'Britain Can't Deal With International Military Risk'

Britain "can't really deal" with the military risks posed by other countries, according to a former British Army officer.

The UK must give greater priority to defence spending says General Sir Richard Barrons, who has urged the government to provide greater resources to the armed services because of the changing international outlook.

The former Commander Joint Forces Command told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The future will not replicate the comfortable recent past.

"The risk today, and more so in the future, is that countries like Russia and China already have capability that could hold the UK homeland at military risk at very short notice.

"We can't really deal with that."

The former military chief also warned against cutting back Britain's ability to intervene overseas.

"We also run the risk in the future that British citizens or friends abroad would be in great jeopardy, they would need military help, and we would have removed the ability to help them.

"And our place in the world will be much diminished and we would be at risk."

Prime Minister Theresa May's spokesman told a Westminster briefing: "We are spending 2% (of GDP) on defence every year, we are committed to doing so.

"We are committed to providing the armed forces with the resources that they need to protect this country's interests."