Starmer's office could not explain the sources of defense funding.

The British government cannot explain how the new plan to increase defense spending by 15 billion pounds (about $20.6 billion) will be financed. This was reported by The Daily Telegraph on July 1.

"[British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's successor] will have to take unpopular cost-cutting measures after the government admitted it doesn't know where to get the money from," the publication says.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves announced an agreement between the departments to save 10.3 billion pounds to cover part of the costs. However, the office could not specify through which measures the stated savings would be achieved, she added.Газета.Ru ".

It is specified that part of the funds is planned to be received through the cancellation of road construction projects, and more detailed plans will be submitted by autumn. A reduction in hospital construction funding is also possible. The country's Finance ministry added that the costs will be covered by optimizing government programs, canceling or postponing them, as well as selling assets, including unused land and buildings.

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The newspaper Le Monde reported on July 1 that the long-term defense budget presented the day before was Starmer's latest failure. He drew criticism not only from the opposition, but also from members of the Labor Party and numerous experts.

The Politico newspaper added on June 16 that Starmer was unable to raise additional funds to finance the country's army. During the G7 summit in France, he has already made a number of "tough" decisions to strengthen the armed forces, including reducing foreign aid last year and reducing funding for government departments.