Fact checks, commentary and analysis on the topic of Defence
Politics
This figure refers to the Ministry of Defence’s total budget for the period of the Spending Review, and does not refer to year-on-year increases to this budget. Read
Economy, Business & Finance
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair claimed in an article that “By the end of this decade, we could be spending more on incapacity and disability benefits than on defence.” This is true—but it’s also already the case. Read
Achieved
Government Tracker
Full Fact looks at Labour’s manifesto pledge on announcing how it will increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP. Read
Achieved
Government Tracker
Full Fact looks at Labour’s pledge to carry out a Strategic Defence Review. Read
Politics
The PM said the government is set to spend £270 billion more on defence than it otherwise would have done, but this figure refers to the MoD’s total projected budget, not just increases to it. Read
Politics
At PMQs last week the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition appeared to make contradictory claims about defence spending. Read
Conflict
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch claimed at Prime Minister’s Questions that Type 45 destroyers “cannot take out incoming missiles”, but that isn’t correct. Read
World
With the US relationship with NATO top of the news agenda, and lots of claims about defence spending circulating, we look at the numbers. Read
Politics
There’s no evidence to support a claim from Conservative MP Lincoln Jopp—credible estimates suggest the correct figure is actually around 6% or 7%. Read
Economy, Business & Finance
Our round-up looks at claims from the chancellor Rachel Reeves’ statement in the Commons, and the Conservative response. Read
Fact checking claims made by politicians, public figures and viral online content can give you the full picture backed by the evidence.
Subscribe to weekly email newsletters from Full Fact for updates on politics, immigration, health and more. Our fact checks are free to read but not to produce, so you will also get occasional emails about fundraising and other ways you can help. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information about how we use your data see our Privacy Policy.
