General Sir Richard Barrons, a former commander of Joint Forces Command in the UK, has expressed support for US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth's recent mockery of the Royal Navy, citing significant underfunding and reduced capabilities of the British armed forces. This comes as Labour leader Keir Starmer faces criticism for the delayed release of the Defence Investment Plan (DIP), which outlines the government's strategy to elevate defence spending to 3% of GDP by the end of the next parliament and total national security spending to 5% by 2035. Former Defence Secretary George Robertson is expected to voice his concerns about the Treasury's approach to defence in a speech tonight, emphasizing that the current political leadership is complacent regarding national security threats. He argues that the UK is underprepared and at risk, stating, “We cannot defend Britain with an ever-expanding welfare budget.” The urgency for a strategic plan is underscored by the growing calls for a national conversation about defence, which has yet to be initiated. Barrons' remarks reflect a consensus among military experts that the UK's armed forces are insufficiently equipped to meet contemporary challenges.