- Kemi Badenoch has criticised Sir Keir Starmer 's defence spending plan, claiming it has a £4.7 billion funding gap that will be left for his successor to address.
- The outgoing prime minister unveiled a £15 billion uplift in defence spending, largely funded by cuts to other departments, but almost a third of this increase is not yet secured.
- Andy Burnham , the likely next prime minister , will face choices between higher taxes, more borrowing, or further spending cuts to plug this financial shortfall.
- A minister suggested that Andy Burnham only became aware of the funding gap on the day the plan was published, despite Downing Street's claims of keeping his team involved.
- Sir Keir Starmer defended the plan, stating it would take defence spending to £300 billion over four years and had been welcomed by military chiefs, while accusing the Tories of previously hollowing out the armed forces.
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