Badenoch accuses Burnham of kicking defence spending into the long grass
Summary
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticized Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s government for delaying plans to increase UK defence spending to 3% of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030. Badenoch outlined Tory proposals to fund this increase through changes to welfare benefits and tax rules, and called for a general election if the government will not commit to higher defence spending now.Key Facts
- Kemi Badenoch, Conservative leader, wants defence spending increased to 3% of GDP by 2030, costing about £10 billion a year.
- The current government under Prime Minister Andy Burnham plans to reach 3.5% defence spending by 2035 but has delayed firm commitments.
- Badenoch proposed funding the increase by reinstating the two-child benefit cap and reforming housing benefit and VAT exemptions on Motability vehicles.
- The two-child benefit cap limits welfare benefits to the first two children a family has; it was removed by Labour but Conservatives plan to reimpose it.
- Other proposed savings include changes to the British Business Bank funding and ending a VAT exemption on Motability cars for disabled people.
- Badenoch accused Burnham of delaying defence spending decisions despite threats from countries like Russia and Iran.
- She claimed current welfare policies could unfairly encourage higher child numbers among some families, affecting economic fairness.
- Burnham’s Chancellor, John Healey, previously resigned over defence spending issues but is now seen by Badenoch as less committed to the 3% target.
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