The UK’s new defence secretary has said he is “absolutely determined” to provide the armed forces with the funding needed.
Dan Jarvis was appointed to the cabinet role earlier this week, following John Healey’s resignation as he accused the prime minister of delegating insufficient funds for the Defence Investment Plan (DIP).
In his resignation letter to the prime minister on Thursday, the former defence secretary said the funding “falls well short of what is required”, with extra support not coming until after 2030 even though the “imperative to speed up readiness to fight is in the first two years”.
His departure from cabinet was followed swiftly by Al Carns, the armed forces minister and Mr Healey’s parliamentary private secretary, Pamela Nash MP, marking a serious loss for Sir Keir.
While tensions continue to rise over the plan, Mr Jarvis told The Telegraph it is his job to “keep marching forward” as he endeavours to get the military “precisely what they need”.
The former soldier said: “Those amazing people who serve in our armed forces look to us to provide that leadership and to work across government to make sure that they’ve got the resources in place that they need.”
Mr Jarvis acknowledged that he is facing a “challenge” at a time of “constrained fiscal resources” but was resolute in his determination to deliver.
It comes as Kemi Badenoch urged potential Labour leadership rivals to cut welfare costs in order to increase defence spending.
In her letter, which was also sent to Andy Burnham, Wes Streeting, Al Carns, Catherine West, Darren Jones and Ed Miliband, the Tory leader said: “We cannot have our military inadequately funded at a time of growing threats. The funding must also not be backloaded when the pressures are urgent.
“I have made several offers to work with you in the national interest to reduce benefit spending so we can invest more in our defence. Sir Tony Blair, the longest-serving Labour prime minister, has urged you to accept them.
“In the light of the warnings from John Healey and Al Carns, I repeat my offer again today, and ask you to meet with me to discuss defence funding.”
Mr Burnham also said he would cut welfare spending to increase the country’s defence budget in his bid to take on Sir Keir for No 10.
While the Greater Manchester mayor still has to face a tough by-election in Makerfield next week, he has already laid out his vision for how he would increase defence funds through a 10-year approach.
His goal would be take people out of welfare and into work, moving towards a “more preventative state that makes the right investments to support people into work,” he told The Times.
