Today, the Prime Minister will outline the largest boost in our nation’s defence in the last 30 years, investing an extra £24 billion in our national security - creating thousands of jobs across the UK.
Overview
As a nation we face an international situation that is more perilous and more intensely competitive than at any time since the Cold War. Britain must continue to be true to our history and stand alongside our allies - to achieve this we need to upgrade our capabilities across the board.
This commitment is the largest investment in our nation’s defence since the end of the Cold War, giving our defence budget an extra £24.1 billion over the next four years. This both delivers and surpasses our manifesto commitment to exceed the NATO defence spending target of 2 per cent of GDP - by providing an extra £16.5 billion in funding above our 2019 commitment.
This funding will help us build back better from coronavirus by creating 10,000 new jobs a year, revitalising British shipbuilding and ensure that the United Kingdom is a global, outward-looking nation now we have left the EU. It also sends a clear message to our allies that they can always count on the UK.
This funding will allow us to invest in cutting-edge technology, positioning the UK as a global leader in cyber, space and shipbuilding. To support these advancements the Prime Minister will also announce:
- A new agency dedicated to Artificial Intelligence.
- The creation of a National Cyber Force, to protect our people from harm.
- A new ‘Space Command’, with the first rocket launched from Scotland by 2022.
- A commitment to finance the UK’s order of 8 Type 26 and 5 Type 31 frigates, which are currently being constructed on the Clyde, creating thousands of jobs.
- A further commitment to build our next generation warships – the Type 32 – here in the UK
This is our chance to end the era of retreat, transform our Armed Forces and bolster our global influence. The returns of this investment will go far beyond our Armed Forces, creating thousands of jobs, reinforcing the Union and levelling up our country.
How are the Government going to achieve this?
- Delivering a funding boost of over £24 billion for our nation’s defence, ensuring we keep our nation safe from the evolving international threats we face. This commitment is the largest investment in our nation’s defence since the end of the Cold War, giving our defence budget an extra £24.1 billion over the next four years.
- Creating 40,000 more jobs over the next four years, across the whole of the UK. Spending on defence projects, secured with this funding, are expected to create up to 10,000 thousand jobs annually across the UK. These will reflect the expertise and ingenuity of British people both inside and outside our Armed Forces harnessing the UK’s skills in construction and science and reinvigorating those industries in the coming decades.
- Meeting and surpassing our manifesto commitment to exceed our NATO defence spending target. This funding both delivers and surpasses our Manifesto commitment to exceed the NATO defence spending target of 2 per cent of GDP - by providing an extra £16.5 billion in funding above our 2019 manifesto commitment.
- Revitalising British shipbuilding by creating and safeguarding thousands of jobs in UK shipyards. This funding has come alongside a steadfast commitment to finance the UK’s order of 8 Type 26 and 5 Type 31 frigates, which are currently being constructed on the Clyde, creating thousands of jobs.
- Reaffirming our commitment to build our next generation warships – the Type 32 – here in the UK. Last month we committed to build three Fleet Solid Support warships, with contractional reequipments which will ensure a significant proportion of the build and assembly work will be carried out in the UK. This commitment will create hundreds of highly skilled jobs across the UK.
- Creating a National Cyber Force and Artificial Intelligence agency - to protect our people from harm. Our new Cyber Force, will be a joint unit between the MoD and GCHQ, will help to protect Britons at home from cyberattack but will also deploy offensive capabilities against adversaries.
- Creating a new ‘Space Command’, with the first rocket launched from Scotland by 2022. We promised in our manifesto that we would deliver the UK’s first UK Space command based at the RAF High Wycombe. Space Command will give the UK the capability to deploy weapons and military satellites without relying on other nations.
Commenting, Alex Burghart said:
I am a firm supporter of our Armed Forces, which is why I am delighted that the Conservative Government are providing them with the largest financial boost since the Cold War, while both meeting and exceeding our Manifesto commitment to increase defence spending.
This news is also good news for everyone across the country. We will not only benefit from the security this investment will bring our country but also the jobs and prosperity the direct and indirect investment will bring to our defence industry and its supply chains."
The Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, said:
I have taken this decision in the teeth of the pandemic because the defence of the realm must come first.
The international situation is more perilous and more intensely competitive than at any time since the Cold War and Britain must be true to our history and stand alongside our allies. To achieve this we need to upgrade our capabilities across the board.
This is our chance to end the era of retreat, transform our Armed Forces, bolster our global influence, unite and level up our country, pioneer new technology and defend our people and way of life.”
The Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, said:
This is excellent news for Defence, and provides us with the financial certainty we need to modernise, plan for the future and adapt to the threats we face. It demonstrates the Prime Minister’s recognition of how important Defence is to our resilience and to the reputation of the United Kingdom.
This settlement secures UK jobs and livelihoods, allows us to invest in our fantastic shipyards and aerospace industry, spreading prosperity to every corner of the UK.
Next year represents a huge opportunity for this country, and Defence will be at the forefront of creating the jobs and business opportunities that will help us build back from the pandemic.
Over the next few months I will set out in more detail our ambitious agenda for Defence.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- This funding boost will deliver over £24 billion for our nation’s defence, ensuring we keep our nation safe from the evolving international threats we face. This commitment is the largest investment in our nation’s defence since the end of the Cold War, giving our defence budget an extra £24.1 billion over the next four years.
- This funding will create 10,000 more jobs a year over the next four years, across the whole of the UK. Spending on defence projects, secured with this funding, are expected to create up to 10,000 thousand jobs annually across the UK. These will reflect the expertise and ingenuity of British people both inside and outside our Armed Forces harnessing the UK’s skills in construction and science and reinvigorating those industries in the coming decades.
- This funding both meets and surpasses the Conservative Party Manifesto 2019 commitment to exceed our NATO defence spending target. This funding both delivers and surpasses our Manifesto commitment to exceed the NATO defence spending target of 2 per cent of GDP - by providing an extra £16.5 billion in funding above our 2019 manifesto commitment.
- This commitment will help revitalise British shipbuilding by creating and safeguarding thousands of jobs in UK shipyards. This funding has come alongside a steadfast commitment to finance the UK’s order of 8 Type 26 and 5 Type 31 frigates, which are currently being constructed on the Clyde, creating thousands of jobs.
- The government has also reaffirmed its commitment to build our next generation warships – the Type 32 – here in the UK. Last month we committed to build three Fleet Solid Support warships, with contractional reequipments which will ensure a significant proportion of the build and assembly work will be carried out in the UK. This commitment will create hundreds of highly skilled jobs across the UK.
- The funding will be used to create:
- A National Cyber Force and Artificial Intelligence agency - to protect our people from harm. Our new Cyber Force, will be a joint unit between the MoD and GCHQ, will help to protect Britons at home from cyberattack but will also deploy offensive capabilities against adversaries.
- A new ‘Space Command’, with the first rocket launched from Scotland by 2022. We promised in our manifesto that we would deliver the UK’s first UK Space command based at the RAF High Wycombe. Space Command will give the UK the capability to deploy weapons and military satellites without relying on other nations.