Quotes
But part of my message to our European allies is that we've all got to step up on both capability and on spending and funding,
We are in this generational point, really, where we do need to step up across Europe in terms of our capability, our funding and our commitment to defence, because this isn't just about Ukraine, it is about our own national security
I think it's premature to be talking about numbers."
Asked what the scale of a potential peacekeeping force could be and if the government would be prepared to carry out a recruitment drive, he said I do not say that lightly. I feel very deeply the responsibility that comes with potentially putting British servicemen and women in harm’s way,
The UK will work to ensure we keep the US and Europe together. We cannot allow any divisions in the alliance to distract from the external enemies we face.”
If America is not to stand behind its allies in the way the world has previously seen, then we are moving into a wholly different and in my view, rather more dangerous world.
And former Prime Minister Sir John Major said He is siding with the pariah state, with a war criminal, and he has been a Putin fan all along.”
I will never accept any decisions between the United States and Russia about Ukraine, never.”
This is the war in Ukraine, against us, and it’s our human losses.”
To ensure the UK is prepared to deal with the changing threat, our Budget increased defence spending by £2.9 billion for next year and we are committed to setting a path to 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said Unless Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves can find ways of producing more money, well beyond 2.5 per cent towards 3 per cent or 3.5 per cent for starters on our defence, then this Strategic Defence Review is going to be hollow, it’s going to be a failure and, frankly, it’ll consign Keir Starmer to the bin of history.
Labour stated in its manifesto a commitment to set a path to 2.5 per cent and that remains the policy of the Government.
I can say we’ve only ever hit that kind of defence spending under Labour governments
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds replied We’ll do the Strategic Defence Review then set it out.
Asked if the announcement of the roadmap will now be sped up, the insider said There is definitely, from the US administration, a view towards Europe and there's a slightly different view towards ourselves in the UK
He told BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg The whole cabinet, the whole government [and] I think most people in this country recognise the pressures the world is under, recognize more will have to be spent on defence.”
On defence spending, Mr Reynolds told Sky News The chancellor knows more than most people the pressures on public services across the board, but defence has to be the cornerstone of our national prosperity as well as our security.”
Let’s be clear, we don’t have blasphemy laws in the UK. That’s the right thing. I say that as a Christian. No one is arrested for what they are praying about. The example he gave was about making sure people can access healthcare.”
Reynolds took issue with this We can disagree on some things and still be close allies,
We will set out that roadmap. We have already put more money into defence in the first budget of this new government. So our credentials are there.”
Pushed on when there would be an increase, he said
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