Sir Keir Starmer warned that Britain “cannot ignore the threat Russia poses,” as he prepares to unveil new measures to put the country on war footing.
The prime minister said the world is facing the greatest instability it has for years, ahead of announcing the government’s long-awaited strategic defence review.
When asked if Britain would go to war with Russia if it invaded a Nato member such as Lithuania, he told BBC Radio 4: “I very much hope not, and in order to make sure that that isn’t the case, we need to prepare. But we cannot ignore the threat that Russia poses.”
Later on Monday morning, Sir Keir will unveil new defence measures as a government review warns that Britain should be ready for war in Europe or the Atlantic.
He will pledge to build up to 12 new nuclear-powered attack submarines and invest £15 billion in the nation’s warhead programme.
However, the PM has faced questions as the announcements come without further spending promises.
He said he would not “indulge in the fantasy politics of simply plucking dates from the air” when it came to the commitment to raise defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP.
Key Points
- UK to build up to 12 new attack submarines and invest £15bn in warheads
- UK must be ready to fight in Europe or Atlantic, review says
- Britain facing greater instability and threats than in many years - Starmer
- What has the government committed to following the strategic defence review?
- Starmer defends lack of spending promises on defence
Recap: Starmer warns of 'changing world' ahead of defence announcement
09:25
,
Athena Stavrou
Sir Keir Starmer appeared on BBC Radio 4 on Monday morning to speak about the government’s new defence measures.
If you’re just joining us now, here is a recap of what he said:
• He said Britain must “prepare” for war in Europe.
• He warned that the world is facing the greatest instability it has for “many, many years”.
• Sir Keir faced questions on the lack of spending promises alongside the new defence measures, to which he said “indulge in the fantasy politics of simply plucking dates [for more spending] from the air”.
• He warned that Britain “cannot ignore the threat Russia poses”.
Starmer says he does not regret winter fuel payment cuts
09:17
,
Athena Stavrou
Away from defence policy, Sir Keir Starmer has also addressed his government’s U-turn on winter fuel cuts.
Appearing BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, the prime minister suggested ministers do not regret the decision to means-test the winter fuel payment, even as they are planning steps to partially reverse the move.
“I want to look again at where the threshold is. That’s for sure. I’ll be clear with you,” he said.
“In relation to that, I do think it was our duty to stabilise the economy and to fill in that £22 billion black hole. And I’m not going to resile from that.”
Ministers “need to be absolutely clear where the money is coming from” before they set out details of a partial U-turn on the winter fuel payment, Sir Keir said.
He added: “But I take your point, which is that if we want to look again at which pensioners are eligible, then the sooner we have clarity on that, the better.”
How many submarines does the Royal Navy currently have?
09:04
Sir Keir Starmer is set to announce that Britain will build up to 12 new nuclear-powered submarines.
Currently, the Royal Navy operates nine submarines, including five Astute-class conventionally armed nuclear-powered attack vessels. The Astute class is Britain’s largest and most advanced fleet of submarines.
The remaining four are Vanguard-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBN), which carry the UK’s Trident nuclear missile system.
A new group, the Dreadnought class, will be introduced in the early 2030s. These will be both nuclear-powered and ballistic missile-armed.
‘The sooner the better,’ Starmer says on winter fuel U-turn
08:46
The Independent’s Political Correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
Sir Keir Starmer has said “the sooner… the better” on when his U-turn on winter fuel cuts will take effect.
The prime minister has vowed to restore the payments to some pensioners after a furious backlash.
And, hinting a decision could come as soon as next week’s spending review, he said: “If we want to look again at which pensioners are eligible, then the sooner we have clarity on that, the better.”
But, asked about the cuts, he said they were “the right thing to do” given Labour’s economic inheritance after the general election.
‘Yes’ Britain will hit 3 per cent of GDP on defence spending
08:36
,
Athena Stavrou
Sir Keir Starmer has said Britain will hit a target to spend 3 per cent of its GDP on defence by 2034.
The prime minister refused to set out an exact date by which the goal will be reached, but that Labour would ensure it is delivered.
Sir Keir said he would not be able to say when it will be met until he knew how it would be paid for, adding: “I don't believe in performative fantasy politics, and certainly not on defense and security.”
And he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “It needs to be ramped up, capability ramped up, but there has to be a defense dividend, which is, what do we get back into our economy?”
Starmer getting ready to go to war with Russia (if necessary)
08:34
,
Athena Stavrou
The Independent’s Political Editor David Maddox reports:
Keir Starmer is on the Today Programme this morning talking about his defence review and was asked directly by presenter Nick Robinson if the UK would go to war with Russia if it attacked Lithuania.
The prime minister’s answer was quite clear and can be summed up as yes, if necessary.
The strategic defence review catchline is making Britain “war ready” and with a war raging in Europe started by Vladimir Putin that can only mean one thing.
“The world has changed, we are entering a new era,” Sir Keir said.
“That’s a common feeling across Europe and more broadly.”
On the question of Russia potentially invading Nato ally Lithuania, he said: “I very much hope not.”
Hoping not, is not saying he would not do it. In fact it means he would do it in those circumstances.
The head of the army Sir Mark Rowley has warned that the UK could be fighting a war in two years while others have warned Russia could invade the Baltics in the next decade.
The prime minister hopes readiness to fight will be a deterrent in itself.“In order to make sure that isn’t the case (war with Russia), we need to prepare.”
Starmer responds to lack of spending promises on new measures
08:32
,
Athena Stavrou
Sir Keir Starmer has declined to promise more spending on defence as he unveils new measures to get Britain on war footing.
“We had a commitment for 2.5 per cent for end of parliament we pulled that right forward to 2027,” he told BBC Radio 4.
“When showed that when we say there’s a new era in the defence and security of our country as our first priority that we meant it.
He added: “But I’m not going to indulge in the fantasy politics of simply plucking dates from the air until I’m absolutely clear that I can sit here in an interview with you and tell you exactly how that’s going to work.”
Starmer: ‘We cannot ignore the threat of Russia’
08:23
,
Athena Stavrou
The Independent’s Political Correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
Sir Keir Starmer has warned that Britain “cannot ignore the threat Russia poses”.
The prime minister said the UK has to prepare itself to fight a war in order to deter Russian aggression and avoid a conflict with Vladimir Putin.
He said the world is facing the greatest instability it has for years, and kept the door open to Britain going to war with Russia if it invades a European Nato member such as Lithuania.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “In order to make sure that that isn't the case, we need to prepare. But we cannot ignore the threat that Russia poses.”
Britain facing greater instability and threats than in many years - Starmer
08:16
,
Athena Stavrou
The prime minister has warned that Britain has to be “ready” for war in Europe.
Speaking ahead of launching the government’s defence review, Sir Keir Starmer said: “The world has changed and we are entering a new era when it comes to defence and security.
“I think thats a common feeling across Europe and more broadly.
He told BBC Radio 4: “There is greater instability on defence and security than there has been for many many years and greater threats - and that’s obviously having a direct impact back into the United Kingdom.”
Starmer to speak shortly
08:11
,
Athena Stavrou
Sir Keir Starmer is set to appear on BBC Radio 4’s Today show shortly.
He is expected to speak more about his defence plans this morning, before the government’s strategic defence review is launched later this morning.
We will bring you the latest updates here.
‘The world has changed,’ Labour warns
08:06
,
Athena Stavrou
The Independent’s Political Correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
A Labour minister has warned “the world has changed” ahead of the publication of the strategic defence review on Monday.
Armed forces minister Luke Pollard said “there are new conventional and nuclear threats facing the United Kingdom and our allies”.
And, speaking to LBC, he said the review will set out the threats facing Britain and how an increase in defence spending will address them.
Analysis | Keir Starmer needs his long-awaited defence review to be a success
08:05
,
Kate Devlin, Whitehall Editor
Shortly after Keir Starmer unveils his defence review, Nigel Farage will be on a walkabout in the unlikely venue of Hamilton in Scotland.
A few years ago the Reform UK leader was so unpopular north of the border that he had to hide in an Edinburgh pub.
Now, in a remarkable turnaround, journalists on the ground report a surge of support in Hamilton, where a by-election to the Scottish parliament is being held this week. And it is not just in Scotland.
A leading pollster warned of a “political earthquake in the UK” after polls showed Mr Farage would have a 74-seat majority if an election were held tomorrow (and voters cast their ballots as they say they would, of course).
In recent weeks the Labour leader has tried to stem the tide, by announcing a partial (and as yet unclear) U-turn on the winter fuel allowance.
And with a speech last week specifically hitting out at the former Ukip leader.
But the PM is looking for something to shift the dial – and, even just in terms of political momentum, needs the defence review to land well.
Labour wants to be seen as patriotic and sticking up for Britain.
But it also hopes the review can help its long-term prospects, by delivering jobs (and, crucially, well paid jobs) up and down the country.
Watch | 'Britain facing Russian attacks daily' warns John Healey
07:57
,
Jabed Ahmed
UK must be ready to fight in Europe or Atlantic, review says
07:53
,
Athena Stavrou
The government’s long-awaited defence review has warned that Britain should move to “warfighting readiness” in Europe or the Atlantic.
The review concludes: “A landmark shift in our deterrence and defence: moving to warfighting readiness to deter threats and strengthen security in the Euro Atlantic area.”
Sir Keir Starmer has promised to build up to 12 new nuclear-powered attack submarines and invest £15 billion in its warhead programme, in response to the report.
Jenrick sceptical over chancellor’s defence spending pledge
07:47
,
Jabed Ahmed
Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick has welcomed the Government’s pledge to increase defence spending but said he was “sceptical” as to whether the Chancellor would make good on the plans.
Mr Jenrick said the UK should reach 3% of GDP spending on defence “within this Parliament”.
“We think that 2034 is a long time to wait given the gravity of the situation,” he told the Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips programme on Sky News.
“John Healey is a good man who I’ve known for a very long time doing what needs to be done in the national interest.
“I am sceptical as to whether Rachel Reeves is going to make good on these promises that she wants us to go further and faster.
“Since the general election, all I can see are broken promises from Rachel Reeves.”
PM to speak this morning
07:43
,
Athena Stavrou
We are expecting Sir Keir Starmer to speak more about his defence plans this morning.
The prime minister is set to appear on BBC Radio 4’s Today show shortly after 8am.
He will then launch the defence review at 10am.
We will bring you the latest updates here.
‘No change’ in PM’s commitment to 3 per cent defence spending - minister
07:40
,
Athena Stavrou
The Independent’s Political Correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
A minister has insisted there is “no change” in the government’s plans to spend 3 per cent of Britain’s GDP on defence.
Armed forces minister Luke Pollard said he has no doubt the UK will ramp up spending to meet the ambition in the next parliament.
“And the strategic defence review we are publishing today sets out the new kit and equipment, the new fighting doctrine, our new war fighting readiness that our forces will need to be able to deter the aggression that we're seeing from Russia that will keep the UK and our allies safe,” he told Sky News.
But Mr Pollard refused to confirm the 3 per cent target was guaranteed to be met, as opposed to merely being an ambition.
Starmer: ‘National security is the foundation of my Plan for Change’
07:34
,
Jabed Ahmed
Sir Keir Starmer will reiterated his party’s commitment to national security during a speech today outlining defence spending.
He will say the government will stand “foursquare behind the men and women upholding our nation’s freedom and security”.
“National security is the foundation of my Plan for Change,” he continues, adding that his proposals will keep Britain “secure at home and strong abroad” while creating a “defence dividend” of well-paid jobs across the UK.
“This strategic defence review will ensure the UK rises to the challenge and our armed forces have the equipment they need that keeps us safe at home while driving greater opportunity for our engineers, shipbuilders and technicians of the future,” he is expected to say.
What has the government committed to following the strategic defence review?
07:19
,
Jabed Ahmed
In response to the strategic defence review, the government will also commit to:
- Getting the armed forces to a stage where it would be ready to fight a war
- Boosting weapons and equipment stockpiles and making sure there is capacity to scale up production if needed in a crisis or war
- Buying up to 7,000 UK-built long-range weapons in a move due to support 800 defence jobs
- Setting up a new cyber command and investing £1 billion in digital capabilities
- More than £1.5 billion of additional funding to repair and renew armed forces housing.
UK to build up to 12 new attack submarines and invest £15bn in warheads
07:05
,
Jabed Ahmed
The UK will build up to 12 new nuclear-powered attack submarines and invest £15 billion in its warhead programme, the prime minister will announce today as the government unveils its strategic defence review.
Significant investment in the UK warhead programme this parliament and maintaining the existing stockpile are among the 62 recommendations that the government is expected to accept in full.
Building the new submarines, which is part of the Aukus partnership with the US and Australia, will support 30,000 highly skilled jobs into the 2030s as well as 30,000 apprenticeships and 14,000 graduate roles across the next 10 years, the Ministry of Defence said.
We will be bringing you the latest updates on our live blog.