34 h. ago UK could face up to £30bn of tax rises to fund defence spending boost, economist says

Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to boost defence spending to 2.7 per cent of GDP by 2027, as Nato allies push for ‘dramatic increase’

Economics

52 h. ago Keir Starmer's muddled politics are reaching their limit. It's time for him to make a choice | Andy Beckett

Veer left or double down on the right? Either way, the prime minister needs to commit and sell it to an impatient electorateAfter less than a year in power, Labour has reached a familiar place. Keir Starmer’s troubled government is at a fork in the road, wondering which direction to follow. With the delivery of its spending review next week after several acrimonious delays, and a Commons vote on its divisive welfare cuts expected later this month, the government’s unity and morale are fragile. The public finances are severely strained, with ever more competing demands, such as for extra defence spending. Though much more energetic than its Tory predecessor, this government often seems opaque, unable to explain its purpose in a compelling way.Many voters and journalists – even more impatient than usual after years of manic politics – are already considering what might replace Starmer’s administration. At barely 20% in the polls, Labour is as unpopular as in its most disliked days und...

Politics

64 h. ago UK faces calls for 5% GDP defence spend, ahead of PM’s meeting with Nato chief

Mark Rutte, the secretary general of the alliance, said on Thursday he is proposing Nato members spend 5% of gross domestic product (GDP) on defence.

Politics

65 h. ago US tells Britain it needs to spends 5% on defence and 'it's important they get there' as US prepares for WW3

Hegseth has been crusading to get partners in Europe to shoulder more of the financial burden as the US recalibrates its focus towards China .

Politics

66 h. ago Hegseth says Nato allies ‘very close’ to raising defence spending target to 5%

US defence secretary says he expects goal of 5% of GDP in next decade to be agreed this monthThe US defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, said Nato allies were “very close, almost near consensus” to an agreement to significantly raise targets for defence spending to 5% of GDP in the next decade.The Trump administration official indicated he expected the increased target to be agreed at a summit in The Hague later this month – and confirmed that the headline figure was to be split into two parts. Continue reading...

Events

66 h. ago US warns Starmer it is 'important' UK hits new Nato target for spending 3.5% of GDP on defence as Labour struggles to balance the books

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered the message as he met ministers from the military alliance in Brussels.

Events

2 d. ago Starmer to meet Nato’s Rutte amid US pressure to spend 5% of GDP on defence – Europe live

US defence secretary Pete Hegseth says there is ‘near consensus’ on funding commitment for Nato member statesUK trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds has also called for reforms of the WTO including changes to the much-criticised dispute resolutions system which can also take years to settle disputes between trading nations.“We do recognise that reforming and repositioning the WTO so that it can respond more effectively to the challenges of today is the only way to safeguard long term stability and growth tomorrow. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago NATO nations must spend 5% GDP on defence and end 'reliance' on US to defend them, Pete Hegseth tells meeting of alliance chiefs

'Our message is going to continue to be clear. It's deterrence and peace through strength, but it can't be reliance,' Hegseth said at a meeting with counterparts in Brussels.

Politics

3 d. ago NATO chief makes huge demand to UK on defence spending after Donald Trump calls

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte today said allies will find themselves 'in great difficulty' in the coming years if they stick with the current 2% GDP alliance spending target

Politics

3 d. ago Will Nato states have to find $325BILLION a year more for defence? Alliance chief heaps pressure on Starmer saying Europe and Canada must 'equalise' contributions with the US

Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte warned that the current target of spending 2 per cent of GDP on defence is no longer sustainable after very public criticism from Donald Trump.

Economics

4 d. ago UK set to back Nato push for 3.5% of GDP defence spending by 2035

Commitment to new target expected at summit despite fresh questions for PM Keir Starmer over funding

Politics

4 d. ago UK set to back Nato push for members to spend 3.5% of GDP on defence

Commitment to new target expected at summit despite fresh questions for Keir Starmer over funding

Politics

4 d. ago Starmer’s defence spending plans under pressure as Nato pushes for more

Sir Keir Starmer will meet Nato leaders later this month with the alliance under pressure to increase spending.

Events

4 d. ago John Healey refuses to rule out tax rises to fund £14bn rearmament drive... as Nato prepares to set even HIGHER target of spending 3.5% of GDP on defence

Defence Secretary John Healey insisted he was '100 per cent confident' that the government will be able to ramp up spending to 3 per cent of GDP.

Economics

4 d. ago Nato ‘will force Starmer to spend 3.5% of GDP on defence’ to keep Trump happy

PM under pressure from nuclear alliance and US president after row over funding threatened to derail the launch of strategic defence review,

Politics

4 d. ago UK 'will be forced' to hike defence spending to 3.5% to keep Donald Trump onside

Keir Starmer yesterday reiterated his commitment to get defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 - and he said his 'ambition' to hit 3% would be reached in the next Parliament

Politics

4 d. ago Nato to force UK to lift defence spending to 3.5% of GDP to appease Trump, say sources

Starmer bound to accept Mark Rutte’s higher target after announcing ‘Nato-first’ defence strategy, insiders sayDefence sources believe that Britain will be forced to sign up to a target of lifting defence spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035 at this month’s Nato summit after a campaign by the alliance’s secretary general to keep Donald Trump onboard.One senior insider said Britain would “without a doubt” sign up to a proposal from the Nato chief, Mark Rutte, to lift allies’ defence spending, which would represent a real-terms increase of about £30bn from the Labour government’s plan. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago Defence secretary fails to rule out tax rises to fund defence spending uplift

While John Healey said he is ‘100 per cent confident’ the defence spending uplift would be achieved, he struggled to say how it would be paid for

Economics

5 d. ago Healey insists defence funding will rise to 3% target to meet review aims

Defence Secretary John Healey said he was ‘100% confident’ spending will rise to 3% of gross domestic product.

Events

5 d. ago Strategic defence review live: Starmer reveals largest increase in spending since Cold War as UK faces ‘new era of threat’

John Healey warns ‘new era’ for UK defence needed as ‘threats we face now more serious and less predictable than at any time since end of Cold War’

Events