Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faced a tough grilling at Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, as Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch tore into his controversial defence investment plan with a brutal four-word attack: 'does not add up'.
Badenoch Questions Defence Spending
Speaking in the Commons, Badenoch insisted the £15 billion plan to fund the military was insufficient, arguing that the armed forces actually needed £28 billion more to adequately defend the country. She quoted the defence secretary's resignation letter from three weeks prior, which stated: 'I am being forced to make decisions that would increase the risk to personnel on operations and could make the country less safe.'
Badenoch highlighted that since that letter, the Prime Minister had only increased spending by 0.01%. 'We can count, the generals can count, the Kremlin can count. His plan does not add up. How can the Prime Minister possibly stand there and say that this is enough?' she demanded.
Starmer Defends the Plan
In response, Starmer defended the plan, stating it would take defence spending to £300 billion over the next four years. He insisted the plan had been welcomed by the Chief of Defence Staff, the First Sea Lord, and the Chief of the Air Staff. 'All people who know what is in the plan, and welcome it. Contrast that with their record in government, because they hollowed out the armed forces,' he said.
Question on £5 Billion Black Hole
Badenoch also pressed Starmer on whether Andy Burnham, the Member for Makerfield, knew about the £5 billion black hole in the plan. She described the plan as having 'unravelled' and called it 'a total dereliction of duty'. She asked: 'Did the member for Makerfield know that he was going to have to find £5 billion for the Prime Minister's plan?'
Starmer replied: 'We are in power with record investment in defence and security. I am proud of this Labour Government and any Labour prime minister would stand behind this plan.'
Badenoch's Final Jab
Badenoch then noted: 'It does not sound like he has told the member for Makerfield to find £5 billion.' She added: 'The reason that he is in this mess is because he was too weak to cut welfare when he had the chance. There are only three ways to find the missing £5 billion: increase borrowing, increase taxes, or cut welfare. Which one will he recommend to the member for Makerfield?'
