4 h. ago Wheels up on Starmer's 'mission impossible': Keir jets off to Washington to woo Donald Trump with defence spending pledge... as Rachel Reeves insists trade with America can GROW

The Prime Minister is heading across the Atlantic for crunch talks in the White House , as he attempts to convince the US President not to abandon Europe and Ukraine.

Politics

6 h. ago Russia accuses UK and France of ‘heating up’ Ukraine war amid defence push

The accusation comes as the Prime Minister flies to the US to meet Donald Trump after promising a dramatic increase in defence spending.

Events

11 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

11 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

14 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

14 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

23 h. ago Starmer to meet Trump in Washington as Kyiv and US agree minerals deal

European nations must ‘step up and do more on defence’ Rachel Reeves said after the UK pledged to raise defence spending.

Politics

27 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

28 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

29 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

29 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

32 h. ago Starmer hikes defence spending to counter ‘tyrants’ like Putin

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

33 h. ago Starmer hikes defence spending to 2.5% ahead of crunch meeting with Trump

Labour PM cuts foreign aid funding as he prepares to fly to Washington to meet the US President who has piled pressure on Britain to bolster its armed forces

Politics

34 h. ago Keir Starmer to make major defence spending announcement ahead of crunch Ukraine talks with Trump

The Prime Minister is under increasing pressure to increase the UK’s defence spending amid the war in Ukraine

Politics

37 h. ago Putin signals he is ready to AGREE to Trump's proposal for massive cuts in defence spending

France could be ready to use its nuclear deterrent to shore up Europe's defence, according to reports, at a time when the US has threatened withdrawing its forces on the continent.

Politics

3 d. ago What is Keir Starmer’s plan to boost UK defence spending and is it affordable?

Keir Starmer is expected to outline plans to hike Britain’s defence spending, The Independent looks at what has been said about the move

Politics

3 d. ago Starmer backs Trump’s calls for Nato allies to boost defence spending in stirring speech ahead of US visit

Ahead of a meeting with the US president, Sir Keir Starmer said the UK and Europe ‘have to do more for our defence and security’

Politics

4 d. ago Starmer to set date to increase defence spending during Trump visit – report

The Prime Minister will also deliver an invitation from the King for a state visit to the UK.

Politics

5 d. ago Pressure grows for Starmer to boost defence spending ahead of Trump showdown

PM travels to Washington next week as the only major UK party leader who has not backed calls to hike the defence budget to 2.5 per cent of Britain’s GDP by 2030

Politics

6 d. ago Cash Isa victory for the Daily Mail as Rachel Reeves pledges not to scrap them

The Chancellor discussed with leading City firms how to create more of an investment culture in the UK in an indication that she could make changes to the tax-free savings accounts.

Politics