Defence Committee

Defence Committee scrutinises defence policy, military strategy, and the Ministry of Defence's spending and operations. The Commons Select Committee takes oral evidence from government ministers, military personnel, civil servants and external experts during regular public sessions. It examines major defence initiatives, spending decisions and operational matters affecting the armed forces. Recent inquiries have focused on UK defence capabilities in the High North, including testimony from academic experts and an expert panel on strategic positioning in that region. The Committee has also investigated the MOD's handling of a data breach involving Afghan Relocation Assistance Programme records, hearing from Williams and Lincoln, and pursued a follow-up inquiry into women in the Armed Forces. In parallel, it has assessed delays to the Defence Industrial Plan and its impact on defence industry capacity, whilst reviewing the MOD's Annual Report for 2024-25 with emphasis on reform priorities and undersea warfare capabilities including submarine and Bastion systems.