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Lord Young of Cookham (Con)

Speaking in the House of Lords on 15 January 2026

Debate

Ministry of Defence: Budget Shortfall

Contribution

I am grateful to the Minister for that reply. The Chief of the Defence Staff has rightly warned the country about the growing threat from Russia and other countries and the need for adequate preparation. In response to questions about the £28 billion shortfall on Monday before the Defence Select Committee in another place, the Chief of the Defence Staff, while not directly answering the question, said: “Right now, we are in a position where we are forecasting to spend more than the budget we have”. Does it not follow that without extra cash from the Treasury, over and above the sums the Minister has just referred to, the Government may have to postpone or abandon major programmes?

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