Members of Parliament have been informed that the government has yet to finalise plans to procure equipment for the UK’s armed forces.
Following the delay, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Defence (MoD), Jeremy Pocklington, told the House of Commons: “We are working hard to deliver it,” adding, “We will publish it as soon as we can.”
The MP representing Barrow and Furness, Michelle Scrogham, noted that delays are forcing arms suppliers to reduce staff and postpone investments.
She questioned the MoD permanent secretary about whether he was aware of the effect of the delay.
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In response, the Ministry’s permanent secretary said there is value in giving suppliers a clear signal but stressed the importance of finalising the plan correctly.
He added that no publication date could be provided, noting that officials are working to reach agreement on the plan across government.
Meanwhile, the UK’s National Armaments Director, Rupert Pearce, apologised to the committee for previously stating in December that the plan would be ready in a matter of “days now, not weeks or months.”
He said he was new to the role and had not fully understood the complexity of the issues involved.
He told MPs: “I got it wrong. I felt that was where we were,” adding that “things drop away” over Christmas and New Year, but work was now under way “in earnest.”
Labour MP Tan Dhesi, who chairs the committee, stated that the plan may be postponed until after the May elections, describing the current situation as a “mess.”
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