PRIME Minister Sir Keir Starmer backed plans to hike military spending today in a move that dismayed anti-war campaigners while pleasing unions with workers in the arms industry.

Labour has vowed to lift annual defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2027 and to aim for 3 per cent after the next general election in 2029.

Responding to a BBC report that the government is looking at ways to reach the 3 per cent target by 2029, Sir Keir told reporters: “We need to step up. That means on defence spending, we need to go faster. 

“We’ve obviously made commitments already in relation to that, but it goes beyond just how much you spend.”

Stop the War coalition national convener Lindsey German said the group was “appalled” that the government is considering hiking military spending to 3 per cent of GDP, at a cost of £15 billion in real terms, within the next five years.

She told the Morning Star. “This is part of a massive European arms drive aimed at appeasing Trump as he demands Europe pay more for its own defence. 

“It is also clear Europe is creating a climate in which war with Russia is more likely, a war where nuclear weapons could be used with catastrophic consequences.

“All this at a time when we are told to accept cuts to pensions, to wages and to public services.”

She added: “There are actually very few jobs in the UK defence industry — much of this increased defence spending will actually go directly into the coffers of US arms manufacturers.”

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Media speculation today, and the prime minister’s statement at the Munich Security Conference this weekend, surely indicate that the government is done with dithering on defence. At last. 

“The delays on the Defence Investment Plan have already put thousands of UK defence jobs in jeopardy. 

“The chancellor could use her Spring Statement to relax the so-called fiscal rules to borrow to invest in British defence and British jobs. 

“The German government is already taking action on these lines. Our workers have the skills and experience to deliver for the British economy. 

“Treasury ‘bean counting,’ which is blocking action, must be ditched now. It’s time for decisive action to back Britain’s defence workers. Further delay will prove disastrous.”