Forces cash cuts ‘risk credibility’
OUR status as a “credible military power” is at risk unless ministers boost funding, a former Royal Navy commander warns.
Rear Admiral Alex Burton spoke as a £20billion defence budget black hole over the next decade sparked fears of fresh cuts.
He said: “If you do not spend more on defence, we put at risk the fact that we are a credible military power, and from that we put at risk our position on the global stage.”
He demanded an extra £7billion for the £37billion annual budget – lifting it from the NATO minimum of 2% of GDP to about 2.5%.
Shadow Defence Secretary Nia Griffith said his words were a “wake-up call” but the Treasury insisted defence cash was growing.