It seems nothing can convince the Chancellor of the threats facing the UK as she ploughs on with substantial welfare increases.
Treasury minister defends Chancellor’s criticism of Iran war
What will it take to jolt Rachel Reeves out of her stubborn crusade to lead Britain into peril? Seemingly a lot. War in Europe and the constant Kremlin threats of nuclear weapons didn’t convince Labour to commit to increasing defence spending.
Neither did Russian incursions into UK waters and airspace, nor did thousands of cyber attacks on the British state. The election of Donald Trump got the government to commit to raising defence on paper if not through action, with the Treasury continuing to frustrate efforts to fund defence despite Iranian-backed drones smashing into RAF bases. Reeves continues to drag her heels on financing vital modernisation to the armed forces, leaving military chiefs furious and the UK defence industry looking overseas due to government dithering.
Rachel Reeves continues her war on MoD spending (Image: -)
Reeves is blind to the threats staring us in the face (Image: Getty)
Last June, the Strategic Defence Review highlighted 62 recommendations for transforming the military over the next decade to help it meet the threats of the 2030s.
The government accepted each of the recommendations, with the report’s authors saying on publication that the government’s commitment to increasing defence spending to 3% of GDP was crucial in allowing them to go as far as they did.
The Defence Investment Plan (DIP), intended to lay out how the recommendations would be funded, was due in the Autumn, then before Christmas, then in the New Year and now… Well your guess is as good as mine.
The most recent excuse, purdah rules around elections mean that the plan is unlikely to be published before May, with Reeves once more kicking defence into the long grass as our adversaries prepare at pace for war.
It is a well known secret that the delay has been caused by an inability to fund the changes required to keep us safe.
Short of releasing the cash that will allow the country to rearm and procure arms and equipment, military chiefs are being asked to find £3.5bn in savings this year, a similar figure to what has been committed by the government to removing the two child benefit cap.
Healey and Reeves are clashing over defence spending (Image: Getty)
The complacency is as shocking as it is negligent.
How much more overt do our adversaries need to be about their intentions?
How much more volatile does the world need to be before those in positions of power take the bold decisions required to maintain our security?
I am not somebody who ideologically rejects a welfare state. A state that helps people in genuine need, where it can, is a great thing. But in this day and age, are we really comfortable with the welfare bill rising by £18billion next year, a sum that could provide five frigates and have billions left over to invest in other areas?
I certainly am not but apparently the Chancellor is. Our adversaries are wasting no time in preparing for our destruction while Reeves is playing political games to delay funding for defence in the reckless, ideological pursuit of welfare for welfare’s sake.