Badenoch says UK must hike defence spending to 3% of GDP by 2029

Kemi Badenoch has urged the government to 'prepare for the worst' by hiking defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP by 2029.

The Tory leader urged Keir Starmer to seek 'peace through strength', saying that was the only thing Russia respected.

Ms Badenoch also suggested that Volodymr Zelensky's Oval Office spat with Donald Trump might have been fuelled by a language barrier.

The PM announced last week that the UK will be spending 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence by 2027, with the aid budget being slashed to free up the money. He also voiced an ambition to hit 3 per cent in the next Parliament.

The move sparked the resignation of one of his closest allies, development minister Anneliese Dodds, from Cabinet.