MPs to review defence
By Liz Stephens
The government has announced the first “root and branch” review of Britain’s defence policy for ten years.
Defence secretary Bob Ainsworth said he wanted to “ensure the armed forces are fit for the challenges of tomorrow”.
He promised a green paper early next year setting out the initial findings of the review, followed by a full scale strategic defence review after the election.
However, the initial review will not make any recommendations for cuts to the defence budget.
This is in line with Lord Mandelson’s pledge that there would be no substantive spending decisions until after the general election.
Instead, the review will focus on defence policy and technological priorities.
It will also look at how the Ministry of Defence works with other government departments and the contribution the armed forces can make to international diplomacy.
In a written statement, Mr Ainsworth said: “The government’s current priority for the armed forces is to ensure they have the equipment and support they need for operations in Afghanistan.
“But, in parallel, we must ensure the armed forces are fit for the challenges of tomorrow.”
Professor Michael Clarke, director of the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi), said: “There is general agreement that UK defence policy cannot carry on much longer without a defence review.”
But the news that firm conclusions, especially on spending, would be unlikely until after the election left the armed forces with no choice but to “hold their breath”, he added.
The review comes after a report last month by The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) which suggested the UK should slash defence spending by up to £24 billion and consider scrapping plans to renew Trident.
Liberal Democrat defence spokesman Nick Harvey said: “Any review which fails to ask the big questions will be a waste of time. In particular, the government must think again about replacing Trident.”
The government and the Conservatives back renewing Trident when it expires in 2024, at an estimated cost of £20 billion, but the Liberal Democrats and many Labour MPs oppose it.
