Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 20
20
Accepted
New defence procurement reforms require several years to reduce average programme times.
Conclusion
However, 2025–26 is a transitional year as the changes bed in. The Department has started to roll out new processes so that programmes beginning this year adhere to the faster timeframes. The Department’s senior leadership team will monitor progress using a refreshed dashboard.39 However, the Department said it will take several years for the new approach to reduce average times because of legacy programmes that had started before April 2025.40 32 Qq 22, 32 and 46 33 Q 47 34 Q 47 35 Q 29 36 Q 22 37 Qq 28 and 33 38 Qq 11, 22, 23 and 24 39 Q 37 40 Q 36 13 2 Future Parliamentary scrutiny of defence spending plans The 2025 Strategic Defence Review
Government Response Summary
The government accepts the committee's point and will develop a new Defence Investment Plan (DIP) to implement the Strategic Defence Review's recommendations, publishing the plan in autumn 2025 and providing updates.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Autumn 2025 4.2 This government has endorsed the Strategic Defence Review’s vision and accepts all 62 recommendations. The implementation of the Review’s recommendations will form part of the main business of the department and will be executed through a whole of UK Defence effort. The department will develop a new Defence Investment Plan (DIP) to implement the Review’s vision and recommendations and turn them into a delivery plan that will be published in the autumn. The department will ensure that this Plan is affordable, considers infrastructure alongside capabilities, enables flexibility to seize new technological opportunities, and maximises the benefits of defence spending to grow the UK economy. 4.3 Work on the DIP is progressing at pace and will include a thorough analysis of the programme required to meet the ambition of the SDR. The department will provide updates on progress as requested by the Committee.