GB News was forced to pause regular programming for a breaking news alert as Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch delivered a scathing critique of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's defence spending plan during Prime Minister's Questions. Badenoch labelled the proposal a 'total dereliction of duty' and claimed it falls short by £5 billion.
Starmer's Defence Plan Under Fire
Sir Keir Starmer unveiled his long-delayed £15 billion defence investment plan on Monday, June 30, just one week after announcing his resignation as prime minister and leader of the Labour Party. He will remain in office until the conclusion of the 2026 Labour Party leadership election, expected in the autumn. The plan, intended to boost UK defences over four years, has only £10.3 billion in identified funding, leaving a significant gap.
Former Military Officer Reacts
Former Military Officer James Sunderland discussed the update on GB News, describing the situation as a 'serious issue'. He said: 'Defence is the department on which most politicians agree. There's less friction between the two frontbenches because people agree that defence is the prime role of government. Keeping our people safe is very important.'
Sunderland added: 'The fact this is front and centre of PMQs shows this is a very serious issue. The fact we are going to be at least five billion pounds, at least, short on what is needed is a significant thing.'
Funding Gaps and Capability Concerns
When asked about the current state of politics, Sunderland remarked: 'It's nonsense in my view. I think the government must fund a defence.' He recalled his service during the Gulf War, noting 'not having enough equipment to go round' and emphasised he understood the importance of proper funding. 'This is about long funding, equipment, capital spending, but it's also about cash. It's about now. What's really important today is that we find the money to fill the capability gaps.'
Sunderland stressed the need for comprehensive investment: 'We need something of everything. We're operating in five domains now, not three. Not just air, land and sea, it's also cyber and space. Technology is changing all the time and the lessons of the Ukraine war are quite clear to me.' He also highlighted the strain on the military: 'We've given away most of our land equipment to Ukraine, so we need to rebuild the army very quickly. This is about restoration, but it's also about transforming our armed forces. There are many reasons why this money is very important.'
Call for Higher Investment
Sunderland argued that Starmer's plan does not allocate enough money, declaring that defence requires a £28 billion investment instead of the promised £15 billion. The shortfall has sparked widespread criticism, with Badenoch's PMQs attack underscoring the political fallout. The breaking alert on GB News highlighted the gravity of the issue as viewers reacted strongly to the defence funding crisis.
