Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has dismissed criticism from the Labour chair of the Defence Select Committee as “completely unfounded”, prompting accusations from the Conservatives that his remarks were “churlish” and “totally disrespectful”.
Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi had earlier said key defence decisions had been “lamentably delayed”, warning that Britain risked leaving itself “seriously vulnerable”. His comments came after Chancellor John Healey delivered his maiden Budget on Wednesday.
Streeting defends record on defence spending
During a debate on the Budget in the House of Commons on Thursday, Mr Streeting responded directly to Mr Dhesi’s assessment. He said: “I don’t care if he’s the chair of the Defence Select Committee, and I’d say it directly to the chair of the committee, and I’m sure I’ll get the chance to.”
He added: “It would be fair criticism if this Government had not already made decisions that is leading to the fastest increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War. Not in future years, already, on the basis of our first two years.”
Mr Streeting also said: “And – the chair of the select committee is a good friend – and I’m sure just as I can take his criticism on the chin, he will take mine. I will gladly accept criticism where I think it’s fair, but I will robustly reject it where I think it is wrong.”
Dhesi stands by committee position
In response, Mr Dhesi acknowledged Mr Streeting was “right” that defence spending had increased but voiced concerns that not enough is being done amid rising tensions. He told the Express: “The point that I and our House of Commons Defence Committee are making, and have consistently been making for well over a year, is whether we are investing enough, quickly enough, to build the capabilities we need to meet the threats facing our country.”
He added: “The Government has not yet set out how and when it will meet its own commitment to spend 3% of GDP on defence by 2030, and ultimately the NATO agreed 3.5% commitment by 2035. As a cross-party committee, we have a duty to raise those concerns, whichever government is in office. We stand by the position we set out yesterday.”
Budget sets defence targets
Chancellor John Healey used his Budget to confirm Britain will spend 3% of national income on defence by 2030. However, details on how this, as well as NATO’s 3.5% target by 2035, will be achieved will not be announced until next year’s spending review.
On Wednesday, Mr Dhesi said the Defence Select Committee had hoped the Chancellor would set out a “precise pathway” to achieving the goals. He added: “Instead, some of the key decisions on defence spending have lamentably been delayed until next year’s spending review. There is a cost to inaction. Investment in our nation’s defence and security cannot be kicked into the long grass. Our adversaries are not bound by fiscal years and spending cycles. We need to urgently rebuild our capabilities now, or we risk leaving ourselves seriously vulnerable in the event of a major conflict.”
Conservative criticism of Streeting
Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge described Mr Streeting’s comments about Mr Dhesi as “wholly inappropriate” and “totally disrespectful”. Shadow Defence Procurement Minister Ben Obese-Jecty claimed the minister used “entirely the wrong tone”.
Sharing a clip from the exchange in the Commons on X, the Huntingdon MP said: “A churlish and ill-tempered outing from Wes Streeting at the Despatch Box as he undermines Tan Dhesi and the Labour-chaired Defence Select Committee that holds the Defence Secretary to account.”
The debate was opened by Shadow Chancellor Andrew Griffith, who criticised the Government’s spending plans. He said Mr Healey had resigned as defence secretary under Sir Keir Starmer because the Armed Forces were not being properly funded, adding: “Yesterday, we needed decisive action, and all they delivered was a Budget of ducked decisions.”
In the Budget, Mr Healey also confirmed the Defence Investment Plan is being “fully funded” after plugging a £4.7 billion black hole.
