Recap: Badenoch and Starmer clash on defence fundingpublished at 12:46 BST
Image source, UK ParliamentKeir Starmer's exchange with Kemi Badenoch today was dominated by the defence investment plan announced yesterday, which will see an increase in military spending of £15bn over the next four years. Here's a recap of their exchange:
- Badenoch accused the prime minister of leaving the "mess" of the finding some of the funding - £4.7bn - to his successor, asking if Andy Burnham, likely the next PM, had "agreed to fund the shortfall"
- Starmer responded by saying the Tories "hollowed out" the armed forces across their time in government, adding that "any Labour prime minister" would stand behind the defence investment plan
- The Tory leader said the head of the UK armed forces "made it known" the military needed a minimum of £28bn for defence, asking Starmer why he thinks "half that amount" is enough
- The PM said the plan gives the UK the capability it needs for the future with £300bn of investment over the next four years
- Badenoch later said the money needed for the plan should come from cuts to welfare spending - which she says Starmer was "too weak" to do
- The prime minister claimed in response that the country has financial "headroom" due to decisions made at the last Budget, saying that the Tories reduce defence spending and increased the welfare bill while in power







