Defence Secretary John Healey’s ‘Defence Reform’ programme doesn’t actually have a target date for its completion, despite it being touted as the “biggest reform programme in defence for 50 years”. As Guido noted last week, it hasn’t been costed either…
Defence minister Luke Pollard admitted:
“The Ministry of Defence does not have a single target date for the completion of Defence Reform. Implementation planning will begin in January 2026, and implementation will commence progressively as elements of the unified Defence Operating Model mature. Full implementation will continue throughout 2026 and beyond.”
It’s odd then that the ‘implementation’ of Defence Reform will only begin next year, given that Healey said last November he had already “launched” the programme. Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge said: “Typical Labour – all spin and no substance.” Meanwhile, 41 people are currently employed within the ‘programme’. Are they just holding fire?
