London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 03, 2025

Spending more on military aid to Ukraine will cut energy bills, minister says

Spending more on military aid to Ukraine will cut energy bills, minister says

The prime minister has pledged to match this year's aid next year and is now in New York where she hopes other world leaders join her fight to support Ukraine

The government's promise to provide at least £2.3bn of military aid to Ukraine next year will help ease the cost of living crisis, the culture secretary said.

Michelle Donelan told Sky News that the aid would help to reduce fuel costs in the UK and said that the government will reveal how it will pay for the pledge.

Liz Truss, the prime minister, announced the commitment overnight on Monday to match the support next year that it has provided to Ukraine this year.

She was on her way to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, her first overseas trip as prime minister.

The UK is the second biggest military donor to Ukraine, committing £2.3bn this year to provide hundreds of rockets, air defence systems and other military equipment.

Ms Donelan told Kay Burley on Sky News: "We believe it is fundamentally important that we're standing up for democracy, that we're continuing to protect Ukraine in their fight, that we're standing up for the rest of the world who needs to end their global dependence on Russia, which is one of the factors behind the increasing price in fuel.

"So this is actually going to help the cost of living of people, not just in the UK, but across the globe as well.

"And we hope that other countries will see what we're doing and follow our example.

"We will outline exactly where that money is coming from."

She said she did not want to "pre-empt" exactly what the chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng, will announce in Friday's "mini budget".

Ms Donelan also rejected any suggestion that the cost-of-living crisis would force a re-think of the UK's strategy in Ukraine.

"We are not re-evaluating our support in the Ukraine, we are doubling down on our support in the Ukraine."

James Murray, the shadow financial secretary to the Treasury, said that it was "absolutely right that we give all the support we can" to Ukraine and stop Mr Putin "using energy as a weapon".

But he questioned whether the government had a concrete plan for supporting Ukraine.

"I think there does need to be a strategy as well - alongside pledges of money and support - that needs to be a long- term strategy," he told Sky News.

"And that includes, of course, a plan for energy in the UK because Putin is using energy as a weapon.

"And we need to make sure that people here are protected through the winter and beyond as energy price rises increase."

He added that the government needed to prioritise getting the British people through "the difficult months ahead".

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
×