Defence Funding
Debate between Lord Pitt-Watson and Lord Bruce of Bennachie(2 weeks, 3 days ago)
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Lord Pitt-Watson (Lab)
I completely agree with those statements. Let us recognise that in 2025 this Government committed to the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War, after years, as my noble friend pointed out, of decline. I hope I will have an opportunity to come back and talk about the welfare budget and the Conservative proposals for it later on in Questions; I should allow time for that.
Lord Bruce of Bennachie (LD)
Is it not unfortunate that the Conservatives, who are in no way blameless for the parlous state of the public finances, are arguing the case for defence on the basis of saying that the people who should bear the burden of topping up the defence budget are the poorest, the most disabled and the most disadvantaged? That, of course, is the Conservative Party in a nutshell. Does the Minister recognise that the sooner the Government deliver clearly how they are going to achieve the 3%, so that procurement can start now, the sooner we can have a sensible debate on benefit priorities?
Lord Pitt-Watson (Lab)
As I said, the 3% timing will be declared at the spending review. I do not want to do all the criticising of other parties, actually; I am trying to maintain a collegiate House. But I do remember, a couple of weeks ago, the right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Coventry talked about old people, who she said were of “immeasurable worth”. Everyone is of immeasurable worth. Of course we need to talk about big numbers for defence and welfare, but real people depend on welfare and those real people are of immeasurable worth. That should inform our debate.