Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Cabinet Office guidance entitled May 2026 Elections: guidance on conduct for civil servants, updated on 2 March 2026, has affected the timing of the publication of the Defence Investment Plan.

We will publish the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) when it is ready. It is essential that we take the time required to ensure decisions are robust and support the transformation of the Armed Forces outlined in the Strategic Defence Review. Once finalised, the DIP will be laid before Parliament in accordance with the appropriate Parliamentary procedures.