Burnham could delay vital defence spending plan for a YEAR despite mounting Russia threat

From the Newshound archive · first published 6 October 2026.

Andy Burnham is considering pushing back a long-awaited spending review on defence until autumn 2027 — potentially leaving Britain without a clear roadmap to meet NATO targets for over a year. Chancellor John Healey, who quit Keir Starmer's government demanding clarity on reaching 3 per cent of GDP, now faces pressure to explain how £5 billion in defence investment plan funding will be found at the October 28 Budget. Tory shadow defence minister Mark Francois branded Burnham "an extremely inexperienced prime minister" with no track record on defence. Treasury sources insist no date has been set, calling the reports "pure rumour and speculation."

NATO is warning Russia could strike an alliance member by 2030, with US bomber jets already pulled from RAF Fairford over threat reports.

Kemi Badenoch, at the Conservative conference in Birmingham, said Washington now believes Britain is "not serious" about defence and unveiled a £10 billion 'Britannia Shield' missile defence plan.

Delaying the review until late 2027 would allow ministers to fund extra spending through tax rises — but would extend the very uncertainty that cost John Healey his job.