3rd February 2010

Defence Green Paper

Issue

The Ministry of Defence published their Green Paper today, paving the way for a Strategic Defence Review in the next Parliament.

Key points

Today is the start of a serious discussion about the future of Britain's defence. Labour looks forward to a vigorous debate, and to building on our strong record of protecting Britain, its people, and its way of life

Labour's commitment to supporting our forces in Afghanistan and to Defence and national security is clear. On top of core Defence spending, which is 10 per cent higher in real terms than 1997 (and Bob Ainsworth and Alistair Darling confirmed at the pre-budget report that not a penny would be cut from the Defence Budget next year), we are spending £3.5 billion this year from the Reserve on the military campaign in Afghanistan - and planning to spend £5 billion next year.

This Labour Government is committed to strong, balanced Armed Forces as our insurance policy for future decades. Afghanistan must be our priority - and there will have to be tough decisions elsewhere, like the package of savings we announced in December, including civilian staff reductions, headquarters efficiencies, and savings on lower priority capabilities - but we are committed to a strong, hi-tech Army; a Navy based around the aircraft carriers on which steel is already being cut; and an Air Force based around two state of the art fighter fleets, as well as the additional Chinook helicopters, Reaper drones, and strategic air lift that the Defence Secretary announced in December.

Labour will never economise with our national security - while our Armed Forces have been fighting in Afghanistan to ensure Al Qaeda cannot return, at the same time we have continued to increase investment in counter-terrorism and border security at home - from £1 billion in 2001 to over £3 billion now, with counter-terrorist police and security service staff doubled and our £1 billion e-Borders programme, which is counting people in and out of the country and checking people against watch lists, enabling us to stop them before they travel to Britain.