Ministry of Defence

What is circulating

“Giving evidence to Parliament's Liaison Committee on 23 March 2026, Starmer said: "we will spend £270 billion more than we would otherwise have done on defence" in this Parliament.”

Claimed by Keir Starmer, then UK Prime Minister · official statement

The facts

Full Fact found the claim incorrect. The £270 billion is roughly the Ministry of Defence's total planned spending from 2025/26 to 2028/29, which adds up to £272.2 billion, not the increase. The defence budget rose by £1.9 billion in 2025/26 and is set to rise by £3.3 billion the following year.

Fact check: Full Fact

What is circulating

“A video shows Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin announcing free vehicle ownership transfers, free vehicle tax and free number plates until the end of 2025.”

Claimed by Social media users · social media

The facts

The footage is from a TVRI broadcast of Sjafrie's press statement at the Presidential Office on 31 August 2025, where he reported on a cabinet meeting about the riots in Jakarta. He did not mention vehicle taxes or ownership transfers.

Fact check: Kompas.com Cek Fakta