Labour's £2bn defence black hole 'leaves frontline troops starved of cash'

Key projects have been axed and basic training hit by cutbacks, as frontline troops are starved of cash after critics say Labour has left the military with a £2bn black hole in its budget.

Figures seen by the express show that key project funding has been removed, cash intended to recruit new troops hasn't increased recruitment, and that officer satisfaction with critical training tools is dropping.

Officer cadets reported a drop in satisfaction with their internet access on training bases from 63 per cent to just 8, prompting anger that cost-saving measures are undermining day-to-day training.

James Cartlidge MP, the Shadow Defence Secretary said that the Express had "further exposed the shocking truth behind Labour's national security rhetoric" adding that "at a time of war in Europe, when we urgently need to strengthen our defences, [Labour] are instead telling the armed forces to make 'savings'."

He asked if "turning off the internet for Officer Cadets was one of those savings?

Mr Cartlidge went on to say that "the stark reality of defence under Labour is that they are putting our veterans back in the dock; wasting billions surrendering Diego Garcia, and now we've learned they're starving the frontline of cash. Those who defend our country deserve far better."

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: "We welcome the publication of the annual report for the Officer Cadet Survey, which has shown almost twice as many increases than decreases in satisfaction.

They added: "We will review these findings to focus on the areas we need to, to continue to offer modern, effective training that is unique to the way we operate."

The row has only intensified after ministers quietly closed a £3.1million innovation competition designed to boost the military's resilience on operations by reducing reliance on supply chains. The Defence and Security Accelerator's Delivering Operational Advantage via Improved Self-Sufficiency competition was launched in May 2024 under the previous government with plans to fund up to 20 proposals.

In a written answer to parliamentary questions from Conservative MP and veteran Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst, defence minister Luke Pollard confirmed "a change to programme prioritisation" meant no proposals were funded through the competition, though one was later supported via alternative customer funding.

Responding, Dr Neil Shastri Hurst said: "Increasing resilience is vital in ensuring that our armed forces are able to meet the challenges posed by global instability.

"So it is disappointing that the Government has quietly shelved support for innovations that were aimed at reducing our military's reliance on supply chains helping to outcompete and deter nearby adversaries.

"If Labour were serious about defence, they would be investing in developing the latest technology, as well as the machinery and personnel needed today."

The Ministry of Defence said: "We are absolutely investing in innovation with a ringfenced budget of £400 million which will deliver support for firms of all sizes to take state-of-the-art technology from the drawing board to the production line, and into the hands of our Armed Forces.

"This competition was launched under the previous government, and we are prioritising in other areas to deliver the capabilities our Armed Forces need."

Ministers were also forced to defend in Parliament why extra money announced for 2025-26 will not lead to more service personnel. Asked how much of the additional £400million would fund new troops and how many would be recruited as a result, Mr Pollard said initiatives to tackle recruitment and retention are being paid for from existing plans.

He said: "The Department is committed to taking decisive action to address recruitment and retention challenges that we inherited from the last administration and strengthen our Armed Forces, including launching the new, combined Armed Forces Recruitment Service in 2027. These initiatives are funded from our existing spending plans and will not draw on the additional funding announced in the Spring Statement."

Opponents say the combination of a reported £2billion budget gap, falling satisfaction among cadets, the closure of a resilience programme, and no immediate uplift in troop numbers points to pressures across the armed forces at a critical time.

The Government insists it is investing in modern training and innovation, and reviewing survey findings to improve standards. Critics counter that frontline capabilities and people are feeling the squeeze when global threats are rising.