Mr Sunak dismissed warnings that stepping back from his predecessor Liz Truss's target would be seen as a sign of weakness by Russian President Vladimir Putin at a time when the West is supporting Ukraine's resistance to his invasion.
The PM announced the award of a new £4.2bn contract to BAE Systems to build five more warships for the Royal Navy, in a move he said would bolster the UK's ability to counter Russian aggression.
In one of his final acts as prime minister, Boris Johnson pledged to increase defence spending from the current 2.1 per cent of GDP to 2.5 by the end of the decade, and Ms Truss ramped this up to 3 per cent during her brief stint in office.
Ben Wallace, the defence secretary, had hinted he might treat any backsliding on the pledge as a resigning matter but last week indicated he was not seeking a fight on the issue, saying he would take it "Budget by Budget".
A hike to 3 per cent would cost £20bn-£25bn in real terms, at a time when chancellor Jeremy Hunt is trying to find savings and tax rises totalling up to £60bn in Thursday's statement.
この記事は The Independent の November 15, 2022 版に掲載されています。
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この記事は The Independent の November 15, 2022 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
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Rayner defies deep-rooted Tory party class prejudice
Now that Angela Rayner has been given the police all-clear over claims that she dodged tax on selling her council house, perhaps attention can be focused on evidence of a different form of misconduct in this matter - such as whether Tory MPs who led the witchhunt against her should be investigated for wasting police time?
Police take no further action on claims Rayner broke law
Angela Rayner has been vindicated, Sir Keir Starmer said last night, after police dropped a probe into Tory allegations about her council house.
GONE... IN A FLASH!
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The UK recognising the state of Palestine is long overdue
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Rather than joining the Premier League, Leeds may have to raid it for fringe players in the next Championship campaign
Fight but no light for Nadal in likely French Open adieu
The prolonged closing chapter of greats, particularly in an arena as inconsistent and undependable as professional sport, is a true tribulation of the mind.
