Julian Knight, the MP for Solihull, is very pleased that the Government has announced £178 billion of fresh investment in our Armed Forces, counter-terrorism police, and intelligence agencies in its new Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR).
Amongst other things, this will buy two new and self-sustaining strike brigades, each of 5,000 troops, capable of rapidly deploying across the world, as well as expanding the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.
Especially importantly, the Government has committed to renewing our continuous, at-sea nuclear deterrent: keeping our country safe and strengthening our voice on the world stage.
In response to the news, Julian Knight said:
“As events in Paris have shown, we still live in a dangerous world and much as we might wish it were otherwise, strong and properly-funded Armed Forces remain as important as ever.
“The British Armed Forces are amongst the best in the world, and I’m proud that this Government is investing to make sure they stay that way. These proposals will both keep us safe on the streets and sustain our ability to project our values across the globe.
“It is only because we have taken bold and necessary steps to repair the British economy that we have been able to make these vital investments. The easy, short-term option of borrowing and debt doesn’t just make us poorer in the long-term: it makes us less safe, too.”