Andy Burnham has said national security 'can't come at the expense of social security', as he was challenged over funding for defence at Prime Minister's Questions. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch pressed Burnham over whether he would spend 3% of GDP on defence by 2030 and how he would pay for this. The PM said the government's commitment to defence was 'absolute' and he would set a target date to reach the 3% figure in the spring.
Burnham said he would fund defence and reduce welfare spending by changing education, supporting young people, and providing more mental health support. The Conservatives seized on Burnham's comments, with a party spokesperson claiming he would not cut welfare to fund defence. Burnham repeated that the government would meet NATO's target of spending 3.5% of GDP on defence by 2035, with a 3% target set in the spring spending review.
He appointed John Healey, who previously resigned as Keir Starmer’s defence secretary over the government’s failure to commit to a 2030 3% target. Badenoch argued 2035 was too late and questioned Burnham’s willingness to meet the 2030 target. Burnham insisted he would fund defence without cutting welfare, rejecting a Conservative plan to save £4bn by reducing housing benefit, citing potential homelessness.
He said Labour would tackle welfare by reducing the number of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEETs). Badenoch accused Burnham of being 'continuity Keir', while figures show welfare spending is forecast to rise to £408.6bn by 2030/31, with a focus on NEETs.
Source: BBC
