Sajid Javid to announce defence budget hike in upcoming Spending Review
2 min read
Sajid Javid has vowed for the UK to continue to play a “leading role on the global stage” after Brexit and hike defence spending this week.
The Chancellor is expected to announce a rise in the 2.1% of GDP that the Government currently spends on defence, as part of the Spending Review set to be unveiled on Wednesday.
The cash boost aiming to “bolster alliances” is set to exceed the present commitment to increase spending by 0.5% above inflation.
On Saturday the Treasury said a further £90 million will go to the UK’s embassies and consulates around the world as well as a further £60 million to boost a campaign promoting trade with the UK.
Mr Javid said: "Across our history, Britain has thrived as an open, free-trading nation.
“As we leave the EU, we are deeply committed to playing a leading role on the global stage. That means bolstering alliances, celebrating our culture, building new trading relationships and making sure we can act when needed to keep our people safe.
“We shouldn’t be ashamed of being proud of our place in the world – we are and will remain a great nation with fantastic assets.”
The Treasury’s new spending package also is expected to include money for schools, police, councils and the NHS.
Speaking to the Sunday Times, Boris Johnson said it is the “biggest, most generous spending review since the height of Tony Blair’s New Labour”.
PoliticsHome Newsletters
PoliticsHome provides the most comprehensive coverage of UK politics anywhere on the web, offering high quality original reporting and analysis: Subscribe
