UK to scrap warships, helicopters, and drones in £500m defence cuts
4 months, 1 week ago

UK to scrap warships, helicopters, and drones in £500m defence cuts

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Mr Healey told MPs that Labour had “a dire inheritance” from the Tories in defence so needed to scrap six “outdated” defence projects which will save £500m over the next five years. open image in gallery Healey says difficult decisions have to be made The defence secretary said that the service chiefs had agreed to his “common sense decisions which previous governments had failed to take”. So 12,000 troops in total.” open image in gallery Amphibious ship HMS ‘Bulwark’ The government is currently conducting a strategic defence review and were unable to rule out further cuts. He added: “We as a nation and government are doubling down on our support for Ukraine.” Responding to the major defence cuts, Mr Cartlidge said: “We have heard it all!

Ukraine Defence Service Westminster Email View Cuts Healey Mr Healey Hms Hms Bulwark  uk  defence  healey  sign  royal  service  personnel  drones  scrap  mps  helicopters  hms  warships  secretary  500m  cuts

History of this topic

Trump meets Starmer: Is the UK’s increase in defence spending enough?
1 month ago

Trump meets Starmer: Is the UK’s increase in defence spending enough?

Al Jazeera  

The British leader says foreign aid will suffer a 40 percent cut to bolster defence spending in light of a ‘new era’. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced the country will increase defence spending by cutting its foreign aid budget, a move he says is necessary as the United Kingdom faces a “dangerous new era”. Starmer said on Tuesday …

Brit running Ukraine drone factory calls for UK Government funds after MP visit
1 month ago

Brit running Ukraine drone factory calls for UK Government funds after MP visit

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Mr Woodruff said the 14 MPs, including representatives from Labour, the Scottish National Party, …

Starmer denies Trump is setting UK policy as defence spending is increased
Top News
1 month ago

Starmer denies Trump is setting UK policy as defence spending is increased

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Sir Keir Starmer has denied that Donald Trump is setting …

What is Keir Starmer’s plan to increase UK defence spending and is it affordable?
1 month ago

What is Keir Starmer’s plan to increase UK defence spending and is it affordable?

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Sir Keir Starmer is travelling to Washington this week armed having …

U.K. to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP during 2027
1 month ago

U.K. to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP during 2027

The Hindu  

The U.K. government will increase its defence spending to 2.5% of GDP during 2027 and maintain that level annually, up from the current level of 2.3%, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer told the House of Commons on Tuesday. “I can announce that this government will begin the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War,” …

Keir Starmer vows to slash aid spending to pump 2.5% of GDP into defence by 2027 in dramatic statement to MPs ahead of 'mission impossible' trip to meet Trump in White House
1 month ago

Keir Starmer vows to slash aid spending to pump 2.5% of GDP into defence by 2027 in dramatic statement to MPs ahead of 'mission impossible' trip to meet Trump in White House

Daily Mail  

Keir Starmer pledged to slash aid spending to boost defence today as he braces for a crucial trip to meet Donald Trump and try to repair Western ties. Keir Starmer is gathering his Cabinet as he braces for a crucial trip to meet Donald Trump and try to repair Western ties Mr Trump used an awkward meeting with Emmanuel Macron …

UK to hike defence spending and cut aid budget, Starmer says
1 month ago

UK to hike defence spending and cut aid budget, Starmer says

Al Jazeera  

British prime minister Keir Starmer’s announcement comes prior to his trip to the United States later this week. The United Kingdom will increase its annual defending spending to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2027, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said, signalling the UK’s efforts to boost Europe’s security. On the eve of his departure to meet US President Donald Trump …

UK ‘massively vulnerable’ to threat of Russia after decades of military cuts, ex-Army chief warns
1 month, 1 week ago

UK ‘massively vulnerable’ to threat of Russia after decades of military cuts, ex-Army chief warns

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. With Sir Keir Starmer under mounting pressure to boost the UK’s defence budget, General Sir …

Healey unveils ‘biggest defence shake up in 50 years’ to make UK war ready
1 month, 1 week ago

Healey unveils ‘biggest defence shake up in 50 years’ to make UK war ready

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy UK defence secretary John Healey has unveiled plans for the “biggest …

UK Public Services Brace for Cuts of Up to 11% to Fund Defense
1 month, 1 week ago

UK Public Services Brace for Cuts of Up to 11% to Fund Defense

Live Mint  

-- Some UK government departments are bracing for budget cuts of as much as 11% as Prime Minister Keir Starmer comes under mounting pressure to plow more money into defense. The Treasury has asked so-called unprotected public services outside of health, education and defense to model two scenarios ahead of a three-year spending review due in June, according to people …

Labour’s defence budget ‘won’t touch the sides’, Starmer is warned
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Labour’s defence budget ‘won’t touch the sides’, Starmer is warned

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. But even if there is an urgent push to boost spending, there is said to …

Labour is glossing over chronic shortages of weapons and equipment in the Armed Forces in £300billion 'cover-up', MPs claim
1 month, 4 weeks ago

Labour is glossing over chronic shortages of weapons and equipment in the Armed Forces in £300billion 'cover-up', MPs claim

Daily Mail  

Chronic shortages of weapons and equipment in the Armed Forces are being glossed over by Labour in a £300billion 'cover-up', MPs have claimed. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has imposed spending restrictions on the Armed Forces amid a stagnating economy. In a rare joint statement, Sir Geoffrey Clinton-Brown, the chairman of the Commons public accounts committee, and Tan Dhesi, chairman of the …

How much should Britain really be spending on defence?
2 months ago

How much should Britain really be spending on defence?

The Independent  

Pressure, domestic and external, is growing on the government to increase defence spending markedly. Yesterday, the secretary general of Nato, Mark Rutte, called for member states to push their target beyond the 2 per cent of GDP set back in 2006, in the light of far greater international challenges. The most ministers will offer is that the “path” to the …

MPs blast Defence Secretary John Healey over delay in Labour revealing date for UK military spending hitting 2.5% of GDP saying UK allies need 'clarity' as Russia flexes its muscles
4 months, 1 week ago

MPs blast Defence Secretary John Healey over delay in Labour revealing date for UK military spending hitting 2.5% of GDP saying UK allies need 'clarity' as Russia flexes its muscles

Daily Mail  

Labour was taken to task by one of its own MPs today over the slow pace of revealing when it will increasing defence spending on Britain's Armed Forces. Defence Secretary John Healey was quizzed by new Defence Committee chairman Tan Dhesi today over the delay in revealing when cash for the military will hit 2.5 per cent of GDP. Labour …

Government slashes £500m from defence as Storm Shadows hit Russia
4 months, 1 week ago

Government slashes £500m from defence as Storm Shadows hit Russia

The Telegraph  

The Armed Forces will be hit by £500 million worth of cuts, the Defence Secretary announced on Wednesday, hours after British Storm Shadow missiles were fired into Russia for the first time. The dramatic escalation saw Ukraine fire the UK-made, precision-guided cruise missiles into the village of Marino, Kursk, where they are thought to have struck a strategically important military …

Labour under growing pressure to firm up defence spending pledge as ministers AGAIN refuse to say whether they'll deliver 2.5% of GDP for Armed Forces within the next five years
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Labour under growing pressure to firm up defence spending pledge as ministers AGAIN refuse to say whether they'll deliver 2.5% of GDP for Armed Forces within the next five years

Daily Mail  

Labour today came under fresh pressure to firm up their defence spending pledge in the wake of Donald Trump's US election victory. Defence Secretary John Healey said the Government had a 'cast-iron commitment' to spending 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence. Defence Secretary John Healey refused to say whether Labour would reach a target to spend 2.5% of GDP …

Labour is urged to hike British defence spending amid fears Donald Trump could pull out of NATO and slash support for UK-backed campaigns
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Labour is urged to hike British defence spending amid fears Donald Trump could pull out of NATO and slash support for UK-backed campaigns

Daily Mail  

Donald Trump's victory yesterday sparked a barrage of calls for a hike in UK defence spending amid fears the US could pull out of NATO. And new Tory leader Kemi Badenoch rounded on Sir Keir Starmer over the issue during her first Prime Minister's Questions, challenging him to commit to hiking spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP. Labour will …

Fact check: Defence spending was mentioned in autumn Budget
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Fact check: Defence spending was mentioned in autumn Budget

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Referring to Sir Keir Starmer, she told the House of Commons: “His Chancellor’s Budget …

The world is dividing up into hawks and ostriches. The autumn Budget will show which we are
7 months, 1 week ago

The world is dividing up into hawks and ostriches. The autumn Budget will show which we are

The Independent  

Last week I took up an invitation to meet with some friends in the US defence community. Labour’s first Budget this autumn is the only opportunity they have to show their most important ally they are serious about playing their part in defending our collective interests. If the argument now is that the UK “can’t commit a Budget because we …

Announcing a £75bn rise in military spending is the easy bit, Rishi
11 months ago

Announcing a £75bn rise in military spending is the easy bit, Rishi

The Independent  

Question: when is fully funded not fully funded? Answer: when your much-vaunted plan to significantly increase annual defence spending over six years is supposedly going to be financed from shrinking the size of the civil service and upping the MoD’s share of government research spending. But, in stark contrast to the Cold War years, and with Brexit likely to have …

The UK MUST spend 2.5% of GDP on defence, says departing armed forces minister - heaping fresh pressure on Rishi Sunak to boost funding for the military
1 year ago

The UK MUST spend 2.5% of GDP on defence, says departing armed forces minister - heaping fresh pressure on Rishi Sunak to boost funding for the military

Daily Mail  

The departing Armed Forces minister has said that the UK must 'urgently' invest more in defence. James Heappey, who has announced he will quit the Government, has said that the UK must 'urgently' invest more in defence Mr Heappey, who wore his Rifles regiment tie in the Commons, said: 'Both parties should be strongly considering a further increase in defence …

Now military spending could be hit with £3billion cut as last week's Budget shows day-to-day expenditure falling by £2.5billion
1 year ago

Now military spending could be hit with £3billion cut as last week's Budget shows day-to-day expenditure falling by £2.5billion

Daily Mail  

The Ministry of Defence is facing a £3billion 'real-terms' cut to spending this year, Treasury figures suggest. An analysis of last week's Budget shows day-to-day expenditure falling by £2.5billion – equal to a 7 per cent squeeze. It comes just days after Defence Secretary Grant Shapps backed the Mail's campaign to increase the ministry's spending to 3 per cent of …

Cabinet civil war breaks out over UK defence budget as Penny Mordaunt issues stark warning over the decline in the size of the Royal Navy - but Defence Secretary Grant Shapps dismisses her comments as
1 year, 2 months ago

Cabinet civil war breaks out over UK defence budget as Penny Mordaunt issues stark warning over the decline in the size of the Royal Navy - but Defence Secretary Grant Shapps dismisses her comments as

Daily Mail  

The Royal Navy has seen its size collapse from 232 ships in 1960 to 30 in 2022 Penny Mordaunt triggered a Cabinet row over defence spending yesterday after warning that the Royal Navy must 'keep pace' with Russia and China. The former defence secretary broke Cabinet convention by warning that the decline in the size of the force over the …

UK ‘dangerously exposed’ due to cuts to combat aircraft fleet, MPs warn
1 year, 6 months ago

UK ‘dangerously exposed’ due to cuts to combat aircraft fleet, MPs warn

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Ben Wallace says UK must cut troop numbers or send them out with ‘pitchforks’
1 year, 8 months ago

Ben Wallace says UK must cut troop numbers or send them out with ‘pitchforks’

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Outgoing defence secretary …

Sunak rejects calls for defence spending to increase to 3% of GDP
2 years ago

Sunak rejects calls for defence spending to increase to 3% of GDP

The Independent  

Rishi Sunak has rejected pleas to increase defence spending to 3% of the size of the economy despite acknowledging the growing challenges posed by China and Russia. The Prime Minister said an updated foreign and security policy would show the UK is “ready to stand our ground” and “ensure we are never vulnerable to the actions of a hostile power”. …

British Army ‘in urgent need of recapitalisation’, defence minister admits
2 years, 1 month ago

British Army ‘in urgent need of recapitalisation’, defence minister admits

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Britain’s defence spending to double to £100bn next year, says Ben Wallace
2 years, 6 months ago

Britain’s defence spending to double to £100bn next year, says Ben Wallace

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Britain’s defence spending …

Defence spending to increase by at least £52bn in response to Russian aggression
2 years, 6 months ago

Defence spending to increase by at least £52bn in response to Russian aggression

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Defence Secretary has said Britain will increase the size …

Defence budget will not rise despite Ukraine war, Rishi Sunak signals
3 years ago

Defence budget will not rise despite Ukraine war, Rishi Sunak signals

The Telegraph  

It had previously been suggested that the defence budget may increase amid concerns about the UK’s readiness for war if the conflict in Ukraine draws in Nato countries. Ministers are already planning to reduce troop numbers from 82,000 73,000 by 2025, while the high rate of inflation means the defence budget is shrinking in real terms, despite the planned top-up …

UK aid: Massive cuts in funding to world’s poorest countries to start within weeks, secret plans reveal
4 years ago

UK aid: Massive cuts in funding to world’s poorest countries to start within weeks, secret plans reveal

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Massive cuts in overseas aid to many of the world’s poorest …

Austerity to continue for many public services as Budget makes further £4bn of cuts
4 years ago

Austerity to continue for many public services as Budget makes further £4bn of cuts

The Independent  

Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit is meaning for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy …

Defence spending plans show a serious mismatch between what the government wants and what it can actually achieve
4 years, 4 months ago

Defence spending plans show a serious mismatch between what the government wants and what it can actually achieve

The Independent  

There was something delusional about the prime minister’s announcement to parliament of a substantial increase in British defence spending. Boris Johnson spoke of Britain’s place in the world in almost Edwardian terms, as if there was still some vast British empire with its vital shipping lines to defend. It was as if the casual, harmless, meaningless label of “global Britain”, …

UK defence budget gets a big boost, but will the money be spent wisely?
4 years, 4 months ago

UK defence budget gets a big boost, but will the money be spent wisely?

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. To achieve this we need to upgrade our capabilities across the board.” The investment, it …

UK faces a 'perilous' period for global security, says Boris Johnson, as he sets out £16bn spending plan
4 years, 4 months ago

UK faces a 'perilous' period for global security, says Boris Johnson, as he sets out £16bn spending plan

The Telegraph  

Warships and combat vehicles could be equipped with "inexhaustible" lasers to take on opposing forces, Mr Johnson suggested, with no prospect of them running out of ammunition. Mr Johnson said that for decades, successive governments have "trimmed and cheese-pared" defence budgets, risking the future viability of the Armed Forces. Measures set out by the Prime Minister, who addressed MPs remotely …

Boris Johnson to announce £16.5bn military spending spree
4 years, 4 months ago

Boris Johnson to announce £16.5bn military spending spree

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Boris Johnson is to unveil a military spending spree that the …

Government 'slightly deluded the public' over affordability of UK defence programme, says former army chief
6 years, 9 months ago

Government 'slightly deluded the public' over affordability of UK defence programme, says former army chief

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Ministers have “slightly deluded the public” and are “living a lie” …

UK military bases and assets 'left at unacceptable risk of terror attack by police budget cuts'
7 years, 4 months ago

UK military bases and assets 'left at unacceptable risk of terror attack by police budget cuts'

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Britain’s military bases and assets are being left at “unacceptable …

George Osborne faces backlash over £500m defence cut
9 years, 8 months ago

George Osborne faces backlash over £500m defence cut

Daily Mail  

The MoD last week released the locations of its 15 golf courses, some of which are in some of the country's most picturesque locations The Ministry of Defence was last night under pressure to curb its ‘officers’ mess culture’ after astonishing details of its staff perks emerged. At a time when senior officers are fighting moves to cut the defence …

5% budget cut stalls Defence plans
12 years, 2 months ago

5% budget cut stalls Defence plans

The Hindu  

Battling the ongoing economic slowdown, the Centre has effected a five per cent cut in the Rs.1.93-lakh-crore defence budget for this financial year. The cut is estimated to be around Rs.10,000 crore, Defence Ministry sources said. It is likely to put the brakes on ambitious plans of modernisation within the Army, the Navy and the Air Force and push, to …

Defence cuts 'tough yet manageable'
12 years, 10 months ago

Defence cuts 'tough yet manageable'

ABC  

A recently retired senior defence bureaucrat says the planned cuts to the Defence budget are achievable, but will involve tough choices for a department already under pressure to make savings. Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced yesterday the Government will delay the delivery of 12 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft and scrap plans to equip the Army with new self-propelled artillery in …

Britain cuts defense spending
14 years, 5 months ago

Britain cuts defense spending

China Daily  

Britain on Tuesday announced plans to cut the country's defense budget that include losing thousands of troops and slashing weapons programs. British Prime Minister David Cameron says national defense is the first duty of any government, and that restructuring Britain's armed forces is necessary. Mr. Cameron says the cuts will not hurt Britain's "special relationship" with the United States. Chalmers …

Discover Related