Conservative response to John Healy not being able to correctly confirm the number of active UK warships

James Cartlidge MP, Shadow Defence Secretary, said:

“At a time of war in Europe and the Middle East, it is truly extraordinary that the Secretary of State for Defence doesn't seem to know how many ships the Royal Navy has.

“This farce has serious consequences – Labour ministers didn't have a single warship in the Middle East for the first time in decades, just as war was starting. Meanwhile, they have failed to deliver promised NATO commitments and instead have had to rely on Germany to meet our obligations in the Atlantic Ocean and Baltic Sea.

“All this on the day it was confirmed there will be no Defence Investment Plan before Parliament breaks before Easter.

“This is a complete shambles and it is not good enough to blame the past, Labour have got to take responsibility. It was Starmer's decision to prioritise welfare over Defence spending, forcing the MOD into a penny-pinching posture which is why they've slashed ship availability. The PM owns what is happening now.

“A cash crunch and a car crash interview from John Healey is a long way from what our armed forces need right now. The men and women who serve our nation deserve far, far better.”