Britain will become a “defence industrial superpower”, Chancellor Rachel Reeves pledged as she unveiled an £11billion boost in military spending. But Rachel Reeves came under fire for providing “insufficient” funds to protect Britain against a host of rising threats. There is also concern the Government has not detailed how it will hit its ambition of spending 3% of GDP on defence.
The Chancellor claimed as she unveiled the spending review the investment would create jobs, skills and “pride” as the country invests in munitions production and upgrading nuclear submarines.
However, former Defence Secretary Sir Gavin Williamson said: “She’s a weak Chancellor economically and she is a weak Chancellor in terms of protecting Britain. It is very disappointing that she is not giving our forces the clarity that they will need in order to get the defence spending to the level that is required.”
Alan Mendoza of the Henry Jackson Society warned more investment will be needed, saying: “The uplift in defence spending we have seen is to be welcomed but it remains insufficient to deal with the multiplicity of threats the UK will increasingly face. Likewise, the commitment to creating a ‘defence industrial superpower’ is the right one, but it will similarly need supercharging with finance over a longer period.
“If the Government does not address such medium term requirements its strategy will fail.”
Former cabinet secretary Simon Case welcomed the investment to build nuclear submarines at the Barrow shipyard. The former top civil servant chairs the Barrow Delivery Board which is intended to cement the town’s role at the heart of Britain’s national security.
He told the Express: “This investment in our nuclear programme is welcome and vital after decades of underinvestment. Money into nuclear strengthens our national security and, at the same time, means great jobs and apprenticeships for thousands of workers in towns like Barrow and Derby that desperately need them.”
Malcolm Chalmers of the Royal United Services Institute said the funding settlement “offered no explanation offered as to how this is consistent with NATO’s call for all members to spend 3.5%”.
He said: “The increase is focused mainly on capital spending, with day-to-day MoD spending due to grow by only 0.7% annually in real terms. Even as production of new systems ramps up, therefore, the MoD will need to meet new efficiency targets.”
Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge said: “It became clear today Labour has no plan to increase defence spending beyond 2.5%. In fact, due to their smoke and mirrors they may not even spend the 2.5% they promised.
“This comes at the worst possible time. With our enemies rearming, now is not the time for dither and delay. Rachel Reeves should put party politics aside and back our calls to get to 3% this Parliament
The Ministry of Defence said in a statement: “[The] spending review delivers long-term investment to renew and strengthen our armed forces. And it backs the industry that stands behind them – driving jobs and growth across the UK.
“This is a new era for defence. We will make Britain secure at home, and strong abroad.”
The Ministry of Defence said in a statement: “[The] spending review delivers long-term investment to renew and strengthen our armed forces. And it backs the industry that stands behind them – driving jobs and growth across the UK.
“This is a new era for defence. We will make Britain secure at home, and strong abroad.”
