Gavin Williamson will ask the prime minister for up to £4 billion extra a year for the armed forces at a critical meeting set for next week.
The defence secretary is to pitch for the money when he meets Theresa May to discuss funding for the future shape and size of Britain’s military. The meeting comes amid tensions between the pair, with Mr Williamson accused of threatening to “break” the prime minister if she refuses to increase the defence budget.
Yesterday senior defence figures said that the government was putting at risk the country’s status as a global military power by giving the NHS priority over defence. Earlier this month Mrs May announced an extra £25 billion a year for the health service before
