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'I'm kicking myself': Wes Streeting left red-faced in interview as he admits he doesn't know cost of his new RAF 'space force'

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Tapsfield, J. (2026, September 23). 'I'm kicking myself': Wes Streeting left red-faced in interview as he admits he doesn't know cost of his new RAF 'space force'. Daily Mail. https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16153821/Wes-Streeting-interview-cost-RAF-space-force-Defence.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490

Dated when The Aporia collected the article, usually within hours of publication. Check the original for its exact date and byline.

Daily Mail · collected 2026-09-23 · by James Tapsfield

Quick Summary

Wes Streeting, the Defence Secretary, appeared on LBC radio where he was questioned about the costs of his newly announced RAF 'space force'. When prompted by host Nick Ferrari to provide details such as the number of personnel and funding figures, Streeting admitted he did not have the specifics at hand. The total planned investment across the sector is £7.8 billion until 2030, with this initiative part of a broader government strategy to enhance space defenses against adversaries.
Written by AI on 2026-09-23, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

AI analysis

Story summary

Wes Streeting, the UK Defence Secretary, faced embarrassment during an LBC interview when he admitted not knowing the cost of a newly announced RAF "space force." The squadron is intended to safeguard satellites crucial for missile warnings and communications. When prompted by presenter Nick Ferrari about funding details and personnel numbers, Streeting initially stated that they were planning on deploying "tens of people" at first. However, when asked specifically about the financial investment, he admitted he did not have the figures available and joked sheepishly after Ferrari mentioned the £7.8 billion funding across the sector until 2030. The incident highlights a communication mishap in announcing significant defense initiatives.

Written for “UK Space Force Controversy” on 2026-11-02, grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.

Story

📰 UK Space Force Controversy
Politics · 1 article(s) covering the same event.

Compared with similar articles

This article reads unscored and hedges 6% of its claims. Each row says how that neighbour differs.
The Hindu
Hedges 0 of 10 claims Outlet record 60/100
“While both articles discuss the announcement of a new RAF 'space force', Article A focuses on an interview where the Defence Secretary was unable to provide cost details, while Article B provides general information about the unit's establishment.”
How this article was measured signals, leaning charts, publisher record, byline, topics and claims

Signals How these are calculated →

Claims extracted
17
sentences that state something as happening or true
Uncertain
6%
1 of 17 hedged ("reportedly", "may", "according to")
Leaning
not political
takes no side on a contested political question
Publisher signals
69/100
Daily Mail's corrections and hedging, across everything collected from it. Not a measure of accuracy.
Outlets on this story
1
Politics
Same framing elsewhere
1
articles that frame the event the way this one does
Analyzed 2026-09-23 · how these are computed

How this is being covered How these are calculated →

Article leaning vs. publisher reliability
Source leaning vs. consistency

Publisher

Daily Mail · 8837 article(s) · 22 correction(s) detected
Running correction rate · 22 correction(s)

Who wrote this

James Tapsfield
103 article(s) here · 1 carrying a prediction
🔮 The Tories condemned the cost of the diversion, accusing Mr Burnham - who was Manchester Mayor and still has his family home in the area - of hypocrisy.
🔮 The PM is heading for a Commonwealth summit in Antigua and Barbuda that could be dominated by the issue.
🔮 Because if you just put a number on it, then we may have a shortage in a certain area, and then you're saying well we can't recruit people, it's got to be linked to whether the economy is
🔮 The chaos began on Thursday when Mr Healey appeared to vow in a post-Budget BBC interview that costs would be cut before the next general election.
🔮 And secondly, in the manifesto, we were clear that we would not increase the headline rate of income tax - which we haven't done - and we haven't increased VAT, and we haven't increased national insurance for employees.'
🔮 The PM has been warned his surprise concession is still 'lacking' as ministers were forced to play down fears the UK will end up paying reparations.
🔮 Labour is on high alert for a May election amid Andy Burnham's poll bounce and the Budget delaying difficult decisions.
🔮 Rachel Reeves has joined the Labour push to reverse Brexit - suggesting a youth 'free movement' deal next month will be a first step.
🔮 Letters exchanged with the PM's independent adviser on standards, Laurie Magnus, and released yesterday disclosed that Ms Reeves will available 'for clients to hire'.
🔮 The PM insisted he is 'pioneering a new approach' amid more confusion over when the surging bill might be reduced.
Also by James Tapsfield
Nothing else under this byline is closely related to this article, so these are simply their most recent.
All 103 articles by James Tapsfield →

Topics

Daily Mail Defence LBC RAF The No III Space Effects Squadron

Subjects

Streeting PERSON · 6× Ferrari ORG · 4× Defence ORG · 2× Wes Streeting PERSON · 2× Daily Mail ORG · 1× LBC ORG · 1× Nick PERSON · 1× Nick Ferrari PERSON · 1× RAF ORG · 1× The No III Space Effects Squadron ORG · 1×

Narrative

When Ferrari demanded to know 'why on Earth not', he said: 'We are investing more in space, I don't have that figure to hand.' An awkward Mr Streeting added: 'I haven't got instant recall on that off the top of my head.' Ferrari then told him funding was due to be £7.8billion across the sector until 2030. 'You didn't need to ask me Nick, you had the figure there,' Mr Streeting joked sheepishly.
framing: assertive · carried by 1 article(s) · first seen 2026-09-23
🔮 Asked on LBC how many people would be deployed and what the funding would be, Mr Streeting said: 'We're talking initially in terms of this new unit, tens of people.'

Claims (17 extracted, 1 hedged)

- See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Wes Streeting was left red-faced in an interview today as he admitted not knowing the cost of his new RAF 'space force'. The Defence Secretary was trumpeting the announcement in broadcast studios when he drew a blank on the key detail. asserted
he → see → detail
The squadron is intended to protect satellites used to warn of incoming missile attacks, provide communications and help guide ships. asserted
squadron → intend → ships
Asked on LBC how many people would be deployed and what the funding would be, Mr Streeting said: 'We're talking initially in terms of this new unit, tens of people.' asserted
We → ask → people
When presenter Nick Ferrari suggested that meant 'tens of people to defend space', Mr Streeting said: 'That's what's required to run the command.' Prompted again for the costs of the initiative, the minister stuttered: 'Well I don't have the figures to hand, unusually for me this morning...' uncertain
I → suggest → me
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting was trumpeting the announcement in broadcast studios when he drew a blank on the key detail Prompted for the costs of the space initiative, the minister stuttered: 'Well I don't have the figures to hand, unusually for me this morning...' asserted
I → trumpet → me
When Ferrari demanded to know 'why on Earth not', he said: 'We are investing more in space, I don't have that figure to hand.' An awkward Mr Streeting added: 'I haven't got instant recall on that off the top of my head.' Ferrari then told him funding was due to be £7.8billion across the sector until 2030. 'You didn't need to ask me Nick, you had the figure there,' Mr Streeting joked sheepishly. asserted
Streeting → demand → figure
'I think that sounds right to me.' asserted
that → think → me
He went on: 'I'm kicking myself because you always try to catch us out on facts.' asserted
you → go → facts
Ferrari jibed: 'I think the cost is a pretty key fact.' Mr Streeting replied: 'I take it on the chin.' The No III Space Effects Squadron will be formally announced by Air Chief Marshal Sir Harv Smyth at the UK's Space Power Conference later. asserted
Squadron → jib → Conference
Mr Streeting said: 'What we know about space, as with every other domain, is that there are adversaries out there who are developing the capability to disrupt and to harm our interests. asserted
who → say → interests
And that's why, in addition to the capability we already have in space and the early warning systems we have, we are deploying new capability that enables us to deter and to disrupt ourselves. asserted
that → have → ourselves
'So this is, I think, probably I'd describe it as the latest iteration of what has been a long-running space race. asserted
what → think → iteration
Ferrari then told him funding was due to be £7.8billion across the sector until 2030. asserted
funding → tell → 2030
The announcement comes after the release of a new Government strategy earlier this month designed to strengthen defences against threats from space. asserted
announcement → come → space
SaxaVord Spaceport, on the island of Unst, Shetland, at the northernmost point of the UK, is set to receive a further £30 million in support through the UK Space Strategy. asserted
Spaceport → set → Strategy
The strategy sets out funding of £7.8 billion across the space sector up to 2030. asserted
strategy → set → 2030
Included in the funding is £2.8 billion for the Connectivity in Low Earth Orbit and Skynet defence communications programme. asserted
billion → include → programme
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