Gavin Williamson "Yet To Get To Grips With Defence Budget", Says Chancellor

New Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has played down a rift between him and the Chancellor, revealing a row over Philip Hammond's use of military jets has been settled.

It came after signs of tensions between the two ministers over proposed cuts to the military to plug a black hole in the Ministry of Defence's finances.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of HMS Queen Elizabeth into the Royal Navy, Mr Williamson struck a conciliatory tone as he said he is looking forward to working with Mr Hammond and Prime Minister Theresa May to make sure the country is as safe as possible.

Pressed on whether he is prepared to go to war with the Chancellor over any proposed cuts, he said:

"We have an amazing team at the top of Government that wants to deliver the one thing that everyone expects of a government - that's to keep this country safe."

He added: "I am going to do everything I can to put the arguments forward that makes the strongest arguments for the resources and capability that our Armed Forces need.

"That is something that I think that I have in absolute common with all my colleagues in Government, who recognise the important work and role that they do."

This comes after Chancellor Philip Hammond suggested that the new defence secretary had yet to "get to grips" with the defence budget. 

Appearing before the Commons Treasury Committee, Mr Hammond denied he was cutting funding to the armed forces and indicated he would be sympathetic to a request for extra cash.

His intervention comes amid signs of an extraordinary briefing war between the two ministers over proposed cuts to the military to plug a black hole in the Ministry of Defence (MoD) finances.

Mr Hammond suggested he would welcome a chance to discuss the defence budget with Mr Williamson - formerly the chief whip - once he properly understood the figures.

He said: 

"There is no greater champion of defence than me. I was defence secretary for almost three years. I am a huge advocate for our armed forces." 

"There is no question of the defence budget being cut. The defence budget is being increased but I recognise also the defence is facing some pressures, particularly around currency movement. A lot of defence procurement is denominated in US dollars.

"I expect that once he has had a chance to understand the situation in the Ministry of Defence and to get his head around the defence budget, the new Defence Secretary will be wanting to come and talk to me and he will find no one more sympathetic to the challenges of defence than me."

It comes amid news that the Ministry of Defence and Treasury are having "administrative discussions" over Chancellor Philip Hammond's use of military planes.

Hammond  has been 'banned from using a fleet of RAF jets and helicopters until the Treasury settles a bill with the Ministry of Defence.'

According to The Times, defence sources claim officials who deal with VIP bookings have been instructed not to accept any more requests from the Chancellor.

They report the Chancellor used BAE 146 jets, which also transports the royal family.

A109 helicopters were also used to fly to over 20 destinations this year alone of official business.

Hammond’s department is said to owe a six-figure sum for past flights with 32 (The Royal) Squadron.

The Defence Secretary, Gavin Williamson, is due to fight the Treasury for extra annual funding of up to £2 billion to prevent cuts proposed as part of a defence review.

Philip Hammond, a former Defence Secretary, has been accused of telling the Prime Minister that the army only needs as few as 50,000 troops; a drastic cut from the current strength of 77,400.

If the proposed cuts were to go ahead, Tobias Ellwood, the Veterans Minister has threatened to resign.

The Time’s defence sources expressed anger at the Treasury saying:

“At the same time as claiming our brave armed forces don’t need any more money and that the army only needs 50,000 troops, it is a huge double standard to willingly use the armed forces’ facilities at the same time as refusing to pay for them.”

The jets the Chancellor used offer a first-class service, including three course-meals and alcoholic drinks.

Among the destinations are Manchester, Leeds, Dudley, Aberdeen, Wolverhampton, Paris, Brussels and Frankfurt – all of which can be accessed via train or budget airline.

The Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary and Brexit Secretary are also allowed to use the fleet, though all are understood to cover their own costs.

The ban is said to be imposed after he concludes a trip to Europe on Friday, that is unless the Treasury pays up.

The Times reported administrative delays in the MoD and Treasury being the cause for the mounting debt that spans from at least last year.

Prime Minister Theresa May's official spokesman told reporters:

"My understanding is the Chancellor used a Government jet yesterday.

"I gather there is an administrative discussion going on. This matter is being resolved."

A Downing Street source said the issue had not been raised with Number 10, but was "being sorted out between the two departments".

A spokesman for Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said:

"The Government's problems and the Cabinet's problems are multifarious.

"This is a Government in a shambles on both the most important issues facing the country and the more minor ones, and I would suggest that this is one of those.

"I'm sure we would be in favour of the Treasury paying its bill."

Cover photo: MoD