Keir Starmer Announces Defense Spending Increase

“Starting today, I can announce this government will begin the biggest sustained increase in defense spending since the end of the Cold War.” “Hear, hear.” “We will deliver our commitment to spend 2.5 percent of G.D.P. on defense, but we will bring it forward so that we reach that level in 2027.” “Hear, hear.” “And we will maintain that for the rest of this Parliament. And let me spell that out, Mr. Speaker: That means spending 13.4 pounds billion more on defense every year from 2027. I have long argued that in the face of ongoing generational challenges, all European allies must step up and do more for our own defense. So, subject to economic and fiscal conditions, and aligned with our strategic and operational needs, we will also set a clear ambition for defense spending to rise to 3 percent of G.D.P. in the next Parliament.”