Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and shadow defence secretary Andy Burnham have warned that the government's defence spending plans contain a £5bn hole, describing the shortfall as a 'goodwill token' rather than a serious commitment to national security.
Details of the Shortfall
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Starmer said the government's promise to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2030 is not backed by a credible funding plan. 'We have scrutinised the numbers and found a black hole of £5bn that the government has not accounted for,' he said. 'This is not a serious commitment; it is a goodwill token.'
The warning comes ahead of the government's integrated review of defence and security, which is expected to outline spending priorities. Burnham added that the shortfall could undermine military readiness and Britain's commitments to NATO.
Impact on Military Capabilities
Burnham highlighted that the missing funds would have been used for new equipment and personnel. 'Without this money, our armed forces will struggle to meet their obligations,' he said. The Labour pair called for a cross-party agreement to ensure defence spending is fully funded.
According to official figures, the UK currently spends around 2.1% of GDP on defence. The government has pledged to reach 2.5% by 2030, but Labour's analysis suggests the required increase is not matched by budget allocations.
Political Reactions
Conservative MPs dismissed the Labour criticism, with defence minister James Heappey saying the government's plans are fully costed. 'Labour's numbers are simply wrong,' Heappey said. However, independent analysts have noted that the government's own projections show a potential gap.
The Institute for Fiscal Studies has previously estimated that meeting the 2.5% target would require an additional £15bn per year by 2030, but current spending plans only account for £10bn.
