Rachel Reeves vows to use defence spending to support UK’s ‘left behind’ industrial towns

Chancellor says increased military spending should support British jobs and British industries'

Rachel Reeves has said UK companies and jobs will be prioritised under the government's plans for a significant increase in defence spending, with an aim to support left behind" industrial towns and the economy at large.

Announced by Keir Starmer last week amid growing fears over Donald Trump's commitment to European security, the government will increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 - worth an additional 6bn a year.