Burnham criticised over defence policy amid heightened Russia threat

WorldPolitics
3 Sep 2026 • 5:51 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Burnham criticised over defence policy amid heightened Russia threat

  • Prime Minister Andy Burnham faced criticism during Prime Minister’s Questions over his government’s defence policy amid heightened threats from Russia.
  • Commons Defence Select Committee chair Tan Singh Dhesi warned that financial investment rather than "vibes" is required to counter Russian aggression.
  • The warnings follow Vladimir Putin issuing a veiled threat against British military targets over the UK's decision to share missile blueprints with Ukraine.
  • Confusion surrounded the government’s timeline for increasing defence spending, with Downing Street clarifying that a 3 per cent GDP target by 2030 is not a firm commitment.
  • Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch urged Mr Burnham to fund defence by cutting welfare spending, while shadow ministers claimed the Prime Minister appeared weak on defence.

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