Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Sunak pledges to spend 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence by 2030

Prime minister says lessons have been taken from Ukraine

Sunak pledges to spend 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence by 2030

PRIME MINISTER Rishi Sunak said on Tuesday (23) he would lift defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP a year by 2030, saying the British arms industry must be on a "war footing" when the world is at its most dangerous since the Cold War.

Standing alongside NATO leader Jens Stoltenberg, Sunak said Britain would spend an additional £75 billion over six years to increase the production of munitions and drones, making Britain the second-largest defence spender in NATO.


He said one of the central lessons of war in Ukraine was that countries needed deeper stockpiles of munitions, and the ability to replenish them more quickly.

"In a world that is the most dangerous it has been since the end of the Cold War, we cannot be complacent," he said. "As our adversaries align, we must do more to defend our country, our interests, and our values."

Sunak has been under pressure from his governing Tories to boost defence spending more quickly after previously saying he could do so only "as soon as economic conditions allow."

The rise, from around 2.32 per cent of gross domestic product, could also weaken potential leadership challengers who have championed defence, before an election this year which Sunak's party is expected to lose.

The commitment would take defence spending for 2028/29 from approximately £73.8bn to £78.2bn, partly funded by a previously announced plan to cut the size of the civil service.

The opposition Labour party said earlier this month it would aim to hit the 2.5 per cent target "as soon as resources allow".

Sunak's commitment could help Britain if Donald Trump wins re-election to the US presidency this year. Trump has frequently taken aim at the failure of many of NATO's 32 members to spend at least two per cent of gross domestic product on defence.

He made the announcement on one of his first international trips for months, where he met Stoltenberg and Polish prime minister Donald Tusk. He will meet German chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday (24).

Britain has been one of the most vocal and active backers of Ukraine and the news followed Sunak's pledge to increase military support for Ukraine by £500 million to take its total for this financial year to £3bn.

He also said Britain's financial support would continue at least at its current level for the rest of the decade, or as long as needed.

That was welcomed by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy, including in a call with Sunak earlier on Tuesday.

The Ukrainian leader has repeatedly called for more air defence systems to protect Ukraine from Russian bombardments, and Germany has spearheaded calls for members of the NATO military alliance and beyond to step up on deliveries.

Asked whether Britain was backing Germany's proposal to find more air defence systems, Sunak reiterated what Britain had already delivered, and said the new package - including 60 boats, more than 1,600 strike and air defence missiles and nearly 4 million rounds of ammunition - would also help Ukraine.

Britain has deployed the anti-air and anti-missile Sky Sabre system to Poland to help its defences.

Sunak said Britain and others must remain committed to supporting Ukraine because Russian president Vladimir Putin would not stop there if he was victorious.

"We will be dragged back to a world where brute force rather than the democratic will of free peoples would shape borders and decide futures," he said.

But having warned of the increasing threat to global security he added: "We must not overstate the danger. We're not on the brink of war, and nor do we seek it."

(Reuters)

More For You

UK legal immigration

Among those who favoured reductions, 49 per cent prioritised reducing irregular arrivals such as small boat crossings, while only 4 per cent wanted fewer work or student visas.

iStock

Most Britons back immigration for work and study, new poll finds

A MAJORITY of people in Britain support immigration for work and study, according to a new survey published on May 11, ahead of the government's expected Immigration White Paper.

The poll, conducted by Focaldata for British Future, found that most respondents would not reduce immigration for doctors (77 per cent), care home workers (71 per cent), engineers (65 per cent), fruit pickers (70 per cent), catering staff (63 per cent) or lorry drivers (63 per cent). Two-thirds (65 per cent) also said they would not reduce the number of international students.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer-speech-Reuters

Although he did not give a specific target, Starmer said migration would fall sharply under his government’s new plan. (Photo: Reuters)

Reuters

Starmer pledges sharp fall in net migration by 2029

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer on Monday said net migration to Britain would drop significantly by the end of this parliament in 2029, promising greater control to support social cohesion and boost local workforce investment.

Speaking at a press conference in Downing Street, Starmer said countries need rules to define rights, responsibilities and obligations, and warned that without them, Britain risked "becoming an island of strangers".

Keep ReadingShow less
Severe thunderstorms set to sweep UK

The warning may lead to localised flooding

iStock

Severe thunderstorms set to sweep UK for 10 hours – Met Office lists areas at risk

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms covering large parts of England and Wales on Monday, 12 May. The warning will be in effect from 12 pm until 10 pm, spanning a total of 10 hours.

According to the forecaster, scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop in the afternoon and continue into the evening, potentially causing flooding and travel disruption in some areas. The warning does not include Greater Manchester, but many other regions are covered.

Keep ReadingShow less
Srinagar-market-Reuters

People move in a busy marketplace in Srinagar, Indian Kashmir, May 12, 2025. (Photo credit: Reuters)

Calm returns after India-Pakistan ceasefire, military talks planned

TOP military officials from India and Pakistan were set to speak on Monday, following a ceasefire that ended four days of missile, drone and artillery attacks across the border. The call between the heads of military operations was scheduled for 12:00 pm (0630 GMT).

The Indian army reported that the previous night was the "first calm night in recent days" in Kashmir and along the western border with Pakistan. "The night remained largely peaceful across... Kashmir and other areas along the international border," the army said. "No incidents have been reported, marking the first calm night in recent days."

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer-Getty

Starmer is facing pressure to bring down net migration, following the strong performance of Reform, which campaigned on an anti-immigration platform in recent local elections.(Photo: Getty Images)

UK to limit skilled visas and push local worker training

The UK government has announced plans to restrict skilled worker visas to graduate-level jobs and require businesses to train more local workers. The move is aimed at ending what it calls a "failed free market experiment" in mass immigration.

The policy will form part of a white paper to be published on Monday, which will outline how the Labour government plans to reduce immigration.

Keep ReadingShow less