Image source, EPA

Today marked what is likely to be Keir Starmer's penultimate PMQs before he steps down.

The main talking point was the defence investment plan, which pledged an additional £15bn in funding over the next four years - here's a breakdown of the key figures.

Tory Leader Kemi Badenoch took every opportunity to attack the plan and accused the government of not delivering the investment needed.

But Starmer stood by it, saying Labour has delivered "the most significant upgrade in defence spending since the 1980s". He also attacked the previous Conservative governments for "hollowing out" the armed forces when they were in power.

The PM has argued he is leaving the country in a better place than when he arrived in Downing Street, which appears to be his public argument about his legacy, our political editor Chris Mason writes.

The prime minister's likely successor Andy Burnham was absent from the Commons for this week's PMQs session.

• We're ending our live coverage but you can read our news story for the latest political developments

Several Labour MPs have expressed concerns on Tuesday's defence investment plan (DIP), with former Defence Secretary John Healey saying more needs to be done "to develop a clear, credible funding plan".

Labour's Middle East minister Hamish Falconer said in a social media post on Tuesday he was "disappointed" that an upgrade to a stretch of the A46 in Nottinghamshire had been cancelled, while saying he supported further funding for the DIP.

News of the decision about the road funding Falconer mentioned came on Monday, and on Tuesday Starmer said some road projects would not "go ahead as planned" in order to help raise defence funding.

Image source, Getty Images

Labour MP and defence select committee chair Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi said there is no “clear pathway” to spending 3% of GDP on defence in the plan while Dame Meg Hillier, who chairs the Treasury select committee, warned the government against avoiding scrutiny.

Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the plan was “a good foundation to build on, but there’s more to do”.

Meanwhile, Labour MP David Taylor, the UK's trade envoy to Japan, said on Wednesday he welcomed the £8.6bn being committed under the DIP to the global combat air programme with Japan and Italy.

Is this the biggest rise in defence spending since the 1980s?published at 13:57 BST

13:57 BST

By Anthony Reuben

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has repeatedly said that his government has delivered the biggest rise in defence spending since the 1980s, or since the end of the Cold War.

Neither claim is setting the bar very high, as during the 1950s defence spending was more than 7% of GDP.

In 1990 after the Berlin Wall came down it was 3.3% and since then it has at times fallen below 2%, as successive governments took advantage of what’s been called the “peace dividend” by many politicians and experts.

Yesterday’s Defence Investment Plan commits to spending 2.7% of GDP on defence by 2027-28 and that increase would certainly beat any small rises of the last 45 years.

Starmer is developing an argument about what his legacy will bepublished at 13:46 BST

13:46 BST

Chris Mason
Political editor

We’ll only see these exchanges one more time - the tussle between Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch.

In these penultimate exchanges at PMQs, defence was the focus - the prime minister seeking to argue that the funding gap in his defence plan, that Andy Burnham is likely to inherit, is not unusual. Starmer pointed to several instances under the last Conservative government where funding decisions were deferred to a subsequent budget.

Badenoch persisted in insisting it was inadequate and the only solution was to cut the benefits bill so more money would be available for defence.

The prime minister is now developing his public argument about his legacy - his argument that he leaves the country in a better place than when he arrived in Downing Street.

And he is dismissing again the Liberal Democrat idea that defence bonds could be the solution to the funding issue - saying it is an idea they have explored but rejected on the grounds that it still amounts to borrowing, which ministers believe the country cannot afford.

Here's a quick look at some of the figures.

Where did the figure of a £28bn shortfall for defence come from?published at 13:25 BST

13:25 BST

Image source, PA Media

By Anthony Reuben

Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said "the chief of the defence staff made it known that the armed forces needed a minimum of £28bn more to defend the country".

That figure was reported by the Times in January, external, which said the Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, had warned Keir Starmer at a meeting before Christmas that the Ministry of Defence faced a £28bn shortfall over the next four years.

A few days later, Sir Richard was asked about these reports, external when he appeared before a committee of MPs.

He did not confirm the figure, describing it as "speculation in the media", and stressed the meeting being reported on was classified.

When pressed on whether there was a shortfall, he said: "The cost of the programme depends on a whole bunch of assumptions that we might make and ultimately it will be a matter for ministers to make those based on the advice that I and others offer."

The Ministry of Defence says that number has not come from them.

Image source, UK Parliament

Keir 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 finding some of the funding - £4.7bn - to his successor. She also asked 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

Davey next asks the prime minister about the "rising tide of racist violence and hate" in the UK.

He says he was told by a British friend of Indian ancestry that Reform UK "activists" came to her door and said that if their party gets into power her family will have their passports seized and citizenship revoked.

Starmer says racism and intolerance is "permeating everywhere" and it should be called out by every single person who is a politician "at any level in this country".

• We are reaching out to Reform UK about Sir Ed Davey's claim in Parliament.

Brian Wheeler
Reporting from the House of Commons

We might have expected an outbreak of football banter and Ed Davey does not disappoint with a slightly tortuous crack about Keir Starmer suffering similar defence woes to the England team, which elicits groans on all sides.

Starmer gives the Lib Dem leader a red card for his gag.

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey says the wars in Ukraine and Iran show the UK must take seriously the threat of missiles and drones hitting the country.

We need "the best possible missile defence system", he says, but the funding in Starmer's defence plan falls short.

Can the PM tell us why he leaves our country vulnerable to the missile threat, Davey asks.

Starmer replies that the defence investment plan gives the country what it needs to fight now and into the future.

Badenoch says defence is the "first duty of government" and Britain is facing a moment of danger unlike anything in their lifetimes.

She says Labour are "too weak, too little and too late" and calls for Burnham to condemn the defence investment plan.

She says the money for the plan should instead come from cutting welfare spending.

Starmer hits back by saying the Tories cut defence from 2.5% down to 2.3% while increasing the welfare bill.

He adds they oversaw "14 years of failure" and they should get up and apologise.

Starmer finishes by saying Labour has left Britain "better than we found it" and "that's the difference a Labour government makes".

Badenoch says the reason the PM is "in this mess" is because he was "too weak to cut welfare when he had the chance".

She says there were are only three ways to find what she describes as the missing £5bn - borrowing, increasing tax, or cutting welfare. She asks which of these Starmer will recommend to Burnham.

Starmer responds that the country has headroom because of decisions it made at the last Budget.

Brian Wheeler
Reporting from the House of Commons

Penny for John Healey’s thoughts.

The former defence secretary - who quit over defence spending - is watching these exchanges with arms folded and an impassive expression on his face.

He is standing at the entrance to the chamber with other MPs who haven’t been able to get a seat.

Badenoch says that the defence investment plan should have been published in the last Budget.

She again says £5bn is "missing" from his plan and that it relies on unidentified savings.

Badenoch asks whether Burnham knew he "was going to have to find £5bn for the prime minister's plan".

Starmer again attacks the Conservative defence record, saying they "cut defence spending" and "hollowed out the armed forces" and he won't take any lectures from them.

"Any Labour prime minister would stand behind this plan," he adds.

• For context, £4.7bn will need to be found by the PM's successor in the next Budget to make up the £15bn increase in military spending

Badenoch says the threat level has changed dramatically since Starmer took office.

The defence investment plan has "unravelled" she says, and they are spending too much money instead on welfare.

It is £5bn short, she says, and Starmer is "leaving this mess" to his successor.

Badenoch asks if Andy Burnham agreed to fund the shortfall.

Starmer replies that the Tories cut defence spending, and that he will take no lectures on either welfare or defence from them.

This is £15bn of new investment for defence delivered outside of a Budget and outside of a spending review, he says.

What matters is this is the biggest sustained increase for 40 years to keep the country safe, he adds.

Image source, UK Parliament

Badenoch mentions John Healey's resignation three weeks ago - and says he has only increased defence spending by 0.01% since then.

“We can count, the generals can count, the Kremlin can count," she says.

She says the plan "doesn't add up" and asks how he can say it is enough.

Starmer responds by saying it is "the most significant upgrade in defence spending since the 1980s".

He says the Tories "hollowed out" the armed forces, saying his party has raised defence spending and has a record "I am proud of".

• £15bn: The increase in military spending over the next four years announced by Starmer yesterday, funded by cutting investment budgets in other areas
• £10.3bn: The savings identified to meet the £15bn bill
• £4.7bn: The amount that will need to be found by the PM's successor in the next Budget to make up the £15bn cost
• £28bn: The increase in military spending that had reportedly been sought by defence chiefs
• £298bn: The total amount earmarked in the defence investment plan (DIP) for defence over the next four years
• 2.7%: Projected UK defence spending by 2030, as a proportion of GDP - according to the DIP

• 3.5%: Nato's defence spending target by 2035, as a proportion of GDP

Read more on the figures in BBC Verify's analysis here.

In response, Starmer says the defence investment plan gives the UK the capability it needs for the future with £300bn of investment over the next four years.

He goes on to list the changes it will make.

"That is what is needed to keep our country safe," he says.

Image source, UK Parliament

Badenoch is up and asks Starmer about the defence investment plan.

She says the head of the UK armed forces "made it known" that the military needed a minimum of £28bn more to defend the country.

She asks if Starmer can explain why he thinks "half that amount" is enough.

• You can read more on the key figures from the defence investment plan here

Brian Wheeler
Reporting from the House of Commons

Eyes down for what is likely to be Keir Starmer’s penultimate PMQs before he stands down.

The outgoing PM got a big cheer from Labour MPs as he strolled to his position on the front bench.

No sign of his likely successor Andy Burnham again this week.