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PM announces £15bn defence investment plan but says some road and energy projects will be scrapped
The plan shifts spending toward drones, submarines and fighter jets, while officials say it will raise annual defence funding to £80 billion by 2029.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced a £15 billion defence investment plan on Tuesday, scrapping road and energy projects to fund military upgrades.
Following weeks of Whitehall wrangling, Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis secured the necessary funding after former defence secretary John Healey resigned earlier this month, claiming he was offered only £13.5 billion.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves stated the funding comes from "reprioritising spending" across Government by reallocating capital budgets by one penny in every pound, protecting frontline health and education services.
Annual defence spending will increase from £54 billion to £80 billion by 2029 as Sir Keir aims to reverse the "corrosive hollowing out" of the military, acknowledging there were "no easy answers."
This announcement may represent one of Sir Keir's final acts as Prime Minister before handing over power to Andy Burnham, though he stated he is "absolutely certain" his successor will continue the investments.
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The Daily T Podcast discuss reports Andy Burnham backed the £15bn Defence Investment Plan, as Dan Jarvis lifts funding from £13.5bn amid claims it still falls short of a £28bn benchmark