𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

A staggering £32billion defence black hole has been uncovered in Rachel Reeves’s Autumn Budget, after the official spending watchdog revealed that the Government’s promise to reach 3.5 per cent of GDP on defence has not been budgeted for.

The Office for Budget Responsibility warned in its forecasts that there were “several risks to departments over the spending review period” due to soaring inflation.

It means the pledge to lift defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP by 2035 would cost an extra £32billion in today’s money, cash simply not set aside in the Budget.

Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge said the findings were “absolutely shocking”, adding: “At a time of the gravest threats, it is unprecedented for our most senior military leaders to expose Labour’s gulf between their rhetoric and reality.”

He accused Ms Reeves of prioritising welfare over defence, saying: “Whilst the Budget delivered billions extra for benefits, there was no new money for Defence, and not even a mention of Labour’s previous plan to get to 3 per cent.”

He added: “In that context, it’s no surprise there is huge uncertainty in the MOD on how they can possibly plan their budget.”

It comes as the UK’s attempt to join a pan-European defence fund, known as SAFE, collapsed, after Britain and Brussels failed to agree on how much the UK would be expected to pay.

Eurocrats demanded a huge €6.75billion (£5.9billion) contribution, a price Whitehall reportedly refused.

The Ministry of Defence was approached for comment. It was reported that Military chiefs had warned the Treasury they would need more money, or the armed forces would face significant cutbacks.

Earlier this week, the Spectator reported that the Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Chief Marshall Sir Richard Knighton, and other senior defence heads sat down and agreed to write to the Defence Secretary John Healey, to tell him the Strategic Defense and Security Review would not be deliverable with current funding.