UK ‘working hard’ on delayed defense plan, PM says – POLITICO

But the Ministry of Defence is currently locked in a standoff with the Treasury, as military chiefs argue they will not be able to deliver the necessary capabilities within the existing budget. 

The DIP was originally scheduled to land in the fall, but speaking in the House of Commons Monday, U.K. Defence Secretary John Healey suggested the DIP will now be delayed to 2026, as previously suggested to POLITICO. 

Parliament breaks for the Christmas recess this week and will not return until January 5, 2026.

“We’re working flat out until the end of this year to finalize the defence investment plan,” he said.

At the same time, Starmer faced questions from a committee of senior MPs on the U.K. parliament’s liaison committee.

Tan Dhesi, Labour chair of the defense committee, told the PM the continued delay to the DIP “really is taking the biscuit.”