Can the Government boost defence spending without wielding the axe?

Sir Keir Starmer announced a huge increase in defence spending this week, but opposition critics warn it could hit other services

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The Prime Minister said he was “100 per cent confident” the plans in the new Strategic Defence Review (SDR) announced this week - including extra attack submarines, £15 billion on nuclear warheads and thousands of new long-range weapons - could be delivered on current funding plans.

The Government will increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent of gross domestic product from April 2027 with an ambition - but no firm commitment - to increase it to three per cent during the next parliament.

The Government has pledged to accept all 62 recommendations in the review, which says that there is “no scope” to reduce the number of regulars in the Army, RAF or Navy.

Defence Secretary John Healey told the House of Commons the SDR is “not about cuts”, amid concerns the plans will be funded at the expense of existing programmes.