UK PUBLIC CAPITAL MONITOR
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UK institutions and system

Budget 2026 evidence on public finance, defence and growth

Independent scrutiny
Authors
House of Commons Treasury Committee
Publisher
House of Commons Treasury Committee

What it examines

Three Treasury hearings examine the purpose and assessment of public financial investment. Economists distinguish defence industrial capacity from procurement. OBR witnesses explain that they did not make the comparative productive-use assessment raised by an MP. The Chancellor says whether NWF and BBB investment counts towards NATO targets depends on its use.

Why it matters

Brings together scrutiny of what the UK expects from its public financial institutions and how their contribution is assessed. The evidence contains witness views and ministerial explanations, not measured investment outcomes or a settled NATO accounting determination.

This entry groups hearings held on 3, 4 and 11 November 2026. Their transcripts were published on 4, 5 and 12 November respectively. The entry date is the latest transcript publication date. The ordered-to-publish date in each transcript is the hearing date.

Institutions and themes

British Business BankNational Wealth FundMandates and policyGovernance and accountabilityImpact and value for money

Related documents

Catalogue entry reviewed 13 Nov 2026. The summary describes the publication’s analysis; it does not establish that historical findings remain current.