“We have to start talking about a different kind of society, because every single penny that’s going on defence, that’s killing people around the world, is impoverishing us here at home.”
By Lindsey German
John Healey’s commitment to funding the Defence Investment Plan and increasing military spending to 3.5% by 2035 and 3% by 2030 made his first Budget one for war and austerity, not for the right of working-class people to live decent lives.
Defence secretary Wes Streeting boasted in eve-of-budget interviews that he was one of the few ministers confident there would be more money going into his department – confirmed by the Chancellor today – meaning billions more for weapons and war, alongside real-terms cuts for education, housing and all the other things ordinary families need.
Without this commitment to building a war economy, to increasing military spending to £79b by 2030, and announcing billions more in support for Ukraine to ‘help it through the winter’, Healey could have done a lot more than offering ‘breathing space now’ for people at home than tinkering with the cost of gas and gherkins.
It is Britain’s backing for the war in Ukraine, and Trump’s illegal war on Iran, which is driving the rocketing cost of living at home. But instead of announcing real money for our schools and hospitals, the chancellor has earmarked it for Streeting, who tells us the country has 1,000 days to prepare for war.
Why not 1,000 days to prepare for peace? Why not recognise security starts at home, with decent jobs, homes, education and health care? With enough money for doctors, nurses and teachers? And no need for stockpiling beans and bottled water. Working-class people have the right to a decent life, and that means welfare, not warfare; it means wages, not weapons.
“Like the young people protesting across Europe, we have to start talking about a different kind of society, because every single penny that’s going on defence, that’s killing people around the world, is impoverishing us here at home.”
- Lindsey German is the National Convenor of the Stop the War Coalition. You can follow her on Twitter/X and follow Stop The War on Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky and Twitter/X.
- This was first posted on Stop the War’s website on 28 October 2026.
- If you support Labour Outlook’s work amplifying the voices of left movements and struggles here and internationally, please donate here or become a supporter on Patreon.
