1 week Ago By Kelly Brown
Defence Portsmouth Naval Base set for crucial investment as government announces hike in defence spending By Kelly Brown Editor Comment Published 25th Mar 2025, 22:01 GMT Updated 25th Mar 2025, 22:13 GMT Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now Portsmouth Naval Base is to be ‘upgraded’, with the government set to announce an extra £2.2 billion will be spent on the UK’s defence over the next year.
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This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Notice and Terms of Service apply. Chancellor Rachel Reeves will make the announcement at the spring statement tomorrow (Wednesday, March 26) that the UK must “move quickly in a changing world” to up its defence commitment. It comes as the Government aims to hike defence spending to 2.
5 per cent of the UK’s economic output by 2027. The April funding increase will help pay for new technologies, like long range laser and microwave weapons – collectively known as directed energy weapons – which will be fitted to warships. Homes for military families are also set to be refurbished, including the 36,000 which were recently brought back into public ownership from the private rented sector.
Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Portsmouth’s naval base is of great importance to the city as a whole. Picture: LA(PHOT) Paul A'Barrow However a chunk of that cash will also be spent on upgrading HM Naval Base Portsmouth, with ministers hoping to create jobs in manufacturing and technology across the UK as they ramp up defence spending with the aim of reaching their goal of growing the economy. Portsmouth is considered the home of the Royal Navy and the city’s naval base is not only where key ships, such as both of the navy’s aircraft carriers, are based but is also home to key civilian maritime businesses and services including BAE Systems.
It follows a recent visit by Maria Eagle MP, minister for defence procurement, to the naval base where she held talks with various manufacturing firms and discussed the site’s future capabilities alongside city MPs Stephen Morgan and Amanda Martin . The visit was captured in the video embedded within this story. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad HMNB Portsmouth has been branded as an "engine for defence jobs".
Minister for defence procurement, Maria Eagle, visited Portsmouth on February 28, 2025, after the government announced plans to increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2027. | Contributed Read More Royal Navy: HNMB Portsmouth branded "engine for defence jobs" with site's future discussed at minister visit Spring Budget 2025: when is the UK Spring Statement, date - Chancellor Rachel Reeves announcement predictions Royal Navy: Huge boost for military families as 650 Portsmouth homes are put back into public ownership Royal Navy warships shadow three Russian vessels travelling through the English Channel "Brainless" claim of HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Queen Elizabeth being "obsolete" slammed by ex-commander Royal Navy: Anticipation builds on HMS Prince of Wales as she returns to Portsmouth before major deployment Ms Reeves will insist this plan, set out by the Prime Minister in February, was the “right decision in a more insecure world”, adding: “But we have to move quickly in a changing world.
And that starts with investment.” “This increase in investment is not just about increasing our national security but increasing our economic security, too. As defence spending rises, I want the whole country to feel the benefits,” the Chancellor is expected to tell MPs.
Defence Secretary John Healey said national security was “the bedrock of a successful economy”. “This significant increase in defence spending, on top of the £2.9 billion announced by the Chancellor at the Budget, means an extra £5 billion for our Armed Forces next financial year,” he said.
Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Healey added: “This investment will make Britain stronger and safer in a more insecure world. And it will ensure defence is an engine for growth, creating good jobs across the nation. “These are the bold first steps of the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War announced by the Prime Minister last month.
“Our Government is delivering for defence and investing in the outstanding men and women who keep Britain secure at home and strong abroad.” Continue Reading Related topics: Royal Navy Comment Comment Guidelines National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting.
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