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Burnham authorises first military deployment since becoming PM
Confirmed
In Short: Prime Minister Andy Burnham has authorised the UK's first military deployment since taking office, providing defensive support to Saudi Arabia amid escalating attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the region.
Burnham's decision comes as he prepares for his first United Nations General Assembly in New York, marking his first foray into global diplomacy and his first meeting with US President Donald Trump.
Burnham's meeting with Trump is expected to be brief but potentially contentious, given the current tensions in the UK-US relationship.
During the meeting, Burnham is expected to press Trump for more support for Ukraine, adding another layer of complexity to the bilateral discussions.
Meanwhile, financial pressures are forcing the UK to cut back on collective training exercises for units not preparing for specific deployments, according to the BBC.
The chairman of the Commons Defence Select Committee, Labour's Tan Singh Dhesi, warned during Prime Minister's Questions that it is imperative to invest in the armed forces and urged Burnham to commit to reaching 3% of GDP spend on defence by 2030.
The financial constraints on military training exercises highlight the broader challenges Burnham faces in balancing defence commitments with domestic priorities.
What's confirmed
- Burnham's decision comes as he prepares for his first United Nations General Assembly in New York, marking his first foray into global diplomacy and his first meeting with US President Donald Trump.
- Burnham's meeting with Trump is expected to be brief but potentially contentious, given the current tensions in the UK-US relationship.
- During the meeting, Burnham is expected to press Trump for more support for Ukraine, adding another layer of complexity to the bilateral discussions.
- Meanwhile, financial pressures are forcing the UK to cut back on collective training exercises for units not preparing for specific deployments, according to the BBC.
- The chairman of the Commons Defence Select Committee, Labour's Tan Singh Dhesi, warned during Prime Minister's Questions that it is imperative to invest in the armed forces and urged Burnham to commit to reaching 3% of GDP spend on defence by 2030.
- The financial constraints on military training exercises highlight the broader challenges Burnham faces in balancing defence commitments with domestic priorities.
What's still developing
- The Prime Minister said the UK is 'playing our part' in providing 'defensive support' Andy Burnham has authorised the first deployment of the UK military since becoming Prime Minister, agreeing to provide defensive support to Saudi Arabia as Iran-backed Houthi rebels intensify attacks across the region.
- Burnham is expected to meet Trump on Tuesday, at a time when the UK’s special relationship with the US is particularly fraught.
- For Burnham, who Trump has described as the “mayor of a town”, an array of flashpoints may crop up in their 30-minute meeting.
- "Faced with a choice between spending on military training and spending on benefits... Labour chooses more benefits," Tory shadow secretary of state for work and pensions Helen Whately said.
- It will continue to train soldiers preparing to be deployed or on deployments - such as units sent to Estonia, the Falklands or Cyprus.