New PM must make defence a priority, say students

University students in Hereford have called on the next prime minister to make defence spending a priority - and said they felt it had been underfunded by successive governments.

A long-awaited defence investment plan will be published ahead of next month's Nato summit, despite Sir Keir Starmer's resignation as prime minister, meaning it is likely to become a key issue for his replacement in Downing Street.

The BBC visited the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) in Hereford, where many students are preparing for careers in defence.

Matthew Harris, 22, said: "It's important for everyone to feel safe, especially when there's so many conflicts going on in the world."

He told Politics Midlands: "Defence is important - it should have a budget associated with it which represents how important it is.

"I'm looking at a career in defence as one of my options. It would be reassuring for all of us if we knew the government is committed to investing in it, especially on the technology side of things."

Steve Mansell, 24, said: "Since the Second World War, we've been running down our military in my opinion - that's across all parties, and successive governments.

"It's been like that for decades. I think we certainly need to see it (the spending) creep up."

Maya Kajona, 22, added: "I think the main thing is actually having a plan for what you're going to do (on defence spending).

"A lot of people in politics are good at talking about what they want to do, but actually doing it is another thing.

"Having clear objectives and being transparent, is what I want to see."

There have been reports that the Ministry of Defence is asking for an extra £28bn between now and the end of the decade, but had only been offered an additional £10bn.

Sir Keir has said he had asked all government departments to cut their investment budgets to free up extra money for defence, ahead of his departure from Downing Street.

James Newby, NMITE chief executive, said: "My message to whoever the next prime minister is, is to focus on skills.

"Too often the defence debate is framed around the procurement of equipment, which of course is important, but all of that equipment requires people with the right skills to design it, build it and operate it.

"I would hope our political leaders, whoever they are, are relentless on that."

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