No10 hints at an end to cutbacks in defence budget

DEFENCE spending could rise following a ferocious Tory backlash, Downing Street hinted last night.

Ministers appeared to clear the way for a potential climbdown after 30 Conservative MPs warned they would not support further cuts.

MPs lined up in the Commons yesterday to urge new Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson to take on the Treasury over his budget.

Mr Williamson, who was appointed following the resignation of Sir Michael Fallon, said the Government’s pledge to spend 2 per cent of income on defence was a ‘base’ rather than a ‘ceiling’.

The Prime Minister’s spokesman later told reporters that Theresa May shared his analysis.

Ministers have come under mounting pressure from Tory backbenchers following reports the Armed Forces could be squeezed as national security spending moves to tackling cyber threats.

Tory MP James Gray said the Government would face ‘a very substantial rebellion’ if there was any attempt to trim spending.

His colleague Johnny Mercer said 30 of his fellow MPs were prepared to ‘hold the Government’s feet to the fire’ over defence spending.

The former Army officer said he had ‘made it very clear’ to the Prime Minister and Chancellor that a significant group of MPs were ‘not prepared to see a further degradation in this country’s military’.

He added: ‘Some of us are prepared to stand firm on this.’

Julian Lewis, Tory chairman of the Commons defence committee, urged Mr Williamson to push for defence spending to be raised to 3 per cent of GDP. Mr Williamson said: ‘I will certainly be taking on board his thoughts and comments.’

The MoD has drawn up a string of drastic proposals to tackle a looming cash crisis, including scrapping amphibious capability.