Skip to main content
Campaigners urge government to rethink military spending as it soars above Russia

CAMPAIGNERS are urging the government to rethink its defence strategy in light of the pandemic and the climate emergency as Britain’s military spending soars above that of Russia.

Research by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute published today shows that last year’s 2.9 per cent increase in British military spending was higher than the international average rise per country of 2.6 per cent — and the figure is set to rise by £24 billion by 2025, equating to £6bn a year.

The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) pointed out that, at £41.2bn, Britain’s “defence” budget for is just ahead of Russia, a country 70 times the size of the UK.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
DREADFUL BEGINNINGS: At the time Labour minister for defence procurement and industry, Maria Eagle opens Rolls-Royce Submarines office in Glasgow which will deliver the Dreadnought and AUKUS programmes, November 2024
Nukes / 20 June 2026
20 June 2026

Expanding Britain’s nuclear capability increases the risk of nuclear confrontation. It does not keep us safe – it makes us a target, argues CAROL TURNER

Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament / 26 September 2025
26 September 2025
HMS Spey in Brisbane, Australia ahead of the England v Nigeria Women's World Cup match. The arrival of the state-of-the-art Offshore Patrol Vessel HMS Spey marks the first visit of the Royal Navy to Brisbane since the HMS Monmouth in 1995. Picture date: Monday August 7th, 2023
Features / 15 August 2025
15 August 2025

From 35,000 troops in Talisman Sabre war games to HMS Spey provocations in the Taiwan Strait, Labour continues Tory militarisation — all while claiming to uphold ‘one China’ diplomatic agreements from 1972, reports KENNY COYLE