Badenoch pushes for UK defence spending to hit 3% of GDP by 2030
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has called on the UK to raise defence spending to 3% of GDP by 2030, criticising the governing Labour party's plan to reach that level only by 2035. Details of how the increase would be funded remained vague.
Conservative party leader Kemi Badenoch delivered a speech on defence in London, urging the government to accelerate military spending increases to 3% of GDP by 2030. The event was introduced by new shadow chancellor Andrew Griffith, with shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately also present.
In her address, Badenoch highlighted growing security threats, including cyber-attacks, Russian drone incidents near Leipzig airport, and the possibility that Russia could attack a Nato member country within the next few years. She pointed to Poland's 300,000-strong army as a model to follow, arguing that sufficient spending would deter hostile states from attacking.
Political context
The pace of defence spending increases has also become a point of contention within the governing Labour party. Former defence secretary John Healey resigned earlier this year over prime minister Keir Starmer's reluctance to commit to the 3% target by 2030. Since being appointed chancellor by Andy Burnham, Healey has appeared to favour a more gradual timeline, with the government's current position set at 3.5% of GDP by 2035.
Badenoch offered few specifics on how the increased spending would be funded, referencing cuts to welfare spending and savings expected from a still-unagreed deal over the Chagos Islands. She also listed several taxes she would cut or abolish, but did not propose changes to the state pension's triple lock. Asked directly by a reporter whether the country was heading toward war, Badenoch answered that it was.
