Global insecurity continues to escalate, and our world is becoming increasingly dangerous, writes Newark MP, Robert Jenrick.
Amidst this evolving international landscape, the UK is faced with challenges to its ability to assert its influence.
Against the backdrop of increasing global instability and threats to our security, we find ourselves grappling with the need to respond effectively.
We are a historically strong nation, but we are at risk of slipping and becoming comparatively weaker than our international counterparts — nowhere is this clearer than with the degradation of our nuclear deterrent.
We must become better prepared to respond to threats and further support our armed forces.
Calls to increase the defence budget have never been louder. Bolstering our defence spending to three per cent of GDP is not only necessary to put us on equal footing with other nations across Europe, but is also absolutely essential in this era of global insecurity.
It is no secret that money is tight, and that an upsurge in economic growth is fundamental to increasing long-term spending.
However, the time lag attached to economic growth, coupled with the current international climate, necessitates an immediate response.
There are, therefore, three ways which an increase in the defence budget could be funded: Increased taxes, increased government borrowing, or through the redirection of funds currently being spent elsewhere.
It is inconceivable to raise taxes when the tax burden is already high, or to increase the national debt beyond levels that are already unprecedented, or to cut public services.
The alternative solution I propose is to cut the foreign aid budget and divert this to the defence budget.
The aid budget undoubtedly contributes towards great international causes, however substantial parts of the budget are not used effectively.
For example, at home, we continue to dedicate an astronomical amount of the aid budget to supporting economic migrants who abuse our asylum system.
Abroad, we are not in direct control of how a great proportion of the budget is utilised, with incredibly large amounts of aid being unnecessarily sent to international economic heavyweights in the name of supporting development.
This is wasteful spending which we should not continue to do.
Instead, through halving the aid budget, we can free up approximately £7 billion a year to be spent on defence, ensuring that we can reaffirm our own security and contribute towards steadying global instability.
Of course, it is of paramount importance that the UK continues to be a compassionate nation, especially when it comes to dealing with humanitarian emergencies and international crises.
When appropriate, we could consider increasing aid expenditure. For now, we must continue to push for reforms that will allow us to be better equipped to defend ourselves.
