UK's Wes Streeting denies trying to do "defence on the cheap"
New UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has refused to commit to the UK increasing its defence spending to 3% of gross domestic product, but insisted he does not want the sector to operate "on the cheap".
The Cabinet minister said Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Chancellor John Healey both "understand defence" and its "immediate pressures and priorities".
Pressed on whether he supports the ambition of raising defence spending to 3% by 2030, Streeting stressed that fiscal policy is "a matter for the Chancellor".
Healey resigned as defence secretary in Keir Starmer's government last month over concerns about spending on defence.
In a speech at Farnborough Airshow in Hampshire on Wednesday, Streeting hailed the fact that uncrewed autonomous fighter jets being developed for the RAF cost "a fifth of the price" of piloted alternatives.
Speaking to reporters later, Streeting was asked if he is "trying to do defence on the cheap".
He replied: "Absolutely not. I'm trying not to be on the wrong side of the chancellor on day two in office.
"The chancellor's position is on the record. My calls for greater defence investment are also on the record.
"What I will not do, because I think it would not only be limiting to my time in this post, but potentially ending of my time in this post, is to write the chancellor's next budget and next spending review for him."
He added: "What I will do is put the best possible case for defence to the Treasury. Both by making sure they have confidence that the resources we are already receiving are well spent – that we're reforming, improving, and modernising – but also any additional resources we get would also be well spent, well invested, to achieve the ambitions and objectives this government has."
By Neil Lancefield, Press Association Transport Correspondent
Press Association: News
source: PA
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