Starmer Rejects Claims of Labour Complacency on Defence Funding
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has firmly rejected accusations that his government is "complacent" on defence funding, as he faced sustained pressure during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday. Starmer responded to warnings from former NATO chief George Robertson, who co-authored a defence review for the government, by asserting that defence spending is increasing rapidly.
Defence Spending Under Scrutiny
Questioned in the Commons about Robertson's comments, Starmer insisted that his responsibility is to keep the British people safe, a duty he takes seriously. He stated, "I respect Lord Robertson, and I thank him again for carrying out the strategic defence review. My responsibility is to keep the British people safe, and that is a duty I take seriously. That is why I do not agree with his comments." Robertson had publicly expressed frustration at the government's failure to present its 10-year defence spending plans, arguing that Britain cannot be defended with an ever-expanding welfare budget.
Budget Increases and Shortfalls
While the government has committed to reaching 2.5% of GDP on defence from April next year and 3% in the next parliament, military leaders believe there is still a £28bn shortfall after years of the armed forces being hollowed out by successive administrations. Government sources have not denied that Chancellor Rachel Reeves has proposed increasing the budget by less than £10bn over the next four years, amid concerns that any more would be unaffordable. With defence spending discussions due this week, military leaders are understood to have been asked to find £3.5bn in savings this year, even as the armed forces are being readied for conflict.
Internal Labour Tensions
Pressed by Kemi Badenoch on whether he agreed with Robertson that social security should be cut to boost defence, Starmer defended his government's approach, arguing that previous Conservative governments neglected both areas. He highlighted that promised increases to the defence budget are possible "because of the decisions of this chancellor." However, the suggestion that public spending cuts may be necessary to fund defence has prompted an angry reaction on the left of Labour. John Hutton, a Labour peer and former defence secretary under Tony Blair, urged Starmer to "knock heads together" and ensure the Treasury releases more funding without first seeking guarantees on procurement systems, calling the current stance "completely wrong" given the geopolitical situation.
Government's Balancing Act
James Murray, the chancellor's deputy, argued earlier on Wednesday that balancing welfare and defence spending "is not a zero-sum game." He told Times Radio, "We've decided to have the biggest sustained increase in defence investments since the cold war. At the same time, we've begun our work to reform the welfare system, changing universal credit, reducing fraud and error, reforming motability. There's more work to do." Murray added that the welfare system includes measures like removing the two-child benefit cap, which helps hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty. Defence Secretary John Healey is understood to be pushing the Treasury for more money for defence, as the government navigates these complex financial and political challenges.
