Streeting: Burnham will prioritise defence over other spending

Defence secretary Wes Streeting says Andy Burnham’s government will prioritise military spending over other departments. Speaking at Farnborough, he argued higher defence outlays will drive growth and jobs, while the Ministry of Defence must cut waste and maximise value for money as spending rises toward Nato targets.

In a speech at the Farnborough airshow, Streeting said increased defence spending would make “an enormous contribution” to economic growth. He did not announce extra cash, but promised the arms industry “clarity and confidence” after the funding row that helped end Keir Starmer’s tenure.

Burnham has recommitted the UK to lifting defence spending from 2.6% of GDP to Nato’s 3.5% target by 2035, implying a real-terms rise of more than £25bn in under a decade. For more political and media alerts, see our Streaming & TV Alerts hub.

Key Takeaways

• Streeting says defence will be prioritised over other government spending under Burnham.
• The UK remains committed to Nato’s 3.5% of GDP defence target by 2035.
• Streeting vows to cut waste and maximise value for money at the MoD.
• More than £11.8bn of contracts have been agreed since the defence investment plan was published.
• Streeting declined to commit to hitting 3% of GDP on defence by 2030.

Why does Streeting say defence comes first?

Streeting told a subsequent briefing that higher military spending would come at “an opportunity cost across government”. That means the MoD must show “we are spending existing resources wisely”, according to The Guardian.

He said Burnham and chancellor John Healey understand “the enormous contribution that defence can make” through jobs, growth and reindustrialisation. Healey’s appointment suggests No 10 and the Treasury want to rebalance the economy toward defence.

Will the UK hit Nato defence spending targets?

Burnham restated the Nato path to 3.5% of GDP by 2035 in his first speech as prime minister. A £15bn rise over four years was set out by Starmer in his final days, though it is not yet fully funded, the BBC reported.

Under the defence investment plan, spending reaches 2.7% of GDP by the end of the decade. Asked about aiming for 3% by 2030, Streeting said fiscal policy is “a matter for the chancellor” and that he would not write Healey’s next budget or spending review.

He added he would “put the best possible case for defence to the Treasury” and replied “absolutely not” when asked if he was “trying to do defence on the cheap”.

How will Streeting cut waste in defence?

Streeting said he wants every penny spent wisely and that investment must come with “modernisation”. He plans to follow the same “mantra” he used as health secretary: maximising value for money and cutting waste after securing extra NHS funding.

“Modernisation without investment is impractical, but investment without modernisation is irresponsible,” he said. The government has “agreed more than £11.8bn worth of contracts” in the 10 days since the defence investment plan was published.

Burnham separately said the plan would bring “significant benefits” for the South West, promising to return to show how investment will support jobs in the region.

What else did Streeting unveil at Farnborough?

At the airshow, Streeting unveiled Britain’s first prototype “loyal wingman” drone, designed and assembled by BAE Systems in Warton, Lancashire. The mini jet, costing about £15m, is meant to fly with a Typhoon fighter to boost reconnaissance and combat capability.