'Unfair!': Streeting clashes with Labour MP who criticised 'lamentable delay' on Royal Navy defence spending
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It was announced that a path towards meeting armed forces spending targets will be set out in the Spending Review next year, but this was too far off for some
Vital armed forces spending plans is causing a rift in the Labour Party as the defence secretary lashed out at criticism from a committee chair.
Wes Streeting accused defence select committee chair Tan Dhesi of holding ‘unfair’ opinions about over the timeline of spending rises. Chancellor John Healey announced in the Budget on Wednesday that a path towards spending three per cent of GDP on defence by 2030 will be set out in next year’s Spending Review.
This will also be the same for the UK’s commitment to Nato to reach 3.5 per cent by 2035. Some senior figures, including Strategic Defence Review author Lord Robertson and current Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte praised the announcement, but Tan Dhesi was less impressed.
Having previously described the shrinking Royal Navy frigate force amid Russia’s emboldened activity in the High North as a “wake up call”, he went on the offensive following the announcements. The Labour MP for Slough said: “The Defence Committee is pleased that the Defence Investment Plan has been fully funded in the Budget, but we had hoped to see the Chancellor set out a precise pathway to spending three per cent - and eventually 3.5 per cent - of GDP on defence.
“Instead, some of the key decisions on defence spending have lamentably been delayed until next year’s spending review. There is a cost to inaction. Investment in our nation’s defence and security cannot be kicked into the long grass. Our adversaries are not bound by fiscal years and spending cycles.
“We need to urgently rebuild our capabilities now, or we risk leaving ourselves seriously vulnerable in the event of a major conflict. It will take more than promises for the Government to transform its ambitions into reality. The UK public is unwavering in its support of Ukraine, and I and the committee welcome today’s announcement of continuing support for Ukraine.”
Mr Streeting fired back and said the comments were “completed unfounded”. “I don’t care if he’s the chair of the Defence Select Committee, and I’d say it directly to the chair of the committee, and I’m sure I’ll get the chance to,” he added.
“It would be fair criticism if this Government had not already made decisions that is leading to the fastest increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War. Not in future years, already, on the basis of our first two years. And – the chair of the select committee is a good friend – and I’m sure just as I can take his criticism on the chin, he will take mine. I will gladly accept criticism where I think it’s fair, but I will robustly reject it where I think it is wrong.”
The Budget set out various measures including £10bn of support for Ukraine and addressing the £4.7bn spending gap in the Defence Investment Plan. Mr Healey mentioned several areas which would see reindustrialisation through the defence sector, but Portsmouth and the south coast were noticeably absent from this speech.
Prime minister Andy Burnham previously promised to support the city and its defence industries during a recent visit to HMNB Portsmouth. Portsmouth North MP Amanda Martin said concerns were “nonsense” given £3.9bn worth of investment into naval base upgrades through Project Royal Oak. She added that Mr Burnham’s commitments were made clear following his visit.
Gosport MP Dame Caroline Dinenage, Conservative, disagrees. She said: “The Chancellor delayed important decisions on defence spending until next year whilst our ships are holed up in HMNB Portsmouth and the service accommodation in Gosport crumbles. He ducked the tough choices necessary to hit our Nato targets.
“The Government recently showed that it is willing to postpone defence spending, with £800m of upgrades to service accommodation being kicked into the long grass. Without specific mention of Gosport or the Portsmouth area it isn't clear that commitments on much needed upgrades will be met."