But anti-poverty and peace campaigners urged Truss to ditch the plan. The Peace Pledge Union (PPU), Britain's leading pacifist group, described the policy as a handout for arms dealers at a time when millions of people are struggling to pay the bills.

 

Truss' spokesperson told the media tonight (18 October) that she would stick with the policy of raising 'defence' spending to 3% of national income within the next eight years - an increase of 60% on current levels. The statement came only hours after Defence Secretary Ben Wallace reportedly threatened to resign over the issue. The PPU said that funding public services would be more likely to make people's lives more secure.

 

The UK already has the fourth highest military spending in the world, according to the latest academic analyses.

 

Research published last month by the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) found that Truss' promise of raising 'defence' spending to 3% of national income by 2030 represents a 60% increase on current levels and is likely to cost £157bn.

 

The PPU said that increasing military spending will not make people in the UK any more secure, help people suffering in Ukraine or prevent future wars.

 

Symon Hill, Campaigns Manager of the Peace Pledge Union (PPU), said:

"Truss won't commit to raising pensions in line with inflation, but she is promising to throw billions more pounds into preparations for war. The UK already has the fourth highest military budget in the world. If you're shivering in the cold, stressing about the bills or unable to buy toys for your children, your life will not become more secure because there is more money for warships and long-range artillery.

"Only somebody too privileged to worry about the cost of living could think that security is about having more weapons and bigger armed forces. 'Defence' spending is a euphemism, as it doesn't cover defence against many of the most serious threats that we face, including poverty, pandemics and climate chaos.

"The UK government and other NATO members have poured billions of pounds into military spending in recent years, but this failed to stop Putin's vile invasion of Ukraine. History shows time and again that preparing for war does not bring peace."

 

The Peace Pledge Union is a group of people who have pledged to resist war and to tackle the causes of war. We are the British section of War Resisters' International. Join us!