MPs Demand Defence Budget Shift to Fund Counter-Disinformation Efforts
Members of Parliament have issued a strong call for the Government to significantly increase funding for the Foreign Office and the BBC World Service to combat disinformation campaigns originating abroad. The Foreign Affairs Committee has specifically recommended that additional cash should be drawn from the planned defence budget uplift to enhance resources and staffing within the Hybrid Threats Directorate.
Disinformation as the 'New Warfare'
Committee chairwoman Emily Thornberry, the Labour MP for Islington South and Finsbury, has labelled organised disinformation as the 'new warfare', warning that open liberal democracies are particularly vulnerable and acting as 'sitting ducks'. She emphasised that Russia's hybrid attacks, in particular, constitute a state of war against Western nations.
Thornberry stated: "The work of the FCDO in Eastern European countries is remarkable, but it is very disappointing to see that the FCDO lacks the resource to do more and meet the ever-increasing need elsewhere. Our report calls for an increase in funding to be drawn from the planned 5% defence and national security uplift. After all, if Russia is already conducting information warfare against the West, the UK must be ready to defend itself."
BBC World Service Funding Concerns
The committee's report criticises the decision to fund the BBC World Service through the licence fee, which has been frozen for two years, describing it as 'ill advised'. This approach has reportedly led to a reduction in the service's global footprint, with cutbacks in language services creating gaps that could be exploited by state actors.
For example, the report cites the case of the former BBC Arabic station's frequency in Lebanon being taken over by Russian state-backed broadcaster Sputnik. MPs argue that accurate, impartial news is essential to the UK's national security and overseas interests, and they urge the Government to provide the BBC World Service with a further increased funding settlement, partly sourced from the defence budget.
Defence Budget Context and Recommendations
The UK, along with other NATO allies, has committed to spending 5% of its economic output on defence by 2035, following demands by US President Donald Trump. This target comprises 3.5% on core defence and 1.5% on security and resilience measures. The committee's proposal involves reallocating some of this planned uplift to counter-disinformation efforts.
The report warns that without adequate funding, the BBC World Service will continue to contract, diminishing the UK's soft power and undermining its ability to counter information warfare. It notes that additional funding already promised for the next three years is likely to be 'flat' when adjusted for inflation, making further increases necessary.
In summary, the MPs' recommendations include:
- Boosting funding for the Foreign Office's Hybrid Threats Directorate from the defence uplift.
- Securing long-term funding for the BBC World Service to maintain its global influence.
- Addressing resource gaps that leave the UK exposed to foreign disinformation campaigns.
