Keir Starmer is set to face questions on Wednesday, days after setting out the government’s defence strategy for the next decade and promising a ‘battle-ready’ UK.
The strategy and funding are seeking to move the UK to “war-fighting readiness”, according to the Prime Minister.
The Government will increase defence spending to 2.5% of gross domestic product from April 2027, aiming to expand it to 3% during the next parliament.
It could include money for extra attack submarines, £15 billion on nuclear warheads, and thousands of new long-range weapons.
On Monday, Starmer said the plan would create “a battle-ready, armour-clad nation with the strongest alliances, and the most advanced capabilities, equipped for the decades to come”.
With the Labour Government ratcheting up defence spending, opposition leaders will likely challenge the Prime Minister over what funding areas will be cut to compensate.
Starmer’s ministers have said over and over that the UK Government has to live within its means.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has also previously warned that there will be difficult decisions in the upcoming spending review.
Opposition leaders will likely to be curious to know what Starmer’s plans for other areas of government are now that he’s committed to increasing defence spending.
PMQs will be broadcast from the House of Commons around noon on Wednesday, immediately after Scottish questions at 11.30am.
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