Dorset MP welcomes defence spending increase
Conservative Richard Drax says it's a 'step in the right direction'
A Dorset MP has welcomed an increase in defence spending by the Government, saying it's a 'step in the right direction'.
Conservative Richard Drax, who represents South Dorset, has praised what he's called the 'stalwart stubborness' of Defence Secretary Grant Shapps in pushing for the rise.
The Prime Minister announced this week that spending on defence will increased of 2.5% of Britain's gross domestic product by 2030 - up from 2%.
That works out as an extra £75 billion.
Mr Drax described the rise as 'so important' during a statement in the House of Commons, adding:
"The Defence Secretary and I both know that a lot more is needed but this is a step in the right direction."
The new defence funding plan will have three areas of focus; firing up the UK defence industrial base by investing at least an additional £10 billion over the next decade; modernising the Armed Forces, radically reforming defence procurement and creating a new Defence Innovation Agency, spending at least 5% of the defence budget on research and development; and backing Ukraine’s defence for as long as it is needed.