WEBVTT - Bloomberg’s Exclusive With UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer 0:00:00.240 --> 0:00:07.200 Bloomberg Audio Studios, Podcasts, Radio News. 0:00:08.080 --> 0:00:09.960 I'm David Gura, and this is the big take from 0:00:09.960 --> 0:00:10.760 Bloomberg News. 0:00:11.039 --> 0:00:11.319 Today. 0:00:11.320 --> 0:00:14.360 On the show, we're bringing you a special conversation in full. 0:00:14.760 --> 0:00:17.720 Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, sits 0:00:17.760 --> 0:00:21.560 down with Bloomberg's Michelle Hussein at ten Downing Street. Michelle 0:00:21.600 --> 0:00:24.120 is editor at large for Bloomberg Weekend, and the interview 0:00:24.160 --> 0:00:28.120 took place on Friday, hours after Israel launched an attack 0:00:28.160 --> 0:00:31.080 on Iran, striking what Prime Minister Benjamin Nett and Yahoo 0:00:31.120 --> 0:00:34.920 described as the heart of its nuclear enrichment program, and 0:00:34.960 --> 0:00:37.520 Starmer is preparing to travel to Canada for a meeting 0:00:37.560 --> 0:00:40.120 of the G seven. It covered a lot of ground, 0:00:40.159 --> 0:00:43.239 including defense spending, the path forward for Ukraine, and the 0:00:43.320 --> 0:00:47.000 UK's trade talks with the US, but their conversation started 0:00:47.120 --> 0:00:49.760 with the latest developments in the Middle East. Here's Michelle 0:00:49.800 --> 0:00:52.519 Hussein's interview with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. 0:00:53.120 --> 0:00:54.920 Prime Minister, just as you're about to leave for the 0:00:54.960 --> 0:00:57.400 G seven, Israel's carried out what it describes as a 0:00:57.440 --> 0:01:01.360 preemptive strike on Iranian nuclear target. It's two hundred fighter jets, 0:01:01.400 --> 0:01:05.200 more than three hundred bombs, the site struck, including homes. 0:01:05.920 --> 0:01:08.520 Would you say Israel is justified in the action it's taken. 0:01:08.760 --> 0:01:13.919 Well, I'm very concerned about the situation that is developing, 0:01:14.280 --> 0:01:18.120 and it's obvious that for a long time we've had 0:01:18.160 --> 0:01:22.360 grave concerns about the nuclear program that Iran is putting together, 0:01:22.520 --> 0:01:25.720 and we absolutely recognize as Roel's right to self defense. 0:01:25.920 --> 0:01:29.840 We the UK were not evolved in this attack. 0:01:29.560 --> 0:01:34.440 And we're urging all sides to de escalate and negotiate 0:01:34.880 --> 0:01:36.760 as the way forward here, and obviously we're talking to 0:01:36.800 --> 0:01:39.800 allies about that. We have been this week. We are 0:01:39.920 --> 0:01:41.600 intensively talking to allies today. 0:01:42.200 --> 0:01:45.160 In March, US national intelligence made it public that they 0:01:45.200 --> 0:01:48.240 did not believe Iran was developing nuclear weapons. So has 0:01:48.280 --> 0:01:50.160 something changed in the assessment since then. 0:01:50.480 --> 0:01:53.680 Well, I won't go into the intelligence assessments, but we 0:01:53.720 --> 0:01:58.360 aren't gravely concerned. I've just had a call with President 0:01:58.440 --> 0:02:02.920 Macron and Chancellor Mertz to discuss the situation, and we 0:02:02.960 --> 0:02:06.280 are all on the same page in the sense of saying, look, 0:02:06.480 --> 0:02:09.440 the nuclear program is a real cause for concern. We're 0:02:09.480 --> 0:02:13.960 all saying de escalate in relation to this incident. But 0:02:14.120 --> 0:02:16.280 none of us were involved in the actual attack. 0:02:17.120 --> 0:02:19.079 Does that mean you're also gravely concerned about the fact 0:02:19.080 --> 0:02:22.240 that Israel has taken this very made this very big move, 0:02:22.440 --> 0:02:26.240 preemptive military action. I mean, you're concerned about Iran's nuclear program, 0:02:26.320 --> 0:02:28.720 you're also concerned about Israel's choice of action. 0:02:28.960 --> 0:02:32.440 Well, I'm concerned about escalation, of course, and I'm going 0:02:32.480 --> 0:02:37.800 to speak to Prime Minister Nettaya who shortly after this interview, 0:02:37.919 --> 0:02:40.520 so obviously that'll be a topic of discussion. I do 0:02:40.639 --> 0:02:43.400 recognize Israel's right to self defense, there's no doubt about that. 0:02:44.639 --> 0:02:46.600 But I am very concerned about. 0:02:46.280 --> 0:02:49.919 The escalation of this situation, which is why, along with 0:02:50.520 --> 0:02:53.480 Germany and France, were really clear that de escalation is 0:02:53.480 --> 0:02:54.520 what is needed here. 0:02:54.680 --> 0:02:59.600 Would the UK therefore help defend Israel from Iranian attack 0:02:59.600 --> 0:03:00.640 as it has done before. 0:03:00.760 --> 0:03:05.840 Well, this is happening in real time as we speak, 0:03:05.880 --> 0:03:08.280 and I'm not going to go into operational matters, if 0:03:08.280 --> 0:03:12.000 you'll forgive me for that. But as I say, the 0:03:12.040 --> 0:03:15.680 principle of Israel's right to self defense is absolutely clear 0:03:15.720 --> 0:03:18.840 and we stand by that. But this is a fast 0:03:18.880 --> 0:03:21.600 moving situation, as you will understand. 0:03:22.000 --> 0:03:25.360 At the same time, we have the ongoing situation in Gaza, 0:03:25.400 --> 0:03:29.400 the suffering. They're something that you have called intolerable and appalling. 0:03:29.840 --> 0:03:33.040 Three weeks ago, you made this very strong statement with 0:03:33.200 --> 0:03:36.120 Canada and France which called for three things, for her 0:03:36.200 --> 0:03:39.920 master release the hostages, for Israel's military operations in Gaza 0:03:39.960 --> 0:03:43.200 to cease, and for Israel to let AID into Gaza 0:03:43.240 --> 0:03:45.880 in accordance with the UN, engage with the UN in 0:03:45.880 --> 0:03:49.600 delivering it. None of those things have happened. What action 0:03:49.680 --> 0:03:51.520 will you take now, Well. 0:03:51.280 --> 0:03:53.480 You'll have seen that we take an action in relation 0:03:53.600 --> 0:03:58.680 to sanctions three weeks ago, but also more recently, and 0:03:58.760 --> 0:04:02.680 it is important that we consider what other options that 0:04:02.760 --> 0:04:05.360 we have. I always think in these situations it's better 0:04:05.400 --> 0:04:08.360 to act with allies, which is why we're coordinating what 0:04:08.400 --> 0:04:12.600 we're doing. But the situation in Gaza is absolutely intolerable. 0:04:12.640 --> 0:04:17.200 The AID arrangements are not adequate, nor are they going 0:04:17.240 --> 0:04:21.400 to be adequate, and so that's why we've been consistently 0:04:21.440 --> 0:04:23.800 calling for a return to the ceasefire. 0:04:23.960 --> 0:04:25.920 Of course, the release of the hostages. 0:04:25.920 --> 0:04:28.719 The remaining hostages have been there a very long time 0:04:29.080 --> 0:04:33.480 in awful circumstances, but we must get that AID in 0:04:34.080 --> 0:04:38.719 at speed, at volume, and the current arrangements are not 0:04:39.080 --> 0:04:42.279 going to deliver that and main following have been very 0:04:42.279 --> 0:04:45.880 clear in our messaging all this and our coordination all this, 0:04:46.240 --> 0:04:49.960 and our willingness to take action such as sanctioning. 0:04:50.600 --> 0:04:52.880 Which you've already done, and as I said, there's been 0:04:52.880 --> 0:04:56.479 no change to the situation. An action you could take 0:04:56.560 --> 0:04:59.600 is recognizing of Palestinian state, and President micro is leading 0:04:59.600 --> 0:05:01.800 on a con conference at the UN next week on 0:05:01.800 --> 0:05:02.720 that very subject. 0:05:03.200 --> 0:05:07.159 Well, we've got long standing policy as a labor party's 0:05:07.279 --> 0:05:12.440 labor government that recognition should be part of a process, 0:05:12.480 --> 0:05:16.200 and so that's our approach. Precisely what's going to happen 0:05:16.200 --> 0:05:18.799 in the conference next week, I think is unclear. 0:05:18.880 --> 0:05:20.640 And obviously now. 0:05:20.360 --> 0:05:25.960 The immediate issue is the Israeli attack overnight, and so 0:05:26.800 --> 0:05:28.320 there are a lot of moving parts at the moment. 0:05:28.360 --> 0:05:32.040 But the principle, the principle we've always held is that 0:05:32.480 --> 0:05:40.400 the only long term solution in relation to Palestine in 0:05:40.440 --> 0:05:43.119 the Middle East is a two state solution, and although 0:05:43.160 --> 0:05:46.120 it seems further off now than perhaps it's seen for 0:05:46.160 --> 0:05:48.440 some time, we have to be clear that is the 0:05:48.480 --> 0:05:53.719 only path through that Recognition at the right part of 0:05:53.800 --> 0:05:55.880 the process has always been our long standing policy. 0:05:55.960 --> 0:05:57.919 So why would this not be the moment because the 0:05:57.960 --> 0:06:00.160 action you've taken so far has not resulted in a 0:06:00.360 --> 0:06:03.320 change on the ground. And in the West Bank there's 0:06:03.360 --> 0:06:07.040 an expansion of settlements, and there are Palestinians being expelled 0:06:07.240 --> 0:06:10.359 from their homes, and there are the extremist actions of 0:06:10.440 --> 0:06:14.160 Israeli settlers. Britain has a historic responsibility, doesn't it, and 0:06:14.600 --> 0:06:17.440 recognizing if Palestinian state was in your manifesto. Do you 0:06:17.480 --> 0:06:19.599 want to be the British Prime Minister who delivers that. 0:06:20.040 --> 0:06:21.800 Well, we do have a special responsibility. 0:06:21.880 --> 0:06:25.720 You're absolutely right about that and I'm clear and our 0:06:25.720 --> 0:06:29.960 manifesto was clear about our position on recognition. But it 0:06:30.120 --> 0:06:34.240 must be the appropriate part of the process that will 0:06:34.600 --> 0:06:35.680 alleviate the situation. 0:06:35.839 --> 0:06:38.880 It doesn't exist at the moment, there is no peace process. 0:06:39.040 --> 0:06:42.360 Well, that's why it must be part of the process. Obviously, 0:06:42.400 --> 0:06:46.520 as you would expect, we are talking to allies, like 0:06:46.560 --> 0:06:51.040 minded countries about this very issue. But it must be 0:06:51.080 --> 0:06:54.200 in accord with a manifesto, part of a process that 0:06:54.360 --> 0:06:57.840 leads to a two state solution. It's the outcome that 0:06:57.880 --> 0:07:02.320 matters in this hugely. Given the intolerable situation. 0:07:02.600 --> 0:07:05.680 Can you see the moment where you might in fact, well, 0:07:05.720 --> 0:07:07.359 can you see the moment where you might have to 0:07:07.400 --> 0:07:10.080 do things independently of any process, because there isn't one. 0:07:10.080 --> 0:07:13.400 And indeed, the Israeli government is saying openly that it's 0:07:13.440 --> 0:07:17.040 trying to prevent the expand the establishment of a Paralestinian 0:07:17.080 --> 0:07:18.480 state through settlement expansion. 0:07:18.560 --> 0:07:21.440 Well, that's why we're talking to international partners about what 0:07:21.520 --> 0:07:24.080 can be done, what should be done, what's the appropriate path, 0:07:25.320 --> 0:07:29.440 and we'll continue to do that. I strongly believe that 0:07:29.480 --> 0:07:33.360 we are better, more effective when we're acting with allies 0:07:33.360 --> 0:07:34.880 with others at the same time. That's why we took 0:07:34.920 --> 0:07:37.480 the approach we did on sanctions, and it's the same 0:07:37.560 --> 0:07:38.680 mindset that I bring to this. 0:07:39.400 --> 0:07:44.280 Speaking of sanctions, let's turn to Russia. And you've worked very, 0:07:44.400 --> 0:07:49.120 very hard on to help the US administration see Ukraine 0:07:49.120 --> 0:07:53.920 slightly differently, to push them further towards greater action on Russia. 0:07:53.920 --> 0:07:56.960 And you'll be seeing President Trump at the G seven summit. 0:07:57.400 --> 0:08:00.000 Do you understand what he is trying to do on Russia. 0:08:01.080 --> 0:08:03.360 I'm clear in my own mind that President Trump wants 0:08:03.440 --> 0:08:05.440 to bring that an end to the conflict. I have 0:08:05.520 --> 0:08:11.400 no doubt about that, and we are moving closer. I 0:08:11.440 --> 0:08:15.640 hope to some sort of ceasefire, some sort of deal Ukraine. 0:08:15.680 --> 0:08:19.000 President Zelenski has been absolutely clear that he wants that 0:08:19.080 --> 0:08:23.520 unconditional ceasefire. Putin, in my view, is dragging his heels, 0:08:23.560 --> 0:08:25.800 which is why I think it is important for us, 0:08:25.840 --> 0:08:28.840 together with others, to say it will be consequences if 0:08:28.880 --> 0:08:32.840 Russia doesn't come forward to an unconditional cease fire. 0:08:32.880 --> 0:08:34.920 And it seemed that you had it, did seem that 0:08:34.960 --> 0:08:37.640 you had you you thought you had persuaded President Trump 0:08:37.640 --> 0:08:39.199 on that when you went to Kiev, when you and 0:08:39.280 --> 0:08:42.600 the other European leaders called in, you said, working with 0:08:42.679 --> 0:08:46.000 President Trump, we're going to ramp up sanctions, and then 0:08:46.200 --> 0:08:49.319 nothing came of it. President Trump talked tough for a 0:08:49.400 --> 0:08:52.760 while about Vladimir Putin and then stopped. So is he 0:08:52.840 --> 0:08:54.360 going to pressure mister Putin? 0:08:54.600 --> 0:08:57.040 Well, there are discussions going on the whole time, and 0:08:57.160 --> 0:08:59.880 we're working with the Ukrainians, working with the US as 0:09:00.080 --> 0:09:03.960 would expect with a trusted ally in this The path 0:09:04.120 --> 0:09:08.720 to peace is rarely straightforward in any conflict. But I 0:09:08.760 --> 0:09:12.200 do believe that that is what President Trump wants. That 0:09:12.320 --> 0:09:17.800 is absolutely what the Ukrainians want peace. This is a 0:09:18.400 --> 0:09:22.320 conflict of war that's been waged on them by the addressor, 0:09:22.360 --> 0:09:25.440 which is Russia, and so we are doing everything to 0:09:25.520 --> 0:09:28.920 bring about that outcome. But ASD say, the path from 0:09:29.679 --> 0:09:33.920 conflict to peace is rarely straightforward. But I'm absolutely determined 0:09:33.960 --> 0:09:37.439 that the UK will play a leading part, and I'm 0:09:37.520 --> 0:09:39.480 very pleased that the UK has seemed to be able 0:09:39.520 --> 0:09:42.200 to play that leading part in resolving the conflict. And 0:09:42.240 --> 0:09:46.800 I remind myself always that not only is this about 0:09:47.320 --> 0:09:49.520 the sovereignty of Ukraine, which of course it is, but 0:09:49.559 --> 0:09:53.199 it is also about our values in Europe, and it's 0:09:53.200 --> 0:09:55.679 also about the direct impact it has back here at 0:09:55.720 --> 0:09:58.400 home in the United Kingdom, because whether it's energy or 0:09:58.440 --> 0:10:01.800 the cost of living, this communities, individuals in the UK 0:10:02.720 --> 0:10:05.920 have been impacted by what's happening in Ukraine, and therefore 0:10:06.880 --> 0:10:10.600 we need to redouble our efforts to bring about a 0:10:10.800 --> 0:10:14.559 lasting piece, on a temporary piece, a lasting piece. 0:10:14.600 --> 0:10:17.080 Are you saying that you do believe that President Trump 0:10:17.160 --> 0:10:21.160 will bring in sanctions on Russia, new sanctions, the kind 0:10:21.200 --> 0:10:23.559 of measure that might pressure put In to come. 0:10:23.360 --> 0:10:24.480 To the negotiating table. 0:10:24.720 --> 0:10:27.120 He said on a number of occasions that's what he 0:10:27.200 --> 0:10:30.079 will do, and we're obviously closely aligning and talking to him. 0:10:30.080 --> 0:10:31.360 He also say he did in the war in twenty 0:10:31.360 --> 0:10:32.000 four hours. 0:10:32.120 --> 0:10:35.760 Well, as I say, the path, if you look at 0:10:35.760 --> 0:10:40.600 any conflict historically, the path to piece has never been straightforward. 0:10:41.960 --> 0:10:47.320 But the determination is there, the intent is there, and 0:10:47.640 --> 0:10:51.080 I do believe we're making progress, but it must be 0:10:51.160 --> 0:10:52.240 a lasting piece. 0:10:52.520 --> 0:10:55.839 You have led on this idea of the Coalition of 0:10:55.920 --> 0:10:59.400 the Willing and a reassurance force for post war Ukraine. 0:10:59.679 --> 0:11:01.440 Have you got a commitment from the US that it 0:11:01.440 --> 0:11:04.560 would provide air cover for that future force to deter 0:11:04.679 --> 0:11:06.920 Russia from attacking Ukraine in the future. 0:11:07.280 --> 0:11:11.360 Well, President Trump has clearly said he'll have our back, 0:11:11.520 --> 0:11:13.920 and I've always been clear that there must be a 0:11:14.040 --> 0:11:18.240 US element to this. But on the other hand, I 0:11:18.280 --> 0:11:21.840 do think that Europe needs to step up in its 0:11:21.840 --> 0:11:26.319 own right, in its own collective security and self defense. 0:11:26.800 --> 0:11:30.240 And that's why, along with President Macron, we have led, 0:11:30.280 --> 0:11:32.840 as it were, on the Coalition of the Willing, which 0:11:32.880 --> 0:11:35.920 is to go, if you like, at the pace of 0:11:35.960 --> 0:11:39.000 those that want to go furthest rather than at the 0:11:39.000 --> 0:11:42.360 pace of those who are the most cautious, and to 0:11:42.440 --> 0:11:44.240 start some of the planning that is going to be needed. 0:11:44.280 --> 0:11:46.000 Then the further we get into the planning of what's 0:11:46.040 --> 0:11:49.839 actually going to be needed in the air, in the sea, 0:11:50.640 --> 0:11:54.080 and possibly on land, the more convinced I am. This 0:11:54.200 --> 0:11:57.960 is the military planning that is planning needs to go 0:11:58.040 --> 0:12:01.319 on now, it's planning that can't go on after the event, 0:12:01.440 --> 0:12:04.719 so that we're ready for whatever happened. Obviously, there's a 0:12:04.720 --> 0:12:08.000 lot of moving parts, there's a lot of questions that 0:12:08.040 --> 0:12:11.320 aren't answered yet, but the military planning is getting to 0:12:11.480 --> 0:12:12.400 quite an advanced stage. 0:12:12.480 --> 0:12:13.000 Now. 0:12:13.240 --> 0:12:16.760 Having your back, as President Trump has said, is not 0:12:16.800 --> 0:12:20.680 the same as saying I will provide US air cover. 0:12:20.760 --> 0:12:23.480 Bloomberg's been told that the US is refusing to commit 0:12:23.760 --> 0:12:25.560 to air cover for a post warforce. 0:12:26.400 --> 0:12:28.840 Well, look, I'm not going to get into the private 0:12:28.840 --> 0:12:30.840 discussions that we are having, but what I would say 0:12:30.880 --> 0:12:36.240 is this that there are no two countries that act 0:12:36.600 --> 0:12:40.480 as closely together on defense, security and on intelligence sharing 0:12:41.040 --> 0:12:45.040 as the US and the UK, and that aspect of 0:12:45.040 --> 0:12:48.520 our relationship is as strong today as it's ever been. 0:12:49.600 --> 0:12:52.600 And my commitment to it is their. President Trump's commitment 0:12:52.679 --> 0:12:53.280 to it is there. 0:12:53.320 --> 0:12:57.880 We've discussed it between ourselves, so that is an unshakable 0:12:58.720 --> 0:13:00.600 link between our countries. 0:13:00.640 --> 0:13:02.320 It does make it difficult, though, doesn't it for you 0:13:02.440 --> 0:13:05.600 to And would you be prepared to put US to 0:13:05.640 --> 0:13:08.120 put British troops on the ground as part of a 0:13:08.160 --> 0:13:11.120 post war force in Ukraine if there wasn't US air 0:13:11.160 --> 0:13:12.200 cover to protect them. 0:13:12.480 --> 0:13:15.160 Well, I've always said there needs to be US protection. 0:13:15.880 --> 0:13:17.760 I have said we would be willing to put our 0:13:17.800 --> 0:13:20.559 troops on the ground, but there has to be that 0:13:20.760 --> 0:13:22.520 US backstop if you like. 0:13:22.600 --> 0:13:24.560 So if it's not there, what happens to the worst 0:13:24.720 --> 0:13:25.160 or force. 0:13:25.400 --> 0:13:29.120 We are discussing this, but I have no reason to 0:13:29.360 --> 0:13:34.000 believe that the US and the UK wouldn't act together 0:13:34.040 --> 0:13:37.080 as we've done historically for many, many years, as we 0:13:37.160 --> 0:13:41.360 are doing every single day of the week. Our teams 0:13:41.360 --> 0:13:43.680 are in constant touch with each other. As I say, 0:13:43.800 --> 0:13:47.520 we must never lose sight of the fact that the 0:13:47.679 --> 0:13:49.960 US and the UK are as close as any two 0:13:50.000 --> 0:13:53.680 countries on defense, security and the intelligence that we share 0:13:53.960 --> 0:13:54.560 with each other. 0:13:56.559 --> 0:13:59.040 After the break the latest on trade talks between the 0:13:59.160 --> 0:14:01.440 United States and the U United Kingdom, and the UK 0:14:01.520 --> 0:14:04.760 Prime Minister looks ahead to a pivotal NATO summit later 0:14:04.840 --> 0:14:05.320 this month. 0:14:13.679 --> 0:14:16.440 There's another live bilateral issue which is the state of 0:14:16.480 --> 0:14:18.800 your trade agreement and the hope that you will implement it. 0:14:18.800 --> 0:14:21.320 And the timeframe you yourself set was two weeks, which 0:14:21.360 --> 0:14:23.400 would take us to next Wednesday. 0:14:23.720 --> 0:14:25.720 So will it be implemented in that timeframe. 0:14:25.800 --> 0:14:28.320 We're in the final stages of implementing now. I'm very 0:14:28.320 --> 0:14:31.360 pleased that we reach that agreement. It was a huge 0:14:31.400 --> 0:14:35.600 relief to car manufacturing those working in the sector, particularly 0:14:35.680 --> 0:14:38.680 JLR workers that I went to see before we started 0:14:38.720 --> 0:14:42.280 the negotiations. I went to see immediately after negotiations, and 0:14:42.360 --> 0:14:46.360 so this is measured in jobs protected, jobs created by 0:14:46.400 --> 0:14:49.520 this deal. We are at the implementation stage, but we're 0:14:49.520 --> 0:14:52.320 at the end of that process and I hope that 0:14:52.320 --> 0:14:54.160 we can complete it pretty soon. 0:14:54.200 --> 0:14:56.560 Now is that the same as within the two weeks 0:14:56.680 --> 0:14:57.560 by next Wednesday? 0:14:57.640 --> 0:15:00.560 Oh, I'm hoping that we will complete it pretty soon. 0:15:00.680 --> 0:15:03.040 I mean, it's important that we do. But we're making 0:15:03.040 --> 0:15:06.880 good progress. There's nothing unexpected in the implementation and so 0:15:07.680 --> 0:15:10.640 we haven't got any hiccups or obstacles. 0:15:10.680 --> 0:15:12.479 Why isn't it done yet. 0:15:12.360 --> 0:15:15.080 Because there are both sides agreed what they would do 0:15:15.120 --> 0:15:17.800 in order to implement, and so we're working through what 0:15:17.840 --> 0:15:19.720 we the UK have to do what the US is 0:15:19.880 --> 0:15:22.240 going to do so we can implement it. 0:15:22.320 --> 0:15:24.040 That was as we're envisaged. 0:15:24.440 --> 0:15:26.320 Not long after the G seven someone, you'll have the 0:15:26.360 --> 0:15:28.920 NATO summit coming up, and there there is a very 0:15:28.960 --> 0:15:33.000 specific new ask, which is that the US administration says 0:15:33.040 --> 0:15:35.280 is NATO itself says is to spend five percent of 0:15:35.320 --> 0:15:38.640 GDP on defense, understood to be by the year twenty 0:15:38.720 --> 0:15:42.760 thirty two, three and a half percent on core defense spending. 0:15:42.920 --> 0:15:44.480 Will you be committing to that? 0:15:44.960 --> 0:15:48.200 Well, let me go through what we've already committed to, 0:15:48.240 --> 0:15:51.960 which is obviously two point five percent of GDP being 0:15:52.000 --> 0:15:55.200 spent on defense by twenty twenty seven, twenty eight. I 0:15:55.200 --> 0:15:58.120 think that's earlier than most people thought we would commit to, 0:15:58.240 --> 0:16:01.600 and that's the biggest sustain increase in defense spending since 0:16:01.640 --> 0:16:03.960 the Cold War. With an ambition then to go to 0:16:04.000 --> 0:16:07.200 three percent in the next Parliament set that all out 0:16:07.800 --> 0:16:13.600 alongside our Strategic Defense Review. I accept the proposition I've 0:16:13.640 --> 0:16:18.200 advanced the proposition about the importance of NATO. Our Strategic 0:16:18.200 --> 0:16:22.760 Defense Review is very much NATO first, and that all 0:16:22.840 --> 0:16:26.720 European countries need to step up. There's been a sort 0:16:26.720 --> 0:16:29.760 of criticism that Europe hasn't carried its fair share of 0:16:29.920 --> 0:16:30.400 the burden. 0:16:30.600 --> 0:16:32.240 I think that's right. 0:16:32.560 --> 0:16:34.560 So I've said to European allies we need to do 0:16:34.600 --> 0:16:39.560 more on spend on capability and cooperation. Obviously, the precise 0:16:39.680 --> 0:16:42.320 wording that will be agreed that NATO is still a 0:16:42.320 --> 0:16:43.800 matter of some negotiation. 0:16:44.360 --> 0:16:45.840 What I'm really clear about is. 0:16:45.760 --> 0:16:50.160 That NATO has been the cornerstone of our defence for 0:16:50.440 --> 0:16:56.320 eighty plus years. It is the most important successful military 0:16:56.360 --> 0:16:59.240 alliance that's ever been and I think it's important for 0:16:59.240 --> 0:17:01.920 that summit in just over a week's time to be 0:17:01.960 --> 0:17:06.119 a real show of unity and to show our responsibility 0:17:06.560 --> 0:17:09.240 not just to reflect on the last eighty years of NATO, 0:17:09.320 --> 0:17:12.760 but to play our part in ensuring that we continue 0:17:13.200 --> 0:17:14.119 peace in Europe. 0:17:14.160 --> 0:17:15.560 And that's all NATO. 0:17:15.440 --> 0:17:17.240 And that's the broad picture, But there is now this 0:17:17.359 --> 0:17:21.240 very specific lass and your current commitment, as your current ambition, 0:17:21.560 --> 0:17:25.640 is for three percent of GDP spent on defense by 0:17:25.720 --> 0:17:28.600 the year twenty thirty four in the next parliament. So 0:17:29.560 --> 0:17:31.480 could it be your ambition by the time of this 0:17:31.560 --> 0:17:34.040 summit to raise that to three and a half percent, 0:17:34.080 --> 0:17:36.720 because if you don't, you can't really claim to be 0:17:36.920 --> 0:17:38.879 the leading European nation in NATO. 0:17:39.119 --> 0:17:42.919 Well, I had Mark rot of the Sexuary General of 0:17:43.000 --> 0:17:47.879 NATO here in this room on Monday to discuss how 0:17:48.320 --> 0:17:50.159 together we would go into this summit. 0:17:50.200 --> 0:17:51.000 And there's still. 0:17:50.760 --> 0:17:54.200 Discussions going on as to price precisely what the wording 0:17:54.200 --> 0:17:56.639 of what the commitment will be. But I mean, he 0:17:56.960 --> 0:18:00.000 was very clear to me that he welcomed our uplift 0:18:00.119 --> 0:18:02.480 to two point five percent. It was very pleased that 0:18:02.480 --> 0:18:04.040 we had done that. It was very pleased with a 0:18:04.119 --> 0:18:05.600 strategic defense, it's all good. 0:18:05.600 --> 0:18:08.119 It's just a long way from what you want. And 0:18:08.200 --> 0:18:10.560 the US says everyone's going to agree to this within weeks. 0:18:11.440 --> 0:18:13.880 Forget week, We're going to be a very difficult summit. 0:18:13.600 --> 0:18:16.800 To NATO, not just in our troops but also our 0:18:16.880 --> 0:18:20.720 nuclear commitment to NATO. Were the only country that commits 0:18:21.240 --> 0:18:25.240 our nuclear capability to NATO, and so I think he 0:18:25.320 --> 0:18:29.879 would recognize NATO recognizes that the UK makes a huge 0:18:29.920 --> 0:18:33.520 contribution to NATO and I am absolutely determined that that 0:18:33.600 --> 0:18:35.920 summit in just over a week will be a huge 0:18:35.960 --> 0:18:42.320 success and an opportunity to show the strength together that 0:18:42.359 --> 0:18:45.200 we have as NATO allies, but also to send a 0:18:45.280 --> 0:18:49.919 very clear message to our adversaries, which is equally important 0:18:50.119 --> 0:18:53.080 in what is a more unstable world than I think 0:18:53.080 --> 0:18:54.840 we've seen for many, many years. 0:18:55.000 --> 0:18:57.919 Finally, let's return to the UK and the plans that 0:18:57.960 --> 0:19:00.719 you've just set out for national renewal, a new phase 0:19:00.880 --> 0:19:03.520 of your government. There are some concerns that the growth 0:19:03.520 --> 0:19:06.560 picture is not necessarily going to with the forecast going 0:19:06.600 --> 0:19:10.160 to support your spending plans. And there is a group 0:19:10.200 --> 0:19:13.600 of people that Bloomberg have looked into company filings and 0:19:13.640 --> 0:19:16.280 they've seen the thousands of company directors have left the 0:19:16.320 --> 0:19:18.640 country relocating out of the UK in the last year. 0:19:19.040 --> 0:19:20.800 Is this a group of people that you can really 0:19:20.800 --> 0:19:23.480 afford to use? Don't you need to have those people 0:19:23.840 --> 0:19:26.679 here to look at the opportunities for investment? Might you 0:19:26.720 --> 0:19:27.960 consider an investor visa? 0:19:28.480 --> 0:19:31.560 Well, let me put this in the context because obviously, 0:19:32.600 --> 0:19:34.199 and I won't go over this at great detail, but 0:19:34.280 --> 0:19:38.639 we inherited a complete mess at the election. Almost everything 0:19:38.760 --> 0:19:41.240 was broken, the economy, public services. 0:19:41.160 --> 0:19:43.600 You name it, which is why you raised we had to. 0:19:43.720 --> 0:19:46.959 Take difficult but right decisions in the budget, and that, 0:19:47.000 --> 0:19:50.040 if you like, was year one of this labor government, 0:19:50.040 --> 0:19:52.679 which was clear up the mess, take the difficult but 0:19:52.800 --> 0:19:56.440 necessary decisions. We're now very clearly moving into sort of 0:19:56.920 --> 0:20:00.480 phase two, which is what the spending review ushers in, 0:20:00.520 --> 0:20:03.560 which is being clear, what's the benefit from this, what's 0:20:03.600 --> 0:20:04.520 the yield? 0:20:04.920 --> 0:20:07.320 Where are you putting your money? And I'm really proud. 0:20:07.040 --> 0:20:11.360 That we're rolling out a program of real labor values 0:20:11.400 --> 0:20:14.560 in terms of investment, whether that's things like sigh as well. 0:20:14.760 --> 0:20:18.359 So might investor be part of it, It's just is 0:20:18.400 --> 0:20:19.360 it something you're considering. 0:20:19.520 --> 0:20:22.199 I want more investors to come into the country, I 0:20:22.240 --> 0:20:24.520 want top talent to come into the country. But I 0:20:24.560 --> 0:20:28.160 would just push back a little because we've had record 0:20:28.240 --> 0:20:32.760 investment into the UK since the last election. We've just 0:20:32.880 --> 0:20:37.480 had London Tech Week where we had some of the 0:20:37.520 --> 0:20:44.000 most forward leading investment investors and tech companies absolutely singing 0:20:44.040 --> 0:20:46.439 the praises of the UK and why now is the 0:20:46.520 --> 0:20:48.159 right time to invest in the UK. 0:20:49.359 --> 0:20:52.040 He's also lost about a quarter of a million jobs 0:20:51.520 --> 0:20:54.879 since the autumn, so it's not all as rosy. 0:20:54.600 --> 0:20:57.440 As we've actually, I mean, five hundred thousand more people 0:20:57.400 --> 0:21:00.479 are in work than at the day to the last election, 0:21:00.600 --> 0:21:01.159 and the. 0:21:01.720 --> 0:21:05.040 Actually since you raise taxes in the autumn. This is 0:21:05.040 --> 0:21:07.240 the Bloomberg analysis that a quarter of a million. 0:21:07.040 --> 0:21:08.160 Jobs have been lost. 0:21:08.520 --> 0:21:11.040 If he looked at the number of people in work, 0:21:11.040 --> 0:21:13.320 it is five hundred thousand more than it was. If 0:21:13.400 --> 0:21:17.280 you look at the commitment and spending Defense Strategic Review, 0:21:17.320 --> 0:21:21.000