Nato chief Mark Rutte wants members to agree to plan at summit later this month but UK remains cautiousBritain has still not committed to agreeing an increase in defence spending to 3.5% of GDP by the mid-2030s at the Nato summit later this month in line with a proposal from the alliance secretary general, Mark Rutte, defence sources said.Though Rutte visited Downing St on Monday and the Nato chief expressed confidence in a speech in London afterwards that countries would sign up, senior insiders complained that Britain was still dragging its heels over the issue. Continue reading... Politics
The Prime Minister insisted it was 'the right decision' to originally axe the handouts, worth up to £300 a household, for around 10 million retirees last winter. Events
Defence secretary says ‘the world is more dangerous’ as he addresses MPs about strategic defence reviewHere is the clip of Keir Starmer in his Today programme interview refusing to say when the government will raise defence spending to 3% of GDP.In an interview with the Times published on Saturday John Healey, the defence secretary, said that he had “no doubt” that Britain would reach the 3% target by 2034 – ie, before the end of the next parliament. Yesterday he described this as an “ambition”. Continue reading... Politics
Britain to build up to 12 attack submarines as it moves to war-ready footing Events
Prime minister to launch strategic defence review in Glasgow this morningHere is the clip of Keir Starmer in his Today programme interview refusing to say when the government will raise defence spending to 3% of GDP.In an interview with the Times published on Saturday John Healey, the defence secretary, said that he had “no doubt” that Britain would reach the 3% target by 2034 – ie, before the end of the next parliament. Yesterday he described this as an “ambition”. Continue reading... Politics
Keir Starmer criticised Putin’s refusal to attend the talks, claiming it showed a lack of commitment to resolving the conflict and slamming the Russian leader for not being 'serious' about peace Politics
Yvette Cooper refused four times on Tuesday to repeat Sir Keir Starmer’s “island of strangers” warning about the risks of sky-high migration into the UK. Society
