London 14°C 16 km/h wind Updated 11:00 am
HomeMNN UK
MNN UK · February 16, 2026 · 1 min read

Starmer urges faster increase in UK defence spending

What happened: Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK needs to accelerate its defence spending growth, but sources indicate a rise to 3% of GDP before the next election is unlikely. This follows reports suggesting a potential £15bn increase in military budgets during this parliament.

Why it matters:

  • Increased defence spending could affect national security and military capabilities.
  • Budget changes will impact government finances and public services funding priorities.

MNN Take: The UK government is signalling a commitment to strengthen defence, though significant budget increases may be gradual rather than immediate.

Sources: Guardian UK