Sir Keir Starmer was dealt another blow as Sky News issued a “breaking news” announcement following the prime minister’s Strategic Defence Review.
Keir Starmer will be “forced” to increase defence spending to 3.5% of national income within the next 10 years, Sky News has revealed. Presenter Kamali Melbourne announced the new update on Tuesday’s (June 3) instalment of the programme, with a “breaking news” banner appearing on screen. He said: “Sky news understands that the UK government will be forced, this month, to agree to increase its spending on defence to 3.5% on national income within a decade as part of a push by NATO to rearm and keep the United States onside.
“That is despite Sir Keir Starmer declining to commit after yesterday’s strategic defence review to increase defence spending to 3%, instead insisting it will remain an aim for the next parliament.” The prime minister is reportedly set to hold a discussion to determine the defence spending target as early as today. It is also believed that Sir Keir will have no choice but to commit another 1.5% of GDP to defence-related areas such infrastructure, roads, railways, airports and other areas that will help mobilise the military in a crisis. This takes the total of defence spending to 5% – a target Mark Rutte, the head of NATO, hopes all allies will agree to at a two-day Nato summit being hosted in The Netherlands next month.
Keir Starmer was issued a humiliating blow on Sky News (Image: Getty)
One senior insider told Sky News that the UK would “without a doubt” sign up to a proposal from the NATO leader to go beyond the government’s current goal.
The government’s Strategic Defence Review, published on Monday, set out the threats facing Britain and what is needed to protect the country from enemies like Russia and China.
Part of the review demanded an increase in defence spending from the current 2% to 3%, but the Labour leader has only committed to 2.5% by 2027.
It comes after John Healey sparked backlash following his repeated refusal to explain how he plans on funding a promised defence spend increase.
The prime minister will be “forced” to increase defence spending to 3.5% (Image: Getty)
Mr Healey explained how the government plans on funding its 2.5% commitment with a £5 billion spending increase in defence, rather than addressing the 3% requirement.
“So that’s to get to 2.5%. Beyond that, how are you going to pay for it?,” BBC Breakfast host Sally Nugent asked. “Because we have discussed with you on this programme before the percentage needs to go up.”
Mr Healey responded: “Well, we’ve said how we’ll pay for the 2.5%.”
“We will never make commitments to increase funding unless we can show how we’re paying for them, and we’re switching money out of overseas development aid in this parliament to be able to increase this defence spending, a record increase – a level this country has not spent since 2010.”
