"I respect Lord Robertson, and I thank him again for carrying out the strategic [defence] review. My responsibility is to keep the British people safe, and that is a duty I take seriously. That is why I do not agree with his comments."
"While the government has committed to reach 2.5% of GDP on defence from April next year, then 3% in the next parliament, military leaders believe there is still a 28bn shortfall after years of the armed forces being hollowed out by successive administrations."
Keir Starmer rejected George Robertson's comments regarding the government's complacency on defence funding, emphasizing that defence spending is increasing. He stated that his government is addressing both defence and social security, countering claims that cuts to social security are necessary for boosting defence. Despite government commitments to increase defence spending, military leaders indicate a significant shortfall remains. Starmer acknowledged the need for a defence investment plan and defended the record of Rachel Reeves on defence spending, asserting that increases are feasible due to current fiscal decisions.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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