Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestylePrime Minister Andy Burnham has declined to commit to increasing the UK's defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP by 2030. This position contrasts with his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer, whose government had pledged 3.5 per cent by 2035 and aimed for 3 per cent in the next Parliament. John Healey, now Chancellor, previously stated Britain should reach 3 per cent by 2030 but noted the current defence investment plan would only achieve 2.68 per cent by the decade's end. Mr Burnham instead referenced the NATO military alliance's target for members to spend 3.5 per cent on core defence by 2035, citing the growing threat from Russia. He suggested that addressing domestic issues, such as social care funding and youth unemployment, would free up resources to meet defence commitments further down the line. In fullAndy Burnham refuses to commit to raising UK defence spending by 2030More bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
What we know about Andy Burnham’s stance on defence spending
Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestylePrime Minister Andy Burnham has declined to commit to increasing the UK's defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP by 2030. This position contrasts with his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer, whose government had pledged 3.5 per cent by 2035 and aimed for 3 per cent in the next Parliament. John Healey, now Chancellor, previously stated Britain should reach 3 per cent by 2030 but noted the current defence investment plan would only achieve 2.68 per cent by the decade's end. Mr Burnham instead referenced the NATO military alliance's target for members to spend 3.5 per cent on core defence by 2035, citing the growing threat from Russia. He suggested that addressing domestic issues, such as social care funding and youth unemployment, would free up resources to meet defence commitments further down the line. In fullAndy Burnham refuses to commit to raising UK defence spending by 2030More bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
