I got my H's mixed up and meant Hammond not Hoon.
RUSI are not very optimistic about the future of the armed forces, in particular Army numbers in the near future, predicting that numbers could drop to 50,000 troops.
British Army could be cut to just 50,000 over next four years, report warns - Telegraph
Parties of both colours seem hell bent on having inflexible spending plans and protecting big budget departments and policies at the expense of defence and police. Any pledge to protect NHS or education spending means more cuts in every other smaller department.