Germany's Bundestag backs defence, infrastructure and climate package: comment

"This is a clear signal from the newly elected government of the third biggest economy in the world, that defence and climate are not either/or, but two sides of the same coin. This significant change to Germany’s fiscal rules, enabling urgent investment in interconnected national and global security threats could set a precedent for other nations, including the UK. The scale would leave Labour’s previous £28bn clean investment commitment in the shade.

"As Trump’s approach to international relations upends long-standing norms, it is clear the world has changed dramatically since the UK government was elected. With net zero industries growing far faster than the economy as a whole, contributing £83 billion in value to the UK [2], and the shift from gas to renewables boosting UK energy security, Starmer and Reeves might start to look out of step with more ambitious European partners if they fail to invest in net zero industries that will insulate homes and manufacture electric heat pumps."