EXCLUSIVE: Corbyn On Labour's Plans For Defence

Defence spending is sufficient but must be restructured, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has said.

In an exclusive interview with Forces News, the Leader of the Opposition discusses defence spending, the challenges the Royal Navy is facing and serving personnel's accommodation.

Mr Corbyn strongly denounces the Armed Forces' current living standards, saying that 'it cannot be right that ex-servicemen end homeless on our streets'.

According to Mr Corbyn, housing is currently "not adequate" and private rented accommodation is "not appropriate", leaving many people feeling "unprepared for leaving the services":

 "I want to see longer term secure Armed Forces accommodation. I think we have sold too much of it.

"If somebody signs up for the Armed Forces and they serve all of us for 10, 15 years, I think we owe it to them to make sure that we are looking after them."

The Labour leader also had a message for Forces personnel:

Speaking about the Armed Forces (Flexible Working) Bill announced by the Queen on Wednesday, Mr Corbyn said that he will consider the issues raised carefully, but that he is particularly worried about mental health issues:

"It cannot just be left to charity, it's got to be mainstream within the thinking of the Ministry of Defence."

Earlier this week, Mr Corbyn used his response to the Queen's Speech in the House of Commons to claim Labour is now a "government in waiting", although he was mockingly praised by the PM for having "fought a spirited campaign and come a good second".