Starmer defends slashing aid budget to raise defence spending to 2.5% of GDP - UK politics live

Keir Starmer says now is the time to deepen European security, as he announces new defence budget by 2027

The rightwing historian Niall Ferguson is in the audience for Badenoch’s speech, according to James Heale from the Spectator.

Niall Ferguson spotted at Kemi Badenoch’s big speech on foreign affairs… hearing we might get some policy too

Tractors’ horns interrupt Badenoch’s speech shortly after she begins speaking. Attendant spinner heard swearing furiously

Topics

UK to raise defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027

Starmer’s announcement of ‘biggest sustained rise’ since cold war comes ahead of Trump meeting on Thursday
Financial Times - 5h
Starmer commits to raise UK defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027

Prime Minister Keir Starmer says the U.K. will raise defense spending to 2.5% of gross domestic product by 2027
ABC News - 8h
Keir Starmer urged to ramp up defence spending – UK politics live

This is ‘probably one of the most alarming times for Britain’s defence since the second world war’, says Lib Dem leader Ed Davey as he calls for more spending. The Democratic Unionist Party has ...
The Guardian - 4d
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 planned. Keir Starmer has announced drastic cuts to Britain’s international aid budget to help pay for a ...
The Guardian - 3h
Starmer cuts aid to fund increase in defence spending

The prime minister sets out plans to increase defence spending to 2.5% of national income by 2027.
BBC News - 3h
U.K. to Raise Defense Spending to 2.5% of G.D.P. by 2027, Starmer Says

Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is set to meet with President Trump on Thursday, said he would increase British spending on defense to 2.5 percent of G.D.P. by 2027.
The New York Times - 5h
Apple cheers Trump with $500bn US investment plan; UK defence firm Chemring ‘targeted’ by private equity firm – business live

One of the world’s largest private equity investors has made an approach to buy Chemring, the FTSE 250 defence group, Sky News reports. German election live: Merz says priority is to make Europe ...
The Guardian - 1d
Will Starmer's defence hike win over Trump?

The prime minister has set out plans to increase defence spending to 2.5% of national income by 2027.
BBC News - 32m
Meta slashes staff stock awards as group embarks on AI spending drive

Most employees will receive about 10% less equity options this year
Financial Times - 4d