Arbuthnot: SDSR ‘Money-driven’

James Arbuthnot, chair of the defence select committee, criticises the government’s conduct of the strategic defence and security review (SDSR):

“We are not yet convinced that the combination of a budgetary straight-jacket, the short timescale, and the apparent unwillingness by the Ministry to think outside existing structures, for example with regard to the more integrated use of reservists, will deliver that end.”

“Lack of consultation with the public also means that the SDSR represents a missed opportunity to reconnect the people of the country with defence issues. Before the next review the MoD must communicate the outcome of the SDSR effectively to the wider public.”

[Speaking to the Today programme] “We are worried that this process appears to be money-driven rather than driven by the threats to our country which need to be worked out and assessed in order to work out whether, and the extent to which, we can defend against them.”