Defence Spending Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Defence Spending

Derek Twigg Excerpts
Wednesday 24th April 2024

(7 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Derek Twigg Portrait Derek Twigg (Halton) (Lab)
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Can I ask the Secretary of State what he believes a war footing is?

Grant Shapps Portrait Grant Shapps
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Very simply, Ukraine has taught the world a great deal about this. When it comes to, for instance, producing sufficient munitions to restock the Ukrainians’ supply, it is very difficult—in fact, impossible—to do that instantaneously. When there is global competition for 155s or other missiles, we want to ensure that our own industrial defence estate is able to produce such items by telling those in the industry that they are on a war footing. By putting in £75 billion more and, critically, naming the date by which we will get there, we will put them on that war footing.