Kemi Badenoch accused the prime minister of being “paralysed” over defence spending at Prime Minister’s Questions, as a group of MPs warned the chronic delay in publishing the government’s investment plan has harmed the military and left the country less safe.
The clash came against a bleak backdrop: the streets of Belfast had tumbled into violence the night before. Both Starmer and Badenoch acknowledged the rioting, appealing for calm. “No one has the right to burn people out of their homes,” Badenoch said. Starmer lawyerly declared his government will ensure “justice is done”.
“Starmer accused of dithering over defence as MPs warn delay has left UK less safe.”
But for most of the session, the pair traded insults over whose party had inflicted the most damage to the UK’s defence capabilities. The Defence Investment Plan – due in autumn 2025 and now still unpublished in summer 2026 – was at the heart of the dispute. Badenoch accused Starmer of being unable to decide because Labour MPs are unwilling to cut “bloated” welfare spending. She pressed him to rule out further tax rises to pay for the funding boost the Ministry of Defence is seeking.
The prime minister said the plan would be published before a Nato summit next month, and accused the Tories of failing the armed forces during their 14 years in power. But the publication has been delayed after the MoD reportedly asked for an extra £28bn over the next four years. Reports suggest Starmer is preparing to unveil an additional £13.5bn after negotiations, possibly in the coming days.
Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle warned ministers against publishing the plan when MPs are not in Westminster, calling it a “disgrace” and “an utter kick in the face” to members. Defence Secretary John Healey later said he respected parliament, suggesting the plan would not be published on Friday when the House is not sitting. The earliest it could now appear is next Monday before the prime minister heads to France for a G7 summit.
Badenoch drew on the words of former Labour defence secretary George Robertson, echoing his calls for Starmer to cut the welfare budget to fund defence. Starmer reiterated he would not be “taking lectures from the party opposite”.
Questions on the Belfast violence came from backbenchers. DUP leader Gavin Robinson, whose East Belfast constituency was flooded with violence, called on the PM to close “the porous border between our country and the Irish republic.” Independent MP Ayoub Khan asked what “pure cold actions” the government would take against those inciting violence based on skin colour.
Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice brought the debate back to immigration, accusing the PM of being “in denial of the rising despair across the country over his failure to stop the boats”. Starmer responded by accusing Tice of whipping up fear and exploiting the murder of Henry Nowak. Tice shouted “Shame on you!” as he waved his order paper.
The delay has left the UK less safe and undermined its credibility, the group of MPs warned. But the prime minister said he would not be taking lectures from the Tories.