JOHN HEALEY: We've made tough decisions – this is a new era for defence
The threats facing Britain today are more serious and less predictable than at any time in a generation. War has returned to Europe. Russian aggression is growing. Cyber-attacks strike us here at home every day.
The world has changed – and so must defence. A move to warfighting readiness to deter our adversaries is essential and urgent. Vladimir Putin 's Russian forces are still menacing the doorstep of Europe. But tomorrow's publication of our Strategic Defence Review (SDR) is a message to Moscow: we're making Britain's Armed Forces stronger. And the people of Britain safer.
When the people voted Labour into government, we inherited an Armed Forces that had been underfunded and hollowed out for 14 years under the Tories. By contrast, this government committed the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War – as a foundation of our Plan for Change.
We took the tough decision to reduce overseas aid spending to fund our uplift for defence. That is investment to match not only the severity of the threat but the dedication of our Armed Forces, which are respected around the world.
Mail on Sunday readers know our British service men and women do our nation proud. In return, our government will do better by them.
That's why we awarded the largest pay rise to personnel in 20 years, created a new independent Armed Forces Commissioner to champion their cause and improved support for veterans through the new VALOUR programme.
We are determined to renew the nation's contract with those who serve. And through the SDR, we will ensure that British forces have the equipment they need and the homes they deserve.
Yesterday, I confirmed a record £1.5 billion for repairs to substandard military housing, meaning more than £7 billion will be spent on Forces accommodation this parliament. We will also invest in advanced technologies to make our Armed Forces stronger and more lethal, giving them the advantage over our adversaries.
I see increasing defence spending as a 'defence dividend', and through the SDR we will ensure this benefits hard-working people.
Defence is an engine for growth. We have one of the finest defence industrial bases in the world. As Defence Secretary, I see communities – such as Barrow and Derby – transformed by both defence investment and the pride and purpose that comes with it. I want towns up and down the country to gain the jobs, apprenticeships and skills that defence brings.
Ukraine shows us that a nation's Armed Forces are only as strong as the industry behind them. So through the SDR we will create an 'always-on' munitions production base, capable of scaling up when needed. At least six munitions and energetics factories will be built – with £1.5 billion of new funding.
And we will build, here in Britain, up to 7,000 long-range weapons, making UK forces and Nato stronger and deterring adversaries like Russia. These investments will back more than 1,800 high-skilled jobs across the UK.
This is a new era for defence. The SDR sets a new vision, part of this Government's drive for national renewal. Jobs will be created. Towns will thrive. Working people will be better off.
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