No 10 hints at end to defence budget cuts

DEFENCE spending could be increased following a ferocious Tory backlash, Downing Street hinted last night.

Ministers appeared to be clearing the way for a potential climbdown after 30 Conservative MPs warned they would not support further cuts.

MPs lined up in the Commons yesterday to urge new Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson to go into battle with the Treasury over his budget.

Mr Williamson, who was appointed to the role following the resignation of Sir Michael Fallon this month, yesterday said the Government’s pledge to spend 2 per cent of income on defence was ‘a base’ rather than a ‘ceiling’.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman later told reporters that Theresa May shared his analysis. Ministers have come under mounting pressure from Tory backbenchers following reports that the Armed Forces could be squeezed as national security spending moves over to protecting the UK from cyber threats.

Tory MP James Gray said a review of national security should not be used ‘as some sort of camouflage to cut our services’. He warned Mr Williamson the Government would face a ‘very substantial rebellion’ if there was any attempt to trim spending.

His colleague Johnny Mercer said 30 of his fellow MPs were prepared to ‘hold the Government’s feet to the fire’ over defence spending. The former Army officer said the public were also not prepared to see the Armed Forces slashed to ‘something the size of Belgium’. Mr Mercer said he had ‘made it very clear’ to the Prime Minister and Chancellor that a significant group of MPs were ‘not prepared to see a further degradation in this country’s military’.

‘When it comes to defence, you pay what is necessary to keep people safe,’ he said. ‘Everyone knows the Government has got a fairly small majority. Some of us are prepared to stand firm on this.’

Julian Lewis, Tory chairman of the Commons defence committee, urged Mr Williamson to push for defence spending to be raised to 3 per cent of GDP.

Mr Williamson replied: ‘ I’ve always seen 2 per cent as a base as against a ceiling, and I will certainly be taking on board his thoughts and comments.’

Former Foreign Office minister Sir Hugo Swire urged Mr Williamson to lobby the Treasury to return spending on the Trident nuclear deterrent to its historical home in the Cabinet Office – a move that would free up £500million a year for conventional forces. Sir Hugo said defence spending had been ‘pared back about as far as it can be’ and the inclusion of Trident in the Ministry of Defence budget ‘distorted’ spending priorities.

Mr Williamson indicated he would take up the issue with the Treasury, but No 10 later said it was not aware of any plans to change the status of Trident spending, which has been part of the MoD budget since 2010.

The MoD has drawn up a string of drastic proposals to tackle a looming cash crisis, including scrapping amphibious capability.