UK will increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent by 2027
In a heated exchange at PMQs, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer mocked Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch for her "desperate search for relevance," dismissing her claim that she had advised him on the increase in UK defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027. Starmer emphasized that the decision to accelerate the spending increase was not taken lightly and was driven by the need to address global security challenges, including support for Ukraine. He also faced criticism from Diane Abbott, who argued that diverting funds from aid to defence spending would undermine efforts to address the root causes of conflict. Starmer is set to meet US President Donald Trump in Washington DC to discuss Ukraine and transatlantic security.
