All articles tagged with #defence budget
British Defence Secretary John Healey has resigned, accusing Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Treasury of underfunding the Defence Investment Plan as threats rise; the DIP aims to lift spending to about 2.68% of GDP by 2030, but Healey says urgent resources are needed in the first two years to boost readiness, and his departure adds pressure on a Labour government already delaying the DIP and the GCAP fighter program.
President Vladimir Putin reportedly asked Russia’s oligarchs to donate to the defence budget to sustain the Ukraine invasion, with at least two businessmen indicating willingness to contribute; Moscow’s defence spending has risen and authorities are weighing windfall taxes as sanctions bite, while Zelenskyy says US security guarantees hinge on Kyiv ceding Donbas.
Britain plans to raise the eligible age for mobilizing the strategic reserve from 55 to 65 under a new Armed Forces bill, potentially bringing tens of thousands more veterans into service to ready the forces for war. The Army is at its smallest in centuries (about 70,000 regulars) with roughly 95,000 in the strategic reserve and 32,000 reservists, amid a £28 billion funding gap over four years and a delay in the Defence Investment Plan. The changes come as tensions with Russia rise and the government signals possible deployments to Ukraine, with discussions suggesting up to 7,500 troops could be involved, though MoD sources say the number could be lower.
French President Macron has announced plans to increase France's defence budget by €6.5 billion over the next two years to strengthen national security and military capabilities.
Rachel Reeves announced a £29bn annual increase in NHS funding, along with boosts for housing, defence, and other projects, as part of the government's long-term spending plans until 2030, while some departments face budget cuts amid fiscal constraints and political debates.