Sir Keir Starmer’s defence plans are under growing pressure after the Liberal Democrats called for cross-party talks to boost spending to 3% of GDP.

Lib Dems leader Sir Ed Davey said the UK must ramp up spending after what he described as Donald Trump’s “betrayal” of Ukraine, the UK and its allies.

He is calling on the Government to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP “as soon as possible” and wants to hold cross-party talks to see how this could be raised up to 3%.

Seemingly referring to the US President's decision for the White House to resume official talks with the Kremlin, Sir Ed said: “Donald Trump’s stitch-up with Putin amounts to a betrayal of Ukraine, the UK and all our allies.

“It is clear: we are living in a new and dangerous world. We must respond.

"To ensure that Great Britain is protected against Russia and able to provide the leadership which our continent needs in the absence of the US, we must increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP as soon as possible."

The Lib Dem leader also said, due to "the severity of the threats we now face", measures should "not stop there" and politicians should come together and find common ground on "how to go further".

He continued: "We simply cannot afford not to do this. Our national security is at stake. The question is not whether we take this step now: it is what happens if we do not.

"The UK needs to make a clear stand for allies in Ukraine and across Eastern Europe, for democracy and for our security - against an emboldened Vladimir Putin."

Sir Keir is facing growing calls to boost defence spending amid fears the US could reduce its financial backing for European security, with Sir Ed joining Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage in upping the pressure on the PM.

Currently, the UK spends around 2.3% of its national income on defence - hitting the current NATO target of 2%.

The Government has committed to 2.5% but is yet to set out a timetable for how this will be achieved.

Ministers have said the path to this will be laid out in the spring and on Thursday, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said she is “absolutely committed” to spending 2.5%.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has said NATOallies need to be spending at least 3%, while US President Donald Trump has even called for 5%.

The Lib Dems suggested hiking the Digital Services Tax on tech giants, including social media companies and search engines, could be one way to raise the money needed to increase defence spending.

A retired British Army colonel told the Daily Express that any plans to send British troops as peacekeepers in Ukraine would likely require spending to reach 3% in the long-term.

Talks between the US and Russia over ending the Ukraine war were held in Saudi Arabia earlier this week, with Kyiv officials excluded from the meeting.