UK Defence Spending Debate Intensifies Ahead of Starmer-Trump Meeting

Labour faces growing pressure to commit to increased defence spending as political and international calls for clarity escalate.

Labour is the only major UK political party yet to commit to raising defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2030, a target supported by the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, and Reform UK.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to meet US President Donald Trump next week, with Trump urging European nations, including the UK, to take greater responsibility for their own defence.
Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves signaled that difficult budgetary decisions may be required to prioritize defence spending, reiterating a commitment to reaching 2.5% of GDP but without a clear timeline.
Calls for even higher defence spending, up to 3% of GDP, have emerged from within Labour and other political figures, citing increased global security threats and the potential reduction of US military presence in Europe.
The Liberal Democrats proposed measures such as raising the digital services tax and creating a European Rearmament Bank to fund defence increases, while emphasizing the need for cross-party consensus.