RT reported that on February 25, in his speech to the National Assembly, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that he would cut foreign development aid from 0.5% to 0.3% of GNI to increase defense spending.
Mr. Starmer admitted that this decision required very difficult and painful options, while emphasizing that he was not happy to make the above announcement. However, he affirmed that he would do everything possible to rebuild international development capacity, but still emphasized that national defense is the top priority of the government.
Meanwhile, Dr. Philip Goodwin, CEO of UNICEF in the UK, warned that this cut will cause millions of children to lose access to essential health services, lack food and disrupt their learning.
In the context of increasing global instability, this decision will certainly put many lives at risk, Mr. Goodwin emphasized.
Under Prime Minister Starmer's new plan, London plans to increase defense spending to 2.5% of GDP in April 2027, three years ahead of schedule, according to a government statement.
He also pledged to increase defense spending to 3% of GDP in the coming term, if he continues to hold the position of Prime Minister after the 2029 general election.
The UK has spent 2.3% of GDP on defense in 2024. In the 2023-2024 financial year, this expenditure will amount to 53.9 billion pounds (68.2 billion USD), according to NATO statistics.
Data from the UK Parliament shows that the defence budget is expected to increase to £56.9 billion ($72 billion) in 2024-2025 and £59.8 billion ($75.7 billion) in 2025-2026.
However, according to The Guardian, adding 0.2% of GDP - equivalent to £13.4 billion ($169 billion) per year from 2027 - will not have a significant impact on the UK's overall defense capabilities.
Defense officials cited in The Guardian newspaper as saying that this budget is still not enough to rebuild and modernize the British army.
