**UK to Increase Defence Spending**
The UK government has announced plans to increase defence spending to 2.5% of national income by 2027. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer made the announcement, saying it was a necessary step to protect the country from “grave threats”.
**Funding the Boost**
The increased spending will be funded by cutting the foreign aid budget from 0.5% to 0.3% of gross national income. This move has been welcomed by the US administration but criticized by development charities.
**US Involvement**
Sir Keir is set to meet with President Donald Trump in Washington later this week, where Ukraine will be a major topic for discussion. Trump wants Europe to play a bigger role in security guarantees for Ukraine and has been pushing for European Nato allies to spend more on defence.
**Reaction from Charities**
Save the Children has called the aid cut a “betrayal” of vulnerable children and families worldwide. Labour MP Sarah Champion also criticized the decision, saying it was a “false economy” that would make the world less safe.
**Impact on Military**
The increased spending will help address severe cuts to the UK’s armed forces since the end of the Cold War. However, it will not completely reverse the decline in military capability. A large part of the increase will go towards plugging holes in underfunded programs and fixing shortages in munitions.
**Future Plans**
Sir Keir has committed to reaching 3% of GDP on defence by the mid-2030s, which could lead to a “transformation” in how the military fights. However, it remains unclear if this increase will impress Trump, who has been pushing for European Nato allies to spend at least 5% on defence.
Nato guidelines suggest each member state should spend at least 2% of their GDP on defence. The prime minister’s trip to the White House later this week follows French President Emmanuel Macron’s talks with Trump on Monday.