Badenoch accuses Burnham of sending risky signal to Putin over defence funding

During a parliamentary exchange, Kemi Badenoch condemned the prime minister's decision not to reduce the welfare budget for defence, labeling the stance a "dangerous message" to Vladimir Putin. She highlighted that countries such as France and Poland are already acting against the perceived Russian threat, implying Britain is falling behind. Andy Burnham reiterated his position that national security cannot be funded at the expense of social security, a view that drew criticism from Badenoch and other Tory figures.

The dispute follows reports of Russia potentially escalating its hybrid warfare across Europe and recent provocative actions, including warning shots at a British yacht. Defence analyst Sean Bell warned of a significant threat and suggested NATO may face tough choices. The controversy underscores the tension between domestic welfare priorities and external security concerns.