WES Streeting, the newly appointed UK Secretary of State for Defence, has indicated that defence spending is set to increase under the incoming Labour government, signaling a potential shift in the party’s stance amid internal debates over military funding.
Speaking at London’s Wellington Barracks during a ceremony commemorating Canada’s entry into a UK-led international consortium to develop an £8.6 billion stealth fighter jet, Streeting emphasized Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s commitment to strengthening the Armed Forces. He stated that the government’s dedication to defence “is clear and will be even more clear in the coming months,” suggesting forthcoming budgetary boosts to security initiatives.
Streeting’s remarks followed the recent appointment of John Healey as Chancellor, a move seen as positive for the Ministry of Defence. Healey resigned as Labour’s defence secretary in June, citing dissatisfaction with the former leadership’s defence spending proposals, which he described as insufficient. However, some of Healey’s proposed fundraising ideas, such as issuing war bonds to generate revenue for defence, have been rejected by Prime Minister Burnham’s administration. A spokesperson from No 10 confirmed that war bonds are not under consideration.
The government has also refrained from endorsing Healey’s previous call to raise defence expenditure to three percent of GDP by 2030, reflecting ongoing discussions within Labour about how best to balance national security funding amid other fiscal priorities.
Streeting’s speech underscored the necessity of robust defence spending, delivering a pointed message to Labour MPs wary of diverting resources from social welfare programs. He said, “Hope is built on strength. There is no social justice without national security,” framing military investment as integral to broader societal well-being.
The appointment of Streeting drew criticism from some quarters, notably former head of the Army Lord Dannatt, who expressed dismay over the selection, asserting that Streeting has limited experience in defence matters.
The renewed focus on military funding comes amid recent security concerns, highlighted by a Russian warship conducting live artillery firing exercises off the coast of Devon, approximately 46 miles from Plymouth. The Kremlin frigate Neustrashimy carried out the live fire exercise earlier this week, drawing attention to growing international tensions.
Campaigns advocating increased defence spending have intensified in recent months, urging the Labour Party to commit adequate resources to safeguard national security. Streeting’s comments appear aimed at reassuring both the Armed Forces and sceptical party members that defence will remain a government priority going forward.