{"id":22601,"date":"2026-07-01T03:39:40","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T03:39:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/starmers-parting-gift-lays-a-trap-for-burnham-and-sets-up-a-showdown-with-trump\/"},"modified":"2026-07-01T03:39:40","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T03:39:40","slug":"starmers-parting-gift-lays-a-trap-for-burnham-and-sets-up-a-showdown-with-trump","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/starmers-parting-gift-lays-a-trap-for-burnham-and-sets-up-a-showdown-with-trump\/","title":{"rendered":"Starmer\u2019s parting gift lays a trap for Burnham and sets up a showdown with Trump"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<div data-testid=\"ad-sticky-container\" class=\"sc-37562b78-0 iLENDS\">\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 evuabm adWrapper noPrint sc-1c01c11e-0 jLbRED\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<header class=\"sc-ad76bc40-0 fNDZoQ\">\n<div class=\"sc-5cbbddda-0 hjlPcO\">\n<div data-testid=\"article-author\" class=\"sc-5cbbddda-1 hPBdKJ\">\n<div>\n<p data-testid=\"article-datetime\" class=\"sc-5cbbddda-5 hxoHkT\"><span class=\"sc-a243f860-0 gjmXPs\"><time data-testid=\"storytile-timestamp\" datetime=\"2026-07-01T11:39:33+10:00\">July 1, 2026<!-- --> &mdash; 11:39am<\/time><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-7132c98c-0 efdRpd noPrint\" data-testid=\"article-actions\">\n<div class=\"sc-7132c98c-1 iddmiW\">\n<div class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-0 kbEYga\" readability=\"6.3137254901961\"><button aria-checked=\"false\" aria-label=\"Save article to read later\" role=\"switch\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-1 kmQlMe\"><svg fill=\"none\" height=\"24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" class=\"sc-d1b14060-0 TUyao\"><path d=\"M5.75 4C5.75 3.86193 5.86193 3.75 6 3.75H18C18.1381 3.75 18.25 3.86193 18.25 4L18.25 19.7709L12.8004 16.9682C12.2981 16.7099 11.7019 16.7099 11.1996 16.9682L5.75 19.7709L5.75 4Z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-2 gaKrMl\">Save<\/span><\/button>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 kskMyR sc-d1b14060-3 cpmcTK\" role=\"tooltip\" readability=\"8.0816326530612\">\n<p class=\"sc-d1b14060-4 JmUoF\">You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n<p>Remove items from your saved list to add more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><button aria-label=\"Set font size to normal\" aria-pressed=\"true\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 yiNod\">A<\/button><button aria-label=\"Set font size to larger\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 frqtnv\">A<\/button><button aria-label=\"Set font size to very large\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 frqrHP\">A<\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<aside class=\"sc-6f94ac39-6 esmrVF\"><\/aside>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"21\">\n<p><strong>London:<\/strong> Britain is exposed to a new fight with Donald Trump over the US president&rsquo;s demand for higher spending on defence &ndash; and it could not come at a worse time.<\/p>\n<p>The likely clash is revealed in a UK blueprint that appears to miss a key target agreed with Trump and other NATO leaders a year ago, even though it outlines &pound;15 billion ($29 billion) in new spending on defence over the next four years.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 ZrhPA\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 dyWwUw\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.153%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/0f180dedd24a6c2021376126bc9583a51982d7f0, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.153%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/0f180dedd24a6c2021376126bc9583a51982d7f0 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.153%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/0f180dedd24a6c2021376126bc9583a51982d7f0, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.153%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/0f180dedd24a6c2021376126bc9583a51982d7f0 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"British Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks following the release of a long-delayed defence spending plan.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.153,%24multiply_0.7725,%24ratio_1.5,%24width_756,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/0f180dedd24a6c2021376126bc9583a51982d7f0\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.153%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/0f180dedd24a6c2021376126bc9583a51982d7f0, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.153%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/0f180dedd24a6c2021376126bc9583a51982d7f0 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ldCIuB\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"internal-linking-related-contents\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/12-weeks-jail-for-school-it-support-technician-who-took-upskirt-videos-of-teachers\/\" class=\"template-1\"><span class=\"cta\">News :<\/span><span class=\"postTitle\">&lt;div&gt;12 weeks' jail for school IT support technician who took upskirt videos of teachers&lt;\/div&gt;<\/span><\/a><\/div><p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 iMiYlW\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"><\/path><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/p><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 SuAZY\"><span>British Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks following the release of a long-delayed defence spending plan.<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jfXEoI\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jfhtQZ\">Getty Images<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>British Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued the plan on Tuesday in London with a pledge that it would help the country fend off &ldquo;bullies and dictators&rdquo;, such as Russian President Vladimir Putin.<\/p>\n<p>The document features important statements about the UK&rsquo;s work with Australia on missiles, underwater drones and the new fleet of AUKUS submarines.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 yKpxh adWrapper noPrint sc-6f94ac39-3 fDyKLW\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"28.125\">\n<p>But the grand vision falls short of Trump&rsquo;s demand last year that NATO allies spend 3.5 per cent of their economic output on defence by 2035. It seems to approach about 3 per cent instead, and the shortfall is more than a rounding error.<\/p>\n<p>The document, known as the defence investment plan, was meant to come out last year but was stuck in the destructive vortex of the ruling Labour Party when it was fighting over its policies, its budget and its leadership.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 ZrhPA\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 dyWwUw\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.149%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/2d36806ecd22833c7452f7e4c9caba251f1c053e, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.149%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/2d36806ecd22833c7452f7e4c9caba251f1c053e 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.149%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/2d36806ecd22833c7452f7e4c9caba251f1c053e, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.149%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/2d36806ecd22833c7452f7e4c9caba251f1c053e 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Starmer&rsquo;s likely successor as prime minister, Andy Burnham.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.149,%24multiply_0.7725,%24ratio_1.5,%24width_756,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/2d36806ecd22833c7452f7e4c9caba251f1c053e\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.149%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/2d36806ecd22833c7452f7e4c9caba251f1c053e, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.149%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/2d36806ecd22833c7452f7e4c9caba251f1c053e 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ldCIuB\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 iMiYlW\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"><\/path><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/p><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 SuAZY\"><span>Starmer&rsquo;s likely successor as prime minister, Andy Burnham.<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jfXEoI\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jfhtQZ\">Getty Images<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"internal-linking-related-contents\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/migrant-acquitted-in-first-trial-over-us-border-military-zones\/\" class=\"template-1\"><span class=\"cta\">News :<\/span><span class=\"postTitle\">Migrant acquitted in first trial over US border military zones<\/span><\/a><\/div><p>This means there are grave doubts about whether Britain is doing enough to defend itself at a time when Putin presents such a threat to Europe.<\/p>\n<p>The former defence minister, John Healey, who quit the cabinet last month in a dispute over funding the new plan, said on Tuesday that the funding was not enough. Former armed forces minister Al Carns, a former army officer who also quit during last month&rsquo;s dispute, criticised the plan for not providing enough funding or detail.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 yKpxh adWrapper noPrint sc-6f94ac39-3 fDyKLW\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"28.665706051873\">\n<p>The timing is a mess. Firstly, Starmer has issued the document when he has little authority because he is about to step down. Secondly, his likely successor as prime minister, Andy Burnham, is yet to name his team and does not look ready to tackle big decisions on defence.<\/p>\n<p>Thirdly, NATO leaders will gather at a summit in Ankara, in Turkey, next week to confirm a spending boost for defence. This will shine a spotlight on whether the British plan meets the benchmark.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 ZrhPA\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 dyWwUw\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.133%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/bb69ec30aeab9e663e3983e03a636002f0dcbd4a, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.133%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/bb69ec30aeab9e663e3983e03a636002f0dcbd4a 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.133%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/bb69ec30aeab9e663e3983e03a636002f0dcbd4a, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.133%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/bb69ec30aeab9e663e3983e03a636002f0dcbd4a 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves during a visit to Malloy Aeronautics in Berkshire on Tuesday.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.133,%24multiply_0.7725,%24ratio_1.5,%24width_756,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/bb69ec30aeab9e663e3983e03a636002f0dcbd4a\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.133%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/bb69ec30aeab9e663e3983e03a636002f0dcbd4a, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.133%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/bb69ec30aeab9e663e3983e03a636002f0dcbd4a 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ldCIuB\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 iMiYlW\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"><\/path><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/p><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 SuAZY\"><span>Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves during a visit to Malloy Aeronautics in Berkshire on Tuesday.<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jfXEoI\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jfhtQZ\">Getty Images<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>And Trump will be watching. Starmer will attend, but everyone knows he is on the way out.<\/p>\n<p>If the clashes of the past year are any guide, this will be the first big test for Burnham in how he handles Trump. The two will not meet at the NATO gathering because Burnham is not expected to become prime minister for several weeks. In what is now a mere formality, Labour officials have set July 16 as the closing date for candidates to nominate for the leadership.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 yKpxh adWrapper noPrint sc-6f94ac39-3 fDyKLW\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"25.408014571949\">\n<p>The usual approach at NATO is to meet the US president&rsquo;s demand for higher spending. This happened at the summit in The Hague last year, except for one big exception: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, from the left.<\/p>\n<p>Burnham, whose support on the left of the Labour Party has been vital to his rise as the next prime minister, will have to decide if he plays nice with Trump or sides with Sanchez.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 ZrhPA\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 dyWwUw\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_1\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/7a2ce8dd00efb2c14dd5ee25420d49f3b8bb4d2e, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_1\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/7a2ce8dd00efb2c14dd5ee25420d49f3b8bb4d2e 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_1\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/7a2ce8dd00efb2c14dd5ee25420d49f3b8bb4d2e, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_1\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/7a2ce8dd00efb2c14dd5ee25420d49f3b8bb4d2e 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"US President Donald Trump has demanded that NATO allies spend 3.5 per cent of their economic output on defence by 2035.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.378,%24multiply_0.7725,%24ratio_1.5,%24width_756,%24x_0,%24y_1\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/7a2ce8dd00efb2c14dd5ee25420d49f3b8bb4d2e\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_1\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/7a2ce8dd00efb2c14dd5ee25420d49f3b8bb4d2e, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_1\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/7a2ce8dd00efb2c14dd5ee25420d49f3b8bb4d2e 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ldCIuB\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 iMiYlW\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"><\/path><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/p><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 SuAZY\"><span>US President Donald Trump has demanded that NATO allies spend 3.5 per cent of their economic output on defence by 2035.<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jfXEoI\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jfhtQZ\">Bloomberg<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The trap for Burnham is that the new defence document confirms a funding gap. It offers &pound;15 billion more, but would need at least another &pound;5 billion to honour the NATO agreement from last year. This means Burnham and his cabinet ministers would have to find painful budget savings.<\/p>\n<p>Leaders said at the NATO summit in The Hague last year that they would increase defence spending to 3.5 per cent of GDP by 2035. They said they would deliver another 1.5 per cent on related infrastructure &ndash; think airfields, rather than aircraft. The total would be 5 per cent by 2035.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 yKpxh adWrapper noPrint sc-6f94ac39-3 fDyKLW\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"22.609673790776\">\n<p>Starmer said on Tuesday that spending on defence was 2.3 per cent of GDP in 2024 and was &ldquo;on a trajectory&rdquo; to reach 3 per cent over the next parliament.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"sc-c8170ed7-0 kBAoLZ noPrint\" data-testid=\"related-story\">\n<h2 data-testid=\"related-story-heading\" class=\"sc-c8170ed7-1 iHMtRN\">Related Article<\/h2>\n<div class=\"sc-679b6ed4-0 VKgwt\" data-an-position=\"1\" imagepositions=\"top\" data-testid=\"story-tile\">\n<figure imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-8825a2fb-0 kZkxVd\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.3393143223325857%2C$multiply_0.2805%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_45\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/b63acd8266def1ac3e838bad08227b080bc6ad3a, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.3393143223325857%2C$multiply_0.5609%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_45\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/b63acd8266def1ac3e838bad08227b080bc6ad3a 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.3393143223325857%2C$multiply_0.2842%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_45\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/b63acd8266def1ac3e838bad08227b080bc6ad3a, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.3393143223325857%2C$multiply_0.5685%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_45\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/b63acd8266def1ac3e838bad08227b080bc6ad3a 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Pedro Sanchez\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.3393143223325857,%24multiply_0.5127,%24ratio_1.777778,%24width_1059,%24x_0,%24y_45\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/b63acd8266def1ac3e838bad08227b080bc6ad3a\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.3393143223325857%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_45\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/b63acd8266def1ac3e838bad08227b080bc6ad3a, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.3393143223325857%2C$multiply_1.0255%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_45\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/b63acd8266def1ac3e838bad08227b080bc6ad3a 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ioInpc\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Labour MP Tan Dhesi, the chair of the defence committee in the House of Commons, highlighted the problem.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It is disappointing that we do not have a clear timeline for reaching 3 per cent of GDP, let alone the pathway to 3.5 per cent, which the UK has committed to at NATO,&rdquo; he said. There is no denying the funding gap.<\/p>\n<p>Beneath the argument about percentages is a sense of alarm about British defence. The new document cites NATO warnings that Russia could be ready to use military force against the allies by 2030. It also notes that the Iran war has highlighted the need for stronger missile defence &ndash; a fact obvious to anyone watching the news.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 yKpxh adWrapper noPrint sc-6f94ac39-3 fDyKLW\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"27.621164021164\">\n<p>The head of the Royal Navy, Gwyn Jenkins, warned in December that Britain risked losing its edge over Russia in the Atlantic. &ldquo;We are holding on, but not by much,&rdquo; he said.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"sc-c8170ed7-0 kBAoLZ noPrint\" data-testid=\"related-story\">\n<h2 data-testid=\"related-story-heading\" class=\"sc-c8170ed7-1 iHMtRN\">Related Article<\/h2>\n<div class=\"sc-679b6ed4-0 VKgwt\" data-an-position=\"1\" imagepositions=\"top\" data-testid=\"story-tile\">\n<figure imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-8825a2fb-0 kZkxVd\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.299%2C$multiply_0.2805%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/3e0a5581cdf3237c7f2e07dbe3e6fb864656c758ee1a1458901a06c3c3aeaa6e, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.299%2C$multiply_0.5609%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/3e0a5581cdf3237c7f2e07dbe3e6fb864656c758ee1a1458901a06c3c3aeaa6e 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.299%2C$multiply_0.2842%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/3e0a5581cdf3237c7f2e07dbe3e6fb864656c758ee1a1458901a06c3c3aeaa6e, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.299%2C$multiply_0.5685%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/3e0a5581cdf3237c7f2e07dbe3e6fb864656c758ee1a1458901a06c3c3aeaa6e 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Putting a lid on Nigel Farage and mending fences with Donald Trump will be high on Andy Burnham&rsquo;s agenda. \" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.299,%24multiply_0.5127,%24ratio_1.777778,%24width_1059,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/3e0a5581cdf3237c7f2e07dbe3e6fb864656c758ee1a1458901a06c3c3aeaa6e\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.299%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/3e0a5581cdf3237c7f2e07dbe3e6fb864656c758ee1a1458901a06c3c3aeaa6e, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.299%2C$multiply_1.0255%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/3e0a5581cdf3237c7f2e07dbe3e6fb864656c758ee1a1458901a06c3c3aeaa6e 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ioInpc\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>The chief of the defence staff, Richard Knighton, told the BBC in June that the threats were severe. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m very clear that this is the most dangerous time I have known in my working life,&rdquo; he said. This is his third decade in the military.<\/p>\n<p>A former chief of the defence staff, Tony Radakin, offered sobering words of advice for Burnham in The Sunday Times on the weekend: &ldquo;The depressing truth is you inherit a defence program that is overcommitted.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>This does not mean AUKUS will be unfunded. The submarine program is vital to Britain&rsquo;s defence because the country needs the new fleet of submarines, in a shared design with Australia, to have an edge against Russia in the Atlantic.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 yKpxh adWrapper noPrint sc-6f94ac39-3 fDyKLW\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"26.560859188544\">\n<p>Britain has no Plan B, just as Australia has no Plan B, despite the doubts about the program. The new UK document confirms the Royal Navy will have &ldquo;up to 12&rdquo; AUKUS submarines.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"sc-c8170ed7-0 kBAoLZ noPrint\" data-testid=\"related-story\">\n<h2 data-testid=\"related-story-heading\" class=\"sc-c8170ed7-1 iHMtRN\">Related Article<\/h2>\n<div class=\"sc-679b6ed4-0 VKgwt\" data-an-position=\"1\" imagepositions=\"top\" data-testid=\"story-tile\">\n<figure imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-8825a2fb-0 kZkxVd\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2375%2C$multiply_0.2805%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_285%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/bf22dbeaff9e25b5c117149203b8e4be2ce0d2ca, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2375%2C$multiply_0.5609%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_285%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/bf22dbeaff9e25b5c117149203b8e4be2ce0d2ca 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2375%2C$multiply_0.2842%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_285%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/bf22dbeaff9e25b5c117149203b8e4be2ce0d2ca, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2375%2C$multiply_0.5685%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_285%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/bf22dbeaff9e25b5c117149203b8e4be2ce0d2ca 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and his Australian counterpart Richard Marles are expected to meet again at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore..\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.2375,%24multiply_0.5127,%24ratio_1.777778,%24width_1059,%24x_285,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/bf22dbeaff9e25b5c117149203b8e4be2ce0d2ca\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2375%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_285%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/bf22dbeaff9e25b5c117149203b8e4be2ce0d2ca, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2375%2C$multiply_1.0255%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_285%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/bf22dbeaff9e25b5c117149203b8e4be2ce0d2ca 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ioInpc\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>The UK defence investment plan outlines other work with Australia. It says underwater drones will be the &ldquo;signature project&rdquo; under AUKUS pillar two, emphasising the development of weapons for these uncrewed submarines. It mentions artificial intelligence as a collaboration in the AUKUS alliance. It names the precision strike missile, a ballistic missile fired from the HIMARS launchers, as a key project with the US and Australia.<\/p>\n<p>Britain faces a severe challenge in fixing its defences. You would not know this, however, from the months of fighting within the Labour government over its direction and leadership.<\/p>\n<p>Now the dust is starting to clear on this internal strife, Burnham has to move fast on some very hard decisions. He has to decide where he stands on the &pound;5 billion. And he has to decide where he stands with Trump.<\/p>\n<p><b><i>Get a note directly from our foreign <\/i><\/b><b><i>correspondents <\/i><\/b><b><i>on what&rsquo;s making headlines around the world. <\/i><\/b><b><i>Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter<\/i><\/b><b><i>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-testid=\"article-footer\" class=\"sc-780f6c39-0 fWnQtB\">\n<div class=\"sc-780f6c39-1 bhFzjY noPrint\">\n<div class=\"sc-780f6c39-2 ksUUFP\">\n<div class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-0 kbEYga sc-780f6c39-3 fMMhlQ\" readability=\"6.3137254901961\"><button aria-checked=\"false\" aria-label=\"Save article to read later\" role=\"switch\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-1 kmQlMe\"><svg fill=\"none\" height=\"24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" class=\"sc-d1b14060-0 TUyao\"><path d=\"M5.75 4C5.75 3.86193 5.86193 3.75 6 3.75H18C18.1381 3.75 18.25 3.86193 18.25 4L18.25 19.7709L12.8004 16.9682C12.2981 16.7099 11.7019 16.7099 11.1996 16.9682L5.75 19.7709L5.75 4Z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-2 gaKrMl\">Save<\/span><\/button>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 yEdFV sc-d1b14060-3 cpmcTK\" role=\"tooltip\" readability=\"8.0816326530612\">\n<p class=\"sc-d1b14060-4 JmUoF\">You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n<p>Remove items from your saved list to add more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-0 ksyHqK\">\n<div class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-1 LVIFj\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"David Crowe\" data-testid=\"author-avatar-image\" height=\"40\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_40,h_40,c_fill,g_auto:faces\/q_86,f_auto\/64ce109be56ceea0d7f4eb381757b1cddf9ee9b3\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_40,h_40,c_fill,g_auto:faces\/q_86,f_auto\/64ce109be56ceea0d7f4eb381757b1cddf9ee9b3, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_80%2Ch_80%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/64ce109be56ceea0d7f4eb381757b1cddf9ee9b3 2x\" width=\"40\" class=\"sc-9a01536c-0 libeSR\"><span data-testid=\"author-bio\" class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-3 cVMGnz\"><span>David Crowe is Europe correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.<\/span><span class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-4 gMBkSk\">Connect via X<span> or <\/span>email.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"sc-3dbe4134-0 iIZygf sc-df8e6ee0-0 noPrint noPrint\" data-an-name=\"From our partners\" data-an-cu-group=\"everything\" data-an-cu-name=\"From our partners\" data-an-cu-position=\"4\" data-testid=\"from-our-partners-strap\">\n<header class=\"sc-84567ec1-0 hpMljf\">\n<h2 data-pb-type=\"hi\" class=\"sc-84567ec1-1 weWOF\"><span>From our partners<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"sc-df8e6ee0-1 iJvgCK\">\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 blRVQF adWrapper noPrint sc-df8e6ee0-2 gcpFZE\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 blRVQF adWrapper noPrint sc-df8e6ee0-3 fIPZKC\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<p><sub>Starmer&rsquo;s parting gift lays a trap for Burnham and sets up a showdown with Trump<\/sub><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Advertisement July 1, 2026 &mdash; 11:39am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. AAA London: Britain is exposed to a new fight with Donald Trump over the US president&rsquo;s demand for higher spending on defence &ndash; and it could not come at a&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"more-link-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/starmers-parting-gift-lays-a-trap-for-burnham-and-sets-up-a-showdown-with-trump\/\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &ldquo;Starmer\u2019s parting gift lays a trap for Burnham and sets up a showdown with Trump&rdquo;<\/span> &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":22602,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22601","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22601","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22601"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22601\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22602"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22601"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22601"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22601"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}