New defence secretary Dan Jarvis ‘determined’ to get Armed Forces ‘precisely’ what they need
Britain’s new defense secretary said he was “absolutely determined” to get the Armed Forces the funding they need.
Dan Jarvis was appointed to the Cabinet post earlier this week following the shock resignation of John Healey, who accused the prime minister of insufficient funding for the Defense Investment Plan (DIP).
In his resignation letter to the prime minister on Thursday, the former defense minister said funding “remains well below what is required” and that extra support will not come until after 2030, although “the obligation to accelerate war readiness is in the first two years”.
His departure from the cabinet was quickly followed by Armed Forces minister Al Carns and Mr Healey’s parliamentary private secretary Pamela Nash MP, marking a stunning loss for Sir Keir.
Mr Jarvis said tensions over the plan continued to mount Telegram It is his duty to “keep marching forward” while trying to provide the military with “exactly what they need.”
The former soldier said: “These wonderful people serving in our Armed Forces expect us to provide that leadership and work across government to make sure they have the resources they need.”
Mr Jarvis acknowledged he faced a “challenge” at a time when “financial resources are limited” but he was determined to make it happen.
It comes as Kemi Badenoch calls on potential rivals for the Labor leadership to cut welfare costs to increase defense spending.
In his letter, which was also sent to Andy Burnham, Wes Streeting, Al Carns, Catherine West, Darren Jones and Ed Miliband, the Conservative Party leader said: “We cannot allow our military to be underfunded at a time when threats are increasing. And funding must not be restored when pressures are urgent.”
“I have made several proposals to work with you in the national interest to reduce welfare spending so that we can invest more in our defence. Sir Tony Blair, the longest-serving Labor Prime Minister, has asked you to accept them.”
“In light of the warnings of John Healey and Al Carns, I reiterate my offer today and ask that you meet with me to discuss defense financing.”
Mr Burnham also said he would cut welfare spending to boost the country’s defense budget to get Sir Keir into No 10.
While the Mayor of Manchester will face a tough by-election in Makerfield next week, he has already set out his vision for how he will increase defense funding through a 10-year approach.
His aim, he said, would be to get people off welfare and into work and move towards “a more preventative state that makes the right investments to encourage people to work”. The Times.
