Politics LIVE: Starmer to make major announcement as huge security plan revealed
Keir Starmer will jet to the Hague for a NATO summit (Image: Getty)
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will jet to the Hague on Tuesday for a crunch NATO summit.
The group’s leaders, including Donald Trump, are set to meet for a two-day summit, with increased defence spending top of the agenda.
The UK and its NATO allies have agreed to increase spending on defence and related areas to 5% of GDP by 2035.
Ambassadors of all 32 alliance member states signed off on the new spending pledge ahead of the major summit of leaders, including President Trump. The Government is set to publish its national security strategy on Tuesday too.
It comes as Mr Trump said on Monday night he had secured the “complete and total ceasefire” following Iran’s retaliation against a US strike on its nuclear facilities.
Iran’s foreign minister said it would stop attacks if Israel stopped its own strikes by 4am Tehran time (2am BST) on Tuesday while state television said a ceasefire had begun.
Israel has declined to comment on Mr Trump’s ceasefire post on social media, but said four people had been killed by Iranian missile strikes after the 4am deadline, with the Israel Airports Authority adding the country’s skies were closed to planes until further notice.
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Steph Spyro
Minister ‘welcomes’ Israel-Iran ceasefire
Reports of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran are “welcome”, Pat McFadden has said.
The senior Cabinet Office minister was asked by ITV’s Good Morning Britain if the halt to the conflict was a product of Donald Trump’s decision to involve the US in the fighting.
Mr McFadden replied: “I don’t know if it’s the product of any single decision, but it’s welcome and let’s hope that it holds. It’s a fragile situation.
“I think we’ve had news this morning of at least nine deaths overnight from missile attacks in the run-up to this ceasefire coming into force.
“So, it is fragile, but I very much hope that it keeps hold and that Iran ceases its attempts to develop a nuclear weapon. That’s been the aim of the United Kingdom for some years.”
Steph Spyro
IFS warns of tax hikes to come
Paul Johnson, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, warned of tax hikes to come if spending continues to rise.
He said: “Another £30bn on defence. U-turn on winter fuel. Rebellion on [welfare] plans which just slightly slow huge increases in spending on disability benefits.
“If spending goes only one way then so, inevitably, will tax. Historic increases already this decade. Looks like a lot more to come.”
Another u00a330bn on defence. U turn on winter fuel. Rebellion on plans which just slightly slow huge increases in spending on disability benefits.
If spending goes only one way then so, inevitably, will tax. Historic increases already this decade. Looks like a lot more to come.
u2014 Paul Johnson (@PJTheEconomist) June 24, 2025
Steph Spyro
Ukraine invasion ‘wake-up’ call for Europe
The invasion of Ukraine should be a “wake-up call” for Europe as NATO commits to increasing defence spending, the Chancellor of Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden has said.
Steph Spyro
Israel has agreed to Trump’s ceasefire deal
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed Israel’s agreement to a US ceasefire deal.
He is set to make remarks later today.
Steph Spyro
Prime Minister heads to Nato summit as Trump declares Israel-Iran ceasefire
Donald Trump said on Monday night he had secured the “complete and total ceasefire” following Iran’s retaliation against a US strike on its nuclear facilities.
Iran’s foreign minister said it would stop attacks if Israel stopped its own strikes by 4am Tehran time (2am BST) on Tuesday while state television said a ceasefire had begun.
Israel has declined to comment on Mr Trump’s ceasefire post on social media, but said four people had been killed by Iranian missile strikes after the 4am deadline, with the Israel Airports Authority adding the country’s skies were closed to planes until further notice.
Ahead of the two-day summit in the Netherlands, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said Sir Keir would continue to press for a diplomatic solution to the Israel-Iran crisis.
Donald Trump declares Israel-Iran ceasefire (Image: Getty)
Steph Spyro
Keir Starmer gearing up for NATO summit
Sir Keir Starmer will pledge to spend 5% of national income on defence by 2035.
The Prime Minister is set to make the announcement as he attends the NATO summit in The Hague, where the issue is top of the agenda.
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