Defence budget demand

Sir Michael Fallon has called for an increase in defence funding as his ministry announced a £1 billion support package for the Royal Navy.

The Defence Secretary told delegates Britain should aim to “do better” than meeting its 2 per cent of GDP Nato target, putting pressure on Chancellor Philip Hammond ahead of the budget.

Sir Michael earlier told journalists: “we are going to grow the defence budget”. His comments came as the MOD announced a Common Support Model that “will produce faster turnaround and improve the availability” of Royal Navy warships and new aircraft carriers, keeping them at sea for longer periods.