Tag: Dan Jarvis

The comments made by Dan Jarvis, the Secretary of State for Defence, on 30 June 2026.

I know first-hand the importance of our Armed Forces having the kit and technology they need to do the difficult job we ask of them.

I have secured more money and made different choices for defence. We will invest £298 billion over the next four years. That includes an additional £15 billion, of which most is extra day-to-day spending for training and improving availability of ships and aircraft to increase our war-fighting readiness. 

By choosing to embrace new technology, I am equipping our forces with the autonomous systems which will give them the edge. 

This extra money and these choices send a clear signal to our allies and our adversaries alike: Britain is stepping up on security.

The comments made by Dan Jarvis, the Defence Secretary, on 28 June 2026.

Our elite Commando Force is respected around the world, conducting operations that help to keep the nation and our allies safe.  

We’re investing in new lethal strike drones, high-speed boats and amphibious transport ships to give our Commandos the equipment they need to stay ahead of adversaries and defend us.  

The Defence Investment Plan will prioritise getting the latest kit into the hands of our frontline forces, so they can continue their vital work in an increasingly dangerous world.

The speech made by Dan Jarvis, the Secretary of State for Defence, on 23 June 2026.

Almost a fortnight – time flies when you’re having fun. Thank you, Conference.

My foremost responsibility is to our service personnel. As I speak, members of our armed forces are deployed on dozens of operations across the globe in every domain. All are serving at an increasingly dangerous moment in history. It’s now my duty to make sure that we rise to meet that moment. So while people’s attention is understandably focused elsewhere, my focus today, tomorrow and beyond will be dedicated to the job in hand.

Twelve days ago, I was at Sandhurst on a visit to meet with cadets, thirty years after I marched into the place, awkwardly clutching a rifle and pining for a memory that will be familiar to a number in the room. The instructors’ faces had long changed; somehow the same dread that they inspired had not. Again, a feeling I’m sure is also familiar to many. Being in the company of those cadets was an inspiring experience; being in the company of those who step forward to serve always is.

That evening I was asked to serve as the Defence Secretary. Now some people want to know why I accepted. The answer is because I was asked and it’s not my nature to back away. I crossed over the river from Downing Street into the Ministry of Defence, and honestly, it felt like I was coming home after fifteen years away. Soon afterwards, I was receiving briefings confirming what I already knew. But in those intervening years, tactics, technology and threats had changed beyond all recognition. The one thing, however, that had remained constant is the professionalism, courage and extraordinary skill of our servicemen and women.

I should probably admit – and I think it’s fair to say – that I haven’t spent all of my professional life in uniform. People will always be our most important asset in the end. No doctrine, no technology, no plan, however sophisticated it might be, can succeed without the determination of the men and women whose experience and excellence is built from the ground up, shaped by history, hardened by experience. We produce the finest soldiers in the world. Those uncompromising standards develop exceptional NCOs who demand nothing less than the very best from their senior leaders, a truth borne out in the middle of the South Atlantic just last month, when our personnel deployed to Tristan da Cunha to help someone in desperate need of medical attention. As the then Security Minister, I worked with COBR on that operation. I did so with the utmost confidence, knowing that despite the complexity of the task, those involved would execute with precision and success.

I think we will ask much of our service personnel in the years ahead. I know the immense weight of responsibility for every single member of the armed forces and their families that I now carry, and I know that I need to get them what they need, and I am utterly determined to make sure that I do.

Now, it is of course a matter of public record why my predecessor and friend, John Healey, is not delivering these remarks. I accepted this job with full awareness of the task before me, and my priority is to get the Defence Investment Plan done, but not at any cost. I have a responsibility to get it right. There will be a change of Prime Minister. There will be no change in the urgent need to produce the Defence Investment Plan. The DIP is a significant and vast piece of work. The department has been working on it for twelve months. I’ve had twelve days, but I’ve made the most of all of them. I am now working to finalise and publish it before I travel to Ankara with the Prime Minister.

And today I want to talk to you about where we are and where we’re going. This is a learned audience, but let me tell you what this government inherited: almost every single major programme behind schedule, delayed upgrades to our nuclear deterrent, and an army at its smallest size in centuries. There is no overnight remedy. There is no single defence review or funding settlement that can erase the legacy of accumulated neglect. Our armed forces and the British people they are sworn to protect deserve honesty when it comes to our national security.

Given recent commentary, a casual observer would be forgiven for believing defence spending is somehow going down. Under this government, defence spending is going up. In fact, it’s going up by more than anyone currently in uniform has known before. To date, there is eleven billion more in the annual defence budget than there was when we entered office. Last year, we will invest two hundred and seventy billion in defence over the course of this Parliament. The DIP will mean more money added on top. We will have another spending review next year in which I expect defence to be the number one priority.

Don’t get me wrong – the DIP will shape how our armed forces fight, direct what our industry builds and deepen the strength of our alliances and partnerships. It is important, but it is not yet complete.

Now, the measure of Britain’s security is the strength of those who defend it. The purpose of the DIP is to ensure that our armed forces are strong in the coming years. We made a promise to our allies as they did to us: 3.5% by 2035. I told the NATO Secretary General last week that promise will be met, and a credible plan will be produced to ensure that it is. I said the same to Secretary Hegseth in our first meeting — or, as Pete put it, just a couple of majors getting together to talk about defence.

NATO has been the foundation of our security for seventy-seven years. Everyone is familiar with Article 5 — but that famous promise is only made real by the hard principle of Article 3: that we can only stand up for each other if we are able to stand up for ourselves. Britain has always met NATO’s spending commitments; under this government, we always will. Britain has always stood with our allies; under this government, we always will.

Last week, I gave President Zelensky my personal guarantee that the UK would stand in full support with his people — today, tomorrow and for the long term. The first UK interdiction of a Russian vessel, followed by the funding of one hundred and fifty thousand Ukrainian-made drones, were a seven hundred and fifty-two million pound expression of that promise.

The most profound change in defence during my time away has undoubtedly been the pace of innovation — where once it was measured in years, now it is measured in months. It is of course a cliché to say that we only ever prepare for the last war. What is not a cliché is doing something about it. Putin’s brutal war of aggression altered everything — from NATO’s assumptions on collective defence, to attitudes on defence spending, and not least, the way of war. The conflict in Ukraine began with troops in Soviet-era tanks. Today, it is waged with drones that think for themselves. Conflict always forces us to reach into the future. But these four years have accelerated military technology in a way that we have never seen before. A drone rules the battlefield. It would be reckless to ignore the lessons of Ukraine. Artificial intelligence, autonomy and uncrewed systems are no longer capabilities of the future. They will receive investment that reflects their strategic importance.

There are some who hold the view that we should trade everything in the locker for drones. I understand the temptation, but there are important distinctions to make. For as long as we remain a member of NATO, we won’t fight alone. And for as long as we maintain our independent nuclear deterrent, we will always command our own destiny. Even in Ukraine, amid extraordinary advances in technology, it is still a war fought in the trenches where ground is held street by street, and where the reach of artillery and deep precision strike has proven invaluable.

Just this year, our armed forces have been called on to protect the seabed in the High North and the skies in the Middle East. They are now readying themselves for the prospect of regenerating Ukraine’s forces and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. All the while, they protect our island home and retain the ability to respond to crises in dangerous and distant lands. Britain needs a flexible, hybrid, integrated force that can deter and fight across every domain.

The land forces which prevail tomorrow will be those who combine high-end platforms with mass, agility and considerable expertise. General Walker has achieved this. He has done more to modernise the British Army than any other Chief of the General Staff in living memory. You heard his vision earlier. The DIP will make real those ambitions — and that includes investing in the uncrewed ground vehicles the Army requires to build the next generation of land forces.

And let me say this: all of the Chiefs have my full support, not just during this process, but way beyond it.

Now, I’d like to take just a moment, if I may, to address our friends from industry. Because to say recent months haven’t been easy would perhaps be an understatement. But I’m grateful to you all, and I will be relying on you to implement the DIP and to make it a success. Though my life has been spent in public service, I have never mistaken where prosperity comes from. Our defence industrial base represents a commitment to excellence and to entrepreneurialism – hallmarks of the British spirit. You are a source not only of a pay check for many, but of pride for communities across our country. Most of all, you exist to equip the finest armed forces with the most advanced technology — kit they can rely on, operate with confidence and employ with precision. Something I saw during my first engagement in this role, at the opening of the Pulsar Systems Centre in Swindon.

The problems with how we spend money in defence are well known and long established. So too is the ritual of every Defence Secretary promising to fix them. I’ll skip that particular ritual and just ask to be judged on what I do rather than what I say. I know that I have a unique responsibility, given what Cabinet colleagues have foregone from their budgets to support mine. My commitment to them, and indeed to the British public, is that with the need to spend more comes the duty to spend wisely. The DIP will lay out significant savings, and I will continue to scrutinise every line of spend to make every pound count.

Look, I’m acutely conscious that there is something far more important that many of you would rather be watching. I don’t want to deprive anybody of a good vantage point. So I will draw my words to a close.

Before I do, let me say this. Above all, we must never lose sight of what service in our armed forces can demand. It can be bloody hard. It asks more than any profession ever will. I tell those considering it to think about it carefully – but in return, you have the opportunity to serve your country in a way which no other profession can offer. Purpose, responsibility and belonging. You become part of something bigger – a force which secures the safety, values and interests of every person in our nation.

My only real ambition when I arrived through the gates of Sandhurst all those years ago was to survive the place. Not for one moment did I think that one day I would be accountable for every member of our armed forces. To do so is a privilege and a responsibility beyond measure. This moment calls for leadership, and it calls for action. That is what I will provide. And I promise every single member of our armed forces that I will seek to serve them as well as they serve us.

The statement made by Dan Jarvis, the Security Minister, in the House of Commons on 14 May 2026.

With permission, Mr Speaker, I will make a statement on recent national security developments, including the increase in the national terrorism threat level.

The events of the last few weeks have illustrated the breadth and seriousness of the national security threats that we face, from both terrorists and foreign states.

In responding to these threats, they have also highlighted the strength and resilience of our world leading law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

Over recent weeks we have seen…

A series of arson attacks and incidents against British Jews and opponents of the Iranian regime, including the horrifying terror attack in Golders Green, which seriously injured two members of the Jewish community.

We’ve seen the recent conviction of a 21-year-old man who planned to commit a terrorist attack to further his extreme white supremacist agenda.

And convictions last week against two individuals under the National Security Act for surveilling and intimidating dissidents on behalf of China.

And we are seeing record levels of investigative casework on terror plots, espionage, and state-linked threats to individuals.

Mr Speaker, on 30 April, the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC) raised the UK national terrorism threat level from ‘substantial’ to ‘severe’. The decision to change the UK’s terrorism threat level is taken independently of ministers, based on the very latest intelligence.

‘Severe’ means that a terrorist attack is highly likely in the next six months. The threat level was last at severe from November 2021 until February 2022.

This increase in the threat from terrorism follows the recent stabbing attack in Golders Green, but it is not solely as a result of that attack.

The terrorism threat in the UK has been gradually increasing. It is driven primarily by the broader Islamist and extreme right wing terrorist threat from individuals and small groups based here in the UK.

While the UK national threat level reflects JTAC’s assessment of the terrorist threat in the UK, it comes against a backdrop of increased state-linked physical threats which is encouraging acts of violence, including against the Jewish community.

In response, we have announced £25 million of immediate funding to strengthen policing, protect Jewish communities and provide reassurance.

This brings the total protective security funding to £58 million this year – the largest investment a government has made in protecting Jewish communities.

Now Mr Speaker, I have also initiated a review of the national threat level system, which currently captures only the threat from terrorism, to ensure that it remains fully relevant, and that we are communicating as clearly as possible with the public about the national security threats that we face today.

Mr Speaker, CONTEST, the government’s counter-terrorism strategy, sets out a clear framework – Prevent, Pursue, Protect and Prepare – which aims to ensure people can go about their lives freely and with confidence.

We are broadening our intervention capabilities to better support those at risk of being drawn into terrorism through the PREVENT programme.

We have improved training and guidance for frontline professionals and practitioners to better spot the signs of radicalisation.

And we are working with technology companies, international partners and Ofcom to tackle online content used to radicalise, recruit and incite terrorism.

Coordinated intervention is crucial to reduce the terrorist risk. So we are providing children and individuals with the right support with our Interventions Centre of Expertise, which brings together MI5 and Counter Terrorism Policing with expertise from wider public services.

MI5 and CT Police work tirelessly to stop terrorist attacks, with 19 late-stage attack plots disrupted since 2020 including a chilling ISIS-inspired plot to target Jewish communities in Manchester using firearms.

We have delivered our manifesto commitment to improve the security of public events and venues across the UK through Martyn’s Law, and free expert advice, guidance and training is available to owners and operators of venues and public spaces through the ProtectUK website.

Through closer working across the emergency services, we are maintaining strong, multi-agency working capabilities to respond to a range of different scenarios. We keep our preparedness under constant review, and the response is exercised regularly, ensuring that our emergency services can respond immediately to terror attacks – as we saw in their brave response to the violent antisemitic attack in Golders Green.

Now Mr Speaker, terrorism and state threats are sometimes interrelated, as we have seen with threats from states such as Iran, and the wider use of both terrorist groups and proxies by state actors including Russia.

We face a sophisticated and persistent challenge in responding to China, which presents a unique set of threats to the United Kingdom.

The case last week demonstrates that we have the tools to successfully respond to that challenge.

And Members of this House will know that a jury delivered its verdict following the nine-week trial of Bill Yuen and Peter Wai.

The jury found both individuals guilty of assisting a foreign intelligence service – which, in this case, was the Hong Kong Police Force – this was done under the National Security Act. Wai was also found guilty of misconduct in public office.

The verdict represents the first convictions under the National Security Act related to China – and sends a strong message that the full force of the law will be applied to anyone who carries out hostile acts in the UK on behalf of any foreign state.

Both individuals held positions of power, leveraging these to conduct hostile activity on UK soil on behalf of China. It is simply unacceptable that an employee of a foreign power was conducting a shadow policing operation in the United Kingdom.

That is why the Chinese Ambassador has been summoned, and the Foreign Secretary will be making clear to Hong Kong’s Chief Executive that this type of activity was, and will always be, unacceptable in the United Kingdom. The Foreign Office have also made it clear that Yuen’s employment at the Hong Kong Economic Trade Office must be terminated immediately.

Now Mr Speaker, this trial has understandably caused considerable concern within the UK amongst the Hong Kong community.

The safety and security of Hong Kongers in the UK is paramount. That is why my officials have been working closely with the National Security Protective Authority, to deliver new guidance on transnational repression. This guidance provides examples of what transnational repression might look like and what to do if anyone feels under threat from any state.

Transnational repression from China however, is just one type of state threat activity. That is why the government is taking decisive action across a much broader range of state threats.

We are…

Rolling out new training for police officers and staff to increase their understanding of state threats.

Driving forward the Counter-Political Interference and Espionage Plan to protect the UK’s democratic institutions and processes.

Bringing forward fast-track legislation in the coming weeks which will clamp down on individuals and groups carrying out hostile activity for foreign states, including those who act as their proxies. This legislation will include new proscription-like powers to ban the activities of state-backed organisations who pose a threat to the UK’s national security.

And we are implementing all the recommendations made last year by Jonathan Hall KC, the Independent Reviewer of State Threats Legislation.

So we are responding to state threats in all their forms.

Now Mr Speaker, national security is the first duty of government. As this House knows, that duty includes being able to respond to a range of threats.

So we are giving our police and intelligence services the resources they need for that vital role. Last year we provided an extra £140 million for Counter Terrorism Policing, plus nearly £600 million more for our intelligence services. This takes their funding to record levels.

And Mr Speaker, protecting our communities and standing up to hatred and intolerance is a shared responsibility of every person in the UK.

So I urge the public to remain vigilant and report any concerns they have to the police. Their contribution is a vital part of our efforts to keep our country safe.

And Mr Speaker, support to the victims of terrorism is a moral duty, and I would like to acknowledge the profound and enduring impact on the survivors and families of those affected by Golders Green, and all terrorist attacks, whose lives have been forever changed.

I want to close by thanking those individuals serving in our police and security services for their dedication to keeping our country safe, and the public for their continued vigilance. We owe them all a debt of gratitude.

Mr Speaker, I commend this statement to the House.