British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was confronted by a veteran during an interview regarding increasing spending on the Armed Forces (Picture: MOD). — Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was confronted by the veteran during an interview on phone-in radio station LBC (Picture: MOD)

Army

Army veteran confronts Sunak and calls for defence spending to be boosted

An Army veteran has told the Prime Minister that as the world grows more dangerous, defence spending should grow to match it.

During an interview on LBC with Nick Ferrari, a caller named Steve from Blackpool who served in the British Army asked Rishi Sunak if he thought now was a good time to increase spending above a minimum level considering the threats the country faced.

"You've got Russia, you've got the Middle East and you've got the tensions with Taiwan and China," said the former soldier.

Steve was the last caller of the show, which had seen the PM grilled on matters relating to crime, Gaza and spending.

He said: "I'm a veteran, I joined the Army in 1988. Defence spending at the time was just over 4.2% of GDP.

"I left in 2013. The defence spending was just over 2% - so half - bearing in mind that our minimum we can spend because our Nato commitment is 2%.

"Do you not think now is the time for us to spend more than the minimum on defence?"

Grant Shapps has previously said the UK must increase spending to 3% of GDP (Picture: MOD). — Grant Shapps has previously said the UK must increase spending to 3% of GDP (Picture: MOD)

In response to the former soldier’s question, Mr Sunak thanked Steve for his service and replied: "You're right, the world is sadly a less certain and a less safe place and it's important that we invest to keep the country safe.

"That's what we've been doing. We've seen the largest increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War. I authorised that as Chancellor."

But radio host Mr Ferrari reminded him how Defence Secretary Grant Shapps had previously said spending would need to reach 3% of GDP - while its current rate is 2.3%.

Mr Sunak added: "We are and have consistently over the last decade been the second largest spender on defence in Nato."

Rishi Sunak has vowed to make Great Britain the best place in the world for Armed Forces veterans (Picture: PA). — Rishi Sunak has vowed to make Great Britain the best place in the world for Armed Forces veterans (Picture: PA)

The Prime Minister was pushed further by the host as he inquired when spending would reach 2.5%.

He replied: "We'll set out a plan to do that when the circumstances are right, but the key is right now we are investing more in defence, and I think I said it's at the highest level it's been at for years and years."

Mr Sunak ended the exchange by vowing to make Great Britain the best place in the world to be a veteran, and once again thanked Steve for his service to his country.