The offer made by Sir Keir Starmer to increase defence spending by £13.5billion over the next four years would have left the MoD without enough money for its existing equipment programme.

We won the peace through spending on defence. When deterrence fails (as in 1939), the costs in lives and living standards are enormous.

The former Parachute Regiment officer, who has been security minister since the 2024 general election , was appointed after John Healey dramatically quit on Thursday.