CHANCELLOR Jeremy Hunt has been warned troops risk turning into “cannon fodder” unless he spends billions more on the Army.
The Treasury and MoD are at loggerheads over next month’s Budget.
Jeremy Hunt has been warned troops risk turning into ‘cannon fodder’ unless he spends billions more on the Army
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace says Downing Street risks missing a Nato promise to spend two per cent of GDP on the armed forces each year
Insiders say Mr Hunt is prepared to replenish £2.3billion of military stockpiles — including tanks and guns — handed to Ukraine last year to fight the Russian invaders.
And he could find £300million to reverse plans to reduce the Army to just 73,000-strong, its smallest size for 300 years.
But one Ministry of Defence source yesterday branded that a “sticking plaster PR stunt that would produce sub-par fighters”.
They continued: “Without proper investment to go alongside extra troops, you risk turning them into cannon fodder.
“They need the kit, the vehicles and the training — and that costs money.”
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has warned Downing Street risks missing a Nato promise to spend two per cent of GDP on the armed forces each year unless it hikes the current £48.4billion budget.
A Treasury source insisted: “The PM and Chancellor recognise the need to increase defence spending further, subject to the ongoing Integrated Review.”
- THE March 15 Budget could be sabotaged by 100,000 civil servants striking that day, following a vote result announced by union chiefs yesterday.
