This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-50874389

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Boris Johnson in pre-Christmas visit to UK troops in Estonia Boris Johnson in pre-Christmas visit to UK troops in Estonia
(about 1 hour later)
Boris Johnson has served Christmas lunch to British troops during a visit to a Nato mission in Estonia on Saturday. Boris Johnson has served Christmas lunch to British troops during a visit to a Nato mission in Estonia.
Visiting the Tapa military base near Tallinn, Mr Johnson wished them a merry Christmas as he dished up the meals.Visiting the Tapa military base near Tallinn, Mr Johnson wished them a merry Christmas as he dished up the meals.
The 850 British soldiers based there represent the UK's largest operational deployment in Europe.The 850 British soldiers based there represent the UK's largest operational deployment in Europe.
Later, Mr Johnson will stress the UK's commitment to Nato and its defence of Estonia's eastern border with Russia. The PM also stressed the UK's commitment to Nato and its defence of Estonia's eastern border with Russia.
The UK is playing a leading role in the alliance's Baltic mission.The UK is playing a leading role in the alliance's Baltic mission.
The troops, from the Queen's Royal Hussars, head the Nato battle group in Estonia, working alongside the country's troops and personnel from France and Denmark.The troops, from the Queen's Royal Hussars, head the Nato battle group in Estonia, working alongside the country's troops and personnel from France and Denmark.
Mr Johnson will also tour the military base during his trip. Mr Johnson told them: "In the course of the next few days, everybody in our country is going to be celebrating Christmas with their families and you're going to be here - a long way away, a pretty cold place.
"I'm here to support our troops because they're doing an amazing job," said Mr Johnson from the base. "What you're doing is incredibly important because the reason everybody in our country can have Christmas in peace and security is because of what you're doing here.
"The UK is providing the guarantee of the security for the whole continent and particularly here in Estonia." "What you're doing is showing that Nato works and that Nato is an alliance to which we in this country are absolutely committed to."
Asked if he would be looking at how the Ministry of Defence spends its money, Mr Johnson replied: "I'm a big supporter of our armed forces - I think they do a massive amount of good around the world. Downing Street said Mr Johnson also held talks with Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas and thanked him for the "support and hospitality Estonia has shown in hosting British Armed Forces".
"Obviously we do that in an efficient way but as you know we're increasing our budget by £2.2 billion - you know about all the investments that we're making in our armed services. Those will continue." The No 10 spokeswoman added: "The leaders discussed the close partnership between the UK and Estonia, in particular our joint security and defence cooperation. The prime minister reaffirmed the UK's unconditional commitment to Estonia's regional security through Nato.
Downing Street said it was an opportunity for him to personally thank them for their service and make clear the government's commitment to support those on the frontline. "The two leaders discussed the need to work together to address shared global challenges and the prime minister invited Prime Minister Ratas to attend the COP26 climate change summit in Glasgow next year."
During a four-month deployment earlier this year, a squadron of RAF Typhoon jets were scrambled 21 times to intercept 56 Russian aircraft which had strayed into Estonian airspace. During a four-month deployment earlier this year, a squadron of RAF Typhoon jets was scrambled 21 times to intercept 56 Russian aircraft which had strayed over the border into Estonian airspace.
The PM was greeted by his Estonian counterpart Jüri Ratas during the visit. He will stress the role the UK is playing in reassuring its allies and deterring Russian aggression against its Baltic neighbours.
"This year our military efforts in Estonia have been immense," Mr Johnson said, ahead of the visit.
"So at this time of year we should all take a moment to be thankful for the sacrifices made by our troops, many of whom will be spending Christmas on our deployments and bases around the world - be it the Baltics, Ukraine or Afghanistan - and those in Britain too."
The UK is one of the few Nato countries that meets the commitment to spend at least 2% of national income on defence.The UK is one of the few Nato countries that meets the commitment to spend at least 2% of national income on defence.
The armed forces were given an extra £2.2bn in September's spending review when Chancellor Sajid Javid announced a 2.6% increase in defence funding in 2020-1.The armed forces were given an extra £2.2bn in September's spending review when Chancellor Sajid Javid announced a 2.6% increase in defence funding in 2020-1.
But a prolonged squeeze on defence spending between 2010 and 2015 has prompted questions about whether the UK is adequately equipped to meet future security threats.But a prolonged squeeze on defence spending between 2010 and 2015 has prompted questions about whether the UK is adequately equipped to meet future security threats.
In February, the Public Accounts Committee, the House of Commons' spending watchdog, reported that the MoD faced a £7bn black hole in its 10-year-plan to equip the armed forces.In February, the Public Accounts Committee, the House of Commons' spending watchdog, reported that the MoD faced a £7bn black hole in its 10-year-plan to equip the armed forces.
In a BBC interview on Thursday, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said there was a shortfall of funding in the MoD's budget and confirmed he had recently met with Mr Johnson's chief adviser Dominic Cummings about improving the way the department spends its money.In a BBC interview on Thursday, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said there was a shortfall of funding in the MoD's budget and confirmed he had recently met with Mr Johnson's chief adviser Dominic Cummings about improving the way the department spends its money.
Mr Wallace told the BBC's Political Thinking Podcast that technological advances would change the way the UK bought and built equipment, adding his job was to "manage expectations and say to the [services] chiefs that your appetite has to match your stomach".