Reboot defence plans and halt 13 years of “hollowing out” of our
Armed Forces to keep Britain safe, Labour has challenged the
Conservatives ahead of their new defence strategy due next
month.
The Defence Secretary has admitted that the Conservatives have “hollowed
out” the UK Armed Forces. Speaking in the Commons, Wallace told
MPs in January that “I am happy to say that we’ve hollowed out
and underfunded” our Armed Forces.
Speaking at the London Defence Conference, alongside the
President of Poland and Swedish Defence Minister, Shadow Defence
Secretary will say:
“While threats increase, our ‘hollowed out’ Forces are working
with fewer troops and without vital kit they need to fight and
fulfil our NATO obligations”.
Healey will argue that the Defence Secretary must respond to the
increased threats to Britain’s security and halt this “hollowing
out” in the new Defence Command Paper by:
-
Halting Army cuts: the Conservatives have cut
the size of the Army by 25,000 fulltime troops since 2010 to
76,000. Despite increased threats from Putin’s war in Ukraine,
ministers are cutting down further to 73,000 troops by 2025 -
the smallest size of the British Army since Napoleon. Ministers
must halt more cuts now.
-
Fulfilling Britain’s NATO obligations: delays
and MOD mismanagement in vital defence contracts such as AJAX
armoured vehicles, E7 Wedgetail surveillance planes and a
modern war fighting division undermine our UK capabilities to
fulfil our full NATO obligations. Ministers must adopt Labour’s
plan for a “NATO test” of major defence programmes and
establish a stockpiles strategy to replenish reserves and
sustain support for Ukraine.
-
Renewing Britain’s contract with our Forces:
the last 13 Conservative years have corroded the nation’s moral
contract with those who service in our Armed Forces. Personnel
living in damp and moldy housing, satisfaction with service
life falling well below 50 per cent, and retention rates
dropping. Defence plans must ensure our heroes have good homes
to live in and fully incorporate the Armed Forces Covenant into
law.
On Ukraine, Healey will also say:
“UK military support for Ukraine has had - and will continue to
have – Labour’s fullest backing. There might be a change to
Labour next year, but there will be no change in Britain’s
resolve to stand with Ukraine, confront Russian aggression and
pursue Putin for his war crimes.”
After Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, Labour has argued for
defence plans to be rebooted since March 2022. But since April
2021, Labour has said ministers must halt cuts to the Army.
MP, Labour’s Shadow Defence
Secretary, said:
“The Conservatives must halt the hollowing out of our Armed
Forces to keep Britain safe.
“While threats increase, our ‘hollowed out’ Forces are working
with fewer troops and without vital kit they need to fight and
fulfil our NATO obligations. This is the failure of 13 years of
Conservative government.
“Ministers must reboot defence plans by halting army cuts,
ensuring our NATO obligations are fulfilled and renewing
Britain’s contract with our Forces.”
Ends
Notes:
-
will be speaking at the
London Defence Conference at Bush House on 23 May 2023 at
15:15pm. The event is ‘In Conversation with UK Shadow Defence
Secretary MP’. More details here.
Defence Command Paper Update - Defence Secretary, 9 May
2023
- “On 13 March 2023, the Government published the Integrated
Review Refresh. Following publication of the IR Refresh, I have
commissioned a refresh of the 2021 Defence Command Paper. It
is expected to be published in June.”
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2023-04-25.182518.h&s=%22defence+command+paper%22+%2B+june#g182518.r0
Hollowing out – Defence Secretary, January 2023
- “The deal here is quite simple: if the right hon. Gentleman
wants to be the next Defence Secretary, he should
come here and get off his chest the shortcomings of his former
Government. I am happy to say that we
have hollowed out and underfunded. Will he
do the same, or will he hide behind petty party politics?”
Army size
https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/quarterly-service-personnel-statistics-2023/quarterly-service-personnel-statistics-1-january-2023
- “The Regular Army will reduce in size to 73,000”
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/future-soldier-transforming-the-british-army
Satisfaction with service life
- The 2022 AFCAS survey showed just 45% of personnel
are satisfied with service life, while 39% reported low morale in
their unit
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1075579/Armed_Forces_Continuous_Attitude_Survey_2022_Main_Report.pdf
