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PM puts Britain on war footing as he announces defence review | Paper Talk UK 

Bias Exposure

Most of the newspapers react to the government’s Defence Secretary Review plans, announced by the prime minister yesterday. The UK is set to spend an extra £2bn on drones and AI in a bid to make the country “battle ready” – but some papers (right-leaning Conservatives) warn that a tax rise will likely be on the way to pay for it. New submarines are set to be built in what some papers suggest is a warning to Russia, and the review lays out plans to recruit more people for the army, with a paid stint in the military for school leavers being considered. 

READ: The Strategic Defence Review 2025 – Making Britain Safer: secure at home, strong abroad

READ: Read A Full Breakdown of the UK Newspapers Today

The Independent says Britain’s military will be ‘10 times more lethal’ under the plans as the army’s boost will tackle a “new era of threat from Russia.” Defence secretary John Healey said Britain’s army needed to become “10 times more lethal” in the face of the “immediate and pressing threat” from Russia and the rise of China. “We are in a new era of threat, which demands a new era for UK defence,” he told MPs.

EXPLAINER

This headline uses threat framing (“new era of threat from Russia”) to justify military expansion and urgency. “10 times more lethal” is a dramatic claim, boosting the image of strength. The warning to Starmer and mention of his refusal to commit to 3% GDP spending subtly casts doubt on his leadership, using contrast to portray him as potentially slow or indecisive.

Army gets boost to tackle new era of threat' from Russia Military to be '10 times more lethal' under plans to make Britain battle-ready - but review warns Starmer may need to act faster as he refuses to commit to spending 3% of GDP on defence by 2034

The i reports that in the review a military “gap year” for over-18s has been suggested. The prime minister has ruled out national service and instead suggests a paid year to teach school leavers about the military, it writes.

EXPLAINER

This headline uses positive framing (“taste of military life”, “gap year”) to make service sound appealing and voluntary, softening the image of military recruitment. Linking it to education and opportunity presents the Armed Forces as a career path, while the review’s suggestion implies a strategic push for recruitment without overt coercion.

British over-18s offered taste of military life with 'gap year' in Army, Navy and RAF Schoolchildren should be taught about the work of the Armed Forces in order to increase recruitment, defence review states-with school-leavers offered paid year with the military

The Times notes that the PM has insisted the British Army will grow for the first time in a generation as one expert cited by the paper warns that the increase in spending will mean “some really quite chunky take increases.”

EXPLAINER

This headline uses alarmist language (“war footing”, “weapons of mass destruction”) to create urgency and justify future tax increases. It frames the situation as a national emergency, making financial sacrifice seem necessary. This is a fear-based tactic to condition public acceptance of policy changes.

Tax rises loom to put Britain on war footing: Threat from new weapons of mass destruction

The Daily Express says ex-military official Lord Dannatt has said Sir Keir Starmer’s Strategic Defence Review announcements will be too slow. Ministers have been dazzled by drones, cyber, and artificial intelligence. But here’s the truth: you can’t fight a war with a laptop. You still need boots on the ground, crews in the air, and ships that sail with full complements. The Government says it will spend 2.5% of GDP on defence. But that figure was plucked out of thin air.

EXPLAINER

This headline uses a colloquial phrase (“won’t cut the mustard”) to mock the government’s response, adding a tone of dismissive criticism. Quoting a “former Army chief” lends authority, reinforcing the idea that the PM is failing under pressure. The mention of the “Russia threat” heightens fear and urgency to support increased military spending.

BUDGET DELAY WON'T 'CUT THE MUSTARD AS RUSSIA THREATEN Former Army chief attacks the PM for failing to confirm 3% defence spending