3 h. ago Starmer leaves door open for more tax rises and spending cuts in spring Budget

But the prime minister also tried to play down fears of a repeat of Rachel Reeves’ shock £40 billion tax rise Budget

Economics

25 h. ago Keir Starmer FAILS to rule out Labour's defence spending boost being used to fund £9billion deal to hand Chagos Islands to Mauritius

The Prime Minister has announced that Britain's defence spending will rise from its current 2.3 per cent of GDP to 2.5 per cent in 2027.

Economics

27 h. ago A Bangladesh 'shrimp health' study, a Porsche deal for Albanian prisons and 'inclusion' in the DRC: How foreign aid is spent amid Labour row over using cash for defence instead

Sir Keir said defence spending would rise to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2027 in the wake of the Trump administration's decision to leave Europe to fend for itself and move closer to Russia .

Economics

30 h. ago Keir Starmer says 'dangerous new era' forced decision for 'biggest rise' in defence spending since the Cold War

The Prime Minister said ‘extremely difficult and painful choices’ would be needed to reach the spending goal, including a cut to foreign aid

Events

44 h. ago Keir Starmer says 'dangerous new era' forced decision for 'biggest rise' in defence spending since Cold War

The Prime Minister said ‘extremely difficult and painful choices’ would be needed to reach the spending goal, including a cut to foreign aid

Events

45 h. ago Starmer announces big cut to UK aid budget to boost defence spending

PM confirms rise in military spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 – three years earlier than plannedUK politics live – latest updatesKeir Starmer has announced drastic cuts to Britain’s international aid budget to help pay for a major increase in defence spending, amid fears over Donald Trump’s commitment to European security.The prime minister said the UK government would increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 – three years earlier than planned – as he prepared for what is likely to be a diplomatically fraught visit to Washington DC this week. Continue reading...

Economics

45 h. ago Keir Starmer addresses nation after slashing aid budget to fund 'biggest sustained rise' in defence spending since Cold War

The Prime Minister said ‘extremely difficult and painful choices’ would be needed to reach the spending goal, including the cut to foreign aid

Economics

49 h. ago UK defence spending to rise to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 with aid budget slashed to help fund move

Keir Starmer says now is the time to deepen European security, as he announces move in the CommonsThe rightwing historian Niall Ferguson is in the audience for Badenoch’s speech, according to James Heale from the Spectator.Niall Ferguson spotted at Kemi Badenoch’s big speech on foreign affairs hearing we might get some policy tooTractors’ horns interrupt Badenoch’s speech shortly after she begins speaking. Attendant spinner heard swearing furiously Continue reading...

Economics

49 h. ago Keir Starmer slashes aid budget to fund 'biggest sustained rise' in defence spending since Cold War

The Prime Minister said ‘extremely difficult and painful choices’ would be needed to reach the spending goal, including the cut to foreign aid

Economics

5 d. ago Major supermarket slashes prices of Cadbury, Nestle, and Lindt Easter eggs

One major retailer is starting spring with a major price cut

Economics

7 d. ago Labour row over benefit cuts as Rachel Reeves 'plots to reduce spending by £5billion but resist calls to spend it on defence or back

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is reported to want to cut the figure from state handouts for the disabled in her spring statement in March.

Economics

8 d. ago Record orders at BAE Systems as European defence spending rises

Weapons maker’s full-year pre-tax profits top £3bn and it expects sales of more than £30bn next yearBritain’s biggest weapons manufacturer, BAE Systems, has reported record orders as the European defence industry gears up for increased spending sparked by the Ukraine war.The company, a member of the FTSE 100, said it expected sales next year to top £30bn, as it reported annual profits before interest and tax of more than £3bn for the first time in 2024. Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago Meeting Ukraine peacekeeping pledge would require tax rises or spending cuts, Starmer warned

Meeting the pressures of an ageing population on the NHS while ramping up defence expenditure would be an ‘epochal challenge’, top economist warns

Events