British Army cuts must be ‘halted to show resolve’

BRITISH Army cuts must be “halted” to show the UK is a leading European nation in Nato, Labour’s shadow defence secretary is set to argue.

John Healey, in a speech to be given in London today, will declare that support for Ukraine in its struggle against Russia’s invading forces will continue if Labour wins the next general election.

The shadow cabinet minister will also urge Defence Secretary Ben Wallace to announce there will be no further cuts to the army, in the update to the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy, due in the spring.

It comes as Mr Wallace last week conceded that the armed forces had been “hollowed out and underfunded” prior to a new spending settlement in 2020.

In a speech hosted by the defence and security think-tank Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), Labour said Mr Healey will challenge the government to “secure Britain as Nato’s leading European nation” and ensure the UK’s obligations to the alliance are “fulfilled in full”.

This commitment, he is expected to say, should include confirmation that further cuts to army numbers will be “halted.”

A Labour government would conduct a “Nato test” on major projects during its first 100 days to ensure Britain is on track to meet its pledges to the alliance, officials briefed.

The shadow defence secretary is set to say: “There may be a change to Labour but there will be no change to Britain’s resolve in confronting Russia’s threats, pursuing Putin’s crimes and standing with Ukraine.”