MP: Defence spending must increase
During an Urgent Question in the House of Commons today on the state of the Armed Forces, John asked,
“The first duty of any Government is to ensure defence spending reflects the threats faced rather than the country’s ability to pay. I chair the 1922 Backbench Defence Committee, and backbenchers are in favour of increasing defence spending. What does the Minister think it will take to increase defence spending?”
The Minister for Defence Procurement, Rt Hon James Cartlidge MP, responded that the Prime Minister, while Chancellor, oversaw the largest increase in defence spending since the Cold War. The Government is committed to raising defence spending to 2.5% of GDP once the financial situation allows.
John said afterwards,
“Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine should have jolted us into remembering that defence spending is not a luxury. There are real threats out there, and they must be countered when they arise. The Royal Navy is protecting the Red Sea trade route, where Houthi attacks are directly leading to price rises in our shops.”
“The Government, whether Conservative, Labour or Coalition, must grasp the nettle on defence spending and match spending commitments to the threats that we face.”
