Tories urge Jeremy Hunt to reverse army cuts in forthcoming budget

Ben Wallace (right), the UK defence secretary, is said to have pushed for an increase of up to £11bn in the MoD’s budget over two years. Photograph: Ints Kalniņš/Reuters

Senior Tories are calling on Jeremy Hunt to abandon further cuts to the army by raising defence funding at next month’s budget, amid growing unease at the state of Britain’s military capabilities.

The chancellor has been urged by MPs to ensure the number of troops is held at the current level of about 76,000, instead of reducing it to 73,000 by 2025.