Strategic defence review live: Starmer pledges to make UK ‘battle-ready’ amid row over forces spending

The Independent’s Political Editor David Maddox reports:

Paul Johnson, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), believes that the unspoken truth about the commitment to 3 per cent of GDP on defence is it can only be funded with tax rises.

Speaking to Times Radio this morning, he said: “It looks like the government wants to reinstate the winter fuel payment. It’s thinking about the two-child limit for benefits.

“We’ve got a spending review next week. And if we’re really going to spend another £10-15 billion a year on defence, whilst inevitably we’re going to spend more and more on health and pensions and so on, you really do have to ask that question, what are the choices that you’re going to make?

“And I mean, bluntly, it really does seem to me that the only choice that is available, if we’re going to go through all of those things, is some really quite chunky tax increases to pay for it.

“But of course, that’s not something the prime minister or the chancellor is willing actually to say.”

The Independent’s Political Correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:

The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has warned that “quite chunky” tax hikes will be needed to fund Sir Keir Starmer’s planned uplift in defence spending.

Paul Johnson, director of the economic think tank, told Times Radio: “It looks like the government wants to reinstate the winter fuel payment. It’s thinking about the two-child limit for benefits.

“We’ve got a spending review next week. And if we’re really going to spend another £10-15 billion a year on defence, whilst inevitably we’re going to spend more and more on health and pensions and so on, you really do have to ask that question, what are the choices that you’re going to make?

“And I mean, bluntly, it really does seem to me that the only choice that is available, if we’re going to go through all of those things, is some really quite chunky tax increases to pay for it.

“But of course, that’s not something the prime minister or the chancellor is willing actually to say.”

After Sir Keir Starmer launched the government’s new strategic defence measures, ministers will face more questions from fellow MPs.

At around 4:15pm, there will be urgent questions in the Commons on the future of the UK’s nuclear deterrent.

This will be followed by a statement delivered by Defence Secretary John Healey.

We will bring you the latest updates here.

The Independent’s Political Editor David Maddox reports:

It appears Sir Lindsay Hoyle is annoyed at the government “leaking” it strategic defence review before announcing it to parliament.

The Speaker is quite a stickler for this and has clashed with ministers before.

This time he has granted an urgent question for 3.30pm regarding the SDR being leaked and announced outside the House of Commons.

This of course in itself will delay the SDR being presented to parliament.

The Independent’s Political Correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:

Sir Keir Starmer’s refusal to rule out fresh cuts to the international aid budget are “disappointing”, a network for organisations working in international development and humanitarian assistance has said.

Bond reacted to the PM leaving further aid cuts on the table with a warning that development spending and money for defence are “part of the same triangle”.

Policy and advocacy director Gideon Rabinowitz said: “It is disappointing that the Prime Minister has failed to rule out further cuts to the UK aid budget to fund defence spending.

“Defence, diplomacy and development are not competing priorities, they are part of the same triangle. Slashing the development budget while boosting defence breaks this balance and puts long-term global security at risk.

“You don’t strengthen our national security by weakening the very tools that prevent global conflict, fight poverty, tackle hunger, and protect us against future pandemics.”

Two further Astute-class submarines, HMS Agamemnon and HMS Agincourt, are set to enter service in late 2025 and late 2026 respectively.

Agamemnon is currently going through trials with the Royal Navy as part of a test and commissioning programme, while Agincourt remains under construction.

As part of the joint defence deal between the US, Australia and the UK – known as Aukus – the UK is set to significantly boost its fleet of submarines following the defence review.

An added 12 submarines would bring the UK’s fleet up to more than 20 in total. This remains far smaller than the US’s fleet of 71, and China and Russia’s fleets of 66 each.

It appears Sir Lindsay Hoyle is annoyed at the government “leaking” it strategic defence review before announcing it to parliament.

The Speaker is quite a stickler for this and has clashed with ministers before. This time he has granted an urgent question for 3.30pm regarding the SDR being leaked and announced outside the House of Commons.

This, of course, in itself will delay the SDR being presented to parliament.

The plans will significantly increase the UK’s conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine fleet, with the new vessels built under a joint deal with the US and Australia, known as the Aukus partnership.

Here’s all you need to know about the UK’s fleet of nuclear-deterrent submarines, and the proposed plans for its future: