Strategic defence review live: Starmer warns of Russia threat as he launches plan to ready UK for war

Independent

2 days ago

Sir Keir Starmer warned that Britain 'cannot ignore the threat Russia poses,' as he prepares to unveil new measures to put the country on war footing.
The prime minister said the world is facing the greatest instability it has for years, ahead of announcing the government's long-awaited strategic defence review.
When asked if Britain would go to war with Russia if it invaded a Nato member such as Lithuania, he told BBC Radio 4: 'I very much hope not, and in order to make sure that that isn't the case, we need to prepare. But we cannot ignore the threat that Russia poses.'
Later on Monday morning, Sir Keir will unveil new defence measures as a government review concludes that Britain should be ready for war in Europe or the Atlantic.
He will pledge to build up to 12 new nuclear-powered attack submarines and invest £15 billion in the nation's warhead programme.
However, the PM has faced questions as the announcements come without further spending promises.
He said he would not 'indulge in the fantasy politics of simply plucking dates from the air' when it came to the commitment to raise defence spending to 3 per cent of GDP.
Starmer to unveil defence review shortly
Sir Keir Starmer is set to unveil the government's long-awaited strategic defence review shortly.
The prime minister will announce new measures and then face questions from members of the media in Scotland.
We will bring you the latest updated here.
Athena Stavrou2 June 2025 09:39
Listen: Starmer warns of Russia threat as he launches plan to ready UK for war
Athena Stavrou2 June 2025 09:36
Recap: Starmer warns of 'changing world' ahead of defence announcement
Sir Keir Starmer appeared on BBC Radio 4 on Monday morning to speak about the government's new defence measures.
If you're just joining us now, here is a recap of what he said:
• He said Britain must 'prepare' for war in Europe.
• He warned that the world is facing the greatest instability it has for 'many, many years'.
• Sir Keir faced questions on the lack of spending promises alongside the new defence measures, to which he said 'indulge in the fantasy politics of simply plucking dates [for more spending] from the air'.
• He warned that Britain 'cannot ignore the threat Russia poses'.
Athena Stavrou2 June 2025 09:25
Starmer says he does not regret winter fuel payment cuts
Away from defence policy, Sir Keir Starmer has also addressed his government's U-turn on winter fuel cuts.
Appearing BBC Radio 4's Today programme, the prime minister suggested ministers do not regret the decision to means-test the winter fuel payment, even as they are planning steps to partially reverse the move.
'I want to look again at where the threshold is. That's for sure. I'll be clear with you,' he said.
'In relation to that, I do think it was our duty to stabilise the economy and to fill in that £22 billion black hole. And I'm not going to resile from that.'
Ministers 'need to be absolutely clear where the money is coming from' before they set out details of a partial U-turn on the winter fuel payment, Sir Keir said.
He added: 'But I take your point, which is that if we want to look again at which pensioners are eligible, then the sooner we have clarity on that, the better.'
Athena Stavrou2 June 2025 09:17
How many submarines does the Royal Navy currently have?
Sir Keir Starmer is set to announce that Britain will build up to 12 new nuclear-powered submarines.
Currently, the Royal Navy operates nine submarines, including five Astute-class conventionally armed nuclear-powered attack vessels. The Astute class is Britain's largest and most advanced fleet of submarines.
The remaining four are Vanguard-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBN), which carry the UK's Trident nuclear missile system.
A new group, the Dreadnought class, will be introduced in the early 2030s. These will be both nuclear-powered and ballistic missile-armed.
2 June 2025 09:04
'The sooner the better,' Starmer says on winter fuel U-turn
The Independent's Political Correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
Sir Keir Starmer has said 'the sooner… the better' on when his U-turn on winter fuel cuts will take effect.
The prime minister has vowed to restore the payments to some pensioners after a furious backlash.
And, hinting a decision could come as soon as next week's spending review, he said: 'If we want to look again at which pensioners are eligible, then the sooner we have clarity on that, the better.'
But, asked about the cuts, he said they were 'the right thing to do' given Labour's economic inheritance after the general election.
2 June 2025 08:46
'Yes' Britain will hit 3 per cent of GDP on defence spending
Sir Keir Starmer has said Britain will hit a target to spend 3 per cent of its GDP on defence by 2034.
The prime minister refused to set out an exact date by which the goal will be reached, but that Labour would ensure it is delivered.
Sir Keir said he would not be able to say when it will be met until he knew how it would be paid for, adding: 'I don't believe in performative fantasy politics, and certainly not on defense and security.'
And he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'It needs to be ramped up, capability ramped up, but there has to be a defense dividend, which is, what do we get back into our economy?'
2 June 2025 08:36
Starmer getting ready to go to war with Russia (if necessary)
The Independent's Political Editor David Maddox reports:
Keir Starmer is on the Today Programme this morning talking about his defence review and was asked directly by presenter Nick Robinson if the UK would go to war with Russia if it attacked Lithuania.
The prime minister's answer was quite clear and can be summed up as yes, if necessary.
The strategic defence review catchline is making Britain 'war ready' and with a war raging in Europe started by Vladimir Putin that can only mean one thing.
'The world has changed, we are entering a new era,' Sir Keir said.
'That's a common feeling across Europe and more broadly.'
On the question of Russia potentially invading Nato ally Lithuania, he said: 'I very much hope not.'
Hoping not, is not saying he would not do it. In fact it means he would do it in those circumstances.
The head of the army Sir Mark Rowley has warned that the UK could be fighting a war in two years while others have warned Russia could invade the Baltics in the next decade.
The prime minister hopes readiness to fight will be a deterrent in itself.'In order to make sure that isn't the case (war with Russia), we need to prepare.'
Athena Stavrou2 June 2025 08:34
Starmer responds to lack of spending promises on new measures
Sir Keir Starmer has declined to promise more spending on defence as he unveils new measures to get Britain on war footing.
'We had a commitment for 2.5 per cent for end of parliament we pulled that right forward to 2027,' he told BBC Radio 4.
'When showed that when we say there's a new era in the defence and security of our country as our first priority that we meant it.
He added: 'But I'm not going to indulge in the fantasy politics of simply plucking dates from the air until I'm absolutely clear that I can sit here in an interview with you and tell you exactly how that's going to work.'
Athena Stavrou2 June 2025 08:32
Starmer: 'We cannot ignore the threat of Russia'
The Independent's Political Correspondent Archie Mitchell reports:
Sir Keir Starmer has warned that Britain 'cannot ignore the threat Russia poses'.
The prime minister said the UK has to prepare itself to fight a war in order to deter Russian aggression and avoid a conflict with Vladimir Putin.
He said the world is facing the greatest instability it has for years, and kept the door open to Britain going to war with Russia if it invades a European Nato member such as Lithuania.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'In order to make sure that that isn't the case, we need to prepare. But we cannot ignore the threat that Russia poses.'
Athena Stavrou2 June 2025 08:23