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Politics latest: PM 'very confident' he'll remain Labour leader as showdown looms with party rebels

Keir Starmer is at a NATO summit in the Netherlands, but is being dogged by questions about a rebellion brewing at home, where Labour MPs are threatening to bring down the government's welfare reforms with just days left until a pivotal vote.

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Europe is trying to appease Trump with 5% defence spending target

Our political correspondent Ali Fortescue is giving her immediate reaction to Sir Keir Starmer's news conference, which just took place in The Hague.

She says around the welfare rebellion, the prime minister was reiterating that a vote will go ahead on the government's policy on Tuesday.

"What is going to happen between now and then to try to bring those 120+ MPs on board, we shall see," Ali explains.

"It was a pretty extraordinary PMQs that we saw earlier, and that is the domestic problem that the prime minister faces - but he's at NATO."

Ali says Starmer also made an announcement on defence, claiming the UK will aim to spend 4.1% of GDP on defence by 2027.

The ambition is 5% by 2035 - when Starmer might not be prime minister.

NATO allies are signing up for this target "in the hopes of appeasing Donald Trump", Ali says, who is keen for Europe to spend more on defence.

Do Brits need to make Cold War-style preparations?

In his final question, the PM is asked if Brits should be making "Cold War-style preparations", after a review yesterday stated the UK needed to prepare for a possible war on home soil.

Sir Keir Starmer says it is a "mistake to think the only threat we face is external and far off".

He adds: "There are cyberattacks that have to be dealt with and are being dealt with [every day]. They are ever more sophisticated, and we need to have the capability to deal with them."

He signals, as well, the risks around energy security as seen in Ukraine.

The PM also notes there is a "big threat" of state-backed terrorism in the UK, with "very many attempts" to penetrate the UK having been thwarted by British spies.

"But the fact that they are very good at their job shouldn't detract from the fact that that is a real threat to our country, which we have to take seriously," he adds.

The security minister spoke more about this with Sophy Ridge:

'Pretty united front' in Labour around welfare, Starmer says

Sir Keir Starmer is now asked how he has "spectacularly failed to read the mood among your MPs" over his welfare policy.

As a reminder, upwards of 100 Labour MPs have backed a "reasoned amendment" to welfare cuts - enough to defeat the government.

He insists there is a "pretty united front" in that the UK's welfare system needs reform.

"You won't find many Labour MPs who are not accepting that we need reform," the prime minister says.

"We are absolutely on the page with them."

PM: We will modernise welfare system

The question is, Starmer says, how this reform is carried out.

"That is why we put forward the provisions in the bill in relation to how we modernise and make fairer鈥� our welfare system."

He says that many people predicted before the election that Labour couldn't read the room - and "we got a landslide victory".

'We have to make the reforms to our welfare system - it isn't working'

Next, Sir Keir Starmer is asked about the UK's "soaring" benefits bill - and whether he is willing to compromise on his welfare bill amid a growing rebellion.

First turning to defence spending, the prime minister says: "We have a commitment in our manifesto not to raise taxes on working people, and we will keep to that commitment."

Then on welfare, Starmer doubles down, saying "we have to make the reforms to our system - it isn't working as it is".

"It is broken, we were elected in to change that which is what we will do.

"That is why we are going to press ahead with reforms."

We will press ahead with welfare reforms, Starmer insists

Speaking from a NATO conference in the Netherlands, the prime minister is asked by Sky News political editor Beth Rigby about the ongoing rebellion against the government's welfare reforms.

More than a 100 Labour MPs say they want to sink the bill - but earlier today Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner insisted a vote on it next week will go ahead.

Sir Keir Starmer tells Beth: "We're committed to reforming our welfare system. It doesn't work. It traps people. And it has to be reformed.

"And it also has to ensure that we've got a welfare system that is fit for the future. 

"And that is why, there will be a vote, and we will press ahead with the reforms."

PM 'very confident' he'll stay as leader

Asked by another journalist if he is confident he will lead Labour into the next general election in 2029, the PM says he is "very confident" he will.

He adds the party was elected on a platform promising a "decade of national renewal" with a "huge majority".

"It is really important that I lead from the front and take the long-term decisions about the future of our country," he adds.

Watch: The welfare battle explained

Starmer: UK will reach 4.1% of GDP on defence and security in 2027

Sir Keir Starmer is now addressing the NATO summit at The Hague, beginning with a discussion of the conflict between Israel and Iran.

He says: "We need to make sure the ceasefire holds, and seize this opportunity to stabilise the region - and get Iran around the negotiating table with the US."

Ultimately, Starmer says, this is how "we will ensure" a complete end to Iran's nuclear programme.

The prime minister turns to Ukraine, pledging not to "lose focus" on the war with Russia - and the "rising threats to Euro-Atlantic security". 

NATO will be 'more lethal than ever'

He says: "In the face of those threats, I've long argued that this is the moment to unite for Europe to make a fundamental shift in its posture, and for NATO to meet this challenge head on. 

"And that is what we have done today, with the UK at the forefront. 

"NATO allies have agreed a new defence investment pledge, raising defence and security spending to 5% of GDP by 2035, making NATO stronger, fairer and more lethal than ever."

For context: NATO powers have moved the goalposts somewhat regarding defence spending targets. The 5% of GDP target takes in security rather than just defence - so encompassing things like cyber and border security, rather than just traditional military kit. Only 2.6% out of that 4.1% will be on core defence.

Starmer sets out a timeline for this 5% target, with allies agreeing to "review this pledge in 2029".

"The new National Security Strategy sets out our plans and priorities across these areas," Starmer says, referring to the review published yesterday that warned the UK must prepare for a wartime scenario.

"Under the NATO new definitions, we estimate that we will reach at least 4.1% of GDP in 2027," he says.

Starmer has previously said the UK will spend 2.5% of GDP on defence, under the traditional definition, by that year.

Watch live: Starmer holds news conference at NATO summit

The prime minister is holding a news conference at the NATO summit in The Hague, the Netherlands.

It comes as allies agree to an "ironclad commitment" to collective defence, including investing 5% of GDP on defence and security.

You can watch Keir Starmer's statement and subsequent questions from the media in the stream above, and we'll bring you updates too.

Rayner holds firm in face of rebellion - with just days left to save welfare plans

Angela Rayner may be a seasoned hand at Deputy PMQs, but this is an extraordinary week. 

The government is facing down a full-blown rebellion on its plans to cut the welfare bill, with around one in four Labour MPs willing to back an amendment that would effectively kill it in its tracks.

One in four MPs. Less than a year into government.

Watch: The battle over benefit cuts

Today, Rayner confirmed the crunch vote will go ahead next Tuesday. 

But there are just days to save the bill and prove this is a government that can push through its agenda without being at the mercy of its own MPs.

Mel Stride, a former welfare secretary himself, standing in at DPMQs for the first time, asked if she is "just a little embarrassed?"

A fundamental question for Labour

The deputy PM has faced down several opponents at PMQs, from Boris Johnson and Dominic Raab to Chris Philp last week, and knows how to command the chamber and did so today, turning the question on to the Tories' economic record. 

But she also knows the government being defeated on a flagship policy this early on is more than just embarrassing. 

The welfare issue speaks to a fundamental question in the Labour Party. 

Is it a party, as the name suggests, that is about getting people to work, or about rolling out the state to help the most vulnerable. 

A bigger challenge to come

A darling of the Labour left, Rayner today had to publicly defend a bill the government estimates would put 250,000 people into poverty. 

Behind the scenes, we understand she is on board with the reforms and there were no hints otherwise today. 

The biggest challenge at DPMQs could have come from the benches behind her, but Labour MPs kept quiet on welfare. That doesn't mean there isn't trouble ahead, and persuading those 120+ MPs is the bigger challenge she and her cabinet colleagues face over the coming days. 

Starmer meets Erdogan at The Hague

While his deputy was doing PMQs, Sir Keir Starmer has met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoganat the NATO summit at The Hague.

The prime minister, who stood next to Erdogan for a family photograph earlier, was accompanied by Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Defence Secretary John Healey and National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell.

Neither the prime minister nor the president spoke while media were in the room.

Corbyn questions UK's support for Israel - and asks deputy PM to back independent inquiry

Wrapping up PMQs is former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

He asks about 86 people who were killed in Gaza by Israeli forces, and another 56 who were shot dead while queuing for food.

"Israel stands condemned for acts of genocide for war crimes for their occupation of Gaza and their activities in the West Bank," he says, and asks why Britain still supplies parts for F-25 jets used by Israel in Gaza.

He also asks if Angela Rayner will support his private member's bill, calling for an independent inquiry into UK policies on Israel and Gaza.

Rayner: Israel's recent conduct appalling

The deputy prime minister says Israel's recent action is "appalling and counter-productive".

She says the UK strongly opposes "the expansion of military operations" and the blocking of aid.

"It's a long-standing principle that genocide is determined by competent international courts and not for governments," she says.

Rayner adds the UK does not sell arms trades "directly to the IDF" that might breach international humanitarian law.