L

Lord Fox (LD)

Speaking in the House of Lords on 28 April 2026

Debate

Middle East: Economic Update

Contribution

My Lords, returning to defence spending, the Minister referred to the biggest sustained increase in that spending. If it happens, we will welcome it, but it does not happen until the defence investment plan is published. I noted the slight smile on his face when he said, “in due course”, but if that money is not forthcoming then the GCAP project will not have its next stage payment. If it is not forthcoming, there will be SMEs across the country waiting for contracts to go but will not be able to fulfil them, because they will be out of business. Last week, the noble Lord, Lord Dodds, and I heard the Estonian Defence Minister specifically call out the United Kingdom for being slow to come up with the money. When will the Treasury release the defence investment plan, because, if it does not, there will be consequences?

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