CAMPAIGNERS are urging the government to rethink its defence strategy in light of the pandemic and the climate emergency as Britain’s military spending soars above that of Russia.

Research by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute published today shows that last year’s 2.9 per cent increase in British military spending was higher than the international average rise per country of 2.6 per cent — and the figure is set to rise by £24 billion by 2025, equating to £6bn a year.

The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) pointed out that, at £41.2bn, Britain’s “defence” budget for is just ahead of Russia, a country 70 times the size of the UK.

Only the United States, China and India spent more on their military than Britain.

GCOMS-UK, the British arm of the Global Campaign on Military Spending, criticised the government’s integrated review, which claimed that “increased nuclear weapons capacity and increased funding for the armed forces will make British citizens safer.”  

Group co-ordinator Matt Fawcett said: “These are totally misplaced priorities.

“The pandemic and the climate crisis have shown us in dramatic ways that the areas we need to invest in are not high-tech military gadgetry.

“Rather than indulge in provocative gestures, the UK should work to establish greater international co-operation over health, environment and common security.

“Otherwise, all sides will continue up the military spiral, with grave risks of devastating confrontations.

“Recent events around Ukraine and Taiwan confirm the dangers of such a military-led strategy.”

Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) chairman Dave Webb said: “The review talks too much about ‘power projection’ and the UK being a global military power. It also plans a 40 per cent increase in the number of nuclear warheads.

“The UK is relying more and more on technology and threats than on diplomacy and understanding.”

GCOMS-UK is supported by 36 organisations, among them peace and faith groups, which are taking part in a series of global days of action on military spending, including a protest at the US intelligence-gathering base at Menwith Hill in North Yorkshire on April 30.

A Ministry of Defence statement said: “We must use money better, undertake a technological upgrade of our national security capabilities so they are ahead of hostile powers, terrorists and organised crime and develop an integrated plan for all forces engaged in security.”