Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The former Defence Secretary criticised the Treasury's proposed increase in defence spending as insufficient, revealing a gap of £28 billion by 2030. Small and medium-sized enterprises are denied access to MOD contracts.
What fiscal steps is she taking to support the defence investment plan? The former Defence Secretary has blown apart the defence investment plan, revealing that the Treasury was prepared to offer only a pitiful increase in defence spending—just 0.08% by 2030—despite growing threats across the world. At the same time, billions are spent on welfare and net zero agenda. Innovative SMEs in defence are locked out of MOD contracts. The Chief of Defence Staff noted that the price of peace is increasing. Will she fill the £28 billion gap in defence investment by 2030 to secure our position?
The DIP will be published before the NATO Ankara summit. It involves more money spent more effectively and meets the scale of challenges we face. The Tories cut £12 billion from defence spending, hitting rock bottom for pay, morale and numbers. We are turning that around with the biggest uplift in defence spending since the cold war. Contracts are awarded to firms here in Britain.
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Assessment & feedback
The Chancellor did not commit to filling the £28 billion gap specifically but promised more money will be spent effectively.
We Are Turning That Around With The Biggest Uplift In Defence Spending Since The Cold War
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The former Defence Secretary criticised the Treasury's proposed increase in defence spending as insufficient, revealing a gap of £28 billion by 2030. Small and medium-sized enterprises are denied access to MOD contracts.
Will the Chancellor commit this morning to filling the £28 billion gap in defence investment by 2030 to secure our position on the world stage, or will she stand in the way of the delivery of the DIP that we need?
The DIP will be published before the summit. It involves more money spent more effectively and meets the scale of challenges we face. Frankly, I will take no lectures from the Conservatives who left our armed forces hollowed out with £12 billion cuts in their first five years.
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Assessment & feedback
No commitment to fill the £28 billion gap was made explicitly.
Frankly, I Will Take No Lectures From The Conservatives
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
Throughout the equipment plan, there was always a £14 billion deficit. The House wants to know about conversations with European Governments and Canada regarding the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank.
Could the Chancellor update the House on what conversations she or her Ministers are having with Governments in Europe and with Canada about the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank and the multilateral defence mechanism for funding and procuring defence across NATO?
This Government are working with our NATO allies on a multilateral defence mechanism. We have signed treaties with Finland and the Netherlands. The mechanism enables joint procurement and stockpiling off balance sheet for better value and innovative finance. We are closely working with Canada on the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank lending to smaller businesses in the supply chain.
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Assessment & feedback
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Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The former Defence Secretary criticised the Treasury's proposed increase in defence spending as insufficient, revealing a gap of £28 billion by 2030. The Chancellor has said that national security always comes first.
Why this dereliction of duty? Why is she failing to tackle the ever-expanding welfare budget and blocking the defence investment plan from getting the funding needed to meet the threats we face?
The hon. Gentleman sits two places away from the former welfare Secretary who presided over a record increase in welfare spending. We commissioned Alan Milburn to address young people not in employment, education or training. I am proud to oversee the biggest uplift in defence since the cold war through difficult decisions like reducing overseas development assistance.
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Assessment & feedback
The Chancellor did not explain why there was a dereliction of duty but cited past welfare spending and reduction in ODA.
We Commissioned Alan Milburn To Address Young People Neet
Response accuracy