Kemi blasts PM’s defence dithering: Anger as Burnham is set to push back vital spending review from next spring to autumn… as a top historian says UK must ‘prepare for war’
Conservatives accused Andy Burnham and the Government of delaying decisions on defence spending after reports that a review expected next spring could be pushed back until autumn next year. The possible delay matters because the review is meant to set out how Britain will fund rearmament, while critics say the country needs to strengthen its defences now.
A Whitehall source described next October as the working assumption, though the Treasury said no date had been set and called the reports speculation. The Government faces an estimated £5 billion defence funding shortfall and a target of raising defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP. Historian Sir Niall Ferguson urged Britain to prepare for war, warning that it lacks adequate air defences against Russian ballistic missiles; the Conservatives have proposed a £10 billion “Britannia Shield” system.
- Defence spending review may be delayed until next autumn.
- Treasury says no date has been set.
- Conservatives propose a £10 billion air defence system.
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Britain is conducting a major review of defence spending to determine funding for military rearmament. This review is significant because the country faces an estimated £5 billion defence funding shortfall and has committed to increasing defence spending to 3 per cent of national economic output.
A particular focus is Britain's air defences against Russian ballistic missiles, which defence experts believe are currently inadequate. Some defence specialists and historians have warned that the country must urgently prepare for potential conflict, with proposals including a £10 billion "Britannia Shield" system to improve air defences.
The review was scheduled to be completed next spring, but reports suggest it could be delayed until autumn next year. There is disagreement about whether this delay is acceptable, with critics arguing that Britain cannot afford to wait to strengthen its defences.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Taking more time to conduct a thorough defence spending review allows the Government to properly assess military needs, economic constraints, and strategic priorities rather than rushing to an arbitrary spring deadline. A more considered approach conducted in autumn could result in better-informed decisions about how to allocate resources and meet the 3 per cent GDP target in a fiscally sustainable way.
The case against
With Russia's military posture presenting documented threats to UK airspace and defence capabilities, delaying a spending review until autumn wastes critical months when Britain urgently needs to accelerate rearmament and address genuine security vulnerabilities. The review has already been anticipated; postponing it further signals insufficient urgency about strengthening defences when speed is essential to close the identified funding gaps.