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Tory MP James Cartlidge has criticised the Labour government for “prioritising welfare spending over defence spending.” The Conservative Shadow Defence Secretary made this sharp accusation during an interview with GB News’s Camilla Tominey.
Cartlidge’s main point focused on the long-delayed defence investment plan, which the Defence Secretary has admitted is still being “properly worked through.”
He said: “They want to save money by delaying the defence investment plan.” He continued, “The reason they’ve delayed it is that they’ve chosen to prioritise welfare spending instead of defence, and they don’t have the funds to implement the plan.”
According to Cartlidge, there is a significant conflict between the Treasury and the Ministry of Defence, which he says has led to paralysis in defence planning.
He noted that Keir Starmer has recently called for the UK to “go faster” on defence and become more self-reliant, reiterating commitments to increase defence spending to at least 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2027.
However, Cartlidge argued, “The government doesn’t have a plan for defence while there are conflicts on two fronts. The striking thing is that this past Monday, we had all the tax and benefit changes, including the removal of the two-child benefit cap, resulting in billions of extra spending on benefits.”
He questioned: “Where’s the extra spending on defence? We know where it’s gone.” He added: “I think it’s time to make those tough choices,” he told GB News.
In response to comments made by Wes Streeting to The People’s Channel, who accused the Conservatives of underinvesting and making poor procurement decisions over the last 14 years, Mr Cartlidge responded, “He’s got a nerve.
He highlighted the shortage of Type 45 destroyers in the British fleet, pointing out the delayed deployment of HMS Dragon to Cyprus last month.
It was Labour that planned to order 12 destroyers, but then cut the order to six. Look at the impact that has had,” he warned, emphasising that “all the things you could order are getting more expensive because the entire world is trying to rearm.”
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