Boris Johnson faces tax questions after signalling defence budget rise

PM says increase to 2.5% of GDP will be reached by end of decade as UK needs to adapt to more dangerous world

Boris Johnson has signalled a significant increase in the UK's defence budget to 2.5% of GDP by the end of the decade, raising questions about his commitment to cutting taxes, as a Nato summit dominated by the Ukraine conflict drew to an end in Madrid.

We need to invest for the long term in vital capabilities like future combat air while simultaneously adapting to a more dangerous and more competitive world," the prime minister told a press conference.