Badenoch likens UK government to fiddling while Europe risks burning

Conservative party leader Kemi Badenoch told the Telegraph that the UK government is "fiddling while Europe is at risk of burning," pointing to France and Poland as examples of countries already taking action against the growing Russian threat.

She said the government must properly fund defence at a time when former military chiefs have questioned Britain's preparedness for war, and singled out Defence Secretary Wes Streeting, noting his past role as head of the National Union of Students.

Welfare versus defence spending debate

The debate over prioritising social spending versus defence has intensified since Manchester mayor Andy Burnham's comments during prime minister's questions on 9 September, when he said national security should not come at the expense of social security.

Badenoch argued that Burnham's stance sends a "dangerous" message, one heard clearly in both Moscow and Manchester, and called for an end to complacency given Russia's repeated testing of Western resolve.

The UK has committed to spending 3.5% of national income on defence by 2035, in line with a Nato pledge, but pressure is mounting on Chancellor John Healey to detail how further increases will be funded ahead of next month's budget.

Former security minister Admiral Lord West said Britain's military is in a "quite parlous state," citing cyber-attacks, drones and threats to undersea cables. Former head of the army Lord Dannatt said Burnham, and now also Healey, are "playing fast and loose" with national security.

The Conservatives have proposed capping housing benefit to raise £4bn for defence spending, rejecting claims it would cause homelessness while acknowledging some people might need to relocate to cheaper housing. The party's annual conference is set to take place in Birmingham in two weeks.