Chesham and Amersham MP Cheryl Gillan has welcomed government’s plans to invest £178 billion in national defence over the next decade.

The government’s Strategic Defence and Security Review was published today, detailing plans to pledge resources towards the Armed Forces, counter-terrorism police and intelligence agencies.

The plans include investing £1.9 billion in cybersecurity over five years, creating two ‘strike brigades’ each of up to 5,000 troops and increasing the size of the Royal Navy and Air Force by a total of 700, alongside the renewal of the Trident nuclear deterrent.

Mrs Gillan said: “The first duty of any government is to keep the nation and our communities safe – that is why this investment is fantastic news for the people of the Chesham & Amersham constituency.

“By working through our long-term economic plan to create a stronger economy, we are now in a position to invest further in our security.

“Today’s announcements underline how committed we are to the long-term, future security of Britain.”