Prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has unveiled a host of new defence spending commitments following a major review today (2 June), which the government says will boost economic growth and provide thousands of well-paying jobs across the UK.
Delivering a speech near Glasgow, Starmer said that “in the world of today, the frontline is here.”
“The threat we now face is more serious, and immediate, and unpredictable than at any time since the Cold War.”
He said the government is increasing spending in a bid to not only move “to warfighting readiness,” and to deliver “peace through strength”, but also to boost the economy.
The numbers
The government has announced “£1.5bn to build at least six munitions and energetics factories”, as well as “procurement of up to 7,000 UK-built long-range weapons” and investment in ‘a new cyber and electromagnetic command’.
In the speech, Starmer said these new investments will provide “local opportunities, skilled work [and] community pride” as he promised that he would ensure everyone in the UK would have a “stake in its success”.
‘Huge growth’
The PM added:
“We’re going to use this investment and this once-in-a-generation reform to drive renewal up and down the nation, creating new jobs, skills and opportunities [while] driving huge growth in industrial capacity.”
The investment will bring “more than 400,000 jobs across the whole of the UK”, he said in the speech.
Percentage targets
“This is about continuing the peace, but preparing for conflict by being ready,” Starmer said in an interview with the BBC ahead of the announcement.
The government already pledged last year to raise defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by the end of this current Parliament. However, Starmer said his ambition was to reach 3% in the following Parliament, by the end of 2034.
He has not committed to a concrete date for that rise and didn’t give any details on how he would achieve this. Defence secretary, John Healey, has said the number is only an “ambition”, according to the Telegraph.
Kemi Badenoch, leader of the opposition, said on X that “Labour can’t even hold a defence policy together for 48 hours”.
Cyber skills
The government is also planning to introduce a ‘Cyber Direct Entry’ programme that “offers an accelerated path into military cyber roles”, including “tailored training focused on essential cyberspace operational skills”.
Healey said:
“By attracting the best digital talent, and establishing a nerve centre for our cyber capability, we will harness the latest innovations, properly fund Britain’s defences for the modern age and support the government’s Plan for Change.”
The Rawmarsh and Conisbrough MP argued that the government’s investments would make defence “an engine for economic growth” while “boosting skilled jobs in every nation and region”.
