PM says ‘we will honour the commitments we’ve made as part of Nato’ as defence secretary Streeting agrees Trump is right to ask for more spending
Wes Streeting has backed Donald Trump’s calls for European allies to contribute more to defence.
The US president has repeatedly hit out at European Nato allies and has demanded they reach 5 per cent of GDP on defence spending by 2035.
In his first speech as defence secretary, Mr Streeting said Mr Trump is “right” to ask for more, adding: “President Trump has called on Europe to carry a greater share of the burden for our own defence, and he is right to do so.”
Earlier Andy Burnham said he and John Healey will honour the UK’s commitments to Nato, which could include the agreement to allocate 3.5 per cent of GDP to defence spending.
Mr Burnham said: “We want to send a very clear message as prime minister and chancellor to our international colleagues that we will honour the commitments we’ve made as part of Nato to defence.”
Andy Burnham has denied claims he has U-turned on plans to raise the personal allowance from when people start to pay income tax from £12,570.
On Monday he told journalists that it was the issue which came up most on the doorsteps when he was campaigning to win the Makerfield by-election, but could not commit to anything until he had seen the books.
On his visit to the South West today, he said: “There is no commitment at this point to change, but we will look at that at in the Budget”
He also insisted that he would attempt to be honest with people about what he can and cannot do.
He said: “Well, it’s funny these days you can’t answer a question honestly without then people reading everything else into it.
“I want to answer questions honestly in this job, as I said before. I think that’s all about trust in politics and doing politics differently, and I’m determined to keep keep working in that way.
“It was raised a lot, but I then went on to say, ‘But we’ll have to look at it at the budget alongside everything else’. So no commitment, no unfunded promise.
“It’s just perhaps the way politics is these days and the way people report things, but that was an honest answer. There is no commitment at this point to change, but we will look at that at the budget.”
The Green Party said lower fares are no use “if buses aren’t there” as they called for more services.
A party spokesperson said: “On buses we’ve now gone full circle – we are heading back to the £2 cap introduced by the Conservatives and raised to £3 under Keir Starmer.
“Temporary cuts to bus fares are welcome but we need a new direction of travel.
“We need to permanently offer free travel to all those under 22, and we need to see extensive investment in routes and an increase in services so that taking the bus is a realistic option for many more communities across England.
“Lower fares are no use if buses aren’t there in the first place.”
Here are the policies that have been confirmed or suggested by the Burnham government so far:
In his first speech as defence secretary, Wes Streeting has backed Donald Trump’s calls for European allies to contribute more to defence.
The US president has repeatedly hit out at European Nato allies and has demanded they reach 5 per cent of GDP on defence spending by 2035.
On Wednesday, Mr Streeting said Mr Trump is “right” to ask for more, and said: “President Trump has called on Europe to carry a greater share of the burden for our own defence, and he is right to do so.
“The UK has always been a leading light on defence spending, but the world is changing and in these dangerous uncertain times it is clear that we have needed to go further.”
Wes Streeting has thanked the defence industry for “persevering” through the chaotic rollout of Sir Keir Starmer’s defence investment plan.
The new defence secretary acknowledged the months leading to the DIP “weren’t easy” for the industry, but hailed Andy Burnham’s premiership and his appointment of former defence secretary John Healey as chancellor as an “opportunity”.
“What an opportunity we have with this prime minister and this chancellor,” he said in a speech at Farnborough air show on Wednesday. “They both understand defence. They understand the immediate pressures and priorities that defence is facing.”
He added: “I know that the months leading up to the dip weren’t easy for many of you in this room and beyond. I thank you on behalf of the government for persevering. With a plan now published, I’m relying on all of you to make it a success.”
Andy Burnham will review the previous government’s early release scheme following backlash over the early release of two of the perpetrators in the killing of police officer Andrew Harper.
Referring to concerns from the family of PC Harper about early release of two of his killers, the new prime minister said: “I feel for the family, it’s an appalling crime that was committed. The main perpetrator will not be subject to any early release. Of course, others involved have potentially been identified.
“But I’ve spoken to the new justice secretary. He will review the policy together and make further statements in due course.”
Chancellor John Healey is “right behind” Andy Burnham’s drive to ease the cost of living, the prime minister said.
Speaking to reporters in Bath, Mr Burnham said: “I asked the entire Cabinet at our first meeting yesterday to prioritise cost of living measures above all else.
“People are struggling, life is too hard. This Government will make life more affordable.
“Now, I know a £2 cap on bus fares doesn’t solve everything but it shows the direction in which we are going and the chancellor is right behind that with me.”
Mr Burnham added the Defence Investment Plan, unveiled before his premiership, “will have a big impact on jobs”.
He said: “The instruction I’ve given is to maximise that impact for British industry.
“In the past, as a country, we’ve been too willing, I think, to buy from anywhere.
“Well, going forward, I want to ensure that British industry is supported, prioritised.”
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