In a significant diplomatic move, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to meet with US President Joe Biden at the White House today. Sir Keir, who flew to the United States for a Nato summit on the organization's 75th anniversary, expressed his hope that the bilateral discussion in Washington DC would focus on Nato and the UK-US special relationship.

Speaking to reporters aboard the plane, Sir Keir emphasized the importance of the special relationship between the UK and the US, particularly in terms of defense and security, given their mutual commitment to Nato. Although he confirmed the UK's "cast-iron commitment" to spend 2.5% of national income on defense, he did not provide a specific deadline for meeting this target.

To address defense capabilities and reach the spending goal, the new government plans to conduct a comprehensive review. This review, according to Defense Secretary John Healey, will serve to understand the threats faced by the country, determine future requirements, and assess the condition of the armed forces. Healey emphasized the need for a thorough and expedited review, acknowledging that it will take time due to the fiscal challenges faced by the government.

The Conservative Party, who promised to achieve the 2.5% defense spending target by 2030 during the election campaign, expressed concerns about the government's commitment to security if a timetable is not provided.

Accompanying Sir Keir on his visit to Washington are Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Minister for European Relations Nick Thomas-Symonds. During their trip, Sir Keir and Thomas-Symonds had a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and also met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Sir Keir reaffirmed the UK's support for Ukraine and discussed the assistance needed with President Zelensky, vowing to seek agreement on this support at the Nato summit.

Speaking about the summit, the prime minister stressed the unified and determined stance of Nato in the face of Russian aggression. He also expressed gratitude towards the UK for its longstanding support to Ukraine since the beginning of the conflict.

While Sir Keir continues his diplomatic engagements in the US, over 300 new Members of Parliament in the UK were being sworn in at Westminster. This ceremony precedes the state opening of parliament next week, during which the government's program will be outlined in the King's Speech.

During his flight to the US, Sir Keir was asked about his stance on age restrictions being introduced in the House of Lords. He expressed concerns about the size of the House of Lords, which currently has over 800 members, and suggested the need to reduce its size.

Both the size and role of the House of Lords have faced scrutiny in recent years, and Sir Keir has previously proposed an elected second chamber based on models in other countries. This proposal may potentially impact Labour peers, including Lord Alf Dubs, a 91-year-old figure who has campaigned for refugee rights.

The meeting between Sir Keir Starmer and President Joe Biden holds significant importance in strengthening the UK-US relationship and reaffirming commitments to defense and security.