4 h. ago Keir Starmer must come to the defence of his chancellor’s spending review

Editorial: In spite of Rachel Reeves’s much-vaunted increase in MoD expenditure, a rise to 2.6 per cent of GDP can only be achieved by draining the overseas aid budget, reallocating intelligence agency funds, and other sleights of hand. When the prime minister faces Nato leaders, including Donald Trump, he will have no choice but to spin the numbers

Politics

8 h. ago Nato secretary general says Europe needs to ‘ramp up defence spending’ as foreign ministers meet in Rome – Europe live

Mark Rutte says ‘we have to spend more’ as ministers discuss Weimar+ model ahead of Nato summit later this monthEuropean foreign ministers are now arriving in Rome for their Weimar+ meeting on security and Ukraine.Italy’s foreign minister Antonio Tajani said his country needs “at least 10 years” to raise defence spending and comply with new targets to be agreed by Nato, adding that a deal on them could soon be reached, Reuters reported. Continue reading...

Politics

10 h. 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

11 h. ago Putin mocking Trump with attacks on Ukraine, Poland says, as European foreign ministers meet for defence talks – Europe live

Ministers to discuss Weimar+ model joined by Nato secretary general and EU foreign policy chief ahead of Nato summit later this monthEuropean foreign ministers are now arriving in Rome for their Weimar+ meeting on security and Ukraine.Italy’s foreign minister Antonio Tajani said his country needs “at least 10 years” to raise defence spending and comply with new targets to be agreed by Nato, adding that a deal on them could soon be reached, Reuters reported. Continue reading...

Politics

11 h. ago Tax rises 'almost inevitable' as IFS torches Rachel Reeves' spending plans warning NHS and defence will need topping up and cost

IFS director Paul Johnson said he would be 'very surprised indeed' if heath and defence funding did not need topping up before the next election.

Events

12 h. ago IFS torches Rachel Reeves' spending plans warning NHS and defence will need topping up and cost

IFS director Paul Johnson said he would be 'very surprised indeed' if heath and defence funding did not need topping up before the next election.

Events

15 h. ago Reeves pours cold water on Nato demands for more defence spending making clear it WON'T go over 2.5% of GDP before 2029 and hinting 3% will be the limit in the next Parliament

Chancellor Rachel Reeves stressed that Labour had only committed to hitting 2.5 per cent of GDP in the current Parliament.

Politics

25 h. ago Rachel Reeves pumps cash into NHS with 4million more tests and procedures to cut waits

The NHS and defence were big winners from the Chancellor's Spending Review as Rachel Reeves set out the Government's spending plans for the rest of the decade

Economics

29 h. ago UK yet to commit to Nato plan for rise in defence spending to 3.5% of GDP

Nato chief Mark Rutte wants members to agree to plan at summit later this month but UK remains cautiousBritain has still not committed to agreeing an increase in defence spending to 3.5% of GDP by the mid-2030s at the Nato summit later this month in line with a proposal from the alliance secretary general, Mark Rutte, defence sources said.Though Rutte visited Downing St on Monday and the Nato chief expressed confidence in a speech in London afterwards that countries would sign up, senior insiders complained that Britain was still dragging its heels over the issue. Continue reading...

Politics

31 h. ago Britain will be ‘defence industrial superpower’ with extra cash, Reeves says

Defence is one of the areas of Government spending which benefited most at the spending review on Wednesday.

Politics

31 h. ago Spending review winners and losers: How each department fares

Health, education and defence are all set to see a growth in spending.

Economics

31 h. ago WW3 fears in overdrive as UK government give defence spending boost over rising tensions

The Labour Government is planning on turning Britain into a 'defence industrial superpower' as the global security situation means a 'new era for defence and security'

Politics

32 h. ago Defence spending to rise by £11 billion to 2.6per cent of GDP over next two years, Rachel Reeves announces

In the face of 'a new era' of threats, Ms Reeves said there must be 'a new era for defence and security'

Economics

32 h. 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

34 h. ago Spending Review winners and losers: Hospitals, schools and defence handed billions amid fears of tax rises

Major boosts for the NHS , schools, defence, local transport and nuclear power are expected to be unveiled by the Chancellor at lunchtime.

Economics

34 h. ago Spending Review: Key points announced by Rachel Reeves with billions for NHS, defence and transport

The Chancellor confirms billions more money for housing, AI and police

Economics

35 h. ago Spending review 2025 – live: Rachel Reeves to unveil plans for £600bn budget

Sir Keir Starmer being quizzed at PMQs before chancellor set to outline Labour's spending plans for NHS, housing and defence

Economics

35 h. ago Spending Review winners and losers: Hospitals, schools and defence to benefit under Rachel Reeves plans

Major boosts for the NHS , schools, defence, local transport and nuclear power are expected to be unveiled by the Chancellor at lunchtime.

Politics

36 h. ago Spending review live: Rachel Reeves to announce how she’ll spend £600bn budget as experts warn of tax hikes

Chancellor to unveil funding boosts for NHS, housing, defence and schools as she outlines Labour's spending plans until next election

Economics

38 h. ago Spending Review 2025: Key points announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves

A series of funding packages have already been trailed ahead of the full spending plans being unveiled

Politics