London, June 30 -- The UK government has announced a further £15bn increase in its defence spending, taking planned expenditure to almost £300bn within the span of the next four years, with ministers arguing that the ongoing global instability makes bolstering national defence a paramount requirement.
Speaking at a defence manufacturing site, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that London's annual defence spending would rise from £54bn in 2024 to almost £80bn by 2029 - a real-terms increase of 27%.
The government said defence spending would increase from the recorded 2.3% of GDP in 2024 to 2.7% by 2029, with an ambition to reach 3% during the next parliament.
Wider national security spending, including areas such as ene...