Badenoch warns of looming Russia war, proposes welfare cuts to fund defence and challenges Burnham

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch warned that Britain could be drawn into conflict with Russia within the next five years and pledged to finance a major military spending increase by tapping into welfare savings. Her proposal includes reinstating the two-child benefit cap removed by Labour in April and cutting disability benefits to generate the necessary billions. She attacked Prime Minister Andy Burnham for prioritising domestic policies, urging him to call an early general election if he cannot match the defence budget.

Labour’s defence committee chair Tan Dhesi said Burnham’s optimism is insufficient and that a decision on funding should not be delayed until next year’s spending review. The article also references John Healey’s resignation as defence secretary after Sir Keir Starmer refused a 3 % defence spending target. Burnham has so far avoided answering questions about how to fund the armed forces despite heightened Russian threats.