Starmer’s options in funding a further defence spending rise would be limited

A British soldier conducting mine clearance during Nato exercises in Estonia this month. Photograph: Ben Birchall/PA

Keir Starmer has few options if he wants to increase annual defence spending by up to £14bn before the end of this parliament.

In last summer’s spending review, the government set out plans to increase defence spending from 2.3% of national income, or gross domestic product (GDP), in 2024-25 – about £66bn, to 2.6% in 2028-29.