Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump (Image: GETTY)
Sir Keir Starmer will reportedly resist pressure from to boost defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2030.
The Prime Minister had previously pledged to increase the amount spent on the British military from 2.3% to 2.5% but had not set a deadline.
Sir Keir is not expected to hit 2.5% by the end of the decade due to fears about the state of the public finances.
It comes as the US President has demanded that Nato members bump up defence spending to 5% of national income.
A senior government source told The Times: “If we try to hit the target by 2030 it will mean deeper cuts to public services in the run-up to the election. It feels like a non-starter.”
The next general election must take place by 2029.
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A military source added: “The Treasury is putting its fingers in its ears again, saying it has to be 2.3%, maybe it can be 2.5% in the distant future.
“But that is going to lead to some very bad headlines about cuts to the military at a time of war in Europe.”
The promised during the election campaign to reach 2.5% by 2030.
The Prime Minister is due to set a date for hitting the target after a strategic defence review concludes in the spring.
A government spokesperson said: “This is pure speculation. As set out in the government’s Plan for Change, we will set the path to 2.5% in the spring.
“In the meantime, the strategic defence review is working at pace, looking hard at the threats we face and the capabilities we need to meet the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. In our first budget, our government increased defence spending by almost £3 billion.”