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<p>The first responsibility of Government is to protect its citizens.</p><p> </p><p>Defence
is one of a full spectrum of levers that we routinely use - alongside diplomatic,
intelligence, economic, legal and strategic communication tools. For example, Defence
continues to play a direct role in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, most
recently through ongoing Royal Navy support to the international disaster relief efforts
following the tsunami in Tonga; and last year providing a Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel
to assist the US humanitarian aid mission in Haiti. Our Armed Forces are also always
ready to respond to requests to support civil authorities, and from vaccine supply
logistics to front line medical support they have played a critical role in supporting
the response to the COVID pandemic.</p><p> </p><p>We must stay ahead of the increasingly
complex threats to our people and allies by investing in, rather than cutting, defence
budgets. That is why we are increasing defence spending by over £24 billion over the
next four years.</p><p> </p>
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