- The Prime Minister announced an additional £24.1 billion in funding for our country’s defence.
- This funding will help safeguard the security of our nation and bring prosperity to every corner of the Union – while revitalising British shipbuilding.
- Over the next four years, this funding will help create 10,000 more jobs a year, through the investing in our world leading defence industry and revitalising British shipbuilding.
Burnley’s MP has said he is delighted with the increased defence funding which will help protect our country and bring tens of thousands of jobs to every corner of the Union of the UK.
This the largest investment in the nation’s defence in the last 30 years, providing our defence budget with an extra £24.1 billion over the next four years. The commitment will allow the Government to invest in cutting-edge technology, positioning the UK as a global leader in domains such as cyber and space and cement the UK’s position as the largest defence spender in Europe and the second largest in NATO.
Over the next four years this funding will help create 10,000 more jobs a year, through the investing in our world leading defence industry and revitalising British shipbuilding. These jobs 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.
Commenting, Antony Higginbotham said:
The world is changing rapidly, becoming more contested and with both state and non-state aggressors trying to exploit the Covid-19 pandemic for their own means. Now is the time for us to reinvest in our armed forces modernisation, ensuring the equipment we provide to our men and women in uniform is fit for the 21st century and the threats we face - including those in cyberspace.
Confirmation that the Government intends to proceed with a domestically designed and built aircraft, known as Tempest, will also provide significant opportunities for our local aerospace businesses, protecting existing jobs and generating new ones. At a time when the civil aircraft market is under such strain, this boost is much needed.
Burnley has a long and proud track record of supporting the armed forces and our veterans, and I am delighted to be a part of a political party that is not shy in saying we back this country and we back its armed forces.
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.
