Join NEON & friends for a crucial discussion on the UK government's decision to increase military spending, why this is happening, and how progressives can respond.

The UK government is boosting military spending, while cutting international aid, social security and green investments. Countries like Germany are also borrowing to expand their army, positioned as a response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

This is in the context of UK military collaboration in Israel’s genocide in Gaza and its arms exports to devastating conflicts around the world. Arms companies continue to access the highest levels of government and their share prices have surged along with military spending.

With Trump renegotiating the US’ relationships with Russia and Europe, what does a progressive approach to security look like? And what are the alternatives to increased weapons production for the workers in a shrinking manufacturing sector?

We’ll be joined by an incredible panel of speakers:

Khem Rogaly is a senior research fellow at the thinktank Common Wealth, where he leads a research programme on the military industry.

Richard Reeve is the Coordinator of the Rethinking Security network, has worked in peace and conflict research in the UK, Africa, Southeast Europe and Western Asia for 25 years, and is a non-resident fellow of the think tank BASIC.

Katie Fallon is an Advocacy Manager at Campaign Against Arms Trade.

This event is online. There will be time after the panel speak for questions and discussion.

Warfare not welfare? Making sense of increased military spending