Keir Starmer announces increase to defence spending
More Videos
0 seconds of 15 seconds Volume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts Keyboard Shortcuts EnabledDisabled
Shortcuts Open/Close / or ?
Play/Pause SPACE
Increase Volume ↑
Decrease Volume ↓
Seek Forward →
Seek Backward ←
Captions On/Off c
Fullscreen/Exit Fullscreen f
Mute/Unmute m
Decrease Caption Size -
Increase Caption Size + or =
Seek % 0-9
Next Up
Donald Trump talks Ukraine as Macron visits White House
02:23
x facebook Email Link https://cdn.jwplayer.com/previews/shK5omsB Copied
This ad will end in 11 Live
00:03
00:11
00:15
More Videos
Close
Sir Keir Starmer’s new defence spending pledge has started to unravel – just three hours after he made the announcement in the Commons.
The Prime Minister informed the country on Tuesday that the UK will hit 2.5% of GDP on defence by 2027 – much earlier than previously planned.
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Sponsored
Promoted Links Promoted Links
15 Most Dangerous Bridges In The WorldStory To Hear
Undo
DON'T MISS
Powered by
National defence may require cutting welfare and foreign aid
200 Comments
Keir Starmer takes brutal swipe at Nigel Farage: 'Fawning over Putin!'
79 Comments
Reeves faces ￡12bn in tax hikes to fund Starmer's Ukraine defence pledge
13 Comments
Brits face brutal tax rises to pay for huge defence spending hike
116 Comments
Pressure mounts on Starmer over defence target as PM told 'national security is at stake'
20 Comments
Angela Rayner savaged for 'waste' after cost of paying civil servants balloons
162 Comments
Keir Starmer 'will defy Donald Trump' over Ukraine and risk huge clash
157 Comments
Starmer told to stop dithering and start spending on defence
116 Comments
Rachel Reeves told to take 'urgent action' to stop state pension being taxed
218 Comments
UK set to join negotiations for new EU 'bank' to fund vital defence spending
112 Comments
My council just hiked tax by 4.99% - you won't believe what they're wasting millions on
168 Comments
I was in the room when Kemi Badenoch made key promise - proving one thing
28 Comments
Has Donald Trump just sunk the state pension triple lock?
619 Comments
Rachel Reeves warned pensioners 'freezing to death' after ￡300 winter fuel payment cut
206 Comments
Scarlett Johansson, 40, Shows Off Her Perfect Figure In A New PhotoPaperela
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Keir Starmer announces major boost to defence spending ahead of Donald Trump meeting
424 Comments
'Keir Starmer must set firm timetable for when he will increase defence spending'
55 Comments
职业失聪医唔到， 齐心保护先听到职业性失聪补偿管理局 了解更多
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Starmer can achieve much in his meeting with Trump, if he keeps a cool head
1 Comments
‘Tone deaf and weak!' Keir Starmer's defence announcement condemned from all sides
511 Comments
工程Top-up Degrees 专业技能助您筑起前路SHAPE 才晋高等教育学院 立即申请
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Keir Starmer to hold emergency press conference at 5pm
646 Comments
Rachel Reeves faces Labour civil war over whether to raise taxes or cut spending
56 Comments
钥匙断在锁芯裡，怎么都取不出来怎么办?今天教你一招TopManFun
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
National defence may require cutting welfare and foreign aid
200 Comments
Keir Starmer takes brutal swipe at Nigel Farage: 'Fawning over Putin!'
79 Comments
狗狗不肯让宝宝一个人睡——父母知道原因后，立刻报警了有趣事实
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Reeves faces ￡12bn in tax hikes to fund Starmer's Ukraine defence pledge
13 Comments
Brits face brutal tax rises to pay for huge defence spending hike
116 Comments
宝宝不停地摸肚子–医生发现原因时震惊了热门话题
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Pressure mounts on Starmer over defence target as PM told 'national security is at stake'
20 Comments
Angela Rayner savaged for 'waste' after cost of paying civil servants balloons
162 Comments
Dog Raises 3 Tiger Cubs - Years Later Zookeeper Bursts Into Tears When Tiger Does The Unexpected5minstory.com
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Keir Starmer 'will defy Donald Trump' over Ukraine and risk huge clash
157 Comments
Starmer told to stop dithering and start spending on defence
116 Comments
男孩以为自己救了狗，得知真相後脸色惨白Daily-Tales.com 阅读更多
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Rachel Reeves told to take 'urgent action' to stop state pension being taxed
218 Comments
UK set to join negotiations for new EU 'bank' to fund vital defence spending
112 Comments
Tom Cruise's Daughter Was So Beautiful, Look At Her Now.Favour Lifestyle
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
My council just hiked tax by 4.99% - you won't believe what they're wasting millions on
168 Comments
I was in the room when Kemi Badenoch made key promise - proving one thing
28 Comments
宝宝不停地摸肚子–医生发现原因时惊呆了热门话题 了解更多
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Has Donald Trump just sunk the state pension triple lock?
619 Comments
Rachel Reeves warned pensioners 'freezing to death' after ￡300 winter fuel payment cut
206 Comments
Keir Starmer announces major boost to defence spending ahead of Donald Trump meeting
424 Comments
'Keir Starmer must set firm timetable for when he will increase defence spending'
55 Comments
Starmer can achieve much in his meeting with Trump, if he keeps a cool head
1 Comments
‘Tone deaf and weak!' Keir Starmer's defence announcement condemned from all sides
511 Comments
Keir Starmer to hold emergency press conference at 5pm
646 Comments
Rachel Reeves faces Labour civil war over whether to raise taxes or cut spending
56 Comments
National defence may require cutting welfare and foreign aid
200 Comments
Keir Starmer takes brutal swipe at Nigel Farage: 'Fawning over Putin!'
79 Comments
Reeves faces ￡12bn in tax hikes to fund Starmer's Ukraine defence pledge
13 Comments
Brits face brutal tax rises to pay for huge defence spending hike
116 Comments
Pressure mounts on Starmer over defence target as PM told 'national security is at stake'
20 Comments
Angela Rayner savaged for 'waste' after cost of paying civil servants balloons
162 Comments
Keir Starmer 'will defy Donald Trump' over Ukraine and risk huge clash
157 Comments
He also committed to hitting 3% in the next Parliament, after the general election expected in 2029.
Sir Keir told the Commons: “Let me spell that out. [This] means spending ￡13.4billion more on defence every year from 2027.”
However, the Institute for Fiscal Studies said this figure was highly misleading and accused the PM of inventing a much higher number to impress US president Donald Trump.
Sponsored
Rebang 360世上不花钱的7味「长寿药」，90%的人不知道
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
READ MORE: Keir Starmer’s defence announcement condemned as 'tone deaf and weak'
Sir Keir Starmer's claims in the Commons are being questioned (Image: Parliament)
Senior research economist Ben Zaranko said the increase to 2.5% of GDP would mean a sum of far less than ￡13.4billion.
He told Times Radio: “The Prime Minister has said defence spending will go from 2.3% to 2.5% of GDP, so an extra 0.2%. He said to pay for that, aid spending will go from 0.5% to 0.3%, so -0.2% of GDP. So far, so good.
“The reason why he’s run into trouble is he’s doing what politicians always do, which is when they’re announcing something they reach for the largest possible number.
“In this case, that’s ￡13billion, a number which makes sense as far as I can tell, only if you think that otherwise defence spending would have been frozen in cash terms and would have been declining as a share of GDP.
“So he's reaching for a bigger number to make his announcement, perhaps one aimed at the US president, sound more dramatic, but I think that he's come unstuck by using numbers which don't quite cohere across the board.”
Don't miss...
Keir Starmer announces major boost to defence spending as foreign aid cut [LATEST]
Speaker demands apology from 'discourteous' Keir Starmer over ‘leaks’ [LATEST]
'I was in the room when Kemi Badenoch made key promise on defence budget' [LATEST]
Downing Street is refusing to answer questions whether the Chagos Island handover counts towards the defence spending (Image: Getty)
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
The 0.2% reduction in foreign aid and 0.2% rise in defence spending, is about ￡6billion extra a year compared to what would have otherwise been spent had the defence budget remained at its 2.3% of GDP level.
This is a ￡7.4billion smaller increase than Sir Keir told MPs would be coming.
However, the Prime Minister is also facing questions about whether his planned handover of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius will be used to artificially boost Britain’s spending on defence without providing any increased security.
The Government has come under huge fire for its plan to give the Indian Ocean archipelago to Mauritius and lease the US-UK military base back over the next 100 years for a huge sum.
While the Government has yet to reveal the total amount it has offered to Mauritius, it is claimed to be anywhere between ￡9-￡18billion in upfront costs.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
National defence may require cutting welfare and foreign aid
200 Comments
Keir Starmer takes brutal swipe at Nigel Farage: 'Fawning over Putin!'
77 Comments
Reeves faces ￡12bn in tax hikes to fund Starmer's Ukraine defence pledge
13 Comments
Brits face brutal tax rises to pay for huge defence spending hike
116 Comments
Pressure mounts on Starmer over defence target as PM told 'national security is at stake'
20 Comments
Angela Rayner savaged for 'waste' after cost of paying civil servants balloons
162 Comments
Keir Starmer 'will defy Donald Trump' over Ukraine and risk huge clash
157 Comments
Starmer told to stop dithering and start spending on defence
116 Comments
Rachel Reeves told to take 'urgent action' to stop state pension being taxed
218 Comments
UK set to join negotiations for new EU 'bank' to fund vital defence spending
112 Comments
My council just hiked tax by 4.99% - you won't believe what they're wasting millions on
168 Comments
I was in the room when Kemi Badenoch made key promise - proving one thing
28 Comments
Has Donald Trump just sunk the state pension triple lock?
619 Comments
Rachel Reeves warned pensioners 'freezing to death' after ￡300 winter fuel payment cut
206 Comments
15 Most Beautiful Women EverBoite A Scoop
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Keir Starmer announces major boost to defence spending ahead of Donald Trump meeting
424 Comments
'Keir Starmer must set firm timetable for when he will increase defence spending'
55 Comments
96岁老太太卖楼，买家走进去完全惊呆了The Travel Breeze
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Starmer can achieve much in his meeting with Trump, if he keeps a cool head
1 Comments
‘Tone deaf and weak!' Keir Starmer's defence announcement condemned from all sides
511 Comments
3月8日 - SHAPE Top-up Degrees 网上资讯日SHAPE 才晋高等教育学院 立即申请
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Keir Starmer to hold emergency press conference at 5pm
646 Comments
Rachel Reeves faces Labour civil war over whether to raise taxes or cut spending
56 Comments
机电工程署「技术员训练计划」现正招聘。截止申请日期：3月10日机电工程署 了解更多
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
National defence may require cutting welfare and foreign aid
200 Comments
Keir Starmer takes brutal swipe at Nigel Farage: 'Fawning over Putin!'
77 Comments
三个月内两度赴加沙 - 经歷同事战火中丧生无国界医生（香港） 立即捐款
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Reeves faces ￡12bn in tax hikes to fund Starmer's Ukraine defence pledge
13 Comments
Brits face brutal tax rises to pay for huge defence spending hike
116 Comments
无国界医生 - 由衷感谢大家2024年的所有支持无国界医生（香港） 立即捐款
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Pressure mounts on Starmer over defence target as PM told 'national security is at stake'
20 Comments
Angela Rayner savaged for 'waste' after cost of paying civil servants balloons
162 Comments
Wife won't let go of dog, husband finds out why and calls police - watch!Happy in Shape
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Keir Starmer 'will defy Donald Trump' over Ukraine and risk huge clash
157 Comments
Starmer told to stop dithering and start spending on defence
116 Comments
After Losing Weight Kevin James Looks Like A ModelOld Money Style
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Rachel Reeves told to take 'urgent action' to stop state pension being taxed
218 Comments
UK set to join negotiations for new EU 'bank' to fund vital defence spending
112 Comments
Military Miss America Shows Off Her Figure In New 20 PhotosTrue Edition
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
My council just hiked tax by 4.99% - you won't believe what they're wasting millions on
168 Comments
I was in the room when Kemi Badenoch made key promise - proving one thing
28 Comments
They Were So Beautiful Before; Now Look At Them; Number 10 Will Shock YouCash Roadster
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Has Donald Trump just sunk the state pension triple lock?
619 Comments
Rachel Reeves warned pensioners 'freezing to death' after ￡300 winter fuel payment cut
206 Comments
Keir Starmer announces major boost to defence spending ahead of Donald Trump meeting
424 Comments
'Keir Starmer must set firm timetable for when he will increase defence spending'
55 Comments
Starmer can achieve much in his meeting with Trump, if he keeps a cool head
1 Comments
‘Tone deaf and weak!' Keir Starmer's defence announcement condemned from all sides
511 Comments
Keir Starmer to hold emergency press conference at 5pm
646 Comments
Rachel Reeves faces Labour civil war over whether to raise taxes or cut spending
56 Comments
National defence may require cutting welfare and foreign aid
200 Comments
Keir Starmer takes brutal swipe at Nigel Farage: 'Fawning over Putin!'
77 Comments
Reeves faces ￡12bn in tax hikes to fund Starmer's Ukraine defence pledge
13 Comments
Brits face brutal tax rises to pay for huge defence spending hike
116 Comments
Pressure mounts on Starmer over defence target as PM told 'national security is at stake'
20 Comments
Angela Rayner savaged for 'waste' after cost of paying civil servants balloons
162 Comments
Keir Starmer 'will defy Donald Trump' over Ukraine and risk huge clash
157 Comments
香港无螺丝植牙费用揭晓：即日完成全口植牙，价格透明化！植牙 | 搜寻广告
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
2025 年助听器应该要花多少钱?观看价目表助听器 | 搜索广告
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
和大眼袋分手！只是涂万宁卖到翻的「这个」就好japonelifeskeem-hk.com
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
眼袋看起来老10岁！只是涂万宁买的「这个」japonelifeskeem-hk.com
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Trending
Amid concerns the Government might count this sum towards its total defence spending, a Downing Street source refused to “get into Chagos” when questioned by the Express.
Shadow armed forces minister Mark Francois has demanded reassurance that none of the defence spending uplift “is linked to payments for a Chagos deal, which, if it’s heavily front-loaded, could eat up a significant chunk of that, at least in the early years”.
The Prime Minister will deliver a statement from Downing Street at 5pm this afternoon.