this reform, notjust for industry, notjust this reform, notjust for industry, not just for this reform, notjust for industry, notjust for our armed forces, but for the whole security and defence of the realm. with that, we wish him well. , , ., of the realm. with that, we wish him well, , ., . ~ , well. just to thank my right honourable well. just to thank my right honourable friend - well. just to thank my right honourable friend for - well. just to thank my right honourable friend for his i well. just to thank my right - honourable friend for his work. that is ben wallace, the secretary of state for defence who has just stood up. he has been outlining what has been described as a refresh of the armed forces, a global response force. they plan to invest around £2.5 billion in army stockpiles, and munitions to improve fighting readiness as it takes lessons or [earnings from the war in ukraine. readiness as it takes lessons or [earnings from the war in ukraine. also announcing the c
promising in its manifesto? well, es, promising in its manifesto? well, yes. exactly. promising in its manifesto? well, yes. exactly. as promising in its manifesto? well, yes, exactly, as the promising in its manifesto? well, yes, exactly, as the i promising in its manifesto? well, yes, exactly, as the i is promising in its manifesto? well, | yes, exactly, as the i is reporting, the prime minister facing yes, exactly, as the i is reporting, the prime ministerfacing an open revolt from members of his cabinet because this freeze will mean a real terms cut in military funding of around £1.7 billion after inflation, not going to fulfil the manifesto promise and it will give boris johnson yet another headache, after a series of them for as long as i can remember. a number of challenges when it comes to uk defence spending. the great economist adam smith believed defence of the realm was one of the few purposes of the state, along with the administration ofjustice. there is certai
now the uk is to get a new nationalflagship not to be confused with a new royal yacht. the new vessel will host trade fairs, ministerialsummits and diplomatic talks. but not everyone likes the idea and there s been an argument going on within government over who should pay for it. the lords heard that the ministry of defence will be writing a fat cheque. the nuclear deterrent very clearly contributes to the defence of the realm, and its cost to the mod makes sense. what does the minister make of the proposals to have a new royal yacht, which for whatever benefits it might bring to trade or global britain, would appear to bring very little to defence? why should the mod be funding it? laughter. well, what i would say to the noble lady is this, it is not a new royal yacht, it s a new national flagship. in my book, that, i think