15 h. ago Starmer: No tax rises on working people to reach 5% defence spending pledge

He said the current commitment to get defence spending up to 2.5% of GDP was coming from cuts to overseas development aid.

Economics

15 h. ago Starmer leaves door open for tax rises to fund rise in defence spending

IFS director Paul Johnson warned that the £30bn increase in defence spending would need to be funded by tax rises

Economics

16 h. ago Europe’s pledge to spend more on military will hurt climate and social programmes

Nato spending plan overlooks risks to security posed by environmental breakdown and social decay, say economistsEurope risks choosing militarism over social and environmental security, economists have warned, as the head of Nato said all 32 members had agreed to increase weapons spending.Analyses drafted in anticipation of a Nato summit beginning on Tuesday warned of the opportunity cost that higher military spending would pose to the continent’s climate mitigation and social programmes, which are consistently underfunded. Continue reading...

Events

18 h. ago Photos from The Hague as NATO leaders including Donald Trump gather for historic summit

NATO leaders are gathering in the Netherlands for the start of a historic two-day summit that could unite the 32-member security organization around a new defense spending pledge or widen divisions.

Politics

19 h. ago Brace yourself for MORE tax rises as Keir Starmer ploughs billions into defence and the NHS and Labour backbenchers rebel over welfare cuts to pay for it

The PM will join fellow Nato leaders in The Hague today after signing up to the goal of spending 3.5 per cent of GDP on defence.

Economics

20 h. ago World leaders gather for historic NATO summit with unity on the line

World leaders are gathering in the Netherlands for the start of a historic two-day NATO summit that could unite the world’s biggest security organization around a new defense spending pledge or widen divisions among the 32 allies

Politics

21 h. ago Why Keir Starmer will pledge 5% defence spending as Israel and Iran agree to Donald Trump ceasefire

Numerous Nato allies are to pledge increased spending on national security, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Politics

29 h. ago Keir Starmer heads to Nato summit where he will vow to spend 5% of GDP on defence

Sir Keir Starmer's pledge to increase defence and security spending to 5 per cent of GDP by 2035 was last night branded 'a con'.

Politics

31 h. ago Starmer pledges to spend 5% of GDP on national security and defence by 2035

But Downing Street will not say how the new NATO commitment demanded by Donald Trump will be paid for by the UK taxpayer

Events

43 h. ago NATO leaders are set to agree a historic defense spending pledge, but the hike won't apply to all

NATO leaders are expected to agree by Wednesday that member countries should spend 5% of their gross domestic product on defense

Politics

5 d. ago Juan Mata makes new career move as Man United favourite joins group with 'enormous potential'

The women's investment group has pledged to spend $100m on buying stakes in teams in each of the major leagues in Europe.

Politics

5 d. ago Ministers set out plans to spend £725bn on UK infrastructure over 10 years

Government strategy includes spending £9bn a year on fixing schools, hospitals, courts and prisonsMinisters have pledged to spend £9bn a year on fixing crumbling schools, hospitals, courts and prisons over the next decade as part of the government’s infrastructure strategy.Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the Treasury, set out plans on Thursday to spend a minimum of £725bn over 10 years to boost UK-wide infrastructure and achieve a “national renewal”. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Voices: Starmer and Reeves are back from the brink – here’s what they must do next

After a spending review that came as a relief to many Labour backbenchers, the government must now start making the case for the ‘inevitable’ tax rises in the autumn that will be needed to deliver better public services, says Andrew Grice

Politics

1 week ago Ben Wallace accuses Labour of ‘conning’ public over defence spending boost claim

Concerns have been raised that the increase in defence spending pledged by Keir Starmer’s government is ‘smoke and mirrors’

Politics

1 week ago Reeves pledges funds for northern rail but London left short | Spending review 2025

Reeves pledges funds for northern rail but London left short | Spending review 2025  The Guardian

Economics

1 week ago Watch: Rachel Reeves delivers spending review as chancellor pledges to make working people ‘better off’

Watch again as Rachel Reeves delivered her much-anticipated spending review on Wednesday (11 June) as the chancellor pledged to make working people “better off”.

Economics

1 week ago Casement park rebuild given boost after Government pledges £50m in spending review

Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill said it is now time to get the GAA stadium built.

Economics

1 week ago Spending review: Reeves vows to ‘renew Britain’ with big rises for NHS, housing and defence

Chancellor pledges to end spending on asylum hotels, as she contrasts Labour investment with Tory austerityUK politics live – latest updatesSpending review 2025: key points at a glanceFive charts underpinning Rachel Reeves’s decisionsRachel Reeves has pledged to “renew Britain” with a spending review prioritising health, defence and more than £100bn for long-term capital projects, despite leaving some key areas facing a tough squeeze on funding.In a speech to the Commons setting out Labour’s priorities up to the next general election, the chancellor said her investment programme would be felt in all corners of the country, while decrying austerity as a “destructive choice”. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Spending Review 2025 LIVE: Rachel Reeves pledges billions more for NHS and social housing... but Met police cash row looms

Chancellor announces extra £29 billion per year for the NHS and vows to end use of asylum seeker hotels

Economics

1 week ago Voices: Has Rachel Reeves got the balance right in her first spending review? Join The Independent Debate

Rachel Reeves’ first multi-year spending review as chancellor delivers major investment pledges in health, housing and infrastructure, but critics have raised questions and warn that ‘sharp trade-offs are unavoidable’

Economics