Badenoch accuses Starmer of leaving defence spending 'mess' for Burnham
Labour’s plan would lift defence funding by nearly £300 billion over four years, as critics warn it could squeeze welfare and public services.
- On Tuesday, Kemi Badenoch confronted Outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer at PMQs, accusing the government of underfunding defence and highlighting an alleged £4.7 billion shortfall in the Defence Investment Plan.
- The Treasury admitted it has yet to explain how it will fund almost a third of the £15 billion uplift, leaving Sir Keir's successor a £4.7 billion gap to fill at the next budget.
- Defending the strategy, Starmer claimed the plan would raise spending to "nearly 300 billion" over four years, asserting that military chiefs welcomed the commitment despite the criticism.
- Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis acknowledged on Wednesday that "conversations" would be required to bridge the shortfall, though he remained confident that Andy Burnham would secure necessary investment.
- Rising geopolitical threats from Russia and China have pressured the government to target 5 percent of GDP for defence, complicating efforts to balance military needs against domestic services like housing and health.
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11 Articles
I take responsibility to fund defence plan extremely seriously, says Burnham
The Makerfield MP also rejects attacks on his economic stance, insisting he would not be « indisciplined » on finances. Source link : https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5yz9j7v0z6o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss Author : Publish date : 2026-07-02 19:59:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
Starmer is leaving Burnham with a massive bill for defence. But why the war fever?
Starmer is leaving Burnham with a massive bill for defence. But why the war fever? Submitted by Joe Gill on Thu, 07/02/2026 - 10:28 There is a concerted campaign to prepare the public for war with Russia. Cutting back on essential spending in order to fund the army is the last thing the UK needs right now Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer on a visit to a British army base in the west of England on 22 April 2025 (AFP) Off If you were to …
Sir Keir has left a fiscal mess for Andy Burnham to clean up
Editorial: A £4.7bn shortfall in the Defence Investment Plan is some legacy for the PM to leave his successor to fund, especially after complaining so bitterly about the ‘black hole’ left by his own predecessors
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