Michael Fallon demands £1billion boost for military

Michael Fallon demands £1billion boost for military



Sir Michael Fallon has demanded a £1billion boost on Britain's defence spending after the head of the Army warned they cannot meet the threat posed by Vladimir Putin.



The Tory grandee said the UK will 'drift' towards being a 'bit-part world player' unless it beefs up its military spend.



In his first major speech since standing down as Defence Secretary late last year, he said Britain's military should be seen on 'every continent, in every sky, on all seven seas'.



Meanwhile, in a rare public intervention the head of the Army Sir Nick Carter warned Britain's military does not match up to Russia's because of under investment.



And he warned that Putin's troops are 'on Europe's doorstep' and 'could initiate hostilities sooner than we expect'.



Sir Michael piled more pressure on the Treasury to stump up the money needed to properly fund Britain's Armed forces.



He told the Defence and Security Forum, he said: 'If we're happy to retreat from our vision of a confident, outward-looking Global Britain standing up for our people, our values, our allies, then we will drift downwards to being a bit-part world player, a part-time champion of democracy and freedom.



'That would mean walking away from our international obligations, letting down our allies, and in the end leaving us less safe.



'On the contrary, we should be doing more in the world: our troops, planes and ships should be seen on every continent, in every sky, on all seven seas.



'And that ambition needs a fully funded budget to match.'



He urged the Chancellor Philip Hammond to find the extra money now Britain's once ballooning deficit has been brought under control.



He said: 'The deficit is coming down. We are increasing spending in other priority areas, like the NHS and schools.



'So let's release an extra £1 billion to fire up the defence budget this year, and set 2.5 per cent of GDP as our new target for the end of the parliament.'



Sir Michael was forced to quit from the Cabinet in November at the height of the Westminster s*x harassment scandal after being accused of making inappropriate advances on women.



Announcing his resignation, he said he conceded that his actions had 'fallen below the high standards required.



There is a growing clamour among the Tory ranks for more money to be found to fund Britain's Armed Forces.





New Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has been pressing the Chancellor for more cash amid warnings there will be a backbench Tory revolt unless money is found.



Sir Michael said defence is the 'first duty of government', and the 'military can always be more efficient and they should be'.



He added: 'Radical ideas like pre-positioning warships in the eastern Mediterranean and the Gulf, and doing more training with allies closer to home, need following through.



'But in the end, defence needs a bigger budget because the threats are real and growing: they are at our borders, across our waters, on our streets and in our homes.'



Sir Michael said the threats to Britain have 'intensified' and the current security review 'must recognise that'.