27 Jun 25. How can the UK unlock greater investment in defence?
Evidence Session: The UK contribution to European Security
Tuesday 1 July 2025, 10.30, Committee Room 16
Watch on parliamentlive.tv
The Defence Committee will examine the defence industry’s ability to access investment as it continues its inquiry into the UK contribution to European Security at 10.30 on Tuesday, 1 July.
The UK Government’s pledge to increase defence spending to 5% of GDP by 2035 reflects a general trend across NATO and other European countries to boost defence funding in response to an increasingly unstable geopolitical environment.
MPs will hear from think tanks and investors on the challenges and opportunities the defence industry faces when accessing finance and attracting investment from both traditional and alternative investors.
The Committee will likely explore how the defence sector’s industrial capacity could be increased both in the UK and across Europe as they consider if the Government is doing enough to mitigate the potential risk that increased defence spending could lead to inflation, rather than improving capacity.
10.30, Tuesday 1 July:
- Fenella McGerty – Senior Fellow for Defence Economics at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS)
- Nicholas Nelson – General Partner, Archangel VC Fund
- Rob Murray – CEO of the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB) Development Group
25 Jun 25. Defence Secretary to face questions from the Defence Committee.
Evidence Session: The Work of the Secretary of State for Defence
Wednesday 2 July 2025, 14.00, Room TBC
Watch on parliamentlive.tv
Coming immediately after the important NATO summit in The Hague, the Secretary of State for Defence, John Healey MP, will give evidence to the Defence Committee at 14.00 on Wednesday 2 July.
The session will cover a wide range of topics. Members are likely to discuss the latest developments in the conflict in the Middle East. The security breach at RAF Brize Norton and the importance of homeland defence are likely to be covered in the session. Other topics include the Strategic Defence Review, defence spending commitments, and the current situation in Ukraine.
Additional witnesses may be confirmed closer to the evidence session.
2 July, 14.00:
- Rt Hon. John Healey MP – Secretary of State for Defence
24 Jun 25. National Security Strategy: JCNSS Chair welcomes “national resilience effort” set out today. The Chair of the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy, Matt Western MP, has responded to the Government’s publication of the National Security Strategy.
Chair of the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy, Matt Western, said: “I welcome today’s new strategy. It seeks to provide a wide-ranging assessment across defence and security, critical infrastructure, advanced technology, soft power, industry and trade – to name just a few of the topics it covers. Security is no longer something that happens ‘over there’ – it is an increasingly tangible feature of our lives. The Government notes that “for the first time in many years, we have to actively prepare for the possibility of the UK homeland coming under direct threat”, while addressing wider issues around international competition, technology and climate change. This requires a whole-of-society response. The strategy envisions a “new national resilience effort”, bringing the UK towards spending 5% of GDP on defence and security. This would require a major cultural shift, and I look forward to examining the Government’s plans to achieve this. I am also pleased the Government highlights the threats to undersea internet cables. Our ongoing inquiry is examining the extensive vulnerabilities across our subsea infrastructure, and how the Government can improve protections. However, there are a lot of strategies contained within this strategy; focusing on delivery will be key. Meanwhile, the Government has not provided many details about the trade-offs it will likely need to make to reach its goals. Its position on China is particularly unclear. My Committee will examine the Government’s new approach closely, and I look forward to probing these issues in forthcoming evidence sessions.”