Armed Forces Overall Size 2020-07-06

2020-07-06

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Questions & Answers

Q1 Direct Answer
Judith Cummins Lab
Bradford South
Context
Reports suggest a potential reduction in the size of the Army.
Can the Secretary of State categorically deny reports that No. 10 wishes to slash the size of the Army from 74,000 to 55,000 personnel? If he cannot do that, will he at least confirm to this House that he personally opposes any plan to reduce the size of the armed forces?
I can confirm that there is no plan to slash the size of the armed forces. The reports in The Sunday Times were completely erroneous, as was made clear to the journalist at the time. Our armed forces should always be defined by the threat we face as a nation, the capabilities we have, and Britain's global ambition.
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