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Defence: Finance

Asked by Stuart AndersonConservativeMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 8 September 2026UIN 21542

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 61 of the SDR, what progress his Department has made on creating a robust Balance of Investments process.

Answered by Ministry of Defence

The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) process looked across every budget line in the Department to prioritise capabilities and activities, including new capabilities, through-life upgrades, acquisition and support, people and infrastructure. It also considered and agreed trade-offs between departmental objectives to ensure a balanced investment outcome was achieved.

The DIP sets out the Government's investment priorities for Defence and provides a deliverable and affordable plan to 2035.

A similarly robust approach is being adopted for the Department’s annual financial planning and budgeting process.

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