In a speech during today’s Estimates Day debate in the House of Commons, Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst, Member of Parliament for Solihull West & Shirley, made a compelling case for increased defence spending while defending the UK's commitment to international development.
Speaking during discussions on the Ministry of Defence budget, Dr Shastri-Hurst underlined the urgent need to modernise and strengthen Britain's Armed Forces to meet growing threats across Europe and the Indo-Pacific.
“The case for strengthening our Armed Forces is not just compelling, it is essential,” said Dr Shastri-Hurst. “We must invest in sovereign capability, in critical munitions, in advanced deterrence, and in national resilience.”
Dr Shastri-Hurst placed particular emphasis on the role of the National Armaments Director, calling for an expansion of both the remit and resources of the position. He argued that the Director should be empowered not merely as a technical overseer, but as a central strategic enabler of defence policy, capable of driving innovation, reform, and operational readiness across the defence supply chain.
He also warned against any attempt to fund defence increases by cutting the foreign aid budget, calling such a move a "false economy" that would undermine Britain's global influence and security.
“Aid is not an indulgence. It is not a soft option. And it is certainly not a luxury for easier times” he said. “Foreign aid and defence are not in conflict, they are complementary.”
Dr Shastri-Hurst concluded by reaffirming that true national security begins not just with military might, but with global engagement, partnership, and prevention.
“If we choose to retreat from the world, we shall find the world does not retreat from us.”
