Keir Starmer suggests Andy Burnham borrow billions for defence
Prime minister says he will take no lectures from Tories after Kemi Badenoch says investment plan is insufficientUK politics live – latest updatesKeir Starmer has suggested Andy Bu
By The Guardian
Keir Starmer has suggested that Andy Burnham, the likely next prime minister, borrow billions more to cover a £4.7bn gap in the government’s Defence Investment Plan. The Prime Minister made the comment during his Wednesday PMQs session, stating that his successor should use fiscal headroom to fund the shortfall in defence spending over the next four years.
Burnham, the MP for Makerfield, is expected to become prime minister later this month after Starmer loses support from Labour MPs. Starmer acknowledged that other areas of government spending would be cut to fund defence, including reductions to road and energy projects.
The defence plan includes a £15bn increase over four years, bringing the total budget to nearly £300bn, with more than £5bn allocated for drones and autonomous systems. However, only £10.3bn of the required savings has been identified, leaving a £4.7bn gap that will need to be addressed in the autumn Budget by the next administration.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch criticised the plan as insufficient, inadequate and delayed, arguing that the missing £5bn should be found through borrowing, tax rises or welfare cuts. Economists say borrowing to fill the gap would severely reduce Burnham’s headroom against his fiscal rules.
Starmer countered that the Conservatives had reduced defence spending from 2.5% to 2.3% while raising welfare costs. The plan also includes billions for next-generation stealth jets, the largest investment in drone warfare and confirmation that the UK will buy F-35A planes capable of carrying nuclear bombs.
No police, council officials, residents or customers were mentioned in the reports. The event took place on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, during Starmer’s final weeks as prime minister.