Andy Burnham said defense spending should not "come at the expense of social security"

Andy Burnham last week argued that spending on national defense should not be financed by cutting welfare benefits, remarks that intensified a Conservative attack over how Britain should pay for stronger armed forces amid Russian aggression. Kemi Badenoch, the Tory leader, said Burnham and the government were not treating the threat with enough urgency, the Telegraph reported. Downing Street said the government is committed to both military funding and reducing welfare costs, but not through severe cuts. Former military leaders warned about the state of Britain’s forces and urged a clear route to the NATO-linked target of 3.5% of national income for defense by 2035; current plans budget 2.7% by 2027-28. Badenoch proposes reaching 3% by 2030 by cutting welfare, while the prime minister says that would cause record homelessness. Conservatives suggest capping housing payments to raise £4 billion for defense.