Military promised extra £800m funding
Government agrees to bolster Britain’s defence capability – but cuts may still have to be made
The military budget will include an extra £800 million in the next financial year, but defence chiefs will still have to make cuts. According to sources, Theresa May and Philip Hammond have told the Defence Secretary they are prepared to provide more money based on the results of this year’s defence review. Meanwhile, it was announced that Gen Sir Nick Carter, the head of the Army, who recently warned that Britain could not keep up with Russian military advances, will be the next Chief of the Defence Staff.
THE Prime Minister and the Chancellor have agreed to pump more money into Britain’s military budget, but defence chiefs will still have to make cuts.
According to sources, Theresa May and Philip Hammond have told Gavin Williamson, the Defence Secretary, that they are prepared to provide more money based on the results of this year’s defence review.
The disclosure came as Mrs May announced the Treasury would release £600 million contingency funds to cover the rising costs of new Dreadnought submarines for Britain’s nuclear deterrent. Mrs May added that, combined with a £200million “carry forward”, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) would have an extra £800million in the next financial year.
A Whitehall source said: “We have had a commitment from the Prime Minister and Chancellor that extra money will be available for defence pending the Modernising Defence Programme [defence review] – provided we have got our house in order and are tightening up our expenses and that we are efficient.”
The Treasury declined to comment on any agreement to increase funding in the Autumn Budget, but Mr Hammond said: “Our commitment to defence and national security is unwavering.”
Rising costs of equipment and a struggle to find savings mean the Ministry of Defence faces a shortfall of up to £20billion over the next decade.
Mrs May spoke as it was announced that Gen Sir Nick Carter, the head of the Army, who has led sweeping reforms and recently warned that Britain could not keep up with Russian military advances, will be the next head of the Armed Forces.
He takes over as Chief of the Defence Staff from Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach in June.
The former infantry officer was the chief architect of the Army 2020 restructuring plan following the cost-cutting defence review that saw 20,000 soldier posts axed. He has since tried to stem a recruitment crisis that is seeing the Army shrink by around 1,500 troops a year, and has brought in more flexible working conditions.
While his supporters have praised his understanding of modern conflict and his desire to open up the Army to more women and ethnic minorities, his critics accuse him of arrogance and ignoring the views of others.
Sir Nick’s appointment comes two months after he warned in a lecture that Britain could not keep up with Russian advances and the Kremlin could initiate hostilities “sooner than we expect”.
A Whitehall source said: “We see Nick as a really good choice. He’s outspoken about the need for cash for defence and is really alive to the threats posed by Russia.”