Home > UK News > Jeremy Hunt defends civil service job cuts to increase defence spending

Jeremy Hunt defends civil service job cuts to increase defence spending

Jeremy Hunt has defended plans to slash civil service jobs to increase defence spending and Ukraine aid, during a surprise trip to Kyiv.

The chancellor said cutting public services will cost “a great deal less” compared to allowing Russia to succeed. The government has pledged to increase UK military spending to 2.5% of national income by 2030. Mr Hunt confirmed the increase will cost an extra £20bn, which unions claim will be funded by cutting 70,000 jobs. Downing Street said the plans would be funded through existing commitments to reduce the civil service headcount to pre-Covid levels, and giving the ministry of defence (MoD) a share of an already-announced increase in government research spending.The Public and Commercial Services Union said cutting civil servants’ jobs to pay for higher defence spending would lead to longer waiting lists for new passports, driving tests and driving licence. The announcement comes after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak confirmed the UK would provide an additional £500m for Ukraine this year, on top of £2.5bn already allocated. Mr Sunak added that the UK could continue to provide “at least the current level of military support to Ukraine for every year it is needed”. Speaking in Kyiv ahead of a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky, Mr Hunt said he hope the increased funding would be “a turning point in this war”. “We think other European countries will follow us and that will send a message to Putin that he is not going to succeed,” Mr Hunt said.

Loading

You may also like
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt hints at further tax cuts
Indians at UK - National Debt Cost
Cost of National Debt Hits 20-Year High
Indians at UK - Jeremy Hunt
UK Must Break Out Of Tax Rise ‘Vicious Circle’ – Jeremy Hunt
Indians at UK - IFS Think Tank
UK On Track For Record Tax Levels – IFS Think Tank
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x