Urgent need to boost defence spending, says Kemi Badenoch
Defence spending must be urgently boosted by reducing the ballooning welfare bill, Kemi Badenoch has asserted, launching a direct attack on the government for not allocating enough funds to the military amidst escalating global uncertainties, reports BritPanorama.
Badenoch’s comments follow revelations from the UK’s top military chief, Air Marshall Sir Richard Knighton, indicating a £28 billion funding gap between now and 2030. With the UK army at around 71,000 regular troops, the current capacity would struggle to send several thousand personnel to Ukraine as part of a ceasefire deal with Russia.
The Tory leader stated, “I think it is quite clear that we don’t have enough people in our army, but what we need in order to get there is to spend more money on defence.” She criticized the government for prioritizing welfare expenditure over military funding, saying, “the government isn’t spending enough. It is spending money on welfare.”
Badenoch highlighted discrepancies in government plans, noting that while there are commitments laid out for welfare spending until 2031, there are uncertainties beyond the next fiscal year regarding defence budgets.
The urgency of her remarks coincides with heightened geopolitical tensions, such as potential regime changes in Iran and threats of intervention in Greenland from Donald Trump, which could impact NATO dynamics. Recently, the UK signed a declaration to send troops to Ukraine, aiming to deter any future invasions should a peace agreement with Moscow be reached.
In addition, Badenoch expressed a desire to increase military enlistments but emphasized the need to provide clear reasons for individuals to join the armed forces. This statement comes after Reform UK leader Nigel Farage criticized the Prime Minister as “spineless” regarding defence spending, suggesting that the UK appears weak in the face of global conflicts.
Concerns about the funding shortfall have surfaced, with reports indicating that the Ministry of Defence could face swingeing cuts if the £28 billion gap is not addressed. Knighton directly communicated these financial shortages to the Prime Minister during a recent meeting.
Sir Keir Starmer has also expressed dissatisfaction, believing the strategic defence review was inadequately costed, complicating funding strategies. The Prime Minister, who announced plans to spend 2.5 per cent of national income on defence by 2027, is under pressure to escalate that commitment to 3.5 per cent by 2035 following demands from the United States.
While spending on health and disability benefits is projected to rise from £65 billion to £100 billion by 2029, the government plans to reduce costs by £5 billion, although these efforts were thwarted by a Labour rebellion over the summer. The Conservative Party claims to have identified £23 billion in savings through welfare cuts, impacting benefits and focusing on treatment for mental health conditions.
Defence Minister Luke Pollard countered Badenoch’s assertions, accusing the Conservatives of misleading the public about defence funding. He criticized the party’s historical underfunding of the Armed Forces, alleging that morale and national safety have suffered as a result.
The debate over defence spending amidst growing global challenges reflects significant tensions in UK political discourse, demanding careful consideration of military readiness and welfare priorities.
The ongoing discussions surrounding military funding reveal deep-seated tensions between welfare priorities and national security imperatives. As geopolitical landscapes shift, the UK government’s approach may need to adapt, reflecting the realities of 21st-century threats.
