Badenoch accuses Burnham of kicking defence spending into the long grass
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has criticized Prime Minister Andy Burnham for delaying increases in UK defence spending. Badenoch proposed raising defence expenditure to 3% of GDP by 2030, funded by specific welfare and tax reforms.
Why it matters
The debate highlights growing political pressure in the UK regarding national security priorities and fiscal policy amidst rising geopolitical tensions.
Image source, PA Media Image caption, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch giving a speech on defence
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has accused the prime minister of "kicking defence spending into the long grass" as she set out Tory plans to push the figure to 3% of GDP by 2030.
Badenoch said a Conservative government would fund the commitment, worth £10bn a year, through measures including reimposing the two-child benefit cap, reforming housing benefit and ending VAT exemptions for Motability cars.
Pointing to the threat from countries like Russia and Iran, Badenoch told a press conference: "Conflict is coming, we must act now."
So far Andy Burnham's government has only committed to setting out a plan in the spring to meet the Nato target of spending 3.5% of GDP on defence by 2035.
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