In a seismic policy change, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, Britain to increase defense spending to 2.5$% GDP by 2027 — most significant military spend since Cold War. In the House of Commons, Starmer highlighted the need for the U.K. to boost its military capabilities in the face of modern global threats.
This comes on the eve of his meeting with US President Donald Trump on Feb. 27. The decision comes as Trump has been urging European allies to raise defence spending within NATO. Though currently NATO states agree to allocate a minimum of 2% of their GDP to the military, Trump wanted 5% boost.
Starmer also promised to deliver 3% of GDP on defence in the next parliament, pending the economic circumstances. To meet the initial payment increase, the government will cut the overseas aid budget from 0.5pc to 0.3pc of gross domestic product from 2027. 
‘While this is not an easy decision, always the security of the British people has to come first,’ Starmer said.
The decision is set to overhaul UK defence policy, reinforcing its position within NATO and strengthening its hand transatlantically in a moment of heightened global insecurity. As Trump hints at a possible change in American commitments to Ukraine, Britain’s extra military spending is regarded as move toward greater European security self-sufficiency.
