Government has 'hollowed out and underfunded' the British army, defence secretary Ben Wallace admits

30 January 2023, 15:41 | Updated: 30 January 2023, 16:12

Ben Wallace has admitted the army has been 'hollowed out'
Ben Wallace has admitted the army has been 'hollowed out'. Picture: Alamy

By Kit Heren

The government has "hollowed out and underfunded" the army, defence secretary Ben Wallace has admitted, following claims by an American general that the UK is no longer a top-tier fighting force.

The British armed forces have suffered cuts for years, with Russia's invasion of Ukraine highlighting an increased need for investment and upgraded capabilities.

Mr Wallace was challenged in the House of Commons by his Labour counterpart John Healey on Monday after the US general's comments.

Mr Healey said: "When Labour left government in 2010, the British Army stood at over 100,000 full-time troops and we were spending 2.5% of GDP on defence.

"The serious hollowing-out has happened since. Who does he think has been in charge over the last 13 years?"

Mr Wallace responded: "You only have to listen to the veterans on this side to understand their experience under a Labour government...

He added: "If (Mr Healey) wants to be the next secretary of defence, he should come here and get off his chest the shortcomings that his former government did.

"I'm happy to say that we have hollowed out and underfunded. Will he do the same? Or will he hide behind petty party politics?"

It came after minister James Heappey told the Commons on Monday: "I think everybody is clear. The secretary of state has said many times, as have I and other ministerial colleagues, that serial under-investments in the army over decades has led to the point where the army is in urgent need of recapitalisation.

"The chancellor and the prime minister get that and there is a budget coming."

Mr Wallace was briefed by a senior US general, who described the British army as "no longer" being considered one of the world's premier fighting forces, according to Sky News.

Meanwhile one UK defence source said: "Bottom line... it's an entire service unable to protect the UK and our allies for a decade."

As part of the comments, its suggested Britain's defence budget should be upped by at least £3 billion a year;
As part of the comments, its suggested Britain's defence budget should be upped by at least £3 billion a year;. Picture: LBC / Alamy

Read more: Boy, 16, charged with murder as tributes pour in for 15-year-old Holly Newton stabbed to death in Northumberland

Read more: Boris Johnson says Putin 'threatened to kill him with a missile strike' during 'extraordinary' phone call

It's reported that Rishi Sunak has the potential to be labelled a 'failing' "wartime prime minister" if he doesn't increase investment in the nations' armed forces.

"We have a wartime prime minister and a wartime chancellor," one source said.

"History will look back at the choices they make in the coming weeks as fundamental to whether this government genuinely believes that its primary duty is the defence of the realm or whether that is just a slogan to be given lip service."

It follows the news Ukrainian soldiers have arrived in the UK for Challenger 2 tank training, following the pledge to send vehicles to the war torn country.

It also coincides with Germany's announcement to send Leopard tanks to the region, at a time when European powers including France and Germany look set to boost defence spending significantly in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace is said to have been told the British Army's global position as a top-level fighting force has been downgraded by a senior US general.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace is said to have been told the British Army's global position as a top-level fighting force has been downgraded by a senior US general. Picture: Alamy

As part of the comments, its suggested Britain's defence budget should be upped by at least £3 billion a year;

It follows ongoing plans to decrease spending and the size of the army even further.

Peacetime procurement rules are currently said be obstruct the UK's ability to buy weapons and ammunition at speed, adding to the issue.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Maurizio Cattelan: “America” a solid gold toilet installed on the fourth floor of the Guggenheim museum in New York City. United States of America.

Two men involved in £4.75m gold toilet heist to be sentenced

Two doctors and their three children snapped a heartbreaking final selfie onboard the doomed Air India plane

Doctor couple and their children took selfie to celebrate 'new beginnings' moments before disaster struck

Air India plane makes emergency landing in Thailand less than 24h after Gatwick flight horror

Air India plane makes emergency landing in Thailand less than 24h after Gatwick flight horror

Andres Felipe Valencia Barrientos, the British YouTuber and rapper known as ‘Yung Filly' is seen leaving the Perth Magistrates Court in Perth, Thursday, December 19,

British rapper Yung Filly facing additional charges linked to sexual assault of woman in Australia

People look over damage to buildings following Israeli airstrikes on June 13 in Tehran.

Middle East braces for 'all out war' after Israel strikes against Iran and Tehran responds with 'around 100 drones'

Smoke rises up after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 13, 2025.

Israel launches strikes on Iran 'nuclear sites' with explosions heard in Tehran - as US says it's 'not involved'

Exclusive
Sir Sadiq Khan has told LBC News that he's concerned knife crime could rise because the Met Police weren't given more funding in Rachel Reeves' spending review.

Sadiq Khan warns knife crime could rise after Met Police miss out in Rachel Reeves' spending review

Officer Clive Kunder, top right, and Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, bottom right, warned the plane was losing power moments before it crashed.

Air India pilot's chilling 'mayday' call as he warned plane was 'losing power' moments before crash killed 229 on board

The PSNI chief said the initial lawful and legitimate process before unrest broke out was done in a way that was responsible and empathetic to the victim.

Police come under attack for fourth night in Northern Ireland as force say 'bigots and racists' behind unrest

Tottenham have appointed Thomas Frank as their new head coach, the Premier League club have announced.

Thomas Frank joins Spurs as new boss on three-year deal

A family-of-three, a wellness influencer couple, and a hotel manager travelling with his wife and two children, are among the Brits who were on board the Air India Flight.

The Brits on board crashed Air India flight as 52 UK nationals confirmed dead

Air India confirms only one survivor from 242 people on board Ahmedabad plane crash

Air India confirms only one survivor from 242 people on board Ahmedabad plane crash

Pro-Palestinian activists shout slogans while waving Palestinian flags as around one and a half thousand participants in the Resilience Convoy depart from Tunis, Tunisia.

Egypt deports and detains dozens of activists participating in march to Gaza in bid to end Israeli blockade

Aria Aber, Miranda July, Nussaibah Younis, Elizabeth Strout, Sanam Mahloudji and Yael van der Wouden attend the 2025 Women's Prize Winner's Ceremony, taking place at Bedford Square Gardens, London.

'A classic in the making': Debut novel by Dutch author wins 2025 Women’s Prize for Fiction

Walker looking out over the peak of Yr Aran and a fog filled Nant Gwynant Valley

Two women dead after 'incident' in Snowdonia National Park

The Belgium midfielder was warmly greeted by fans in Italy as he arrived for his medical on Thursday having agreed a deal with the Serie A champions

Kevin De Bruyne joins Napoli on free transfer after Man City exit