3 h. ago Starmer goes all in on NHS with PM set to hand health service £30bn spending boost at expense of other public services

The government is putting all its eggs in one basket as it lines up the Department for Health for a £30billion cash boost at next week's spending review.

Economics

4 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

22 h. ago NATO allies agree huge spending boost as US demands they are 'ready' for Russia

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth demanded GDP members of NATO be 'combat-ready' or risk losing US support amid escalating security concerns over Russia’s aggression

Politics

34 h. ago Man Utd make final decision on Bryan Mbeumo transfer after staggering demands

Manchester United have seen their opening bid for Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo rejected but they have agreed to pay his huge wages should they agree on a transfer fee

Sport

35 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

36 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

44 h. ago Russell Martin ready to meet Rangers demands as 'outstanding candidate' lays out vision in opening Ibrox address

Martin insists he understands the demands now on him as Patrick Stewar and Kevin Thelwell explain reasons for Ibrox appointment

Politics

58 h. 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

63 h. 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

64 h. ago Head of Nato suggests alliance should look to ‘equalise’ US defence contribution

Mark Rutte said allies will find themselves ‘in great difficulty’ if the current 2% GDP spending target is maintained.

Politics

3 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

3 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

4 d. ago China accuses US of ‘seriously violating’ trade war truce; UK factory output shrinks again – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsToday’s UK PMI report (see 9.52am) also shows that business confidence at British factories remained ‘subdued’ last month.Manufacturers continued to raise concerns that turbulent trade conditions, the weak economic outlook and rising cost burdens will make market conditions tough during the year ahead.Weak global market conditions, trade uncertainty, low customer confidence and cost pressures resulting from recent increases to UK employer NICs and minimum wages also contributed to clients’ reluctance to spend. That said, a recent bout of good weather did boost sales at some manufacturers. Continue reading...

Economics

4 d. ago Keir Starmer to unveil strategic defence review and put UK on ‘war

Prime minister to launch strategic defence review in Glasgow this morningStarmer repeats his claim that he has an ambition to get defence spending up to 3% of GDP in the next parliament.Q: But “ambition” is not a commitment. I can have a commitment to lose weight. That does not mean it will happen.What you can take from this is, yes, that 3% but I am not, as the prime minister of a Labour government, going to make a commitment as to the precise date until I can be sure precisely where the money is coming from, how we can make good on that commitment, because I don’t believe in performative fantasy politics, and certainly not on defence and security.Nato has been the single most effective alliance for keeping the peace for 80 years, and our job is not just to celebrate that as we do, but to ask ourselves the searching question as I ask myself on a daily basis, which is, how do we ensure that Nato preserves the peace for decades to come for this generation? Continue reading...

Events

4 d. ago Liam Delap's huge Chelsea contract details as forward agrees terms on transfer

Chelsea are finalising the signing of Ipswich striker Liam Delap, who's set to snub interest from Manchester United in order to join Enzo Maresca's side for £30million

Sport

6 d. ago UK plans to build six weapons factories to bolster military readiness

Plans for £1.5bn investment in munitions manufacturing response to government’s defence review’s call to boost stockpilesThe UK will spend £1.5bn on building six munitions and energetics factories to “better deter our adversaries” as part of its long-awaited strategic defence review.John Healey, the defence secretary, said the funds formed part of plans for an “always-on” weapons pipeline and would support the procurement of up to 7,000 UK-built long-range weapons. Continue reading...

Events

7 d. ago Pete Hegseth calls on Asia to boost military spending in face of ‘imminent’ threat from China

Speaking at the Shangri-la Dialogue in Singapore, the US defence secretary outlined a range of new joint projects in the regionThe US secretary of defence has called on Asian countries to boost their military spending to increase regional deterrence against China, which was “rehearsing for the real deal” when it comes to taking over Taiwan.Pete Hegseth, addressing the Shangri-la Dialogue in Singapore on Saturday, reiterated pledges to increase the US presence in the Indo-Pacific and outlined a range of new joint projects, including expanding access to military ship and plane repair, including in Australia. Continue reading...

Events

9 d. ago Western restrictions on Ukraine firing missiles into Russia 'were secretly lifted LAST YEAR' it's revealed

The revelation could spark a diplomatic firestorm across Europe and beyond, as NATO allies such as the UK and France are now exposed to the risk of retaliation from the Kremlin.

Events

1 week ago Stacey Solomon’s bestselling watch returns in a stunning new aquamarine shade ahead of summer

Stacey Solomon's best-selling Abbot Lyon watch is back by popular demand, and it's been given a summer-ready update - but you'll need to be quick if you want to get your hands on one

Politics

1 week ago EU 'stands ready to defend its interests' in tariff war with Trump: Bloc demands 'respect' after US President announced 50 per cent charge on European imports

Trump made the threat amid trade talks between Washington and Brussels, warning they were 'going nowhere' and that he could impose the tariffs next month.

Politics