General Election: Conservative manifesto promises rise in defence MoD, Royal Navy, RAF and Army spending - how

Prime minister Rishi Sunak’s commitment to raise military funds to 2.5 per cent of GDP was reaffirmed in the Tory manifesto today, but would only be possible if sacrifices were made elsewhere. The Conservative Party said the civil service would be reduced to pre-pandemic levels to meet the defence spending target.

It adds the party also wants to halve the amount of taxpayers’ money spent on external consultants and “introduce controls on all ‘equality, diversity and inclusion’ initiatives and spending.” The manifesto said a further 25,000 civil servants would be moved outside London. Other pledges include halving migration every year, introducing a migration cap and making gradual cuts to national insurance.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt previously said defence spending would be increased when economic conditions allow. Calls from former top brass, defence specialists, serving politicians and former secretaries of state for defence to increase funds for the armed forces have been growing louder in recent months. Tensions have been growing worldwide with the conflict continuing to rage in Gaza, repeated attacks on ships in the Red Sea by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels and Russia’s continued invasion of Ukraine.

Defence secretary Grant Shapps previously described the UK as being in a “pre-war” world, adding the government remains committed to bolstering the armed forces. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the pledges made by the current government are presented in a “Jeremy Corbyn-style manifesto” that will load everything into the wheelbarrow” without explaining how to pay for it.

Speaking at Whale Hill Primary School in Middlesbrough, he added: “The money isn’t there, it is a recipe for five more years of chaos.” Mr Sunak, of Southampton, garnered severe criticism from opposition politicians, veterans and members of his own party after not attending part of the D-Day commemorations in Normandy last week - being forced to apologise.

Daisy Cooper, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, said: “Rishi Sunak got one thing right in this speech: people are frustrated with him and the Conservative Party. This manifesto isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on. No one will believe anything they’re promising today.”