The debate over the increase in defence spending took center stage at PMQs as Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch challenged Sir Keir Starmer on the issue. Prime Minister’s announcement of reallocating aid funds to boost military spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, following President Trump’s demands, sparked discussions in the House.
Badenoch probed Sir Keir on the exact amount of the increase and whether the Chagos deal would be funded from it. The UK’s plan to hand over the territory to Mauritius while retaining control of Diego Garcia, which houses a UK-US military airbase, brought further scrutiny to the discussions on defence spending.
General Sir David Richards suggested that President Trump’s actions on Ukraine likely accelerated the decision to raise defence spending, a move that had been in the works. Questions arose over the Labour government’s shift from its manifesto pledge on international development funding, with concerns raised by some MPs on the implications of diverting funds towards defence expenditures.
The debate highlighted differing perspectives on the balance between defence and development priorities, with implications on international relations and security strategies. The discussions underscored the complexities of aligning national security interests with global diplomatic dynamics, as leaders navigated the evolving landscape of geopolitical challenges and alliances
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