Former army chief Richard Barrons has backed George Robertson’s criticism of the state of the armed forces, saying Britain’s military is “too small and undernourished for the world that we now live in”. His remarks add to the pressure on ministers over defence spending and the wider condition of the UK’s military capability.
Barrons also said Pete Hegseth was right to mock the Royal Navy, aligning himself with Robertson’s warnings about long-standing underfunding. The comments reflect a broader argument that the UK has not invested enough to meet the threats posed by the current international situation.
The discussion comes against the backdrop of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and growing concern across Europe about defence readiness. Britain, like other European countries, is facing renewed scrutiny over whether its armed forces are equipped and sized appropriately for the risks ahead.
Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey addressed the issue during a press conference. Asked about defence spending and the claim by George Robertson that Davey had declined an invitation to a briefing on the strategic defence review, he argued that the scale of the challenge demanded a united national response.
“We need to get together as a country,” Davey said. “The defence challenges for our country are so serious, with war on our continent for the first time for a long time, with Russia invading Ukraine, surely that’s been the wake up call that we needed. The government hasn’t gone as fast as it should have given those circumstances.”
His comments underline the political pressure facing the government over how quickly it is responding to changing security conditions. The debate is no longer only about spending levels, but also about the speed at which decisions are being made and whether the country is adapting fast enough.
The broader defence argument sits alongside other government announcements on funding. Separate from the military debate, venues across the UK are set to benefit from new support through the Arts Everywhere Fund. The government said 130 organisations will receive funding in the first round of projects backed by the scheme.
Arts funding for venues across the UK
Among the organisations receiving support are venues such as The Lowry Centre in Salford, The Hexagon in Reading and the Royal Shakespeare Company in Warwickshire. The funding is intended to help improve access to facilities, complete building projects and upgrade technology on site.
The government said the money would give a “much needed cash boost” to venues taking part in the scheme. It described the projects as the first to receive funding from the Arts Everywhere Fund.
With the cost of living continuing to affect families across Britain, the funding has also been presented as a way to protect welcoming and affordable spaces for local communities. According to the government, these venues play an important role in helping people come together and celebrate what makes their areas distinctive.
Although the defence debate and the arts funding announcement are separate issues, both highlight the pressures on public finances and the choices facing ministers. In defence, the focus is on readiness and capability. In the arts, it is on maintaining access and supporting local institutions.
The immediate political focus remains on whether the government is moving quickly enough to address national security concerns. Barrons’ support for Robertson’s view, and Davey’s warning that the situation demands faster action, suggest the issue is likely to remain prominent in Westminster.
As the debate continues, the central question is whether Britain’s armed forces are properly resourced for the current geopolitical environment. For critics of the government, the answer is increasingly no. For ministers, the challenge will be to show that they are responding with the urgency the situation requires.
