The Labour government is promoting 'military Keynesianism' to gain public support for increased defence spending, arguing that investment in defence creates skilled jobs, particularly outside London. This strategy involves diverting funds from overseas development aid to reinforce the British industrial base. Recent initiatives include plans for six new munitions factories and a long-term commitment to build Aukus nuclear-powered attack submarines, despite concerns that defence spending may not be the most efficient way to stimulate the economy compared to other sectors like healthcare or green technologies.
Labour pushes ‘military Keynesianism’ to win support for defence spending
Defence policyPoliticsMilitaryLabourAidUKTax and spendingEconomic policyEconomicsBusiness
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️The Labour government is promoting 'military Keynesianism' to gain public support for increased defence spending, arguing that investment in defence creates skilled jobs, particularly outside London. This strategy involves diverting funds from overseas development aid to reinforce the British industrial base. Recent initiatives include plans for six new munitions factories and a long-term commitment to build Aukus nuclear-powered attack submarines, despite concerns that defence spending may not be the most efficient way to stimulate the economy compared to other sectors like healthcare or green technologies.
Trending- 1 Last year (2024): Agreement with Germany for revival of artillery barrel manufacturing in Telford
- 2 October-December last year (2024): UK supplied $169m worth of arms to Israel
- 3 May (2025): Emerged UK supplied arms to Israel
- 4 Sunday (June 1st, 2025): Ministers announced plans to build six new munitions factories
- 5 Monday (June 2nd, 2025): Strategic defence review to be launched
- 6 2027: Current commitment to lift defence spending to 2.5% of GDP
- 7 Late 2030s: Start of Aukus nuclear powered attack submarines assembly
- Increased defence spending
- Creation of skilled jobs (e.g., 1,000 new jobs, support for 800 more from munitions factories; 30,000 jobs from Aukus submarines)
- Diversion of funds from overseas development aid
- Revival of certain manufacturing sectors (e.g., artillery barrel manufacturing)
- Potential for economic stimulus (though debated)
- Controversy over arms exports (e.g., to Israel)
- Long-term industrial commitments (e.g., Aukus submarines)
What: The Labour government is advocating for increased defence spending using a 'military Keynesianism' approach, arguing it creates skilled jobs and boosts the industrial base.
When: Current policy push, with recent announcements on Sunday (June 1st, 2025) and ahead of Monday's strategic defence review. Long-term plans extend to the late 2030s for submarine building.
Where: United Kingdom (specifically Barrow, Devonport, Glasgow, Rosyth shipyards, Telford), London, County Durham, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Gaza, Germany, Italy, Spain.
Why: To win support for increased defence spending, create skilled jobs, reinforce the British industrial base, and respond to geopolitical threats (e.g., Russia's invasion of Ukraine, ongoing offensive against Gaza). Also, to counter political challenges from parties like Reform UK.
How: By diverting funds from overseas development aid to defence, announcing plans for new munitions factories, committing to long-term projects like Aukus submarines, and framing defence investment as an economic stimulus.