Britain could be forced to pay £5 million to join the EU’s rearmament scheme, plus millions in administrative fees.
Ursula von der Leyen reportedly rebuffed the Prime Minister at COP30 (Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
The European Union wants Britain to hand over up to €6 billion (£5 billion) to join the bloc’s rearmament scheme, according to reports. Sources said the sum was an “opening bid” for the UK’s contribution to the programme, which would enable it to benefit further from the EU’s Security Action for Europe (SAFE) weapons fund. Brussels and London have been in talks about Britain joining the SAFE since the summer, in a bid to boost joint procurement and rearm in response to the ongoing threat posed by Russia in Ukraine.
The rearmament scheme would also enable Sir Keir Starmer‘s Government to bid for contracts of up to 50% of the EU’s war chest, The Telegraph reports. Defence Secretary John Healey has signalled that ministers are willing to pay the country’s fair share to join the scheme, but the £5 billion sum doesn’t fall far short of the £9 billion the UK paid to Brussels annually before leaving the bloc, making backlash likely. Britain will also reportedly be expected to pay €150 million (£132 million) in administrative fees
Keir Starmer could be forced to backtrack on his promise not to pay huge sums to the EU (Image: Getty)
It also comes after European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen allegedly dodged a meeting with the UK Prime Minister at COP30 in Brazil amid uncertainty over the UK’s access to SAFE.
Sir Keir attempted to discuss the bloc’s fiscal demands with Ms von der Leyen face-to-face at the conference, but was rebuffed “for scheduling reasons”, according to the Financial Times.
Relations between the UK and EU have improved under Mr Starmer’s tenure but EU members still appear generally opposed to the UK regaining pre-Brexit privileges without financial hurdles.
Labour, in turn, could be accused of breaking its promise not to make large net contributions to the main EU budget, pledged with the post-referendum intention of “taking back control” of the UK’s finances.
The Prime Minister struck a “reset deal” with the bloc in May, making concessions including giving up Britain’s fishing waters for 12 years.
The SAFE scheme’s current rules mean EU countries can spend 35% of the war chest with UK firms, and France has reportedly demanded that future access be capped at 50% to ensure European firms continue to benefit.
A Brussels spokesperson confirmed that the commission’s opening bid is “50% for between €4 and €6”.
The offer comes ahead of the first closing window for funding bids on November 30, putting pressure on Britain to agree to the terms.
EU officials have reportedly also agreed to demand more cash from Britain if Mr Starmer requests fresh access to the bloc’s single market.
