Vernon Coaker MP, Labour’s Shadow Defence Secretary, responding to Philip Hammond’s statement on defence procurement in the House of Commons, said:
 
“This is another embarrassing and costly u-turn. A combination of incompetence and arrogance has led to the collapse of the Government’s flagship proposal for the reform of defence procurement and wasted millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money.
 
“It’s clear that the Government’s plans for much-needed reform of defence procurement are in disarray. The Defence Reform Bill has already passed through the Commons, but now Philip Hammond is having to announce to MPs a previously unheard of proposal which hasn’t been subject to any scrutiny or discussion.
 
“Labour supports reform to the way in which Britain’s defence procurement is run. It’s clear that this can be best done through a DE&S+ model. We also agree with the Government’s defence reform tsar, Lord Levene, who said this needs to be developed to the very highest standard, and embrace employment and pay freedoms.
 
“Labour wants the best of the private sector to work alongside the best of the public sector. The Government should get on with making that happen.”