2 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

2 h. ago Defence spending numbers defended by Starmer amid ‘silly games’ criticism

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch pressed the Prime Minister in the Commons over the spending increase and his plan for Ukraine.

Politics

3 h. ago John Swinney makes Trident nuclear deterrent declaration after Sir Keir Starmer defence spending decision

It came as the First Minister backed an increase in defence spending announced by Sir Keir Starmer

Events

3 h. ago Nuclear weapons provide 'no tangible benefit' to Scotland's security, insists John Swinney

The First Minister backed Keir Starmer's decision to increase UK defence spending but said cash should be spent on "conventional" weapons instead of nukes.

Events

4 h. ago PMQs live: Starmer to be grilled over defence spending ahead of US visit for crunch Trump talks

PM set to discuss increase to 2.5 per cent by 2027

Politics

4 h. ago Starmer accused of fiddling the figures on defence spend increase

The defence secretary admitted Sir Keir’s figures were misleading as the Tories demand Labour to be ‘straight about the facts’

Politics

7 h. ago UK politics live: Labour deny Trump is reason for Starmer’s defence spending boost

UK will increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent by 2027

Politics

7 h. ago Can Starmer charm Trump? PM heads for the US TODAY armed with defence spending boost as Western alliance hangs in the balance

Keir Starmer will fly to Washington later as he braces for a crucial meeting tomorrow where he will urge Donald Trump to stand by Nato and Ukraine.

Politics

20 h. ago Starmer denies Trump is setting UK policy as defence spending is increased

The Prime Minister announced the increase ahead of a meeting with US president this week

Politics

21 h. ago Keir Starmer bows to Trump pressure and increases UK defence spending by slashing foreign aid

PM brands Russia a ‘menace in our waters’ and says UK must stand by Ukraine to achieve lasting peace to avoid threats to economic instability

Politics

21 h. ago Watch: Starmer defends cutting foreign aid budget to boost defence spending

Watch as Sir Keir Starmer holds a press conference on Tuesday, 25 February, after announcing he will slash the foreign aid budget to hike defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP to counter “tyrants” like Vladimir Putin.

Economics

21 h. ago Starmer slams accusation he is ‘Farage in disguise’ over defence spending increase

Sir Keir Starmer dismissed an accusation he is "Nigel Farage in disguise" over his plans to slash the foreign aid budget to hike defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP to counter “tyrants” like Vladimir Putin.

Politics

22 h. ago We must stop Putin in Ukraine to protect Europe: Keir Starmer puts UK on a war footing by increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP

The Prime Minister pledged to accelerate an increase in the UK's defence spending in the face of Russia's belligerence and growing US indifference to European security.

Politics

22 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

22 h. ago WW3 fears grow as Starmer denies Trump forced 'biggest change since Cold War'

To fund the increases in defence spending, Starmer said 'painful' decisions will have to be made as he explained development assistance aid will be cut from 0.5% to 0.3%

Politics

22 h. ago Banks and defence stocks help lift FTSE 100 after Starmer ups security spending

The blue-chip index gained 9.69 points, or 0.11%, to close at 8,668.67.

Economics

22 h. ago Watch live: Starmer defends cutting foreign aid budget to boost defence spending

Watch live as Sir Keir Starmer holds a press conference on Tuesday, 25 February, after announcing he will slash the foreign aid budget to hike defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP to counter “tyrants” like Vladimir Putin.

Economics

22 h. ago What is Keir Starmer’s plan to increase UK defence spending and is it affordable?

Keir Starmer has outlined plans to slash foreign aid in order to hike Britain’s defence spending, The Independent looks at what has been said about the move

Politics

25 h. ago Starmer balancing the books on backs of poorest, former minister suggests

Andrew Mitchell told the Commons he supported Sir Keir Starmer’s strategic direction to bolster defence spending, but argued he has ‘choices’.

Politics

25 h. ago Charities ‘shocked’ and ‘stunned’ by decision to cut aid to fund defence spending

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced a dramatic increase in defence spending from the current 2.3% to 2.5% by 2027.

Economics