Starmer announces big cut to UK aid budget to boost defence spending

Keir Starmer has confirmed drastic cuts to Britain's international aid budget to help pay for a major increase in defence spending as European nations attempt to fill the gap left by Donald Trump on Ukraine. The prime minister confirmed the UK government's timeline to increase defence spending to at least 2.5% of GDP by 2027 - three years earlier than planned - as he prepares for what is likely to be a diplomatically fraught visit to Washington DC. Starmer also announced an ambition to increase defence spending to 3% during the next parliament. However, he confirmed that the rise by…