Statement: The Prime Minister’s Announced Plans for Defence Spending
Adam Dance MP: Statement on the Prime Minister’s Announced Plans for Defence Spending
Three years on from Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, it is clear the world we live in has become increasingly unstable. As such, I welcome the Prime Minister’s statement today.
My Liberal Democrat colleagues and I fully support raising defence spending to 2.5% of GDP as a minimum, as quickly as possible. We hope today's announcement will mean the rapid reversal of the Conservative Party's shortsighted and irresponsible decision to cut our Armed Forces by 10,000 troops.
I am, however, concerned about the proposed cuts to the UK’s spending on development assistance from 0.5 percent to 0.3 percent of GNI by 2027. Defence, diplomacy and development must go hand in hand if we want a secure, influential and prosperous UK. I fear that further weakening the UK's soft power abroad will only play into the hands of Russia and China. I have tabled a Written Parliamentary question to the Foreign Secretary asking whether he will protect important areas of development aid spending, such as on vaccines and disease prevention, which is vital to protecting public health in the UK.
We Liberal Democrats have set out how the rise to 2.5% could be funded fairly, by increasing the tax on social media firms and other tech giants. As Ed Davey said today, we must also do more to ensue frozen Russian assets go to financially supporting Ukraine’s, and therefore our own, defence.
Given the threat to our security posed by Putin and Trump, the Government must go further and bring all parties together to agree an increase to 3% of GDP as soon as possible. I was pleased to see consensus on this across much of the House. We need to ensure cross-party discussions continue this vital issue and that is why I was grateful the Prime Minister has reaffirmed his commitment to Parliamentary scrutiny of increased spending on defence, including on the most sensitive areas.
By cosying up to Putin and parroting his propaganda, Donald Trump is threatening to betray not only our Ukrainian allies, but the British people and the whole of Europe. I believe the UK must take the lead in Europe, working with our allies across the continent to strengthen Europe’s defence capabilities and support for Ukraine. This is key to the safety and security of us all and is something we Liberal Democrats will continue to push for in Parliament.
Yeovil has an important role to play in Britain’s defence. I was pleased to see the Prime Minister recognise the vital opportunity an increase in defence spending creates for British businesses and jobs in the defence sector. For example, Leonardo and the three and a half thousand people it employs in Yeovil can provide British built next-generation defence and security equipment to keep our nation secure. I will continue to urge the Government to back businesses in Yeovil as it seeks to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP and above. That is why I have tabled several parliamentary questions asking the Secretary of State for Defence to consider accelerating the introduction into service of the New Medium helicopter and what role domestic suppliers in Yeovil can play as we increase our defence capabilities. I’ve also written personally to Maria Eagle, Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, requesting a meeting to discuss the role businesses in Yeovil can play in the rise in defence spending.
I will continue to hold the Government to account on its commitments and ensure the voice of the people of Yeovil are heard in Westminster.
Adam J Dance MP
Member of Parliament for Yeovil
E: adam.dance.mp.@parliament.uk