Badenoch Targets 3% Defence Spending by 2030, Attacks Burnham Over £10 Billion Delay
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Sep 3
Badenoch Targets 3% Defence Spending by 2030, Attacks Burnham Over £10 Billion Delay
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Sep 3
Summary
£10 billion a year would be added to defence under Kemi Badenoch’s plan to lift spending to 3% of GDP by 2030, with the Conservative leader saying her party has now completed its funding package.
Badenoch said the money would come from reimposing the two-child benefit cap, saving at least £4 billion through housing-benefit reform, and ending VAT exemptions for Motability cars to save £1 billion.
Andy Burnham’s government has so far promised only a spring roadmap to reach NATO’s 3.5%-of-GDP target by 2035, prompting Badenoch to accuse the prime minister of delaying action despite threats from Russia and Iran.
John Healey’s June resignation as defence secretary over the lack of a 3% commitment has become part of that attack, with Badenoch arguing his stance shifted after becoming chancellor.
The row keeps pressure on Burnham from both opposition and Labour ranks after MP Tan Dhesi also urged him at PMQs to commit to a path to 3% by 2030.