PM announces £15bn defence investment plan but says some road and energy projects will be scrapped
The plan raises annual defence spending to £80 billion by 2029 and shifts capital budgets away from roads and energy projects, officials said.
- 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.
106 Articles
106 Articles
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U.K. boosts military spending by $20 billion, but critics say it’s not enough
LONDON (AP) — Self-flying fighter jets, uncrewed submarines and drones will be at the center of Britain’s future military under a defense plan announced Tuesday that includes a 15 billion pound ($20 billion) spending boost. Read more...
Drones, fighters, armored vehicles: Highlights from the UK’s Defence Investment Plan
Beyond top line spending, one of the leading takeaways from the DIP is the clear push to acquire and field autonomous systems, underpinned by a £5 billion investment in the technology, which includes plans for a “hybrid navy.”
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