Largest Defence Investment since the end of the Cold War

Eddisbury MP Edward Timpson CBE has welcomed new defence funding, which will help protect our country, and bring tens of thousands of jobs to every corner of the Union of the UK.

This the largest investment in the nation’s defence in the last three decades, providing our defence budget with an extra £24.1 billion over the next four years.

The commitment will allow the Government to invest in cutting-edge technology, positioning the UK as a global leader in domains such as cyber and space, and cement the UK’s position as the largest defence spender in Europe—and the second largest in NATO.

Over each of the next four years, this funding will help create 10,000 new jobs, through investment in our world-leading defence industry and revitalising British shipbuilding.

These jobs will reflect the expertise and ingenuity of British people both inside and outside our Armed Forces, harnessing the UK’s skills in construction and science, and reinvigorating those vital industries.

Eddisbury MP Edward Timpson CBE said:

“I am a firm supporter of our Armed Forces: that’s why I am delighted that we are providing them with the largest financial boost since the Cold War, while both meeting and exceeding our manifesto commitment to increase defence spending.

“This is also good news for constituencies across the country like Eddisbury, which will not only benefit from the security this investment will bring our country, but also the jobs and prosperity the direct and indirect investment will bring to our defence industry and its supply chains.

“This shows once again that the Conservatives remain the only party that actually stands up for our Armed Forces, delivering real support—not just empty words.”

The Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP, said:

“I have taken this decision in the teeth of the pandemic, because the defence of the realm must come first.

“The international situation is more perilous and more intensely competitive than at any time since the Cold War, and Britain must be true to her history and stand alongside her allies. To achieve this we need to upgrade our capabilities across the board.

“This is our chance to end the era of retreat, transform our Armed Forces, bolster our global influence, unite and level up our country, pioneer new technology, and defend our people and way of life.”

The Secretary of State for Defence, the Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP, said:

“This is excellent news for defence, and provides us with the financial certainty we need to modernise, plan for the future, and adapt to the threats we face.

“It demonstrates the Prime Minister’s recognition of how important defence is to our resilience, and to the reputation of the United Kingdom.

“This settlement secures UK jobs and livelihoods, and allows us to invest in our fantastic shipyards and aerospace industry, spreading prosperity to every corner of the UK.

“Next year represents a huge opportunity for this country, and defence will be at the forefront—creating the jobs and business opportunities that will help us build back better from the pandemic.

“Over the next few months, I will set out in more detail our ambitious agenda for defence.”

·     This funding boost will deliver over £24 billion for our nation’s defence, ensuring we keep our nation safe from the evolving international threats we face. This commitment is the largest investment in our nation’s defence since the end of the Cold War, giving our defence budget an extra £24.1 billion over the next four years.

·     This funding will create 10,000 more jobs per year over the next four years, across the whole of the UK. Spending on defence project—secured by this funding—are expected to create up to 10,000 jobs annually across the UK. These will reflect the expertise and ingenuity of British people both inside and outside our Armed Forces, harnessing the UK’s skills in construction and science, and reinvigorating those vital industries in the coming decades.

·     This funding both meets and surpasses the 2019 Conservative Party Manifesto commitment to exceed our NATO defence spending target. This funding both delivers and surpasses our manifesto promise to exceed the NATO defence spending target of 2 per cent of GDP, by providing an extra £16.5 billion in funding above that 2019 commitment.

·     This commitment will help revitalise British shipbuilding by creating and safeguarding thousands of jobs in UK shipyards. This funding has come alongside a steadfast commitment to finance the UK’s order of 8 Type 26 and 5 Type 31 frigates, which are currently being constructed on the Clyde, creating thousands of jobs.

·     The Government has also reaffirmed its commitment to build our next generation warships—the Type 32—here in the UK. Last month we committed to build three Fleet Solid Support warships, with contractual re-equipments which will ensure a significant proportion of the build and assembly work will be carried out in the UK. This commitment will create hundreds of highly skilled jobs across the UK.

·     The funding will also be used to create:

o  A National Cyber Force and Artificial Intelligence Agency to protect our people from harm. Our new Cyber Force will be a joint unit between the MoD and GCHQ, will help to protect Britons at home from cyber-attack, and will also deploy offensive capabilities against adversaries.

o  A new ‘Space Command’, with the first rocket launched from Scotland by 2022. We promised in our manifesto that we would deliver the UK’s first Space Command, based at the RAF High Wycombe. Space Command will give the UK the capability to deploy weapons and military satellites without relying on other nations.