Keir Starmer must ‘minimize 20,000 troops’ with out defence spending hike | Politics | News | EUROtoday

Sir Keir Starmer should select between slashing 20,000 troops or scrapping Britain’s plane carriers if he doesn’t enhance defence spending, it has emerged.

Lord Robertson who’s main the Government’s Strategic Defence Review issued the dire warning in a gathering with the Prime Minister, sources have claimed.

Sir Keir’s Government is now beneath intense stress to ramp up defence spending to 2.5% as swiftly as attainable, amid warnings “Britain cannot afford to gamble with our own security”.

Military chiefs are mentioned to be alarmed by Lord Robertson’s preliminary findings, with a lot of them allegedly clearing their diaries in a bid to resolve the disaster.

Former Defence Secretary Grant Shapps instructed the Daily Express: “Labour’s dithering on defence is a dereliction of duty that puts Britain’s security at grave risk.

“This authorities’s so-called Strategic Defence Review has at all times regarded like a smokescreen for delaying the very important dedication to correct defence spending.

“By abandoning my plan to spend 2.5% of GDP on defence, Starmer has created a stark and dangerous choice: slash 20,000 troops or scrap both our aircraft carriers.

“Labour’s failure to behave leaves the UK uncovered to rising threats and undermines our sovereignty.

“Even Lord Robertson has had to warn Starmer about the catastrophic consequences of inaction.

“Britain can’t afford to gamble with our personal safety. When we fail to defend our sovereignty, we invite our enemies to take advantage of our weak point.

“The British public deserves strength and a clear commitment to defend the country, not excuses and delay.”

Numerous sources instructed the Daily Express that Lord Robertson a former NATO Secretary General met with the Prime Minister after Defence Secretary John Healey rejected the preliminary findings of the Strategic Defence Review.

No official suggestions have been made.

But amongst the dire predictions are warnings that failing to bolster defence spending quickly will result in Britain’s Armed Forces going through extra devastating cuts.

The Prime Minister is alleged to have been instructed defence chiefs must minimize 20,000 troops from the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force to stability the books.

Or they could possibly be pressured to mothball the Navy’s two plane carriers.

Many diplomats are already involved the British Army doesn’t have sufficient troops, with navy chiefs solely in a position to name upon 72,500 absolutely skilled troopers.

One European basic, who didn’t wish to be named, mentioned beforehand: “There is a concern about the British Army.

“We see they’re going through difficulties concerning their human assets and likewise the gear capabilities. The variety of troopers will likely be decreased within the subsequent coming months.”

Former head of the British Army, General Lord Richard Dannatt, told the Daily Express: “If the selection within the SDR is between the plane carriers and 20,000 troopers, there can solely be one accountable resolution – promote or mothball each plane carriers.

“Our future security is bound up in the security of Europe. We need well-equipped soldiers that bring military utility and not two sea-going white elephants.

“The first responsibility of presidency is the safety of the state.

“By any honest analysis against the current hostile international security environment, there is a clear case to increase defence expenditure to 3% or 3.5% of GDP. We must not let the history of the late 1930’s repeat itself.”

Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge instructed the Daily Express: “Because of Labour’s political choices, we are instead staring down the barrel of fewer troops, training programmes and procurement. Currently, the only thing Starmer has for our armed forces is contempt.

“This couldn’t be coming at a worse attainable time.

“Threats facing the UK are growing and evolving. War in Europe. Attacks on our values abroad. An unstable Middle East. Yet Starmer seems blind to the global dashboard flashing red.”

The HMS Prince of Wales plane provider is because of lead the strike group to the Indo-Pacific subsequent 12 months and when it does so, its sister ship, the HMS Queen Elizabeth, will endure a interval of upkeep.

But rumours have been circling in Whitehall for weeks that one in every of them could possibly be scrapped.

Defence Secretary John Healey, showing earlier than the House of Commons Defence Select Committee, refused to rule out mothballing one in every of Britain’s two plane carriers on account of the strategic defence overview.

As he appeared earlier than the committee with rumours concerning the destiny of one of many two plane carriers, committee member Emma Lewell-Buck requested: “Would you be able to put an end to the rumours about our carriers? Are they safe or is one going to be mothballed?”

Mr Healey made it clear that the destiny of the 2 carriers is into account within the strategic defence overview.

He mentioned: “There are some really important capabilities we have across the board. The strategic defence review is looking across the board at everything.”

He added: “I absolutely don’t want you to take that any part of the program we have got at the moment are in jeopardy. This is a question of scrutiny, not jeopardy.”

Mr Healey final month confirmed the UK will scrap 5 warships, dozens of navy helicopters and a fleet of drones to avoid wasting £500m cash regardless of rising threats from Russia and a warfare raging in Europe.

The Defence Secretary claimed the gear being axed was “outdated” and mentioned the “common sense” resolution to retire them was lengthy overdue.

The weapons programs on the chopping block are:

The Royal Navy’s two amphibious assault ships, HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark. They will likely be taken out of service on the finish of the 12 months – round a decade early in a blow to the flexibility of the Royal Marines to launch land assaults from the ocean.

A fleet of 17 Royal Air Force Puma helicopters, in addition to 14 of the navy’s oldest Chinook helicopters

A fleet of 46 Watchkeeper drones

Type 23 frigate HMS Northumberland

Two Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships, RFA Wave Knight and RFA Wave Ruler – vessels which carry gas and provides to allow the Royal Navy’s plane carriers to function all over the world.

Mr Healey additionally hinted that additional cuts would comply with.

A MOD spokesperson mentioned: “This is purely speculation. The Budget increased defence spending by £2.9 billion for next year and we committed to setting a path to 2.5% of GDP on defence in spring.

“The Strategic Defence Review is working at pace to look at the threats we face and the capabilities we need to meet the challenges, threats and opportunities of the 21st century.”