Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Autumn Statement, what financial support his Department will receive to ensure that defence spending is protected from inflation and does not fall in 2023.

I welcomed the Autumn Statement and Chancellor’s recognition of the need to increase defence spending at the Spring Budget. In order to protect defence spending before that increase is agreed, the Chancellor has provided me access to Treasury reserves and new spending flexibilities. This includes a further £2.3 billion for military support to Ukraine; additional funding for replenishment of stocks already donated to Ukraine; £560 million of new investment in our critical stockpiles; and further Dreadnought contingency. As a result, according to Treasury forecasts, Defence spending will be protected from inflation next year and forecast to grow to nearly £50 billion.