Defence Investment Plan

Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee Excerpts

Wednesday 1st July 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Coaker (Lab)]

I thank the noble Lord for his question and his comments, which come from a great knowledge and experience, and I thank him for his remarks about me. Just to reiterate, the GCAP programme is extremely important, and as he just said, that is outlined in the money allocated within the paper. The debate is about how quickly we move towards increased spending, and I have outlined—without repeating myself—how the next spending review in 2027 will look to 3% but that the absolute commitment is to 3.5% to reflect the change in the security environment in which we are operating. In addition, I mentioned the nuclear deterrent, and across this House we have mentioned the importance of preparing for war, because one of the ways you deter war is to prepare for it.

[Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee (Non-Afl)]

First, I welcome this Statement, which this House has been waiting on for some time, and share my concerns about the funding, which I hope will be sorted out under new leadership. However, I welcome the fact that there is an emphasis on innovation and supporting small businesses, and I hope to see that coming through. In terms of the detail of the plan, I note that there is £330 million to be spent on investment in critical underwater infrastructure protection to tackle hostile activity within UK waters. I have raised this issue with the Minister before. Can we expect the Republic of Ireland’s Government to pay towards helping with that undersea capability, because, as he knows, it is as important to the Republic of Ireland as it is to the UK?

[Lord Coaker (Lab)]

I cannot give the noble Baroness an assurance about what the Republic will pay for, but let me just say that there has been improved and increasing co-operation between the Republic and ourselves where it is in both our interests to do so. She will know that underwater cables and underwater infrastructure are important to the Republic and to the whole of the UK, so it is in both of our interests to work together. I cannot give her a commitment about paying for that, but I can give her the commitment that there is increasing co-operation and working together to deliver the shared objectives we would all have.