UK to reallocate portion of foreign aid budget to defence

The United Kingdom says it will increase its annual defence spending to 2.5 percent of its GDP by 2027.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the move is part of the UK’s efforts to boost Europe’s security.

Starmer spoke on Tuesday ahead of his Wednesday flight to Washington for a meeting with US President Donald Trump.

Trump has, in recent times, made a US diplomatic turn by backing long-time European allies and cozying to Russia.

Starmer told the British parliament he was proposing an increase in defence outlay as the US spearheads talks with Russia over its war in Ukraine.

The prime minister said the UK’s aid budget would be reduced from 0.5 percent of gross national income to 0.3 percent in 2027, “fully funding the investment in defence”.

This would mean spending £13.4 billion more on defence every year from 2027, Starmer noted.

Last year, the UK spent £53.9 billion on defence.

Pete Hegseth, US defence secretary, praised the move as a “strong step from an enduring partner”.

UK charities, however, criticised Starmer for the budget reshuffle, calling it a shift from the country’s values.

Asked if pressure from Trump had pushed him to act, Starmer said it was “very much my decision, based on my assessment of the circumstances that we face as a country”.

He later added that “the last few weeks have accelerated my thinking”.

European leaders have scrambled to pacify Trump who now has a frosty relationship with Ukraine. They expressed concerns over being left out of the peace process that the US is embarking on with Russia.

On Monday, Starmer announced a record £4.3 billion in military aid package to Ukraine.

The UK PM said it was part of efforts to force Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war with Ukraine and make concessions.