Defence: 2.5% GDP Spending Commitment Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Ministry of Defence
Graeme Downie
Main Page: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)Department Debates - View all Graeme Downie's debates with the Ministry of Defence
Defence: 2.5% GDP Spending Commitment
Graeme Downie Excerpts(2 days, 8 hours ago)
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John Healey
One of the weaknesses in our system is that the often-excellent innovation, research and development does not get developed, invested in or commercialised, so potentially brilliant small companies do not grow and expand. I have to say to the right hon. Gentleman that I am not familiar with Planshare—[Interruption.] Ploughshare. I did not even hear the name correctly. If the right hon. Gentleman would like to write to me with some details, I would welcome his letter and certainly have a look.
Graeme Downie (Dunfermline and Dollar) (Lab)
Like others on this side of the House, I welcome the increase in defence spending that was announced in the Budget, after years of Tory cuts to our armed forces. Does the Secretary of State agree that we need to increase defence spending in response to emerging threats around the world, from Ukraine to the middle east and Asia-Pacific, and that the figure of 2.5% should be kept under review in the light of changing events around the world?
John Healey
Yes, I do. My hon. Friend makes the important point that the starting point for any defence planning must be the threats that we face. At the heart of any defence plans must be the people who serve and on whom we depend. I make that heartfelt point particularly forcefully today, on Armistice Day.