Nia Griffith MP, Labour’s Shadow Defence Secretary, responding to Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson’s speech at the Conservative Party conference, said:

“Under the Tories we have seen Armed Forces numbers falling, service morale is in free-fall, and there have been deep real-terms cuts to the UK’s defence budget.

“Williamson has given our Royal Navy months of needless uncertainty by making them wait so long for the announcement that HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark will be retained. But the Government must urgently get to grips with the crisis in recruitment and retention to ensure that we are able to crew these ships.

“You cannot do security on the cheap. In government Labour will put the security of our country first and we will ensure proper investment in defence. Whilst the Conservative party has run out of ideas, Labour has a plan to rebuild our country’s defences, support our home industries and give our Armed Forces the resources that they need.”