MoD criticised over £3m diversity roles and defence spending figures

The Ministry of Defence is facing criticism over nearly £3 million a year spent on diversity and inclusion roles and over claims that defence spending figures are being inflated. The row puts Labour's priorities and accounting under scrutiny as the armed forces face recruitment problems and a more dangerous security environment.

In a broadcast discussion, critics argued that the diversity spending is small beside the overall defence budget but symptomatic of misplaced priorities. One contributor said the money would be better used on recruitment, which she called woeful, and questioned the need for staff in offices to oversee diversity issues. Another said such roles can help widen recruitment, noting that women make up 12% of the armed forces against a 30% target. She argued that better recruitment campaigns, work with cadet groups, schools and local communities, and less reliance on private sector recruiters would be more effective.

The discussion also examined the government's defence spending claims. It was said that MI5 is being included in the new 3% defence spending target, and that part of MI6 had also been included in the past. One contributor claimed that once pensions and security service spending are stripped out, defence spending is closer to 1.6%. The discussion referred to a complaint by former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace about Treasury adjustments to figures. It was argued that the accounting changes amount to fiddling the figures.

Questions were raised about extra spending announced by Rachel Reeves. The discussion said that of more than £2 billion in additional expenditure, £200 million went to high street improvements in towns near military bases and £2 billion went to export finance, with almost none going to extra kit. It also noted that John Healey is due to set out a budget the following day, with expectations that he will point to a spending review. The exchange included claims about past Treasury disputes and about a figure of £28 billion being sought but only £13 billion being provided by Rachel Reeves.

The segment linked the row to warnings from the Defence Secretary that the country needs to prepare for war. The overall charge from critics was that Labour is putting identity politics and questionable accounting ahead of national security.