Britain warned decision to redirect £6bn away from 'first line of defence' could compromise national security

Britain has been warned the decision to redirect £6billion away from the "first line of defence" could compromise national security.

Some of Britain's most senior former military chiefs have co-signed a letter protesting the Government's decision to cut about £6billion from the overseas budget to fund an increase in defence spending.

Among the 51 signees are Field Marshal Lord Richards, a former Chief of the Defence Staff, Major General James Cowan, who commanded the British Army's primary fighting division, and General Sir Nick Parker, former Commander-in-Chief of Land Forces.

The cuts to the overseas budget will be used to fund an estimated £28billion hole in the Ministry of Defence's finances.

But Lord Richards has urged Sir Keir Starmer "not to force a choice between defence and development".

The veterans have argued "well-targeted international aid" was Britain's "first line of defence".

The letter, seen by The Times, argues that Britain's overseas operations prevents "instability, extremism and displacement", which the military will later face at a "far greater cost".

It reads: "We know Britain's security does not begin at our border. It begins much earlier: where instability can be reduced, conflict prevented, and threats contained before they reach us."

It adds that unaddressed international crises "do not stay distant for long", adding that intervening early was a "moral duty and a strategic necessity".

"Conflict, extremism, disease, hunger and displacement spread beyond borders, driving instability, undermining security and increasing pressures that are felt here in the UK as well as overseas," the letter, also signed by Lieutenant General Sir Andrew Graham, Major General Charlie Herbert, and Major General Nicholas Ashmore.

The veterans said British investment in development and "wider soft power" had prevented conflicts, and addressed drives of dangerous migration routes to Europe.

The veterans add international only strengthens the military's work.

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The Government has pledged to increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP from April 2027, and an "ambition" to reach three per cent in the next Parliament.

The letter continued: "A strong military is essential, but so is sustained investment in prevention.

"Reducing development capacity today stores up greater instability, greater cost and greater risk for tomorrow."

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has said the smaller budget would be used to target areas with the greatest need.

Other countries face "significantly" reduced grants, with Mozambique and Pakistan receiving the biggest cuts.

Funding for Ukraine, the Palestinian territories, Lebanon and Sudan would have their funding "fully protected", Mrs Cooper said.

The veterans have urged the Government to be more "imaginative" in how international funding.

The letter concluded: "If Britain is serious about security, it must not force a choice between defence and development.

"International aid helps tackle threats upstream, before they become more dangerous and more expensive to confront. It is one of the most effective tools we have to protect both vulnerable communities and our own national interest.

"We urge you to protect Britain’s international development capacity as a core part of our national security."

Jenny Chapman, minister for development in the Foreign Office, said: "National security is the first duty of government and this country faces the most serious security situation for a generation. That's why we have taken the necessary decision to prioritise defence spending.

"We've been clear this difficult choice reflects the evolving nature of the threat to our national security. We are strengthening our focus on conflict prevention and resolution: this means increasing the department’s work on places like Sudan, prioritising flows of aid to fragile and conflict-affected states and strengthening our support for women and girls living in conflict zones."