# Labour at war over defence cash increase as Streeting blasts senior backbencher over ‘unfair’ criticism of government inaction

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/labour-at-war-over-defence-cash-increase-as-streeting-blasts-senior-backbencher-over-unfair-criticism-of-government-inaction/
- Published: 2026-10-29T16:10:41+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-29T16:53:18+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16249835/Labour-war-defence-cash-Streeting-unfair-criticism.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: Government, Politics, World

## Key points

- Streeting rejects Dhesi’s criticism of defence funding plans.
- Dhesi wants a clear path to 3 per cent of GDP.
- The Conservatives say the Government has yet to set out that plan.

## Summary

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting rejected criticism from Labour MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, who said key decisions on military investment had been delayed and warned this could leave the UK vulnerable in a major conflict. The dispute highlights disagreement within Labour over whether current funding plans provide a sufficiently clear route to increasing defence spending.

Streeting said the Government had already delivered the fastest rise in defence spending since the Cold War ended, while Dhesi welcomed continued support for Ukraine but called for a precise path to spending 3 per cent, eventually 3.5 per cent, of GDP on defence. He said important decisions had been postponed until next year’s spending review. Conservative shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge criticised Streeting’s remarks as disrespectful and argued the Government still lacked a plan to reach 3 per cent.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.