James Cartlidge has written to the Defence Secretary John Healey to ask for urgent clarity on Labour’s defence spending plans

James Cartlidge MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Defence, has written to the Defence Secretary John Healey to ask for urgent clarity on Labour’s defence spending plans.

James Cartlidge's letter to Defence Secretary John Healey

Rt Hon John Healey MP

Secretary of State for Defence

Ministry of Defence

Whitehall

SWIA 2HB

9t July 2024

Dear Secretary of State,

Firstly, may I congratulate you on your appointment. I look forward to working with you where it is in the national interest, particularly on ensuring that our support for Ukraine remains absolute.

I am specifically writing to you, on the 75th anniversary of the foundation of NATO, to express my sincere concerns regarding your Government's lack of clarity on its defence spending plans.

In April 2024, the then-Conservative government committed to increase UK defence spending to 2.5% by 2030.

This clear pledge, fully funded and with an accompanying time frame for delivery, is something that the Conservative Party maintained throughout the election campaign.

As you will be aware, the Labour Party has never matched this pledge or set out a way to fund an increase in defence spending, at a time where the world is at its most dangerous for a generation.

1 am therefore writing to you to ask a clear and simple question. Can you confirm by when Labour plans to reach 2.5% spending on defence?

Making such a dear commitment is vital for our national security.

Our armed forces need the certainty and clarity on their funding in order to plan and prepare for the future. It is necessary to prepare everything from accommodation and benefits for service personnel to ensuring that they are equipped with the latest capabilities, equipment and technology.

Additionally, as part of our commitment to 2.5%, the Conservative government factored in more aid to support our Ukrainian allies, another element which requires a cast iron guarantee on spending.

And tomorrow the Prime Minister will arrive at an all-important NATO summit, where our NATO counterparts and allies will be looking to us for certainty and leadership - which can only be provided if our nation is transparent about its defence spending plans.

You have previously made clear that defence of the realm must be an absolute priority for any government. Therefore, it is high time that you make dear to the country what your plans are on defence spending, and if you are truly committed to 2.5% then you must urgently clarify by when your government aims to achieve this?

Anything less than this will cast serious doubt on your apparent commitment to this nation's security.

I lock forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

James Cartlidge MP

Shadow Secretary of State for Defence

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