Starmer scrambles to push defence spending to 3% of GDP… but how?
Keir Starmer admitted he 'must go faster' on defence spending today amid the Russian threat and pressure from Donald Trump.The PM has committed to expenditure reaching 2.7 per cent of GDP by 2027, with an 'ambition' of reaching 3 per cent in the 2030s.Downing Street aides are now said to want to meet the higher goal much earlier - before the next election.However, meeting the costs - estimated at £14billion a year - would be a huge challenge after Labour MPs blocked efforts to trim the spiralling benefits bill.The premier is also under pressure to splurge more on public sector services and wages after barely surviving a coup bid last week. Speaking on a visit to a community centre in central London this morning, Sir Keir said: 'Over the weekend, I was making the argument at the Munich Security Conference that we, the UK and Europe, need to step up when it comes to defence and security.'We have a threat of Russian aggression, in a few days time it's the four-year anniversary of the start of the conflict in Ukraine.'We want a just and lasting peace, but that will not extinguish the Russian threat, and we need to be alert to that, because that's going to affect every single person in this room, every single person in this country, so we need to step up.'That means on defence spending, we need to go faster.'We've obviously made commitments already in relation to that. But it goes beyond just how much you spend, it's also whether you coordinate and collaborate with other like-minded countries, particularly in Europe.' Speaking on a visit to a community centre in central London this morning, Keir Starmer hinted at fresh moves on defence spending Keir Starmer signalled a defence drive at the Munich Security Conference over the weekend, telling fellow leaders: 'To meet the wider threat, it's clear that we are going to have to spend more, faster.' Sir Keir has been trying to defuse tensions with Mr Trump over Nato and Greenland by talking up spending commitmentsJoin the debateShould the government cut benefits to boost defence spending?According to the BBC, the PM and his advisers discussed how to speed up spending increases earlier this month.The possibility was floated amid efforts to fill a huge £28billion gap in budgets over the next four years, which has been delaying the Defence Investment Plan. But the Treasury is apparently 'cautious' about the move, with Rachel Reeves already struggling to balance the books. Sir Keir has been trying to defuse tensions with Mr Trump over Nato and Greenland by talking up spending commitments.There were already questions over whether Britain was investing enough as the US focuses on the Pacific and threats intensify. Forces head Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton is believed to have told Sir Keir of the major shortfall in funding for the next four years before Christmas.Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Defence Secretary John Healey were also at the meeting to be informed about the £28billion shortfall by 2030.Sir Keir was said to be deeply unhappy because the strategic defence review (SDR) was meant to have been 'fully costed'. Factors being blamed include higher inflation, pay rises for troops and the cost of the nuclear deterrent. Vladimir Putin's latest invasion of Ukraine has focused minds in Europe on defence spending Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge said: 'For all the Prime Minister's tough talk in Munich, there is still no concrete action.'Starmer can masquerade all he likes on the world stage, but until he publishes the long-overdue Defence Investment Plan and shows he can stand up to his left-wing backbenchers, talk of 3 per cent defence spending is nothing more than a pipedream.'Only the Conservatives have a credible plan to truly stand up for our brave Armed Forces and veterans, and deliver the funding, clarity and long-term investment they deserve.'
