Finance
UK PM says government must 'go faster' on defence spending
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 16, 2026
1 min readLast updated: February 16, 2026
Quick Summary
UK PM Keir Starmer stresses the need to accelerate defence spending, aiming to reach 3% of GDP. Current commitments require faster implementation.
UK Prime Minister Calls for Accelerated Defence Spending Efforts
UK Government's Defence Spending Strategy
LONDON, Feb 16 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday the government must "go faster" on defence spending, when asked about a media report suggesting it was considering bringing forward the date by which it would spend 3% of economic output on defence.
Prime Minister's Statement
"We need to step up...we need to go faster (on defence spending). We've obviously made commitments already... but it goes beyond just how much you spend," Starmer said.
Commitments and Future Plans
(Reporting by Sam Tabahriti; Writing by Catarina Demony;Editing by Alistair Smout)
Key Takeaways
- •UK PM Keir Starmer calls for faster defence spending.
- •Government aims to spend 3% of GDP on defence.
- •Current commitments are in place but need acceleration.
- •Media reports suggest a shift in spending timeline.
- •Starmer emphasizes the importance beyond just spending.
Frequently Asked Questions about UK PM says government must 'go faster' on defence spending
1What is the main topic?
The article discusses UK PM Keir Starmer's call to accelerate defence spending, targeting 3% of GDP.
2Why is defence spending important?
Defence spending is crucial for national security and meeting international commitments.
3Who is Keir Starmer?
Keir Starmer is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
