BRITAIN cannot get war ready unless the spiralling welfare bill is gripped, a defence source has warned.
The PM has been left with a stark choice between cutting benefits or cutting core military strength amid a £28bn defence shortfall, according to the insider.
The Tories and Reform also insist Sir Keir Starmer’s decision to stall welfare reforms means billions that could bolster the Armed Forces are being swallowed by ballooning benefits.
It comes as No10 has delayed major welfare changes until next year, despite costs set to soar by £35billion by 2031.
The defence source said: “There is nothing left to trim, so the only way the MoD can save £28billion is by making completely mad kinds of cuts.
“The scale of these cuts would mean axing the Royal Marines, cancelling the GCAP fighter programme or accepting we no longer have an expeditionary army, which means reneging on our commitment to give Nato a strategic reserve corps.”
Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge alleged the PM’s spinelessness on welfare reform was “endangering Britain’s finances and national security”.
Reform UK Deputy Leader Richard Tice echoed Mr Cartlidge, fuming: “Rather than lavishing billions on benefits, the government should be handing that money to the military.”
Downing Street yesterday insisted it is still committed to welfare reform, despite reports the PM personally blocked new legislation from the next King’s Speech.
No10 said the reviews led by Alan Milburn and Sir Stephen Timms are ongoing and further plans could still be brought forward later in the parliamentary session.
