Politics latest: Rishi Sunak says Europe at 'turning point' as defence spending pledge revealed (2024)

Sky political editor Beth Rigby asks if we have entered a "pre-war era" - and whether something particular has happened to spark today's announcement.

Rishi Sunak says people will use "different words" to describe what's happened today.

He repeats that the world is "in a more dangerous place than it's been since the end of the Cold War".

The current situation is "not something new", and was pointed out in reviews of the UK's defence.

But what has changed is the "pace and intensity of where we're seeing these threats emerge".

Those are reasons to make the announcements now, Mr Sunak says.

The PM says that there are more threats today - but the UK is approaching the situation from a "position of strength" and confidence because it is making the right investments, alongside NATO.

Mr Stoltenberg says that "we live in a more dangerous world" as shown by Russia invading Ukraine.

The NATO chief says he cannot say what the next crisis or war will be, but that if the alliance stands together then peace can be protected and preserved for allies.

The next question for the PM and the NATO chief asks them about the costs of supporting Ukraine.

Rishi Sunak says "unfortunately we are a living in amore dangerous time since the Cold War" and in response to that "the right thing to do is increase spending in national defence".

"An investment in Ukraine is an investment in our security," he says.

Mr Sunak says "it is right" to make this investment.

"All of this contributes to future UK security and prosperity," he says.

Jen Stoltenberg says "there is no way we can run away from that cost - we have to pay".

"The reality is there is a cost to having an aggressive neighbour and we have a very aggressive neighbour.

"We can't run away from that cost."

The Daily Telegraph asks Rishi Sunak if he will designate China a threat.

The prime minister responds by saying that China has different values to the UK, and is behaving in a way that is authoritarian at home and assertive overseas.

He says it is "right" to protect the UK from this.

But he will not reduce "complex foreign policy down to one word or phrase".

He points to the removal of China from the Newport Wafer Fab and the banning of Huawei telecoms equipment as a sign the UK is strong on the subject.

Mr Sunak says that China is also an "indisputable part of the global economy" so it's important to keep dialogues open.

Mr Stoltenberg says the war in Ukraine has shown how "intertwined and interlinked" security is.

He says China is "propping up" the Russian war economy, Iran is providing drones and ammo, and North Korea is also supplying ammunition.

"In return, Moscow is mortgaging its future to Beijing and Moscow is delivering technology to North Korea and Iran to help them develop their missile and nuclear programs," he says.

Rishi Sunak is asked if he will set up an inquiry after the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) was accused of forcing tens of thousands of unpaid carers to pay back huge sums overunwittingly breaching earnings rules.

The PM says while he is not familiar with individual cases there has been some reporting around carers allowance and how it works.

"There has been a long standing principle in the way carers allowance works, which is not means tested but is subject to an earnings threshold and people are asked to declare their earnings when they make a claim," he says.

"If there's a discrepancy that impacts people's entitlement, then obviously they (DWP) will seek to recover that and do that in a sensible and fair way," he says.

"Everyone's cases will be different so it's hard for me to get into that.

"I think it's reasonable that the welfare system is fair."

The Daily Mail asks a pair of questions - about Mr Sunak's leadership and a potential second Trump presidency.

Rishi Sunak responds by saying that his commitment to NATO is "unequivocal".

This is in response to being asked whether he would take the UK to war in defence of another NATO nation, as per Article 5.

Mr Sunak doesn't directly answer the question - but says the "right thing" to do is to invest in deterrents.

Mr Stoltenberg says a strong NATO is good for Europe and the US - adding that he expects "regardless of the outcome" of elections, the US will remain a "staunch and loyal ally" of the alliance.

He says it is in the interests of the US to keep NATO - and that polling shows there is "broad bipartisan support" for the alliance in the US Congress and among the public.

Mr Stoltenberg says that Mr Trump's previous criticisms were based on other countries not stepping up to contribute 2%.

He now expects two-thirds of NATO members to meet that target.

ITV asks Mr Sunak if the extra money for the armed forces will come at the cost of other things, like education - and whether low defence spending after the Cold War has ended.

The prime minister says that, thanks to the government's "strong management" of the economy, more money can be found.

The spending commitment made today was not included in the most recent budget forecasts, so it is not clear how if fits into the Treasury's equations.

There is also a spending review which will be carried out in coming months - probably after the next election - where more calculations will be made about how much the government can afford to spend around the economy.

NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg is now speaking and says the UK is "highly valued NATO ally".

He says Rishi Sunak's announcement today "confirms the vital role the UK plays in our alliance".

"Today your announcement of additional support shows once again the British people's commitment to Ukraine," he says.

"I welcome your cast iron commitment to continue these levels of support to Ukraine for as long as needed."

He also notes the major aid package that was approved by the US House of Representatives over the weekend.

"This will enable the US to provide substantial additional support to Ukraine quickly," he adds.

He goes on to say NATO "does not seek conflict with Russia but it will keep its people safe".

We must support Ukraine in the long-term, the PM adds.

"Since the Cold War ended, the freedom of our continent has been based a simple idea - that it is for people to decide the fate of their countries, not foreign armies," he says.

Rishi Sunak says if Vladimir Putin were to win in Ukraine then the "principle of sovereignty would be undermined".

He says: "We would be dragged back to a world where brute force rather than the democratic will of free peoples, would shape borders and decide futures.

"And Putin will not stop in Ukraine. Win there and he and indeed others will be emboldened.

"He has the desire, if not yet the capacity to attack other countries in Europe, potentially including NATO allies, who we would be bound to defend just as they are bound to defend us."

The cost of failing to support Ukraine now will be "far greater" than the costs of repelling Putin, he adds.

He says the UK will hit £3bn in support for Ukraine this year.

"We will provide them with the largest ever package of UK military equipment - this will include more than 400 vehicles, £4m rounds of ammunition, 60 boats and offshore raiding craft, vital air defences and long range precision guided storm shadow missiles," he adds.

Rishi Sunak hails the recent approval for money to support Ukraine in the US Congress - but at the same time encourages European nations to start to spend more.

He says: "We cannot keep expecting America to pay any price or bear any burden if we ourselves are unwilling to make greater sacrifices for our own security."

Mr Sunak praises countries like Poland, Germany, Norway and the Baltic states for "stepping up" and spending more.

"If 2.5% becomes a new benchmark for all NATO partners to reach, allied defence spending would increase by over £140bn," he says.

He concludes that "we did not choose this moment, but it is up to us to meet it".

Mr Sunak goes on to introduce NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg.

The prime minister says he is determined to reform defence procurement - something which has long come under scrutiny as a potential area for savings.

Rishi Sunak says that for too long procurement has been "over complex, over budget and over time".

He promises "radical reforms" to encourage value for money and private sector investment.

The PM says he also wants to encourage innovation in the defence sector, which will again be helped by the private sector.