Government Defence Spending: A shocking dereliction of duty

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

Responding to reports that the Chancellor is increasing defence spending by less than £10 billion over the next four years, Liberal Democrat Defence Spokesperson James MacCleary MP: 

“This is a shocking dereliction of duty. To offer less than £10 billion over four years is nowhere near good enough at a time when Britain faces the greatest threats in a generation. The Government is clearly clueless about how to raise defence spending and ensure the safety of our nation.

“The country is already unable to meet our existing NATO commitments or provide an adequate baseline defence of the UK. Our nation’s defence is not an optional extra and the Chancellor must stop treating it like one.

“The Government must get serious about rearming Britain. Liberal Democrats are calling for the immediate launch of Defence Bonds to raise £20 billion over two years and begin repairing the damage dealt to our Armed Forces by the Conservatives. It's also beyond time that the Government heeded Liberal Democrat calls for cross-party talks to reach a consensus on how to spend 3% of GDP on defence by 2030, ending this era of defence stagnation."

ENDS