Tories would reinstate two-child benefit cap to fund defence, says Badenoch

Conservative leader promises biggest peacetime rearmament effort in UK history if her party is re-elected

The Conservatives would reinstate the two-child benefit cap and use the savings for a wide-ranging spending splurge on defence in what Kemi Badenoch said would be “the biggest peacetime programme of rearmament in our country’s history”.

Speaking at a defence conference in London, the Tory leader criticised the government for Britain’s “lack of readiness” for war, which has been exposed by recent world events.

Badenoch said the UK needed to “reassert” itself as a global power and committed the Tories to “the largest net increase in British troops under any government since the second world war” if they return to power at the next general election.

The pledge would involve recruiting 6,000 full-time soldiers and 14,000 reservists. The Tories say they could raise £20bn towards the venture by reinstating the two-child benefit cap and reallocating money earmarked for net zero projects.