Unprecedented cuts Conservatives have made to defence since 2010 – Nia Griffith

Nia Griffith MP, Labour’s Shadow Defence Secretary, responding to the Defence Select Committee’s report ‘Shifting the Goalposts? Defence Expenditure and the 2% Pledge: An Update’, which shows that MoD spending has been cut by 25% since 2010, said:

“It is hypocrisy of the highest order for both candidates for the
Conservative leadership to talk of boosting defence spending when they
have consistently voted for budgets, which have slashed the MoD’s funds
to what they are today.

“This report highlights the severe and unprecedented cuts that the
Conservatives have made to defence since 2010. Instead of considering
what is necessary for our defence and security needs, Conservative
Ministers have delivered crippling austerity which has put unprecedented
strain on the men and women of our Armed Forces.

“You cannot do security on the cheap. The next Labour government will
ensure that our armed forces are properly equipped and resourced to
respond to wide-ranging security challenges.”