Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed that some capital projects on roads and energy are being revised to free up funding for defence, announcing a further £15 billion increase in defence spending over the next four years. The total defence budget will now reach almost £300 billion, marking the largest sustained increase since the 1980s.
Capital Cuts to Prioritise Defence
Speaking on the changes, Starmer said: "It means departments making better use of assets like underused land, and it means those departments with the largest capital budgets contributing more. Therefore, some capital projects, for example on roads and energy, which are important but not immediately vital, will no longer go ahead as planned. But this is about taking the necessary choices, the right choices to protect our nation."
The revision targets projects deemed non-essential in the short term, with departments holding the largest capital budgets expected to contribute the most. The government aims to redirect resources toward defence without compromising long-term infrastructure goals.
Record Defence Investment
Starmer confirmed the new spending totals, stating: "Now we are already delivering the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the 1980s – £270 billion over the spending review period. And I can announce today that under the defence investment plan, we are increasing this by a further £15bn, setting a new record of spending almost £300bn over the next four years to back our armed forces and strengthen our national security."
The additional £15 billion brings the total defence investment to nearly £300 billion over four years, underscoring the government's commitment to national security amidst evolving global threats.
