STORY
Sir Keir Starmer faced renewed pressure over the Government’s Defence Investment Plan after Kemi Badenoch accused him of leaving a funding gap for his successor. The exchanges at Prime Minister’s Questions focused on how the long-term spending commitments would be met and whether the next Labour leader would be forced into further borrowing, tax rises or cuts elsewhere.
The issue has become politically sensitive because Andy Burnham is expected to take over from Starmer later this month. Defence minister Luke Pollard said he had only seen the detailed funding breakdown the day before the plan was published, adding to questions about how far ministers and Burnham had been briefed before the announcement.
The Government said the plan was necessary to strengthen national security and meet future defence challenges. Opposition MPs argued that the package lacked a credible funding route, leaving Labour exposed to accusations that it was making strategic commitments without showing how they would be paid for.