Our extra billions on defence will secure peace through strength …and more jobs

MAKE no mistake, the world has changed. We face a new era of global instability. And we will meet that threat with a decisive boost to our brave Armed Forces — to make Britain stronger, safer and more secure. I know Sun readers will agree that national security is the first duty of government.

That is why it is the foundation of our Plan for Change. As Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said, this is a once-in-a-generation moment, where we must step up. And we will. It is why our Government has already committed an additional £3billion to the Defence budget.

And it is why yesterday, the Prime Minister set out the most significant investment in our nation’s defences since the end of the Cold War. It means spending 2.5 per cent of GDP in 2027 — an additional £13.4billion. And we plan to go further, subject to economic conditions, by spending 3 per cent in the next parliament.

To do this, while delivering on other priorities such as rebuilding our NHS, we will reduce spending on overseas aid. Because in this changed world, the priority must be strengthening our hard power. Making Britain secure at home and strong abroad means a safer world, deterring conflict and preventing the huge economic and human costs that wars create. Peace through strength.

The threats we now face are more serious and less predictable than at any time in a generation. Russian aggression is a threat that goes well beyond Ukraine’s borders. Technology is changing the nature of conflict. Three years ago, Putin’s illegal, unprovoked, full-scale invasion of Ukraine upended the world.

To this day, the people of Ukraine show incredible courage and resilience in standing up to Russia. This Government is fully committed to keeping Ukraine’s forces in the fight for their freedom. The British public know what is at stake — and not just for Ukraine.

The threat Russia poses to our way of life is real and growing. They know Putin is responsible for assassinations on our streets, spy ships in our waters and cyber attacks on our NHS. And they know that across the world, we have more disorder and danger than at any time in a generation.

To face this, and deliver a stronger, safer Britain, we are backing our brave Armed Forces after years of hollowing out under the last Conservative government. Let’s not forget that the last Conservative government cut defence spending by a fifth in their first term, left troop morale at record lows, and wasted billions as they mismanaged major procurement programmes.

So, top of the list of our priorities is looking after the outstanding men and women who make up our Armed Forces. One of my first acts as Defence Secretary was to award a long-overdue and well-deserved pay rise — the largest in over 20 years — to serving personnel.

And this Government will continue do what is right by the people who put themselves in harm’s way for us and will make sure they have what they need to protect our nation. This is also an opportunity to harness technological change and make defence an engine for British growth, innovation and jobs.

We will ensure the benefits of this historic boost to defence spending will be felt by working people across every nation and region of Britain. Government defence spending already supports more than 400,000 British jobs. This investment boost will give defence companies of all sizes confidence for the future, leading to the creation of more well-paid, high-skilled, meaningful jobs.

More young people will be offered apprenticeships and a route to a better life. As well as growing the economy, we will reform defence to tackle waste and ensure the taxpayer is getting value for every pound spent. Because it is not just how much we spend that matters, but how well we spend it.

That is why in his first few days in office, the Prime Minister launched a Strategic Defence Review, to assess the threats we face and the capabilities we need. As the nature of warfare changes every day on the battlefields of Ukraine, the Strategic Defence Review will map out a new era for UK defence — with a return to warfighting readiness and a Nato-first approach.

The UK has contributed more to Nato than any other European ally. Our commitment is unshakeable. Labour played a central role in Nato’s creation. Seventy-five years on, the grave threat to freedom and democracy means that we must step up once more. For years, politicians talked tough on defence.

Our Government is taking action. It will mean our servicemen and women are better supported and it will mean more British jobs and a stronger economy. Our Labour Government is proud of Britain and proud of our Armed Forces. And we are taking the bold action needed to make Britain better defended.