UK Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis has signalled he is pushing for extra money for the armed forces, amidst growing concerns over the military's equipment and personnel.
In an interview, Jarvis stated that he would not publish a defence investment plan 'at any cost', implying that he is willing to prioritise spending on the armed forces.
The Ministry of Defence has faced criticism for its handling of defence spending, with some warning that the military's equipment and personnel are in need of urgent upgrades.
According to a recent report by the defence think tank, the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), the UK's defence budget has been increasing, but not at a rate that matches the rising costs of military equipment and personnel.
The RUSI report found that the UK's defence budget increased by 3.8% in 2022, but that this was still short of the 5-6% annual increase needed to keep pace with the rising costs of military equipment and personnel.
The implications of this are significant, with some warning that the UK's military may not be able to meet its commitments in the face of rising threats from Russia and China.