Exclusive: PM expected to confirm boost in military spending to at least 2.5% of GDP by 2027

• UK politics live – latest updates

Keir Starmer is planning drastic cuts to Britain’s international aid budget to help pay for a boost to defence spending, the Guardian has been told, as European nations attempt to fill the gap left by Donald Trump on Ukraine.

The prime minister is expected to confirm the UK government’s timeline to increase defence spending to at least 2.5% of GDP by 2030 as he prepares for what will inevitably be a diplomatically fraught visit to Washington DC.