STORY
A Lords committee has launched an inquiry into the relationship between the Government and the defence industry. The Industry and Regulators Committee is seeking views on how ministers work with the sector and whether the relationship is capable of supporting national security needs.
The inquiry comes as the Government faces pressure over defence spending, procurement and the delayed Defence Investment Plan. Peers are expected to examine issues including industrial capacity, resilience, innovation, value for money and the ability of the UK defence sector to respond to changing threats.
The work could become politically significant because defence has moved sharply up the agenda in recent months. Ministers are under pressure to prove that higher defence commitments can be translated into equipment, jobs and credible capability rather than simply new targets.