Gavin Williamson - we're working hard for best funding deal for the Army

The Defence Secretary faced questions from MPs just days after shocking cost-cutting proposals for the military were leaked, including plans to axe 11,000 Army troops and 2,000 Royal Marines.

He refused to be drawn on claims from Conservative chair of the Defence Committee, Julian Lewis, who said the armed forces were facing 'radical reductions' as part of the ongoing national security capability review.

Mr Williamson told MPs the review would be completed 'very soon' and insisted that 'hard work' was taking place across Government to give the 'right resources' to the military.

It came amid pleas from the Tory and Labour backbenches to 'fend off' Treasury cuts.

Mr Williamson said the review was instigated to meet 'intensifying global security contexts' and says he wants to see 'robust options' for the armed forces' future, calling for a 'sustainable budget going forward'.

Tory former minister Mark Francois said Mr Williamson would receive support from his colleagues and those on the Labour benches if he continued to rebuff the 'pinstripe warriors' of the Treasury.

South Staffordshire MP Mr Williamson underlined his intention to get the 'very best deal' for the armed forces, while Mr Lewis insisted: "It's time for the Treasury to pay the premiums."

Mr Lewis questioned why the review has provisionally proposed reductions in the UK's armed forces given the intensifying threats, and why it is required to be fiscally neutral.

He said: "Who has imposed that financial restriction? The MoD? Unlikely. The Treasury? Almost certainly."

Mr Lewis said it had been suggested the new review was not 'defence-focused' while the 2015 national security strategy and strategic defence still applies, asking: "Why should thousands of soldiers, sailors and airmen be lost, elite units be merged, or aircraft frigates and vital amphibious vessels be scrapped long before their out of service dates?

Mr Francois asked about speculation on the current review, adding: "Is he also aware that if he continues to stoutly fend off the pinstripe warriors of the Treasury on these benches, and I suspect even those benches, he will have very strong support."

Mr Williamson replied: "I'd like to assure you we're working hard across Government to make sure we have the right resources for our armed forces - not just this year, next year but going forward.

"In terms of can I update the House, I'm afraid I don't have the ability to preempt the national security and capability review but as soon as the conclusions of that have been put forward and it's gone to the National Security Council, I will be sure to update this House as soon as I am able to do so."

Shadow defence secretary Nia Griffith accused ministers of 'stonewalling' on defence spending at a time of 'deep global uncertainty'.

She urged the Government not to engage in a trade-off between cyber-security and more conventional elements of spending, asking it not to 'rob Peter to pay Paul'.

Meanwhile Tory MP James Gray called a new Army advertising campaign to boost recruitment 'rather less than robust'.

Mr Gray questioned ministers on why they felt the £1.6 million campaign was any better than the Army's traditional "Be the Best" slogan.

Defence minister Tobias Ellwood said the armed forces wanted to recruit from a diverse range of people and it was important to 'dispel some of the messages that are out there'.

However, Conservative former minister Sir Edward Leigh also raised concerns about the methods being used to push for more diversity.

The campaign launched last week includes a series of films which ask "Can I be gay in the Army?" and "What if I get emotional in the Army?", in a bid to appeal to potential soldiers from different backgrounds.

Mr Gray said: "I strongly support the minister's ambition to encourage more BAME people and women to join the armed forces.

"But what has led to him to the conclusion that this new advertising campaign to which he alluded a moment ago - which is rather less than robust, in my own view - will be any more successful in doing that rather than the good old-fashioned 'Be the Best'?"

Last month Mr Williamson intervened to block plans to drop the 'Be the Best' motto, amid concerns it was elitist.

Mr Ellwood told Mr Gray: "He will be aware that the 'Be the Best' campaign continues, but he is also aware that we must recruit from a diverse footprint.

"And that does mean that we have to dispel some of the messages that are out there, and that's exactly what this new campaign is seeking to do."

Sir Edward said: "Of course the armed forces should be welcoming to all and open to all, irrespective of their gender, race of sexuality.

"But is it not better to state this in general terms?

"After all, we're all part of a minority. As you've alluded to Mr Speaker, I'm part of many minorities in my views.

"And the armed forces should be representative and represent the whole nation."

Mr Ellwood replied: "They should do, and that is why even in the timeframe of this Government we've seen the number of women, for example, in one-star postings or above increase from 10 to 20.

"And it's also why we've opened up every single role in the armed forces to women as well."