Starmer to Burnham: It’s your job to fund defense now – POLITICO

LONDON — Keir Starmer has published a long-awaited plan to spend billions of pounds on defense that could cement his legacy as a world statesman. In doing so, he has effectively tied his successor’s hands.

The British prime minister’s speech heralding the arrival of the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) will probably be the last major piece of policy he announces before stepping down, with Andy Burnham all but certain to take over as leader in three weeks. 

He announced an extra £15 billion for the armed forces to meet the greatest threats facing the U.K., including £5 billion towards autonomous systems such as drones and uncrewed vehicles. The defense budget now sits at almost £300 billion over the next four years.