Military budget continues to grow faster than peacebuilding and overseas aid spending
An extra £2.9bn for the military was announced by the Chancellor while the budget for peace building and overseas aid stalls
Time for some tough decisions on military spending: Budget 2024 preview
Ahead of the Budget – GCOMS-UK Chair Dr Stuart Parkinson wrote the following article which was first published on Labour Outlook When Rachel Reeves delivers the first Budget by a Labour Chancellor in 15 years, she will do so against the backdrop of a £22bn ‘black hole’ and with media reports suggesting that £40bn in …
Taking our message on the road
GCOMS-UK has been on the road over the past month, taking our message on cutting military spending to Conferences organised by supporting organisations and engaging with peace activists on the urgent need for action. With UK military spending currently running at more than £100,000 every minute, and the Labour Government committed to increase this by …
What does the new Parliament look like?
After six weeks of campaigning around the country, the General Election is behind us and we have a new government. MPs have taken their oaths and started the work of setting up their offices – so it’s a good time to reflect on what the new parliament may hold in store for those of us …
Michael Burke: Is more military spending a good idea?
This blog is from economist Michael Burke and was first published on the CND website. Is more military spending, including nuclear spending, a good idea? And, if it is, where is the money coming from? These are quite important questions. Yet we have been through an entire general election campaign without these questions even being …
New figures show increase in global military spending
New data on global military spending – published today – shows that last year it grew by 6.8% above inflation to a massive $2.44 trillion – the highest level since the end of the Cold War. The UK’s percentage increase – 7.9% – was higher than some of the largest NATO states including the USA, …
Spring budget is a chance to set out a vision for a better world
This article by GCOMS-UK Steering Group member Colin Archer, was originally published on Labour Outlook. When the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt stands up in Parliament tomorrow he will deliver what could be the last set-piece financial announcement before the General Election. These events are not only great parliamentary theatre but also give a chance for politicians …
Military spending boosted more than health, education, environment or overseas aid
This short briefing examines UK government spending presented by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, in his Spring Budget 2023 (SB-23).i Summary The detailed figures for SB-23 show that UK military spending over the period 2021-25 has been boosted by £7.1 billion when compared with budget figures announced in last autumn. This includes an …
GCOMS Budget Briefing on the Autumn Statement
This short briefing examines UK government spending presented by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, in his Autumn Statement 2022 (AS-22). Summary Probably the main story of AS-22 – in terms of military spending – is that there isn’t actually a great deal to report. Despite the bluster of the Truss government’s promise to …
Is the invasion of Ukraine really the fault of NATO under-spending?
“Instead of peace through strength we caused war through weakness… other democratic powers, especially in Europe, must commit to matching US defence spending as a proportion of GDP.” Jeremy Hunt MP, writing in The Telegraph 11/03/22 As the world watches in horror the Russian invasion of Ukraine, an extremely dangerous narrative is emerging. One that …
