Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, has accused Prime Minister Andy Burnham of inaction on defence spending, claiming he is avoiding difficult decisions while European security deteriorates. Speaking at a campaign event, Badenoch renewed her demand that the government redirect welfare funding to increase military expenditure, setting out a fresh Conservative plan to raise defence spending to 3% of GDP by 2030 through a package of welfare reforms worth £10bn annually.
Badenoch said that
Burnham may be a people pleaser but difficult choices cannot be avoided through dither and delay. She argued the administration must
fund our defence properlyat a moment when retired military leaders have publicly questioned Britain's readiness for conflict.
In a pointed criticism of Defence Secretary Wes Streeting, Badenoch stated:
Our government is fiddling while Europe is at risk of burning. In France and Poland, leaders are taking action now against the growing Russian threat. What is our government doing? Has anyone heard from Wes Streeting, the former head of the National Union of Students, who has rocked up as defence secretary?
The dispute over defence versus welfare priorities has intensified since Burnham's remarks during prime minister's questions on 9 September, when he stated that national security could not
come at the expense of social security. Badenoch characterised this position as
dangerous, arguing it conveyed to adversaries that the government would not sacrifice welfare programmes to strengthen the military. She said the message was
heard loud and clear in Moscow as well as Manchester.
Badenoch added:
We have to stop pretending that we are living in a carefree end of history when Russia is testing our resolve week after week. It's time to get serious.
What is the Conservative defence funding proposal?
According to reporting on the Conservative plan, Badenoch's proposal includes reimposing the two-child benefit cap, reforming housing benefit and ending VAT exemptions for Motability cars as part of a £10bn annual welfare savings package. The Conservatives have also proposed capping housing benefit specifically to raise £4bn for defence spending. The party has rejected suggestions that the policy would render people homeless, instead suggesting some would need to
move somewhere cheaper.
What is the government's defence spending timeline?
The UK has committed to raising defence spending to 3.5% of national income by 2035, in line with pledges made by NATO members. However, there is mounting pressure on Chancellor John Healey to clarify how further increases will be achieved before the budget announcement next month. According to government statements, Burnham said the administration would publish a pathway to 3.5% of GDP on defence by 2035 in the spring spending review, with the date for reaching 3% to be announced at that time.
What are military leaders saying about Britain's defence readiness?
Senior retired military figures have expressed serious concern about the nation's preparedness. Admiral Lord West, a former security minister under Gordon Brown, described Britain's military as being in
quite a parlous state. He elaborated:
In many ways, one could argue we are already at war. We are certainly in the grey zone – whether it's cyber-attacks, drones getting near the edge of somewhere or threats to underwater cables.
Lord Dannatt, a former chief of the general staff, said:
My bottom line is that [previous administrations], and regretfully I would now add John Healey, are playing fast and loose with the nation's security.
What happens next?
The Conservative Party Conference will take place in Birmingham from 4 to 7 October 2026, where Badenoch is expected to elaborate further on her defence and welfare proposals. The government is also preparing its spring spending review, which will set out the pathway to meeting NATO defence commitments.
