Oral Answers to Questions

Wes Streeting Excerpts

Monday 26th November 2018 Commons Chamber

[Louise Haigh (Sheffield, Heeley) (Lab)]

16. What recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the adequacy of funding for his Department.

[Wes Streeting (Ilford North) (Lab)]

19. What recent discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the adequacy of funding for his Department.

[The Secretary of State for Defence (Gavin Williamson)]

I hold regular discussions with the Chancellor. The additional £1.8 billion being invested in the defence budget reaffirms our commitment to protecting national security.

--- Later in debate ---

[Wes Streeting]

The £1 billion from the Chancellor does not nearly make up for the £10 billion of real-terms cuts to the defence budget between 2010 and 2017. What more does the Secretary of State plan to do to ensure that his Department, and by extension our armed forces, are adequately resourced to tackle the emerging and changing threats facing our country?

[Gavin Williamson]

If we look at the choice between where Labour would take our defence policy and where we would take it, I know which would give Britain the greatest security. I think that all Government Members recognise the important role that our armed forces play, which is why we will keep investing in them.