{"id":4725,"date":"2026-06-30T19:45:42","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T19:45:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/starmer-trims-budgets-to-fund-extra-15bn-for-defence\/"},"modified":"2026-06-30T19:45:42","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T19:45:42","slug":"starmer-trims-budgets-to-fund-extra-15bn-for-defence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/starmer-trims-budgets-to-fund-extra-15bn-for-defence\/","title":{"rendered":"Starmer trims budgets to fund extra \u00a315bn for defence"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Starmer trims budgets to fund extra \u00a315bn for defence<\/p>\n<div data-block=\"headline\" class=\"ssrcss-l7emlr-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-usmnse-Spacer e1aon0op0\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-l7emlr-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-1uy5kw5-FullWidthWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-hc6arm-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-lunyit-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/cedb\/live\/3a35ce80-7470-11f1-b8da-6d87dfdc4508.jpg.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/cedb\/live\/3a35ce80-7470-11f1-b8da-6d87dfdc4508.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/cedb\/live\/3a35ce80-7470-11f1-b8da-6d87dfdc4508.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/cedb\/live\/3a35ce80-7470-11f1-b8da-6d87dfdc4508.jpg.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/cedb\/live\/3a35ce80-7470-11f1-b8da-6d87dfdc4508.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/cedb\/live\/3a35ce80-7470-11f1-b8da-6d87dfdc4508.jpg.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Keir Starmer speaking behind a podium reading &quot;Stronger Fairer Britain&quot;\" src=\"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/eGIM3A.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/cedb\/live\/3a35ce80-7470-11f1-b8da-6d87dfdc4508.jpg 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/cedb\/live\/3a35ce80-7470-11f1-b8da-6d87dfdc4508.jpg 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/cedb\/live\/3a35ce80-7470-11f1-b8da-6d87dfdc4508.jpg 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/cedb\/live\/3a35ce80-7470-11f1-b8da-6d87dfdc4508.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/cedb\/live\/3a35ce80-7470-11f1-b8da-6d87dfdc4508.jpg 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/cedb\/live\/3a35ce80-7470-11f1-b8da-6d87dfdc4508.jpg 976w\" width=\"3840\" height=\"2160.100041684035\" class=\"ssrcss-egie1y-Image edrdn950\"><\/picture><\/span><span role=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-tzgxt7-StyledFigureCopyright e34k3c20\">Reuters<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"byline\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"multi-byline\"><span><span class=\"ssrcss-16u1n8p-TextContributorName epw3ir01\">Joshua Nevett<\/span><span class=\"ssrcss-1ai8n1t-Text e1xjs3jz0\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\">,&nbsp;<\/span>Political reporter<\/span><\/span><span><span class=\"ssrcss-1ai8n1t-Text e1xjs3jz0\">&nbsp;<!-- -->and<!-- -->&nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"ssrcss-16u1n8p-TextContributorName epw3ir01\">Richard Wheeler<\/span><span class=\"ssrcss-1ai8n1t-Text e1xjs3jz0\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\">,&nbsp;<\/span>Political reporter<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"metadata\" class=\"ssrcss-l7emlr-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"metadata\">\n<div>\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-9tw7r1-MetadataStripContainer eh44mf03\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-10q9h22-GroupChildrenForWrapping eh44mf02\">\n<li role=\"listitem\" class=\"ssrcss-sf7vdp-MetadataStripItem eh44mf01\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-m5j4pi-MetadataContent eh44mf00\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-61mhsj-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\"><time data-testid=\"timestamp\" datetime=\"2026-06-29T21:30:01.711Z\">29 June 2026<\/time><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li role=\"listitem\" class=\"ssrcss-sf7vdp-MetadataStripItem eh44mf01\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-m5j4pi-MetadataContent eh44mf00\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-61mhsj-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\"><span data-testid=\"participate:comments\" class=\"ssrcss-1uthlc3-IconContainer e4wm5bw0\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" width=\"1em\" height=\"1em\" class=\"ssrcss-xi5oyi-StyledIcon e161cein1\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M1.1 24.2h29.8V1H1.1zM5 11.3h16.5v2.6H5zm20 9H5v-2.6h20zm1.5-12.8H5V4.9h21.5zM13 23.6H6.6V31H9z\" \/><\/svg><\/span>1690 Comments<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/div>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1ey53kj-MetadataSnippetWrapper exhp0uq0\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-61mhsj-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\"><time data-testid=\"timestamp\" datetime=\"2026-06-30T18:51:04.311Z\">Updated 54 minutes ago<\/time><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><b class=\"ssrcss-1xjjfut-BoldText e5tfeyi3\">Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said a \u00a315bn increase in military spending will be funded by cutting investment budgets in other areas, as he set out the UK&#8217;s long-delayed plan to invest in defence.<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">In one of his final acts as prime minister, Sir Keir said some road and energy projects would not &#8220;go ahead as planned&#8221; to help raise defence funding to \u00a380bn a year by 2029.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">He said the plan would be built on by his successor, widely expected to be Andy Burnham, who is yet to comment on the plan. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The Treasury later confirmed only \u00a310.3bn in savings had currently been identified, meaning Burnham would have to find the remaining \u00a34.7bn in his first Budget in the autumn. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The extra \u00a315bn in spending over the next four years is more than the \u00a313.5bn secured by former Defence Secretary John Healey, who resigned earlier this month in protest at the plans, but less than the \u00a328bn sought by defence chiefs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">In a speech, Sir Keir said the defence investment plan (DIP), initially expected last autumn, would reverse the &#8220;corrosive hollowing out&#8221; of the armed forces under the Conservatives.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Sir Keir said he had ruled out further borrowing to fund the increase, and instead the money would be found by cutting the long-term investment budgets of other government departments by 1%.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The Department for Transport (DfT) is making a further \u00a3700m in savings from roads projects, with the A38 Derby Junctions and A46 Newark Bypass scheme being considered for cancellation. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) is finding an additional \u00a32bn from its budget. More detailed plans are expected in the autumn. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Some details of planned commitments over the next four years include:<\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-2st5ed-ListContainer e5tfeyi0\">\n<ul role=\"list\">\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">More than \u00a364bn to strengthen the UK&#8217;s nuclear deterrent, including new submarines and F-35A fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear bombs<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">\u00a35bn to fund a &#8220;drone transformation&#8221; for the armed forces<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">More than \u00a38bn for the global combat air programme (Gcap), a scheme to build \u202fthe next generation of RAF stealth jets, in partnership with Japan and Italy<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Plans for the Royal Navy to become a &#8220;hybrid navy&#8221;, using self-controlled vessels and AI alongside warships and aircraft and funding for six new warships<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The Royal Air Force will develop autonomous fighter jets and bring its &#8220;uncrewed electronic warfare drone system&#8221; into service in 2026<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"links\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div spacing=\"4\" class=\"ssrcss-1gccci3-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<ul role=\"list\" spacing=\"2\" class=\"ssrcss-94r6ik-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<li class=\"ssrcss-qzx51b-LinkItem e3eyuya1\">\n<div spacing=\"4\" class=\"ssrcss-1gccci3-Stack e1y4nx260\"><span><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-7zrqh4-LinkHeadline e3eyuya4\"><span aria-hidden=\"false\">How much more is being spent on defence and will the UK hit Nato&#8217;s targets?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1ulytiq-LinkIconContainer e3eyuya3\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" width=\"1em\" height=\"1em\" class=\"ssrcss-xi5oyi-StyledIcon e161cein1\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M21.6 14.3 5.5 31h6.4l14.6-15L11.9 1H5.5l16.1 16.7z\" \/><\/svg><\/div>\n<div>\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-9tw7r1-MetadataStripContainer eh44mf03\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-10q9h22-GroupChildrenForWrapping eh44mf02\">\n<li role=\"listitem\" class=\"ssrcss-sf7vdp-MetadataStripItem eh44mf01\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-m5j4pi-MetadataContent eh44mf00\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-61mhsj-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\">3 hours ago<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/div>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ssrcss-qzx51b-LinkItem e3eyuya1\">\n<div spacing=\"4\" class=\"ssrcss-1gccci3-Stack e1y4nx260\"><span><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-7zrqh4-LinkHeadline e3eyuya4\"><span aria-hidden=\"false\">Frank Gardner: Key points from government&#8217;s defence spending plan<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1ulytiq-LinkIconContainer e3eyuya3\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" width=\"1em\" height=\"1em\" class=\"ssrcss-xi5oyi-StyledIcon e161cein1\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M21.6 14.3 5.5 31h6.4l14.6-15L11.9 1H5.5l16.1 16.7z\" \/><\/svg><\/div>\n<div>\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-9tw7r1-MetadataStripContainer eh44mf03\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-10q9h22-GroupChildrenForWrapping eh44mf02\">\n<li role=\"listitem\" class=\"ssrcss-sf7vdp-MetadataStripItem eh44mf01\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-m5j4pi-MetadataContent eh44mf00\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-61mhsj-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\">2 hours ago<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/div>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The DIP also says the Ministry of Defence (MoD) will attempt to make efficiency savings worth almost \u00a311bn by 2030.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The MoD is planning to deliver the savings by reducing the civil service workforce, cutting back consultancy spending, and expanding the use of technology. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Defence officials say the increase in defence spending is not conditional on the savings being made.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The DIP also says a number of defence programmes have been scrapped, including Storm Shadow missiles, a new satellite system, and Wildcat utility helicopters, which will now be phased out in favour of an &#8220;autonomous replacement&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Sir Keir has pushed ahead with the DIP despite his impending departure from Downing Street after announcing his resignation last week.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Tense Whitehall negotiations over how to fund it have been ongoing for months.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Two defence ministers quit, with Armed Forces Minister Al Carns joining Healey in resigning over the scale of the proposed uplift.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">In his speech, Sir Keir nodded to these difficulties, arguing &#8220;the hard truth is that there are no easy answers&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Sir Keir said the plan would now increase the military budget to 2.7% of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2029, and put the UK on track to meet Nato&#8217;s core defence spending target of 3.5% of GDP by 2035.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The prime minister said the UK was on track to spend 3% of GDP on defence in the next five-year Parliament &#8211; but he did not set a more specific date on this target, something Healey had called for.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The DIP says the plan to hit the 3% target would be set out at the next spending review, which is currently scheduled to take place next year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The DIP follows the wide-ranging Strategic Defence Review (SDR), which was published in June 2025 and pledged billions in extra spending to fund a shift towards &#8220;warfighting readiness&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">General Sir Richard Barrons, one of authors of SDR, said while the publication of the DIP &#8220;does count as progress&#8221;, it would not &#8220;crack the issue&#8221; defending the UK &#8220;sufficiently well and quickly&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Speaking earlier, he said: &#8220;More has to be done sooner and that requires more money than is currently on the table&#8221;. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"flourish\" class=\"ssrcss-l7emlr-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-147e9zi-FlourishWrapper eockrme0\">\n<div id=\"28512278\">\n<div data-component=\"include-html\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/flo.uri.sh\/visualisation\/28512278\/embed?auto=1\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" height=\"575\" width=\"700\" style=\"width:100%;\" title=\"Interactive or visual content\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Sir Keir&#8217;s decision to publish the DIP in his final weeks as prime minister could cause tension with his successor, who may want to revise defence spending when they take over.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Speaking earlier, Sir Keir declined to say whether Andy Burnham, who is widely expected to replace him as leader, had seen the plan before publication. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge said the prime minister had left a &#8220;legacy of failure&#8221;, an &#8220;underfunded defence investment plan that&#8217;s too little, too late&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said the government had &#8220;dangerously short-changed our armed forces&#8221;, meaning defence chiefs &#8220;have been forced to make hard choices, when they should be given what they need&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Nato General Secretary Mark Rutte has previously urged the alliance&#8217;s members to present &#8220;clear, concrete and credible plans&#8221; for how they will raise defence spending to 3.5% ahead of a leaders&#8217; summit in Turkey next week.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Rutte welcomed the DIP as a &#8220;good step&#8221; towards the 3.5% target, saying &#8220;stronger UK defence makes us all safer&#8221;.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-l7emlr-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-1uy5kw5-FullWidthWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-hc6arm-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-ngxed1-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><picture><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/6fad\/live\/133a6af0-dc98-11ef-bc01-8f2c83dad217.png.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/6fad\/live\/133a6af0-dc98-11ef-bc01-8f2c83dad217.png.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/6fad\/live\/133a6af0-dc98-11ef-bc01-8f2c83dad217.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/6fad\/live\/133a6af0-dc98-11ef-bc01-8f2c83dad217.png.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/6fad\/live\/133a6af0-dc98-11ef-bc01-8f2c83dad217.png.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/6fad\/live\/133a6af0-dc98-11ef-bc01-8f2c83dad217.png.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Thin, red banner promoting the Politics Essential newsletter with text saying, \u201cGet the latest political analysis and big moments, delivered straight to your inbox every weekday\u201d. There is also an image of the Houses of Parliament.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/PciaX0.png\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/6fad\/live\/133a6af0-dc98-11ef-bc01-8f2c83dad217.png 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/6fad\/live\/133a6af0-dc98-11ef-bc01-8f2c83dad217.png 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/6fad\/live\/133a6af0-dc98-11ef-bc01-8f2c83dad217.png 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/6fad\/live\/133a6af0-dc98-11ef-bc01-8f2c83dad217.png 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/6fad\/live\/133a6af0-dc98-11ef-bc01-8f2c83dad217.png 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/6fad\/live\/133a6af0-dc98-11ef-bc01-8f2c83dad217.png 976w\" width=\"1600\" height=\"263\" class=\"ssrcss-egie1y-Image edrdn950\"><\/picture><\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Sign up for our Politics Essential newsletter to read top political analysis, gain insight from across the UK and stay up to speed with the big moments. It&#8217;ll be delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-block=\"topicList\" class=\"ssrcss-vxwoax-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-tcr9z1-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"topic-list\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nj9heb-StyledTagContainer ed0g1kj1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1pfbb52-TopicListHeaderWrapper etw6iwl0\">\n<h2 type=\"normal\" class=\"ssrcss-89o2pv-Heading e10rt3ze0\">Related topics<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17ehax8-Cluster e1ihwmse1\">\n<ul role=\"list\" spacing=\"2\" class=\"ssrcss-w8zanw-ClusterItems e1ihwmse0\">\n<li>UK defence spending<\/li>\n<li>Ministry of Defence<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Published at Tue, 30 Jun 2026 18:51:04 +0000<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Starmer trims budgets to fund extra \u00a315bn for defence Reuters Joshua Nevett,&nbsp;Political reporter&nbsp;and&nbsp;Richard Wheeler,&nbsp;Political reporter 29 June 2026 1690 Comments Updated 54 minutes ago Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said a \u00a315bn increase in military spending will be funded by cutting investment budgets in other areas, as he set out the UK&#8217;s long-delayed plan&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/starmer-trims-budgets-to-fund-extra-15bn-for-defence\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Starmer trims budgets to fund extra \u00a315bn for defence<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4724,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4725","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uk-politics","entry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4725","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4725"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4725\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4724"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4725"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4725"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/260web.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4725"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}