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Streeting can't name cost of his own RAF 'space force' as Nick Ferrari catches him out LIVE on air

From the Newshound archive · first published 21 September 2026 · last updated 23 September 2026.

An RAF Voyager tanker refuelling Typhoon and F-35 jets mid-air — the type of aircraft Andy Burnham has authorised to deploy to Saudi Arabia to keep Gulf oil flowing.
An RAF Voyager tanker refuelling Typhoon and F-35 jets mid-air — the type of aircraft Andy Burnham has authorised to deploy to Saudi Arabia to keep Gulf oil flowing.

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting was left floundering on LBC this morning after admitting he had no idea how much Britain's new military space squadron would cost. Nick Ferrari pressed him repeatedly for the figures before revealing the answer himself — £7.8 billion across the space sector up to 2030. Streeting confessed he was 'kicking himself' and conceded Ferrari had 'got one over' on him.

The No III Space Effects Squadron, announced at the UK Space Power Conference, will disrupt and degrade hostile threats to British satellites in orbit.

Streeting had only 'tens of people' to offer when asked staffing numbers, prompting Ferrari to ask why on earth a minister didn't know the cost of his own policy.

'You didn't need to ask me, Nick — you had the figure there,' Streeting joked sheepishly, before adding: 'I take it on the chin.'

MoreDaily MailStreeting red-faced in interview over cost of new RAF 'space force'LBCLost in Space: Wes Streeting fumbles as he's unable to cite cost of new space squadronThe GuardianUK to launch military squadron to protect satellites in spaceLBCBritain gears up for space war as RAF launches unit to disrupt enemy satellitesThe IndependentUK to launch first RAF space squadron to counter hostile threatsIrish IndependentNew UK military space squadron will counter hostile threats
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