PM confirms rise in military spending to at least 2.5% of GDP by 2027 – three years earlier than planned

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Keir Starmer has confirmed drastic cuts to Britain’s international aid budget to help pay for a major increase in defence spending as European nations attempt to fill the gap left by Donald Trump on Ukraine.

The prime minister confirmed the UK government’s timeline to increase defence spending to at least 2.5% of GDP by 2027 – three years earlier than planned – as he prepares for what will inevitably be a diplomatically fraught visit to Washington DC.