Unprecedented cuts Conservatives have made to defence since 2010 – Nia Griffith

Nia Griffith MP, Labour’s Shadow Defence Secretary, responding to the Defence Select Committee’s report ‘Shifting the Goalposts? Defence Expenditure and the 2% Pledge: An Update’, which shows that MoD spending has been cut by 25% since 2010, said:

“It is hypocrisy of the highest order for both candidates for the Conservative leadership to talk of boosting defence spending when they have consistently voted for budgets, which have slashed the MoD’s funds to what they are today.

“This report highlights the severe and unprecedented cuts that the Conservatives have made to defence since 2010. Instead of considering what is necessary for our defence and security needs, Conservative Ministers have delivered crippling austerity which has put unprecedented strain on the men and women of our Armed Forces.

“You cannot do security on the cheap. The next Labour government will ensure that our armed forces are properly equipped and resourced to respond to wide-ranging security challenges.”