Keir Starmer said it would take a ‘whole society effort’ to boost defence funding at the expense of overseas aid as he heard warnings Donald Trump will betray Europe
Keir Starmer announces increase to defence spending
Keir Starmer has announced the biggest hike in defence spending since the Cold War.
The Prime Minister told MPs that he will fast-track an increase to 2.5% by 2027 amid growing uncertainty. He warned of the danger Vladimir Putin poses to the UK and Europe amid growing fears of a US “betrayal”.
In a speech in the Commons Mr Starmer said the Government faces a “generational challenge” – and doubled down on calls for Donald Trump to provide a security guarantee.
He warned it would take a “whole society effort” to meet the spending commitment. He sparked a backlash after telling MPs that the overseas aid budget would be slashed in order to pay for the injection into defending.
During a lively session in the Commons, Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey warned that Trump – who Mr Starmer will meet later this week – might be betraying Ukraine.
Here are some of the key moments from the Commons announcement.
Huge hike in defence spending
The Prime Minister has announced the biggest hike in defence spending in decades amid growing alarm over Ukraine.
Mr Starmer told the Commons that an increase in the UK’s defence budget is needed to meet a “generational challenge”. He said the Government will spend 2.5% of gross domestic budget (GDP) by 2027.
And going further he said this would rise to 3% within the next decade. The Prime Minister said this means the UK will spend £13.4billion more on defence every year from 2027.
‘This will affect everyone’ warning
The Prime Minister warned that the decision would impact everyone in the UK.
He said that the adjustment would require “a whole society effort that will reach into the lives, the industries and the homes of the British people”.
Cuts to overseas aid
The Prime Minister sparked a backlash by announcing that overseas aid will be slashed to pay for the increased spedning.
Mr Starmer said the increase will be “fully funded”. In his statement he said: “In the short term, it can only be funded through hard choices, and in this case, that means we will cut our spending on development assistance, moving from 0.5% of GNI (gross national income) today, to 0.3% in 2027, fully funding our increased investment in defence.”
Warning Trump could be ‘betraying’ Ukraine and Europe
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey sounded the alarm over Donald Trump’s actions.
The US President has raised fears he will sell out Ukraine and the rest of Europe will cave in to Putin. Sir Ed told the Commons: “We may be watching before our very eyes the betrayal of our Ukrainian allies by America, and with it the potential betrayal of Europe and of Britain to we must respond.
“Now it is up to the United Kingdom to lead in Europe.”
Warning of danger letting Putin ‘regroup’
In response to Sir Ed’s comment, the Prime Minister warned it is in “no one’s interest” to allow Putin to regroup.
He said the US must be a key part in deterring further Russian aggression. The Prime Minister told the Commons: “We do need to step up and lead in Europe.
“We’ve been saying that for a very long time. All European countries need to do more, and now is the moment to do so.
“But we need to do that together with the US, because what is needed more than anything is a lasting peace, a ceasefire that simply gives Putin the chance to regroup and to go again is in nobody’s interest.“
Strong words on dangers Putin poses
The Prime Minister sounded the alarm about the danger Putin poses to the UK, and warned that peace will be achieved from a position of peace.
He said: “Russia is a menace in our waters, in our airspace, on our streets, they have launched cyber attacks on our NHS, even seven years ago, a chemical weapons attack on the streets of Salisbury.
“We must stand by Ukraine.”
Doubling down on US ‘backstop’
The Prime Minister has doubled down on his demand for the US to provide a security guarantee if a peace deal in Ukraine is rerached.
He told MPs: “We are prepared to play our part, as I’ve already indicated. But I’ve also indicated that there needs to be a security guarantee, it also requires a US backstop, US support for that security guarantee.
“And that will be at the heart of the case that I’ve been making for some time.”
Accusing Nigel Farage of ‘fawning’ over Putin
Mr Starmer delivered a brutal jab at Nigel Farage – accusing him of “fawning over Putin”.
He made the remark when questioned about the Reform UK leader’s previous comments about the Russian tyrant. Labour MP Rachel Taylor asked the PM if Mr Farage’s words “play right into the hands of Britain’s enemies”.
Ms Taylor said: “The honourable member for Clacton (Mr Farage) has previously said Vladimir Putin is the leader he admires the most and that it was NATO that provoked Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While this government rises to the challenge of investing in our defence does the Prime Minister share my concern that those comments play right into the hands of Britain’s enemies?”
Mr Starmer responded bluntly: “You don’t show patriotism by fawning over Putin“
