The Defence Secretary, John Healey, is set to give evidence before the House of Commons Defence Committee at 2pm on Tuesday 27 January, amid mounting scrutiny of the UK’s defence posture and long-term military planning.
The session follows the committee’s November report on the UK contribution to European security, which concluded that Britain and its European NATO allies have failed to invest adequately in critical defence capabilities and remain excessively dependent on the United States. MPs are expected to question whether recent geopolitical developments have reshaped the Defence Secretary’s priorities for the modernisation and transformation of the UK Armed Forces.
Committee members are also likely to focus on the UK’s evolving role in Ukraine. Earlier this month, Britain and France signed a declaration of intent with Ukraine outlining plans to deploy ground forces in the event of a peace agreement. MPs are expected to press Healey on parliamentary oversight, including whether there will be a formal vote in the House of Commons before any deployment of British troops.
Further scrutiny is anticipated over continued delays to the Defence Investment Plan and the pace of implementation of the Strategic Defence Review, both of which are central to the government’s ambition to place the armed forces on a more resilient and war-ready footing.
The session will also mark the first appearance before the Defence Committee of Jeremy Pocklington, the newly appointed Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, who will attend alongside the Defence Secretary. His evidence is expected to address departmental governance, spending pressures and the delivery of long-term defence reform.