Posted on 03/26/2025 1:42:03 AM PDT by RandFan
Rachel Reeves is set to unveil a £2.2bn boost for the UK’s defence spending at the Spring Statement, including cash to kit out Royal Navy ships with laser weapons.
The Chancellor vowed to deliver “security and national renewal” but warned “we have to move quickly in a changing world” amid rising uncertainty over future European defence.
Reeves will announce £2.2bn for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) as she delivers her keenly awaited fiscal update in the House of Commons on Wednesday, which is expected to include spending cuts to some government departments as the Treasury grapples with economic difficulties.
She is expected to tell MPs the funding is a significant step towards the UK’s new commitment to increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP from April 2027, as the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced last month.
Cash will be invested in refurbishing homes for military families, advanced technology for modern warfare, the Treasury said, including fitting Royal Navy ships with directed energy weapons by 2027, which emit lasers or radio frequencies to hit a £1 coin a kilometre away.
The money comes via the Prime Minister’s cuts to the international aid budget and from the Treasury reserves, and will also help fund infrastructure upgrades at Portsmouth naval sites.
Reeves is expected to say: “This government was elected to change our country… that work of change began in July – and I am proud of what we have delivered in just nine months.
And she will add: “Now our task is to secure Britain’s future in a world that is changing before our eyes. The job of a responsible government is not simply to watch this change. This moment demands an active government stepping up to secure Britain’s future.”
(Excerpt) Read more at cityam.com ...
The UK spending more on defense? For what purpose? We're cooked.
Lasers ??
Anyone awake to watch this nonsense ? It will be on lunchtime (GMT)
For what purpose? Our main military ally has turned out to be as flaky as fk.
I think the main military ally 9f the US would be Japan or S. Korea
Lasers.. Im sure Putin is quaking in his boots
So, two more years and they still can't spend more that 2.5% of GDP on their own defense. Pull US out of Europe NOW.
A whole lot of nothing.
Lasers?
They’ve watched too much of their own sci fi shows.
The Brits would go through rolling blackouts a lot to use them in any real situation.
UK is busted. They will have to cut welfare spending to boost defense spending.
I wonder if Starmer expects all those immigrants who are getting cushy payments to enlist in a forever war?
Remind me again when the last time the Japanese or South Koreans fought alongside US troops again?
$2.2 billion? We p!ss that much over the bank a day.
Getting the UK to pay their fair share of their own defense? More Trump winning!
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