UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson calls the 2.5% UK defence spending goal “ambitious” and says Keir Starmer won’t reveal the defence budget this week.
A senior minister suggests the Labour leader may not disclose a timeline this week for increasing UK defence spending.
What did Bridget Phillipson say about the 2.5% defence spending target?
Mr Phillipson acknowledged the target of increasing defence spending as ambitious, despite Labour’s initial promise to provide a clear roadmap after the spring review.
She criticized the previous Tory administration for leaving the public finances in a “devastating state,” making it difficult for her government to set out clear timelines.
During a BBC interview, when asked if Starmer would assure that Britain would raise defence spending, the education secretary stated,
“We will be spending much more on defence, and our allies need to step up alongside that.”
Ms Phillipson said,
“But let’s be clear, 2.5% is ambitious. We will get there, but it is ambitious, and this is also in the context of the public finances, which, let’s be honest were left in a devastating state by the Conservatives – a £22bn black hole, no credible plan for this nonsense that they claim around how they were going to reach 2.5%.”
She added,
“What we will set out as a government will be a credible plan to deliver with a pathway towards it, but also that where we’re spending money, we’re spending it well.”
What did Phillipson say about the significance of Keir Starmer not meeting Trump first?
Ms Phillipson dismissed the significance of Starmer not being the first European leader to meet Trump, stating, “I don’t think that really matters.”
She added,
“I think what we know is that President Trump values the relationship with this country. We value the relationship … and this week, out of the US, the prime minister will be setting out how we will back a negotiated settlement that we want to secure, make sure that we play our full part in that, but of course, build on those ties that exist between our nations and what more we can do together.”
The Education Secretary, during a Sky News interview, said the government backs “the approach that President Trump is taking in seeking to get parties to the negotiating table.”
She highlighted the long-standing US-UK ties, which have “endured over many generations.” She also stated that Sir Keir Starmer will outline the UK’s role in backing a negotiated settlement in Ukraine while working to deepen the existing relationship between the two countries.
What did the shadow Defence Secretary say about UK defence spending?
James Cartlidge, Shadow Defence Secretary, stated
“If you are serious about defence spending – and everyone agrees it needs to go up – you have to say where the money is going to come from.”
He showed support for Kemi Badenoch’s stance, affirming the party would back the government if defence spending increased. However, Mr Cartlidge warned that Britain cannot afford to borrow more due to already high taxes and existing financial problems.
Referring to potential cuts, the shadow defence secretary said,
“They’ll have to be difficult decisions, and we think the aid budget will have to be under consideration, but also welfare and frankly scrapping this crazy Chagos deal,”
adding that UK aid does
“many good things around the world” and keeps the UK “more secure.”
When Will Keir Starmer Meet Donald Trump?
On 27 February 2025, the Prime Minister will meet with the newly elected American president at the White House, amidst growing tensions between Washington and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Tensions rose on Friday when the American president accused Labour leader Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron of ‘doing nothing’ to resolve the Ukraine war, following his backlash against Zelenskyy as a dictator.
Both leaders met last year in September in New York during Trump’s presidential campaign.
What did Bridget Phillipson say about school breakfast clubs?
The education secretary revealed that 750 schools will launch breakfast clubs, with 67,000 children out of 180,000 from disadvantaged areas set to benefit.
As part of its election campaign, Labour pledged to expand the breakfast club plan nationwide during its first term to enhance standards and create more opportunities for everyone.