The former Defence Secretary said 'more needs to be done' in bolstering Britain's armed forces
John Healey has delivered his verdict in Parliament on Labour’s Defence Investment Plan just weeks after he resigned in protest of the funding that was allocated.
Speaking before MPs, the former defence secretary welcomed the additional money added following his departure but warned “more needs to be done”.
“I welcome the extra money the Treasury may have seeded in the last couple of weeks,” Mr Healey began.
“It builds on what has been the record increase in defence investment that we, as a Labour government, have made since the election.
“Threats are still growing,” the former Defence Secretary added.
“Demands on defence are still rising in this dangerous world. Today's step means that we will be spending as a nation, 2.7 per cent of GDP on defence in 2030, the date that Nato now warns we could face a Russian attack.
“So with European security at stake, would my right honourable friends agree that more needs to be done in the months ahead beyond the DIP?”
Mr Healey said this would help “develop a clear, credible funding plan that will hit 3 per cent and that will meet our Nato commitment to 3.5 per cent by 2035".
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