New era of threat demands new era of UK defence, minister says after spending plans unveiled - latest

Summary

Defence Secretary John Healey says "we are in a new era of threat, which demands a new era for UK defence", while outlining the government's defence spending plans
The UK needs "stronger deterrents" to avoid the huge costs, human and economic, that wars create, he tells MPs in the Commons - watch live at the top of the page
Earlier, Keir Starmer said the UK military is moving to "war-fighting readiness" and that the threat from Russia cannot be ignored
But the prime minister did not give a precise date for when UK defence spending would hit 3% of GDP - our political editor Chris Mason says hitting this target won't be easy
The government is setting out the aims of its strategic defence review, commissioned after Labour won the election last year - here's everything else you need to know

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Starmer says UK 'cannot ignore' threat Russia poses

Live Reporting

Edited by Tinshui Yeung

'If you want to deter conflict, best way is to prepare for conflict,' Starmer tells BBCpublished at 08:17 British Summer Time 2 June

Media caption,
Starmer tells BBC UK must 'prepare for conflict'
The prime minister begins by saying the world has changed and that we're entering a new era for defence and security.
He says there is "greater instability" and threats, and he wanted his government's defence spending review - launched today - to make clear the challenges the UK is facing and is likely to face.
The principles are "warfighting readiness", having an integrated armed forces and a "Nato-first approach", he says.
If the world has changed then we need to be ready, he says, adding:
"If you want to deter conflict, then the best way to do that is to prepare for conflict."
Starmer about to speak to BBC - watch and follow livepublished at 08:09 British Summer Time 2 June

The prime minister is about to speak to our colleagues on Radio 4's Today programme, live from Glasgow.
We know there are plans to build up to 12 attack submarines and spend £15bn more on a nuclear weapons programme. But Starmer will also be asked about other issues affecting the UK, too.
You'll be able to watch Keir Starmer's interview live at the top of the page - and, as ever, we'll bring you live text updates as he speaks. Stay with us.
No doubt we'll hit 3% by 2034, says Pollardpublished at 08:02 British Summer Time 2 June

Sticking with defence minister Luke Pollard, he says he has "no doubt whatsoever" the UK will hit defence spending of 3% of GDP in the next Parliament, so by 2034.
He was responding to a question on BBC Breakfast about whether that was a cast-iron guarantee.
Pollard says the position is "exactly what the prime minister set out" in February, when reaching 3% was an ambition, but not an official commitment.
We're not at war, says defence minister. But we're not at peace, eitherpublished at 07:51 British Summer Time 2 June

Image source, PA Media
Image caption,
Luke Pollard, pictured in Portsmouth in April
Defence minister Luke Pollard says "we're certainly not at war at the moment, but it's also true that we're certainly not at peace".
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, he says "we know that we live in a very dangerous world" and there are "new threats" to the UK.
The government inherited a situation where military morale was "falling" and there had been a "lack of investment", he says.
The defence review will set out new investment, address the "scandal" of military accommodation, and set out plans to make defence an "engine for growth", he says.
How much does the UK spend on defence - and how is it changing?published at 07:47 British Summer Time 2 June

What the UK spends on defence
In 2023/24, the UK spent around 2.3% of GDP on defence, or £53.9bn, according to government figures.
As a member of Nato - the North Atlantic military alliance - the UK is committed to spending at least 2% of national income, as measured by GDP, on defence. But there is growing pressure to go further.
What's the planned increase?
In February, the government announced defence spending would rise to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, with an "ambition" to reach 3% after the next general election.
To fund the initial increase, Starmer announced a cut to the UK's aid budget from 0.5% of GDP to 0.3% in 2027.
Has the government committed to reaching 3%?
Defence Secretary John Healey, in an interview with The Times, said there was "no doubt" the UK would reach defence spending of 3% in the next Parliament, so by 2034. But the government has not formally announced a commitment to reaching 3%.
Defence firm welcomes submarine planspublished at 07:40 British Summer Time 2 June

The Ministry of Defence says building up to 12 new attack submarines "will support 30,000 highly skilled jobs into the 2030s as well as 30,000 apprenticeships and 14,000 graduate roles across the next 10 years".
And the announcement has been welcomed by defence technology firm, Cohort.
"It's certainty a very ambitious plan and very pleasing to see what's been announced," Andy Thomis, Cohort's chief executive, tells BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"I think it recognises the serious security situation and the need for us to respond to it."
Thomis, though, says the government may need to commit a greater percentage of spending to defence, in order to meet the plans.
"It certainly does look like a challenge within 2.5% of GDP or indeed even 3%, but I think it is what we need to keep the country safe."
Will extra defence spending be enough for Nato - and Trump?published at 07:08 British Summer Time 2 June
Jonathan Beale
Defence correspondent

Over the past week, the government has been trailing its defence review with a series of announcements: billions of pounds to produce more missiles and drones; new technology; and better housing for troops.
The aim - not just to modernise an underfunded armed forces but to make them ready to meet rising threats.
The prime minister will today also underline the importance of the defence industry for creating jobs and economic growth.
So far the government is committed to increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027. But will it be enough?
Nato allies are being urged to increase defence spending to 3.5% of GDP. The US president, Donald Trump wants more. The government says Britain will be the leading European nation in Nato; but other allies are going further and faster.
Lithuania's defence minister called 2.5% "old news". She told the BBC 3.5% should be the bare minimum.
We must face down Russia, says defence secretarypublished at 07:08 British Summer Time 2 June

Image source, PA Media
Defence Secretary John Healey says the UK's new submarines will help "face down Russian aggression".
In a statement released last night, Healey says: "Our outstanding submariners patrol 24/7 to keep us and our allies safe, but we know that threats are increasing and we must act decisively to face down Russian aggression.
"With new state-of-the-art submarines patrolling international waters and our own nuclear warhead programme on British shores, we are making Britain secure at home and strong abroad, while delivering on our plan for change with 30,000 highly-skilled jobs across the country."
New nuclear-powered submarines expected as Starmer unveils defence planspublished at 07:08 British Summer Time 2 June

Image source, PA Media
The UK will build up to 12 new nuclear-powered submarines under plans due to be announced by Keir Starmer today.
The government will unveil a major defence review, which will set out the government's long-term plans and is expected to recommend the armed forces move to "warfighting readiness".
The new attack submarines are expected to replace the UK's current fleet from the late 2030s onwards, with the government saying production will also create jobs.
The submarines will be conventionally-armed but nuclear powered, and developed under a partnership agreement with the US and Australia.
The prime minister is also expected to confirm a £15bn investment in the UK's existing nuclear warhead programme.
Starmer will speak to BBC Radio 4's Today programme at 08:10 BST - you'll be able to listen live on this page.