By Basant El-Faramawy
UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has revealed he began stockpiling food and water weeks ago in preparation for a potential national emergency, citing rising threats to the country. Streeting told The Times he has accumulated bottled water, a first aid kit, battery-powered torch, baked beans, sweetcorn, red kidney beans, tuna, protein bars and nuts.
Call for household resilience
Streeting said he started setting aside supplies to "lead by example" and urged all Britons to follow suit. He described the measures as "common sense things for the everyday challenges" and emphasized the need for household resilience. The defence secretary also stressed the UK must be able to deter adversaries and, if deterrence fails, be ready to defeat them.
Defence spending targets outlined
Chancellor John Healey has set a target for defence spending to reach 3% of GDP by 2030 and 3.5% by 2035. Healey has asked Whitehall departments to find 1% cuts in their budgets to fund long-term defence investment. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the UK is on "a credible path towards meeting the commitment made by all NATO allies in The Hague."
Healey's return to government
Healey resigned as defence secretary in June under former Prime Minister Keir Starmer, criticizing inadequate funding for the defence investment plan. He now serves as chancellor in Andy Burnham's government and announced his first budget on Wednesday, fully funding the defence investment plan. Details on reaching the spending targets are expected in next year's spending review.
Special forces oversight discussed
Streeting also addressed oversight of service personnel, telling The Times the courts are engaged in an "active campaign" to "smear the reputation and integrity of our special forces." He left open the possibility of scrutiny of special forces and the UK's nuclear weapons by MPs and peers on the intelligence and security committee, saying they could be trusted.
