Defence budget must be balanced across the armed forces

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Defence budget must be balanced across the armed forces

Responding to General Sir Nick Carter’s comments on the armed forces’ need for more funding, Prospect deputy general secretary Garry Graham, said:



Ministry of Defence sign

“Prospect has consistently been arguing that defence spending needs to be increased for the UK to keep pace with international developments in order to respond to existing, emerging and new threats.

“This unprecedented call for more funding is welcome, but the government must get the balance right to ensure we have the sovereign capacity and capability that our armed forces need to keep us safe. 

“As part of this we need a coherent and meaningful industrial strategy to support and enable the UK defence sector.

“There is no point robbing Peter to pay Paul in an area like this. Priorities must include ensuring the UK’s capacity to build and maintain its own equipment in all areas from cyberwarfare, tanks, ships and aircraft. 

“The government must listen to the armed forces, the industry, the workforce, the public and their own MPs and do what is right for the defence industry and for Britain.”