Andy Burnham pledges to direct billions in defense spending to British firms to rebuild hard power

Andy Burnham has pledged to rebuild the United Kingdom’s “hard power” by ensuring that billions of pounds in additional defense spending are directed to domestic industries rather than being funneled to American or European companies.

In his first major foreign policy statement, the Labour candidate for prime minister said he wanted to be “honest” with the public about the funding required to meet the commitment of spending 3.5% of GDP on defense by 2035.

Writing in The Times, Burnham stated that he wants investments to be channeled into “reinvigorating and industrializing the country,” supporting British jobs and British workers, rather than relying on equipment purchased from other nations.

Burnham argued that the UK must reduce its foreign dependence, adding that this is “vital for both our economic and national security” and declaring that the issue would be a central priority during his premiership.

Furthermore, while committing to closer relations with European countries on defense and security—specifically France and Germany—he promised to accelerate broader negotiations with the EU on economic security and combating “illegal migration.”

Burnham indicated that his government would continue to support international law and international institutions such as the UN.

The former Mayor of Greater Manchester said that “the global picture is growing increasingly dark” and that this uncertainty is hitting ordinary households, “revealing fundamental vulnerabilities in our society and our economy.”

Burnham made the statement as outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with other NATO leaders, including Donald Trump, at a summit in Ankara.

Burnham said the UK must “go further than ever before” by implementing a defense investment plan that commits the government to raising defense spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035, up from the current level of 2.56%.

Burnham said:

“It is a correct step to rebuild our hard power for a new era that is very different from when much of our current military equipment was first designed. Most importantly, in doing so, I want to ensure we are supporting British workers and businesses. This means we must go much further than ever before to support British resilience through the defense investment plan; we must use the sustainable increase in defense investment not only to provide the equipment our armed forces need, but also to generate economic growth and create apprenticeship programs and jobs in communities where opportunities have diminished.”

Noting that they would focus on “reducing foreign dependence, securing inward investment, and establishing new industrial partnerships with our allies,” Burnham declared that reindustrialization through defense and other sectors is “vital” for both economic and national security, “enhancing resilience everywhere,” and would be a fundamental priority for him.

Burnham stated that he wanted to be “more open” with the public regarding how defense spending is allocated, saying:

“I want to see more detailed and publicly available progress reports containing greater transparency and accountability, so that we can tackle cost overruns or delays before they spin out of control. Our increased investments must be paired with increased scrutiny.”

Burnham also confirmed that Jonathan Powell would continue in his role as national security adviser, adding that he wanted to have “the best and most experienced advisers on national security.”