
• Publication of the new Defence Investment Plan, which will replace the old equipment plan, has been delayed until autumn 2025, prolonging a period without full parliamentary scrutiny.
• MPs warn that ballooning nuclear bills could limit funds for conventional equipment and for upgrading poor military accommodation critical to recruitment and retention.