Reform UK Leader Nigel Farage (Image: Getty)
Labour has been blasted over reports Sir Keir Starmer will resist ‘s demand to boost defence spending.
The Prime Minister will reportedly not hit the target of 2.5% of GDP by 2030 due to fears over the public finances.
But the US President has called on Nato members bump up defence spending to 5% of national income.
Reform UK Leader , who is a close ally of Mr Trump, said: “On defence, on the Chagos proposal and the new proposed trade deal with the EU, we are on a collision course with the Trump administration.”
Tory shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge added: “Last week the Defence Secretary was telling the country that we were facing ‘growing Russian aggression’, with spy ships threatening our undersea cables. The problem is Rachel Reeves wasn’t listening.”
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Mr Carlidge highlighted the Chancellor slapping VAT on private school fees, which affects military families, and change the tax-free death in service payments.
He said: “Instead of backing the British armed forces with more cash, she’s delaying the money we urgently need to rearm, and hitting those who serve with higher taxes. These are deeply pernicious tax rises on schooling and death in service payments to loved ones.
“It’s high time Labour prioritised defence through actions rather than words.”
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.
He is due to set a date in spring when a strategic defence review concludes.
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 promised during the general election campaign to reach 2.5% by 2030.
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.”