Former British Army chiefs have warned that the Government's defence spending plans lack urgency, following Chancellor John Healey's pledge to spend 3% of GDP on defence by 2030. The warning came after Defence Secretary Wes Streeting insisted the Government is doing "as much as we can, as fast as we can" to boost defence funding.
Budget Pledges and Spending Review Delay
During Wednesday's Budget, Chancellor John Healey plugged a £4.7 billion black hole in the defence investment plan, a blueprint that takes Britain's defence spending to 2.7% of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2027. He also pledged to spend 3% of GDP on defence by 2030 as a stepping stone towards fulfilling Britain's commitment to Nato to reach 3.5% by 2035.
However, the Chancellor confirmed that details of where this money will come from won't be revealed until the spending review, currently scheduled for next autumn.
Former Chiefs Criticise 'Creative Accounting'
Lord Dannatt, who served as chief of the general staff between 2006 and 2009, told The Telegraph: "Once again the Government is using 'creative accounting' instead of finding real money. Russia is serious, we are not. Deterring aggression by being prepared for war is the best way to keep this country safe. Find the money now, don't kick the can down the track for another year."
General Sir Peter Wall, who held the position from 2010 to 2014, cautioned that the armed forces are "hobbled by dismal resources" and stated that investment to rebuild them is "long overdue". "3% by 2030 won't deliver proper capability uplift much before 2035. We have no idea how or when that money will be spent. It's an aspiration, not a commitment. The lack of strategic urgency is shocking and will only embolden our opponents."
MPs and Defence Secretary Respond
Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, chairman of the Commons Defence Committee, warned MPs that waiting any longer for further details was unacceptable. He argued that key decisions on defence spending have "lamentably been delayed" until next year's spending review, insisting there is a "cost to inaction".
Mr Streeting hit back on BBC Breakfast, stating: "I think we are doing as much as we can, as fast as we can. The biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War." He also hinted that other areas of Government spending could face tough restrictions in order to bolster defence funding.
