An increase in UK defence spending is part of a “macho agenda of militarization” Northern Ireland’s first minister has said.

Michelle O’Neill was speaking after the chancellor used her Spring Statement to confirm an additional £2.2bn for the Ministry of Defence in the next financial year.

Rachel Reeves said the additional spending was needed to “secure Britain’s future in a world that is changing before our eyes”.

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said Reeves has chosen to punish those least able to take the burden.

Little-Pengelly said defence spending was a “necessity” but that she believed her decisions were “a consequence of a lack of economic growth”.

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