{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreihxwwa7k673snxpeigxyzysbc5notfuhfdp2c7jcpwkbqprqtqexy",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:oznbnvgr7dmvddiyvr7dih52/app.bsky.feed.post/3mlwg3bfwy632"
  },
  "coverImage": {
    "$type": "blob",
    "ref": {
      "$link": "bafkreianool3jowi3dbhi7e2j3jxw5f7oo55bazlfifqkerq22cu2yadni"
    },
    "mimeType": "image/jpeg",
    "size": 1958828
  },
  "path": "/politics/keir-starmer-andy-burnham-labour-leadership-defence-spending",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-15T21:11:22.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "When is the Makerfield by-election? Likely date revealed as Andy Burnham's No10 push faces test",
    "Kemi Badenoch refuses to stand aside for Reform UK in Makerfield by-election: 'I will do NO deals!'",
    "Zack Polanski told not to challenge Andy Burnham's No10 plot amid ‘dire Reform threat’",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nSir Keir Starmer has approved an £18billion increase in defence spending as part of his fightback against Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.\n\nThe Prime Minister, who is battling to save his premiership, is hoping the investment will modernise the military and prepare the armed forces for a future conflict.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe spending increase is expected to receive the Prime Minister's approval as early as next week.\n\nSir Keir was forced to spend months battling with the Treasury over the commitment, although a Treasury source insisted it would be \"fully affordable\".\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nA Whitehall source, who described the £18billion boost as a \"big win\", told The Times: “We can’t keep saying we are going to do it and not bring the money in.”\n\nMeanwhile, Mr Burnham wants to relax Rachel Reeves's \"iron-clad\" fiscal rules to increase spending.\n\n“There’s certainly a case, when we look at the pressure on defence spending, to consider that exceptionally outside of the [fiscal] rules,” the Greater Manchester Mayor said in April.\n\nHowever, No10 managed to win the battle with No11 after Sir Keir received a stark warning from his national security adviser, Jonathan Powell.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nMr Powell warned the armed forces could not afford the jets, munitions and advanced technology needed to fight a future war.\n\nHe was supported in his push for an increase in spending by Cabinet Secretary Dame Antonia Romeo.\n\nThe £18billion package would see the Ministry of Defence fulfil the 62 recommendations made in the strategic review, including pushing ahead with the Global Combat Air Programme.\n\nThe commitment also builds on the Prime Minister's ambition to spend three per cent of GDP on defence in the next Parliament.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * When is the Makerfield by-election? Likely date revealed as Andy Burnham's No10 push faces test\n  * Kemi Badenoch refuses to stand aside for Reform UK in Makerfield by-election: 'I will do NO deals!'\n  * Zack Polanski told not to challenge Andy Burnham's No10 plot amid ‘dire Reform threat’\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nA Government spokesman said: “The defence investment plan will deliver the best kit and technology into the hands of our frontline forces at speed, while investing in and growing the UK economy.\n\n\"We are working to finalise the plan and it will be published as soon as possible.\"\n\nSir Keir is not expected to back down from a leadership challenge if Mr Burnham wins the upcoming Makerfield by-election.\n\nThe Prime Minister warned MPs against the “chaos and instability” of previous political upheavals.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nHowever, Mr Burnham was given a clear path to challenge Sir Keir for the top job after Josh Simons resigned as the MP for Makerfield this week.\n\nMr Simons, who was seen as an ally to Sir Keir, won the Greater Manchester seat with a lead of 5,400 votes over Reform UK.\n\nThe seat is now expected to sit on a knife-edge, with Mr Burnham's candidacy potentially proving decisive.\n\nMr Burnham will put himself forward to contest the upcoming Makerfield by-election after being given the go-ahead by Labour's National Executive Committee.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe NEC thwarted Mr Burnham's hopes of returning to Westminster in February, with Labour officials barring the Greater Manchester Mayor from standing in Gorton & Denton.\n\nWes Streeting, who resigned as Health Secretary this week, also threw his weight behind Mr Burnham's candidacy.\n\nHowever, the Ilford North MP is still expected to mount his own leadership bid when enough Labour MPs trigger a contest.\n\nMr Streeting had been accused of bottling his attempt to topple Sir Keir, with critics suggesting the 43-year-old is short of the 81 MPs needed to take on the Prime Minister.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Keir Starmer launches fightback against Andy Burnham as PM set to approve £18bn defence boost"
}