Defence investment plan will be published 'imminently' as Chancellor pledges more money behind armed forces

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed the Government's Defence Investment Plan will be released imminently, vowing to deliver more funding to the armed forces after years of decline.Speaking to reporters in Kyiv, the Chancellor declared that the anticipated strategy would right the wrongs that saw former defence secretary John Healy and former defence minister Al Carns resign from their posts.She said: The defence investment plan hasn't yet been published, and what I can tell people is that plan will involve more money.The document is set to be unveiled before NATO leaders gather in Ankara for their summit, with Ms Reeves emphasising the urgency of addressing current security threats facing the nation. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say She pointed to her track record in office, describing herself as the Chancellor who has presided over the most significant boost to military expenditure since the Cold War.But recognising the scale of the challenge we face today, we need to increase that amount further, Ms Reeves added.The Chancellor also addressed the political transition ahead, noting that Andy Burnham, widely expected to become the next prime minister, would maintain Britain's steadfast backing of Ukraine following Russia's invasion.Ms Reeves explained that the investment strategy would prioritise contemporary and future conflicts, rather than historical ones - as emphasised by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.Crucially, the defence investment plan will be about the wars of tomorrow and today, not of the past, she said.Ms Reeves added: One of the things that I've been doing whilst I've been here in Kyiv is meeting some of the British and Ukrainian tech and defence companies who are really innovating on the front line on an almost daily basis.She stressed the importance of incorporating lessons from active combat zones into Britain's defence strategy, given how rapidly military technology and tactics are evolving.It's important that when we publish our defence investment plan, we learn from the front line, because the nature of warfare is changing at every moment, and we need to equip ourselves for the battles of the future, she explained.LATEST DEVELOPMENTSKeir Starmer U-turns on manifesto pledge and caves into EU over controversial foie gras‘We’d win!’ Labour has ‘no fear’ over an election with Andy Burnham as PM, Karl Turner declaresLabour leapfrogs Reform UK in shock new poll but Burnham bounce is 'wafer thin'Recently appointed Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis indicated talks with the Treasury had moved forward in recent days, and that Government was keen to get it right.The defence investment plan was originally due last year, but has been held back amid wrangling within Government over the amount of money required to finance the military.Mr Jarvis’ predecessor John Healey quit his cabinet post earlier this month because the Dip was only due to provide £13.5 billion extra investment in defence, which he said fell “well short” of what was needed.Asked whether the plan was ready, the Defence Secretary said: “I’ve been working very hard since I was appointed to satisfy myself that we’ve got the right resource and the right mix of capabilities.“The Prime Minister has been clear that we will publish the defence investment plan before the Nato summit. That’s what we’re going to do.“I have a responsibility to make sure I get it right and that is what I’m working to achieve.”He added: “I pay tribute to my predecessor, he did a great job for defence, but the responsibility is now mine to deliver that plan, and what I need to do is satisfy myself that I’ve got the right level of resource and the right mix of capabilities.“That is a process across Government. We’ve made real progress with it over the last week or so. I’m determined to get that right and I’m determined to do it before the Nato summit.”The move could potentially cause friction with Sir Keir Starmer's likely successor for prime minister, Andy Burnham, who may want to have the final say on future funding for the military.Mr Jarvis, who served as mayor of Sheffield City Region while Mr Burnham was Greater Manchester mayor, said: “I’ve worked very closely with Andy Burnham.“He was an exceptional mayor of Greater Manchester and I think he will be an excellent prime minister, he understands the importance of national security and making sure that we’ve got the right amount of resource to invest in our armed forces.“Yes, we want to do more, and the Dip will deliver that, and, yes, we want to go further, the other side of the Dip. That is well understood by Andy Burnham. It’s well understood by the current Prime Minister. It’s my job to deliver for defence and that’s what I’m working hard to do.” Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter