Reader’s letter: More support for our armed forces

Robert Jenrick MP is right to say that we need to increase our defence budget (As I See It, April 4). The defence of the realm is supposed to be the first duty of government so why have our armed forces become so hollowed out in recent years?

And why did former Prime Ministers, including Boris Johnson, spend billions on HS2?

Were they all asleep on watch?

Added to the problem it has been reported that there are still long unnecessary delays in the recruiting process which is putting some off from enlisting and the reserves mobilisation centre near Nottingham is scheduled to close.

Will the UK's potential adversaries wait until we are ready?

But at least there are a number of MPs and military top brass, both retired and serving, now talking about the first duty so hopefully something will urgently be done. — M. ILES, Newark.