13th June, 2026 | News

Badenoch Urges Welfare Cuts to Fund Defence as Government Faces Defence Spending Crisis

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to reduce welfare spending and redirect the savings toward increased defence funding, amid growing political tension over the government’s delayed defence investment plan.

In a letter sent to the Prime Minister and several senior political figures, Badenoch argued that Britain’s armed forces must be properly funded in the face of increasing global threats. She said the current funding approach is insufficient and warned against delaying defence investment.

Her intervention comes shortly after the resignations of Defence Secretary John Healey and Armed Forces Minister Al Carns, both of whom stepped down over disagreements surrounding the long-awaited Defence Investment Plan (DIP).

Call for Welfare Reform to Fund Military Spending

In her letter, Badenoch said she had previously offered cross-party cooperation on welfare reform to help generate additional funding for defence. She argued that reducing benefit spending would free up resources needed to strengthen the UK’s military capabilities.

She also claimed that opposition within the governing party would make it difficult for the Prime Minister to implement meaningful welfare cuts without support from other parties, adding that Conservative backing would be essential for passing any major reforms through Parliament.

Badenoch further referenced calls from former Labour Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair, suggesting there is broader political support for reviewing welfare expenditure to address national priorities.

Government Defends Defence Investment Plan

Downing Street said the Prime Minister had spoken with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte about the Defence Investment Plan. According to the government, NATO welcomed the UK’s increased defence spending commitments as a positive contribution to collective security.

The Prime Minister has reiterated his intention to raise defence spending to 3% of GDP in the next parliamentary term, stating that national security remains the government’s top priority.

A government spokesperson also confirmed that the Defence Investment Plan will be published before the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara.

Political Pressure Intensifies

The resignations of Healey and Carns have intensified scrutiny of the government’s handling of defence policy, with critics arguing that delays in finalising the investment plan risk undermining the UK’s military readiness and international credibility.

Badenoch’s intervention adds further pressure on the government as debates continue over how best to balance defence spending with welfare commitments in a tightening fiscal environment.