![Starmer pressured by army chiefs on defence spending](https://cdn.magzter.com/1591272633/1720583425/articles/E3vpidW5P1720584796190/STARMER-PRESSURED-BY-ARMY-CHIEFS-ON-DEFENCE-SPENDING.jpg)
Sir Keir Starmer has doubled down on his "iron commitment" to increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent but waded into a row with military chiefs as he failed to set a timetable to meet his pledge.
The new prime minister flew to the Nato summit in Washington DC with his wife Victoria yesterday for his first international visit since winning the general election last week. With the situation at crisis point in Ukraine after Vladimir Putin’s Russian army bombed a children’s hospital and Voydymyr Zelensky’s forces warned they are running out of ammunition, the defence gathering is being billed as the most important since the invasion began.
During the recent UK election campaign, Sir Keir was challenged repeatedly by his predecessor Rishi Sunak whether he would meet the Conservative commitment to 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence by 2030 after the Tories tried to make it an issue with voters. While the prime minister continues to resist setting a date to match the spending rise, he has revealed he will launch his first Strategic Defence and Security Review next week, which should provide a timetable and priorities on spending.
On the flight to Washington yesterday, Sir Keir said: “We will carry out our strategic review to look at the challenges. the capabilities, and on the back of that make further plans. I’m committed to the 2.5 per cent within our fiscal rules, [but] that strategic review needs to come first.”
He added: “Today, tomorrow, and the next day is all about standing together with our allies … discussing practically how we provide further support for Ukraine and send a very, very clear message to Putin that we will stand against Russian aggression wherever it is in the world.”
This story is from the July 10, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 10, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
!['I didn't think I'd make it'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1829729/x4eZeDeQG1726122253187/I-DIDNT-THINK-ID-MAKE-IT.jpg)
'I didn't think I'd make it'
Adam Smith, the commentator with a voice synonymous with boxing’, tells Alex Pattle about his enforced absence from the sport and his agonising battle with cancer
![England charge back after early Australian fireworks](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1829729/ED9yWaEBc1726122191579/ENGLAND-CHARGE-BACK-AFTER-EARLY-AUSTRALIAN-FIREWORKS.jpg)
England charge back after early Australian fireworks
England weathered some early fireworks from Travis Head to restrict Australia to 179 in their series-opening T20 against Australia.
![Reeves must cut the gloom to return the UK to growth](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1829729/KyyHwe6MK1726122036635/REEVES-MUST-CUT-THE-GLOOM-TO-RETURN-THE-UK-TO-GROWTH.jpg)
Reeves must cut the gloom to return the UK to growth
Not many people are inclined to feel much sympathy for Rachel Reeves at the moment the cut to winter fuel payments could hardly have gone down worse but she’s been dealt a dismal hand. And now the economy has stalled on her.
![Stones opens up on Euros hurt and Harry's hundred.](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1829729/yb828pjQ41726122110507/STONES-OPENS-UP-ON-EUROS-HURT-AND-HARRYS-HUNDRED.jpg)
Stones opens up on Euros hurt and Harry's hundred.
Defender eyes century of caps as young Lions add energy’
![‘Age gap, schmage gap - it's a bit cringe, but love is love'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1829729/VjUSLsxxY1726121857717/AGE-GAP-SCHMAGE-GAP-ITS-A-BIT-CRINGE-BUT-LOVE-IS-LOVE.jpg)
‘Age gap, schmage gap - it's a bit cringe, but love is love'
Harriet Dyer and Patrick Brammall are co-writers, co-stars, and married. They tell Ellie Harrison what it’s like to work together on their hit comedy series Colin from Accounts’
![How 'Funeral' cost Arcade Fire blood, sweat and tears](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1829729/r5O_9AXQm1726120404856/HOW-FUNERAL-COST-ARCADE-FIRE-BLOOD-SWEAT-AND-TEARS.jpg)
How 'Funeral' cost Arcade Fire blood, sweat and tears
Mark Beaumont talks to members of the band about how the seminal album was shaped by death, near-fatal live shows and the Montreal music scene, 20 years since its initial release
!['I realised he could kill me](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1829729/r_sw6sZFE1726120065066/I-REALISED-HE-COULD-KILL-ME.jpg)
'I realised he could kill me
After James Barr’s ex became abusive, the comedian ended up living in fear of his partner. He believes we need to talk more about domestic violence in the queer community
!['I use my fuel allowance to go out for dinner at The Ivy'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1829729/RSNIBd7PM1726119958803/I-USE-MY-FUEL-ALLOWANCE-TO-GO-OUT-FOR-DINNER-AT-THE-IVY.jpg)
'I use my fuel allowance to go out for dinner at The Ivy'
As the backlash grows over the decision to cut the benefit for some pensioners, Zoe Beaty heads to Harrogate in Yorkshire where she nears two very different takes on Labour’s policy
![Where's a warm winter trip outside the Schengen area?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1829729/TnigoyL6V1726119855147/WHERES-A-WARM-WINTER-TRIP-OUTSIDE-THE-SCHENGEN-AREA.jpg)
Where's a warm winter trip outside the Schengen area?
A Brexit really does keep on giving, doesn’t it? The decision to leave the European Union was followed by the UK securing its status as a “third country”, alongside Paraguay and East Timor, thereby making British travellers subject to all kinds of red tape.
![The thrilling tale of six days that changed Britain forever](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/22095/1829729/-EyElmB-K1726119647748/THE-THRILLING-TALE-OF-SIX-DAYS-THAT-CHANGED-BRITAIN-FOREVER.jpg)
The thrilling tale of six days that changed Britain forever
Ben Macintyre’s unputdownable new book The Siege’ tells the story of an SAS op like no other, writes Robert McCrum