Defence cuts provide a sense of where Labour’s priorities lie
The global context matters.
The UK is scrapping warships, helicopters and a fleet of drones, just as threats abroad ramp up.
Ukraine has fired UK-developed Storm Shadow missiles into Russia, a source has told Sky News. Vladimir Putin’s nuclear sabre-rattling reached a new and dangerous level.
Ukraine war latest: Storm Shadow fired into Russia for first time
Is this the moment for defence cuts?
“Labour have made their choices, they own the consequences”, shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge, shot over the despatch box today.
Defence Secretary John Healey says the decision is “overdue”, and the Ministry of Defence needs to keep pace with modern technology.
It is perhaps worth noting he was backed up somewhat by former Tory defence minister James Heappey who posted on X to say the decision is “not necessarily the end of the world”.
The reality is there are limited funds and a not insignificant choice has been made today.
Expensive equipment has not just been put in the deep freeze to be reinstated should it be needed but taken out of service altogether. The decision is expected to save half a billion pounds.
Mr Healey hinted at reform and modernisation in the army.
An additional £3bn was pledged for defence in the budget, but as a one-off top-up payment rather than a long-term funding settlement.
Then of course there is the question of 2.5%. Labour have said their goal is to spend 2.5% of GDP on defence, but have not committed to a date. They won’t confirm if they will get there by the end of parliament in 2029.
The Conservatives see the commitment as a key dividing line: they have pledged 2.5% by 2030.
And pressure on defence spending is sure to mount.
The prime minister’s time at the G20 in Brazil was overshadowed not just by questions about Storm Shadow missiles but by the looming return of Donald Trump.
The president-elect has made clear his views on NATO and the need for countries to step up on defence.
The UK spends above the NATO 2% target, and more than many other countries, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be uncomfortable questions amid claims the UK’s military capabilities have been hollowed out in recent years.
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The Strategic Defence Review is expected soon, it will outline the current state of the armed forces and government’s defence priorities.
Today we got a sense of what those priorities might and might not be.