Overview
- Defence Secretary John Healey said the UK will not sign up to the Security Action for Europe loans "at any price" and could pursue deals outside the scheme.
- Negotiators remain far apart, with EU demands reported at €4bn to €6.5bn against a UK offer of roughly €200m to €300m for administration and guarantees.
- France has pushed for a €6.5bn contribution as the price for UK firms to bid for a share of contracts under the €150bn rearmament loan facility.
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer has raised the dispute with Ursula von der Leyen and is engaging EU leaders as a 30 November deadline approaches.
- A group of EU countries including Germany has urged Brussels to keep UK participation affordable, while a French diplomatic source defended a pay‑to‑play principle tied to the EU single market.