John Healey – 2021 Comments on Leaked Defence Report

The comments made by John Healey, the Shadow Defence Secretary, commenting on a leaked Ministry of Defence report on 6 February 2021.

This report raises the alarm on the readiness of our military, at a time when the country is already in a national crisis.

After a decade of decline our forces are over 10,000 below the strength Ministers said are needed, with combat personnel indispensable for our defence and our commitment to NATO.

Britain can’t afford any more reckless cuts to our forces, so ministers must put personnel at the heart of their delayed defence review. Our adversaries will exploit continuing holes in our capability. The UK needs a proper defence strategy without further delay.