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Britain has finally grasped the nettle on defence, but tough choices lie ahead
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Britain has finally grasped the nettle on defence, but tough choices lie ahead

The Guardian · Jun 30, 2026, 7:21 PM

Key takeaways

  • Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves visit Malloy Aeronautics in Berkshire today.
  • Keir Starmer’s defence investment plan leaves behind spending problems that his successor will not be able to avoid.
  • Military budgets will be well short of the UK’s Nato commitments by the end of the decade, and European allies and a combustible White House are likely to notice.

Why this matters: a developing story that could shape the day's news cycle.

Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves visit Malloy Aeronautics in Berkshire today. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/AFP/Getty Images View image in fullscreen Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves visit Malloy Aeronautics in Berkshire today. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/AFP/Getty Images Defence policy Analysis Britain has finally grasped the nettle on defence, but tough choices lie ahead Dan Sabbagh and Kiran Stacey. The new PM must balance the security budget and other urgent spending priorities, with little room for manoeuvre

Keir Starmer’s defence investment plan leaves behind spending problems that his successor will not be able to avoid.

Military budgets will be well short of the UK’s Nato commitments by the end of the decade, and European allies and a combustible White House are likely to notice.

Article preview — originally published by The Guardian. Full story at the source.
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