- Prime Minister Andy Burnham has declined to commit to increasing the UK's defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP by 2030.
- This position contrasts with his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer, whose government had pledged 3.5 per cent by 2035 and aimed for 3 per cent in the next Parliament.
- John Healey, now Chancellor, previously stated Britain should reach 3 per cent by 2030 but noted the current defence investment plan would only achieve 2.68 per cent by the decade's end.
- Mr Burnham instead referenced the NATO military alliance's target for members to spend 3.5 per cent on core defence by 2035, citing the growing threat from Russia.
- He suggested that addressing domestic issues, such as social care funding and youth unemployment, would free up resources to meet defence commitments further down the line.
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