Royal Navy assault ships axed as Healey seeks defence savings

The defence secretary has announced emergency cuts to the UK military, including the Royal Navy’s two amphibious assault ships, a frigate and 31 helicopters.

John Healey has blamed the disputed £22bn black hole left in the finances by the Tories. However, the Conservatives have warned that the cuts have come because Labour refuses to spend 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence.

Mr Healey told MPs that Labour had “a dire inheritance” from the Tories in defence so needed to scrap six “outdated” defence projects which will save £500m over the next five years.

Watch more on Independent TV: https://tinyurl.com/yc7ukx9n

The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking newsbrand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for the independently-minded.

Subscribe: https://bit.ly/Subscribe-to-Independent

Find us on social:
TikTok /   / independent  
Instagram /   / the.independent  
X (Twitter) /   / independent  
Facebook /   / theindependentonline  

Download the iOS & Android app: https://tinyurl.com/2s3ts5dh
Sign up to our newsletters: https://tinyurl.com/2bmw565x

Help to support truly independent journalism. Every dollar you contribute will directly fund additional special reports and investigations from a free-thinking, award-winning newsroom you can trust: https://www.independent.co.uk/donations