The announcement comes ahead of a high-stakes meeting between Keir Starmer and Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday.

Britain will raise defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 and target 3% in the longer term by cutting its overseas development budget, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Tuesday. "This government will begin the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War,

The prime minister made the unexpected announcement to raise defence spending - and reduce foreign aid - after all European leaders faced pressure from the US president to increase support.