Grant Shapps defends new role as defence sec – but admits he lacks knowledge about Army

Published

1 year ago

September 6, 2023

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Grant Shapps has defended his appointment as defence secretary – saying the department “needs highly experienced cabinet ministers”.

There was a backlash after Rishi Sunak’s ally was moved into one of the top roles in government amid a war in Europe – despite having no military experience.

Critics claimed the prime minister had chosen appearance over substance.

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But Mr Shapps, who has also run the energy, business and transport departments, brushed off criticism that he got his role “because it was a job for the boys” – even as he admitted he lacked knowledge about the Army.

Grilled on how many ranks there are in the Army, he told Sky News he did not know the answer “off the top of my head”.

But he insisted: “Look, what the Ministry of Defence needs is the highly experienced cabinet ministers who can run a complex infrastructure-orientated department.

“I’ve had a lot of experience of running very large budgets and complex departments.”

Mr Shapps added that “only two of the last 15 defence secretaries have had any military background themselves”.

He said: “It’s not usual in democracy where we actually pride ourselves on having civilians run all elements of government, including our military. What I do know is how to run the department.”

Ben Wallace, Mr Shapps’ predecessor and a former Army officer, had played a key role in galvanising international support to arm the Ukrainian military.

He resigned from cabinet last week with a warning that “over the next decade, the world will get more insecure and more unstable”.

In a parting shot to secure his department’s future, Mr Wallace also added: “I know you agree with me that we must not return to the days where defence was viewed as a discretionary spend by government and savings were achieved by hollowing out.”

Asked if he would be as vocal as Mr Wallace, Mr Shapps suggested he would lobby for higher defence spending but said he’ll “do it in my own way” – adding: “I’ve spoken before about my desire to see a higher defence budget, well before being in this role.”

He said defence spending is already on the rise, with the aim of it going up to 2.5%.

“I fully support that,” Mr Shapps said. “I think it’s very important that we are protected as a nation, but also that we’re doing our part around the world to help the world be better protected.”

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HashFlare co-founders plead guilty to wire fraud in US

Published

2 hours ago

February 12, 2025

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HashFlare co-founders plead guilty to wire fraud in US

Sergei Potapenko and Ivan Turogin, both Estonian nationals, agreed to forfeit all claims in digital assets frozen by US authorities as part of a plea deal with prosecutors.

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BTC-e operator to be released as part of US-Russia prisoner swap: WSJ

Published

5 hours ago

February 12, 2025

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BTC-e operator to be released as part of US-Russia prisoner swap: WSJ

Schoolteacher Marc Fogel returned to the US on Feb. 11 as part of a deal with Russian authorities that will reportedly include the release of Alexander Vinnik.

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Treasury launches inquiry into leak of growth forecasts

Published

6 hours ago

February 12, 2025

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Treasury launches inquiry into leak of growth forecasts

A leak inquiry will take place following reports that economic growth forecasts have been reduced by the government’s financial watchdog.

Bloomberg reported that the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) had reduced its growth forecasts in data sent to Chancellor Rachel Reeves last week.

Reduced growth could force the government to cut further spending or increase more taxes.

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The next forecast is set to be published in March – with the process supposed to remain confidential until that point.

The inquiry was confirmed by James Bowler, the most senior civil servant in the Treasury.

He told the House of Commons Treasury Committee: “We will undertake an inquiry, and I’m happy to communicate the outcome of that.”

The government’s attempts to grow the UK economy have proved difficult since the election last year, and businesses have complained about measures introduced in Ms Reeves’s first budget.

Part of Labour’s plan involves increasing house building and development, although these plans were not included in the forecasts for last October’s budget.

Mr Bowler sought to play down the fact that a leak inquiry was happening meant that what was reported by Bloomberg was true.

Asked by committee chair Meg Hillier about the inquiry, the civil servant appeared to indicate about 50 people in the Treasury would have been able to see the forecasts.

He said an investigation into OBR officials would likely also happen, although the body is independent of government.

Downing Street has tried to remain bullish about the economic situation.

A Number 10 spokesperson said: “In recent weeks and months, the [Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development] and the [International Monetary Fund] have upgraded our growth forecast over the next three years.”

They added: “The government remains relentlessly focused on growth as the only way of sustainably raising living standards and delivering the investment that we need in our public services.”

Both bodies mentioned slightly increased their growth forecasts, but they still remain below 2%.

Last week, the Bank of England halved its growth expectations for the UK – saying it would only increase by 0.75% in 2025, before increasing to 1.5% for the next two years.