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

AI Summary

The United Kingdom faces critical decisions regarding defence spending as the new Prime Minister must balance limited budgets with security priorities. NATO commitments remain unmet, raising concerns among European allies and the US about the UK’s defence investment trajectory.

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. Continue reading...