Putin threat tops Burnham's in-tray as he walks into No 10

Military spending and protecting the UK against an attack from Russia must be Andy Burnham’s top priority as he arrives in office next week, defence chiefs and MPs have warned.

The new prime minister has pledged to prioritise improving living standards for Britons when he takes over from Sir Keir Starmer, expected to be on 20 July.

But The i Paper can reveal serious concerns about the lack of funding under the Starmer government for a UK version of an “Iron Dome” to protect the nation from an airborne missile attack, despite the current Prime Minister’s warning that Britain could be at war with Russia by 2030.

Shorts

Under the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) published on 30 June, the government committed to spending £790m on integrated air and missile defence (IAMD).