Starmer’s latest Press conference 10:30am today

I’m not suggesting taking money from children for defence. I understand the arguments for the two child limit. I just don’t agree with it

Gran22boys

Iam64

I agree with yiu keep the two child limit Oreo. There are many areas needing the cash, it’s popular with many Labour voters, thigh not this one. Both my daughters would have had a third child but couldn’t afford it.

I also agree with the 2-child cap. I don’t expect to pay for anyone’s children except my own.

Well I am very glad the cap has been scrapped. I can't understand that people's first thought as to how to raise money for defence is to take it away from children.

Oreo

But not even one to send right now.

One is due to take part in a NATO exercise in the Arctic.

Oreo

But not even one to send right now.

Saying we don't have one that is completely ready to send immediately is quite a good way to not comply with what Trump is demanding we do.

Smileless2012

Any humiliating shame lies with Trump and Netanyahu for embarking on a war that's not only illegal, but for which neither of them had a plan which went any further than dropping as many bombs as possible.

👏👏👏👏

AGAA4

The UK should feel no shame having acted correctly. The US should feel great shame for the mess they have caused.
Iran have the availability to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed for a considerable time. They can't fight militarily but they can fight economically and are hoping to get the price of oil up to $200 or more.

👏👏👏👏

Iam64

I agree with yiu keep the two child limit Oreo. There are many areas needing the cash, it’s popular with many Labour voters, thigh not this one. Both my daughters would have had a third child but couldn’t afford it.

I also agree with the 2-child cap. I don’t expect to pay for anyone’s children except my own.

Any humiliating shame lies with Trump and Netanyahu for embarking on a war that's not only illegal, but for which neither of them had a plan which went any further than dropping as many bombs as possible.

Absolutely sixandahalf and AGAA4

AGAA4 🌞👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

The UK should feel no shame having acted correctly. The US should feel great shame for the mess they have caused.
Iran have the availability to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed for a considerable time. They can't fight militarily but they can fight economically and are hoping to get the price of oil up to $200 or more.

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Royal Navy assets have been brutally exposed in this conflict ~ what a humiliating shame on the UK this all is. From that point alone I can understand why Starmer doesn’t want to get involved.

Next round? We are sitting ducks.

I don't feel shame. Actually I'm proud that this little stone set in the sea, has had the guts to stand up to an insane bully.

FriedGreenTomatoes2

Royal Navy assets have been brutally exposed in this conflict ~ what a humiliating shame on the UK this all is. From that point alone I can understand why Starmer doesn’t want to get involved.

Next round? We are sitting ducks.

AI information from the Royal Navy.

The Royal Navy is modernizing with the City-class (Type 26) and Inspiration-class (Type 31) frigates entering service between the late 2020s and early 2030s. Key recent milestones include the roll-out of HMS Active (Type 31) and the start of construction for HMS Bulldog in Feb 2026, while the first Type 26, HMS Glasgow, began testing in late 2025
Royal Navy

Key Upcoming Ship Classes & Milestones
City-Class Frigates (Type 26): Eight anti-submarine ships being built by BAE Systems. HMS Glasgow, Cardiff, and Belfast are expected to join the fleet before 2030.
Inspiration-Class Frigates (Type 31): Five general-purpose frigates being built by Babcock. HMS Active was rolled out in February 2026. The class, including HMS Venturer and HMS Bulldog, is expected to be operational by the early 2030s.
Submarines: The Astute-class submarine HMS Agamemnon was commissioned in September 2025, and construction has begun on the final Dreadnought-class nuclear submarine, HMS King George VI.

Royal Navy

Current Status
Frigate Numbers: The frigate force is currently undergoing a transition, with seven ships in service as of early 2026, with numbers expected to rise as new vessels enter service.
Aircraft Carriers: HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales continue to operate as the core of the surface fleet.

Royal Navy

These new vessels are designed to enhance the Royal Navy’s anti-submarine warfare and maritime security capabilities in the coming decade.

Royal Navy

Oreo

Apologies if I’m misunderstanding, but why do you keep insisting we have NO Navy ships ready to deploy?

“ As of March 2026, the Royal Navy has ships and submarines ready for war, though operational availability is constrained, with approximately a dozen major warships available for immediate deployment.
Bloomberg.com
Bloomberg.com
The UK maintains a "high-readiness" posture for its flagship aircraft carrier and specialized destroyers in response to global tensions, particularly in the Middle East and the High North.”

Do you secret access to intel we don’t know about??

SORES sorry, of course I meant Iran Typing and brain fog!

Trump has been exposed.
Didn't plan properly.

Are there any USA mine sweepers available for the Straits?
Surely the USA should go in first? They started this war.

Iam64

I agree with yiu keep the two child limit Oreo. There are many areas needing the cash, it’s popular with many Labour voters, thigh not this one. Both my daughters would have had a third child but couldn’t afford it.

It’s only effective for those claiming universal credit, it’s not the separate Child Benefit, the only cap in this benefit (child benefit) is income.

Many people find their situations changing, all power to those who choose only to have one or two children, for affordability issues.

However some people find themselves in difficult situations they hadn’t planned for, bereavement, relationship breakdown, job losses, loss of housing, there’s many reasons for people to be suffering hardship with more than two children. Remember around 34% of families in receipt of Universal Credit are actually in work.

Children in the here and now, need help, I’m glad he didn’t wait till the end of his term.

Royal Navy assets have been brutally exposed in this conflict ~ what a humiliating shame on the UK this all is. From that point alone I can understand why Starmer doesn’t want to get involved.

Next round? We are sitting ducks.

SORES 16.36: "did you mean ‘incursion' "

I did indeed.

It would be extremely foolish for other countries to send ships to the strait. They would almost certainly be attacked, people killed and the ships damaged and insurance will not pay out for taking extreme risks.

Iam64

Trump is proving, yet again, that he’s a dangerous egocentric bully whose impulsive behaviour is risking ww3.
Of course he wants others to join his illegal war , thank goodness Starmer continues to resist

Indeed !

LemonJam

BBC News website has set out what Starmer said in his 10.30 speech in the live section...plus there already is a Youtube video

He continues with his message that he will not commit the lives of UK service men till there is a well thought out plan etc- fair and sensible. Pleased to see Starmer is meeting with Carney and Zelinski- and that he said Putin must not be allowed to continue to benefit from this excursion. He said and there will need to be a plan to keep the shipping channel open 'after the conflict' and that he is working on a proposal plan with another ally...

did you mean ‘incursion’

Cossy

Is Starmer finally learning?

I’m in midst of watching this!

So far, good, honest open speech, stating very clearly our (UK) stance on Iraq is still deference, and that we will NOT be drawn in to fighting.

We will not forget supporting Ukraine.

Onto cost of living help.

Not perfect, but far more than we’ve seen before and the second press conference in three weeks.

We need more of this, and we need more action.

If only he’d done this from the “get-go”.

Anyone seen this and has feedback/comments?

I don’t understand this, are we in Iraq now?

Cossy

Iam64

Sorry to respond not having heard the speech. You’re describing the PM I expected Starmer to be

Me too, but this hasn’t always happened and I just think his stance and communication now is bang on, I just wish it hadn’t taken a war to bring this Starmer out. I’m impressed.

I agree with what he is saying too.

Trouble is though[and I wont say much as not really the thread], a PM is not merely a Foreign Secretary.