Rachel Reeves

Money Moves

Set up the Multilateral Defence Mechanism in 2026

Britain will not join the Canada-led Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB), ending talks to merge the two countries' defence financing efforts. Reuters reported the sides could not agree on the bank's headquarters, the level of joint procurement, lending to members, or rules for new members.

Updated Oct 29

Money Moves

As of June 2026: Holds the Treasury position at the centre of the dispute

Britain's top uniformed officer told the House of Lords on June 16 that the armed forces will have to 'dial back' operations, training, and exercises if funding does not rise. Chief of the Defence Staff Rich Knighton said day-to-day budgets are losing ground to capital spending. The split was 80/20 twenty years ago; on current projections it reaches 50/50 by 2030.

Updated Jun 22

Money Moves

As of May 2026: Fiscal decisions are now explicitly part of the inflation-and-growth chessboard

This cut had courtroom drama energy. The Bank of England dropped rates to 3.75%—but only because Governor Andrew Bailey switched his vote and made it 5–4. The immediate market read was hawkish-by-UK-standards: sterling rose and gilt yields ticked higher as traders pared back expectations for rapid 2026 easing.

Updated May 15