COSTS DOUBLE FOR IRAO AND AFGHANISTAN; Ministers accused over pounds 3bn bill.Byline: By Magnus Magnus may refer to: People Kings of Norway
THE Government were last night accused of putting troops' lives at risk through years of under-funding operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The row erupted as it emerged the cost of operations in both countries has doubled this year to pounds 3.297billion. The Commons Defence Committee said the figure was a 94 per cent increase on last year's pounds 1.698billion. Armed Forces Minister Bob Ainsworth Robert William 'Bob' Ainsworth (b. 19 June 1952) is the British Member of Parliament for Coventry North East. He is a member of the Labour Party. He is a the Minister of State at the Ministry of Defence. said the Government had a duty to ensure personnel were properly equipped, while welfare changes had also pushed up costs. He added: "The threat changes constantly. The enemy learns and changes the threat to our people. "We have to stay ahead of the game as best we can and it is not cheap. "The job that is being done by our people there can't be underestimated and we can't sell them short, so we have to spend money on force protection." But the Tories said the decision to pour in extra cash amounted to a belated be·lat·ed adj. Having been delayed; done or sent too late: a belated birthday card. [be- + lated. recognition that for years operations were not properly funded. Shadow defence secretary Liam Fox said that too many troops had already died because of a lack of proper equipment.The defence committee who revealed the increases expressed "surprise" that the cost of operations in Iraq was rising at a time when British troop numbers there were falling. According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. the MoD's latest estimates, spending in Iraq is pounds 1.449billion, up 52 per cent since the "winter estimates". Operations in Afghanistan are expected to cost pounds 1.424 billion, an increase of 48 per cent. The increases will be paid for out of the Government's reserves and will not affect the defence budget. The defence committee complained that the latest figures suggested that the MoD's forecasts were not good enough and demanded an explanation. Committee chairman James Arbuthnot James Norwich Arbuthnot (born 4 August 1952) is a British politician. He is the British Member of Parliament for Hampshire North-East and is a member of the Conservative Party. said: "Few people will object to the investment being made in better facilities and equipment for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. "However, this estimate represents a lot of public money. "The MoD needs to provide better information about what it is all being spent on." CAPTION(S): WAR OF WORDS: Minister Bob Ainsworth, left, and Liam Fox |
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