Prime Minister Andy Burnham has confirmed the government's intention to increase defence spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035. During Prime Minister's Questions, Mr Burnham stated that the Chancellor had been chosen specifically to deliver this target.
Mr Burnham rejected the idea of a trade-off between national security and social security. He criticised a Conservative plan to cut housing benefits by £4bn to fund defence, arguing it would increase the number of homeless people.
The Prime Minister indicated that funding for both national security and essential welfare budgets would be sourced from elsewhere. He asked for patience from the Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, stating that details would be revealed in the upcoming budget and strategic defence review.