Starmer mulls bringing forward 3pc defence spending ambition
By Iain Gilbert
Date: Monday 16 Feb 2026
(Sharecast News) - Keir Starmer was reported to be weighing a sizeable increase in UK defence spending, according to the BBC, with Downing Street examining whether to bring forward an existing target at a potential cost of several billion pounds.
The British prime minister signalled a more urgent stance at the Munich Security Conference over the weekend, telling delegates that the UK would "have to spend more, faster" to meet growing global threats.
He previously committed to raising core defence spending to 2.5% of gross domestic product by April 2027, alongside an ambition to reach 3% in the next parliament.
However, the BBC said officials were now looking at proposals to hit the 3% level by the end of the current parliament, which could run until 2029. BBC also noted that no decision has been taken and that the Treasury was understood to be cautious.
The idea was discussed at a recent meeting on the long‑delayed defence investment plan, amid reports that the Ministry of Defence would require an additional £28bn over the next four years to meet existing commitments. The Office for Budget Responsibility has previously estimated that lifting defence spending to 3% of GDP would cost an extra £17.3bn a year by 2029‑30.
Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com
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