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Added: Wednesday, 1 July, 2009, 11:16 GMT 12:16 UK

Not at all. MP's wages should be cut (ours are) And the fact that nobody wanst ID cards the whole scheme should be scrapped. Saving billions of pounds instantly.
Intrestingly enough the first thing the nazi party did in Germany when they first got elected was compulsory ID cards for everyone. History repeating?????

Chris, Runcorn

Added: Wednesday, 1 July, 2009, 11:11 GMT 12:11 UK

Trident does NOT help beat terrorists or minor territorial disputes.

We are fighting the 'War of the flea' - a small enemy that is more mobile and nimble than us. Trident and submarines don't really help win that war.

The Americans have nuclear missiles and I can't see that it has made their international actions any easier.

Spend the money on other parts of the conventional forces.

Julian Webb, Newmarket

Added: Wednesday, 1 July, 2009, 11:07 GMT 12:07 UK

The UK has been involved in some form of conflict at least once every decade and sometimes more in the past century. British soldiers have died in combat every year bar a few in the last 100. What happens elsewhere in the world can't be ignored as it often impacts indirectly on us at home. (9/11 was planned in Afghanistan). Our forces need to be equipped for expeditionary warfare. Why do our politicians make the same mistakes over and over again. Short-termism based on our political system.

Mark T, Northallerton

Added: Wednesday, 1 July, 2009, 11:06 GMT 12:06 UK

The real problem is that we need to replace too many expensive pieces of equipment at the same time. We're have only one class of aircraft carrier, one type of aircraft flying off them and one type of destroyer protecting them. All of which need replacing at the same time.

Why can't the MoD plan things properly and stagger the replacements? We wouldn't want to replace every train in the country at exactly the same time, or refurbish every hospital and school at the same time.

Pete, Nottingham

Added: Wednesday, 1 July, 2009, 11:05 GMT 12:05 UK

I don't think we should cut defence spending, we just don't know what tomorrow will bring. Today's friends can be tomorrow's foes and vice versa. We are entering uncertain times, water and food shortages environmental degradation, etc. While our Armed Forces can't fix these, I would feel safer knowing that we have a well equipped, well funded Armed service to defend the UK.
N.B. Defence ≠ Offence

Future Boy

Added: Wednesday, 1 July, 2009, 11:04 GMT 12:04 UK

Fine, by all means cut defence spending but pull us out of Afghanistan first as it is clear that the political will to fully support our operations there never existed in the first place and the military effort, if not backed up by DFID et al is wasted.
Yes we have received new equipments but this has been uncoordinated, knee jerk procurement that lacks cohesion and is ever harder to support logistically. Boots on the ground are whats lacking and their last set of cuts are responsible!

dave chubb, edinburgh

Added: Wednesday, 1 July, 2009, 11:04 GMT 12:04 UK

People forget that, as recent as the previous generation, British territory was invaded in the South Pacific. Two wars took place in the previous two generations to that.

Who's to say what will happen in the near future?

Saying that we can make large budget cuts to our Armed Forces because there won't be any more conflicts is both naive and irresponsible. A nuclear deterrent in some form is, I hate to say, necessary in the current climate. However, spending £20bn is not at all necessay!

Owen, Swansea

Added: Wednesday, 1 July, 2009, 11:03 GMT 12:03 UK

Sure, let's cut defence spending. After all, it's not like we're ever going to really need it in this peaceful modern world.

Oh, wait...

PB, Bournemouth

Added: Wednesday, 1 July, 2009, 11:01 GMT 12:01 UK

Alot of people say defence is needed as we will get taken advantage of if we drop it... This is all very well but I don't think replacing trident will stop terrorists - its a check mate wepon, not one that can be used! - Besides if we keep old trident around who is gonna call our bluff that it might not work fully? - if only 1 in 10 work its still doing its job! - and bang £20 bill saved. The new Aircarft carriers will be far better placed to play empire with.

jim, Bristol

Added: Wednesday, 1 July, 2009, 10:59 GMT 11:59 UK

No, defence spending should not be cut.

RE: Type 45: We currently have 6 Type 42 destroyers, designed almost 50 years ago. We are replacing them with 6 brand new destroyers, a like for like upgrade. Some research documents suggest we should have even more, 8 or 12 ships.

RE: Aircraft Carrier: We currently have 3 carriers (2 active), designed almost 40 years ago. We are replacing them with 2 brand new carriers, an almost like for like upgrade.

As an island nation, these are essential.

Stephen Lornie, York

Added: Wednesday, 1 July, 2009, 10:58 GMT 11:58 UK

Lead the world - Get rid of the Trident nuclear Attack weapons and build a strong network of Defensive anti-missile stations.

£20bn would build good anti-missle stations around the uk, providing much needed construction jobs during the recession, permanent home service jobs for the future, and allow us to expand our special forces to deal with homeland terrorism.

[thats-my-point], Belfast, United Kingdom

Added: Wednesday, 1 July, 2009, 10:56 GMT 11:56 UK

Im confused - all those who say our allies will automatically come to help us if we are attacked, which allies would those be? Europe? Mostly members of Nato, and thus nominally "US allies", but begrudge sending troops to fight in Afghan after the US was attacked
US? may help if in its own interests, but what if they dont have the will or resources to help? Or their priorities arent the same as ours?
If we want to be well defended we need to be prepared to do most or all of it ourselves

Trevor Mallery, London, United Kingdom

Added: Wednesday, 1 July, 2009, 10:54 GMT 11:54 UK

No. It it should be increased and it could be if the millions of illegal immigrigrants were transported back to their homelands and not squandering the taxes we use to pay for defence. This govevernment had always put defence last because of of its Socialist pacifist links but are the first to call on the country to fight its battles. We need a clean sweep throughout the Defence programme and bringing everything bang up to date.Never mind what the old fogies say they're time has gone.

John, Wits

Added: Wednesday, 1 July, 2009, 10:52 GMT 11:52 UK

Having worked for a major consultancy engaged in the aerospace/defence sector - we have no option. Several programmes have already been pushed back, some by up to 4 years, but they haven't been publicly announced - could this government stand any further negative comment! I would be very surprised to see the F35 Joint Strike Fighter go ahead, along with both new carriers, the 2 new subs AND Trident. We certainly could not sustain that level of spending - let's face it - the Cold War is over!!

John, Pershore

Added: Wednesday, 1 July, 2009, 10:52 GMT 11:52 UK

Only if commitments are slashed as well!

Malcolm H Mills, Petersfield