Your current location:HOME >style >Labour refuses to commit to matching Rishi Sunak's defence spending pledge of 2.5% of GDP by 2030 正文
TIME:2024-05-21 15:03:48 Source: Internet compilationEdit:style
Labour came under fire yesterday for refusing to commit to match the Government's plans to spend 2.5
Labour came under fire yesterday for refusing to commit to match the Government's plans to spend 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence by 2030.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps questioned why Sir Keir Starmer would not back the plan, revealed by the Prime Minister this week, despite claiming his 'changed' party would 'never shut its eyes to the threats our country faces'.
John Healey, the shadow defence secretary, said he shared the Government's 'ambition' to increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent but claimed the timeline set out was not fully funded.
And Emily Thornberry, the shadow attorney general, said Labour would only raise spending to 2.5 per cent 'when circumstances allow'.
She said: 'You wouldn't expect me to come on and say that we could spend £75 billion by 2030 without having a plan as to where we were going to get the money from.'
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps questioned why Sir Keir Starmer would not back the plan
On Tuesday, Rishi Sunak promised to reach 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2030, spending more than £75 billion extra on defence over the next six years compared with current levels
On Tuesday, Rishi Sunak promised to reach 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2030, spending more than £75 billion extra on defence over the next six years compared with current levels.
It was a victory for the Mail's Don't Leave Britain Defenceless campaign, launched after there was no new defence cash in last month's Budget. The commitment will be funded by slashing 72,000 civil service jobs — and Mr Shapps said he wanted 'people on the front line, not in the offices'.
Labour has promised to conduct a strategic defence and security review in its first year in office to assess the resources required to meet the threats facing the UK.
In the Commons, Mr Healey accused the Government of producing a 'fake figure' of £75 billion as he questioned how the increase in defence spending will be funded.
'If this 2030 plan had been in a budget, it would have been independently checked, openly costed, and fully funded,' he told MPs. 'So where is the additional money coming from? How much from which other R&D (research and development) budgets? How much from cutting how many civil servants in which departments?'
But Mr Shapps accused the shadow defence secretary of spending 'all his time explaining-or rather, avoiding explaining-why Labour is not backing 2.5 per cent, which has a schedule, a timescale and figures that have been published'.
Labour has promised to conduct a strategic defence and security review in its first year in office to assess the resources required to meet the threats facing the UK
'It is no good for him and the Leader of the Opposition to go up to Barrow and to claim that they are all in favour now of the nuclear defence, because they stood on a platform with a leader who wanted to scrap Trident, pull us out of NATO, and turn the army into a peace corps,' he added.
Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer, meanwhile, accused Labour of refusing to back the plan, adding: 'Instead, they want to spend years holding a review as the world gets more dangerous while refusing to act to keep the British people safe.
'This is the same old Labour Party that sent our Armed Forces into battle with appalling equipment. The idea they can be trusted on defence – only a few years after trying to put Jeremy Corbyn into Downing Street – is absurd.'
A fortnight ago, Sir Keir – in an article for the Daily Mail – insisted his party is now 'utterly committed to our nation's defences'. He described his commitment to Nato and the UK's nuclear deterrent as 'unshakeable'.
Minnesota Uber and Lyft driver pay package beats deadline to win approval in Legislature2024-05-21 14:54
Mississippi ex2024-05-21 14:38
Teacher Appreciation Week: Schools subsidize on2024-05-21 14:20
Penske suspends Cindric, 3 others ahead of the Indianapolis 5002024-05-21 13:46
I was 'brokefished' by my friend for £4002024-05-21 13:39
Wisconsin wedding barns sue over state's new liquor law requiring licensing2024-05-21 13:19
Greg Norman and Phil Mickelson make for an interesting week on LIV Golf2024-05-21 13:11
I'm an ER doctor2024-05-21 13:10
Nuggets blow 202024-05-21 12:48
Rain cheque: The Singapore hotel that will pay YOU if there's a downpour2024-05-21 12:23
Who is Jacob Zuma, the former South African president disqualified from next week's election?2024-05-21 13:52
Anguish as Kenya's government demolishes houses in flood2024-05-21 13:51
Teacher Appreciation Week: Schools subsidize on2024-05-21 13:45
Boy Scouts of America changes name after 114 years to 'boost inclusion'2024-05-21 13:42
Brazil replaces injured goalkeeper Ederson in Copa America squad2024-05-21 13:11
Woman identified as person killed in fall at daughter's Ohio State graduation2024-05-21 13:07
Irina Shayk shines in a Swarovski gown at the 2024 Met Gala2024-05-21 13:05
Belarus launches nuclear drills a day after Russia announces them, with Ukraine in mind2024-05-21 12:43
Lynn Williams breaks NWSL goal2024-05-21 12:22
Pope Francis appoints new bishop in Tennessee after former bishop's resignation under pressure2024-05-21 12:19