This is the last article you can read this month
You can read more article this month
You can read more articles this month
Sorry your limit is up for this month
Reset on:
Please help support the Morning Star by subscribing here
RISHI SUNAK must not cave into Defence Secretary Ben Wallace over the previous government’s plans to raise military spending up by 60 per cent, peace campaigners have urged.
The Peace Pledge Union (PPU) called on the new Prime Minister to ditch Mr Wallace’s demands of a hike to 3 per cent of national income, which is a 60 per cent increase in current levels costing £157 billion.
The group warned that the policy would represent a handout for arms deals while millions are struggling to pay bills and would not make people in Britain feel safer.
It said the funding should be given instead to public services, housing and healthcare as well as to tackle the climate emergency.
PPU campaigns manager Symon Hill said: “Only somebody too privileged to worry about the cost of living could think that security is about having more weapons.
“Defence spending is a euphemism, as it doesn’t cover defence against many of the most serious threats that we face, including poverty, pandemics and climate chaos.”
Mr Sunak had hinted at spending cuts in his appointment speech on Tuesday.
