Search articles

“UK PM weighs delay to roadmap for higher defence spending, Times reports LONDON, Oct 6 - British Prime Minister Andy Burnham is considering delaying an announcement on how and when Britain will raise defence spending to 3% of GDP, The Times reported on…”

“…hancellor is struggling to balance the books in the Budget with markets driving up UK borrowing costs and Labour promising a host of other big-spending Plans set out in the defence investment plan (Dip) will see spending rise to 2.7 per cent of GDP by…”

“Mr Burnham has committed to spending 3.5 per cent of the UK's GDP (gross domestic product) on defence by 2035 in line with a pledge by NATO members.”

“Kemi Badenoch has accused Andy Burnham of “fiddling while Europe is at risk of burning”, as she repeated her call for the prime minister to cut the welfare budget to fund increase spending on defence.”

“A string of other challenging decisions, including when the UK should be aiming to spend 3% of GDP on defence, is expected to be delayed until a big spending review at some point next year.”

“Publishing its influential “green budget” report, which analyses the public finances before Healey’s speech to the Commons, it called on the chancellor to avoid announcing a “steady as she goes” budget that delayed decisions until next year’s spending review.”

“These include when the UK will implement spending 3% of GDP on defence – a target Healey claimed to be committed to when he resigned as defence secretary earlier this year.”

““Elevated yields are inflating the interest bill at a time of tight budget constraints and competing spending priorities, including defence,””

“The Chancellor is under huge pressure with markets driving up UK borrowing costs and Labour promising a host of other big-spending policies.”

“…eeded because Labour – which has still not set out how it will reach its target of spending 3 per cent of GDP on defence by 2030 – is failing to do enough to guarantee the security of the UK, its overseas territories and bases in an increasingly hostile…”

“And if so, what - if anything - should the Scottish and UK governments do about it?”

“…looning, energy costs are rising and Burnham and Healey need to fill a £4.7 billion (S$7.96 billion) gap in the Defence Investment Plan, a blueprint that some defence experts say does not go far enough in meeting Britain’s promise to increase defence…”

“Key decisions about future tax and spending appear likely to be delayed until a Treasury spending review next year, which will come after Burnham has set out his long-term priorities in a 10-year plan, expected after the budget.”

“Australia’s gen Z are the generation most willing to cut their spending way back to afford a home, according to Cotality data reported by AAP.”

“While some are pressing for building European capabilities as a means to separate from the US, others see greater European defence spending as essential to keeping the US engaged.”

“Starmer’s “keep calm and carry on” strategy helped keep Trump on board the defence alliance and also protected the UK from the worst of his aggression over trade.”

“Paying for the UK's growing defence commitments is one of Healey's biggest headaches as he prepares for the Budget in October and next year's spending review.”

“It also said that delays by the Ministry of Defence in disclosing information had also affected the timetable.”