Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey has stated that the current defence investment plans are 'well short of what is required' and that the UK's adversaries 'don't follow timetable set by the Treasury'. Healey emphasized that Prime Minister Keir Starmer understands the necessary steps for national defence.
Healey's Warning on Russian Threat
Speaking in Parliament, Healey said: 'The prime minister knows what the country needs for defence. He spelled out the threat this month when he said it is our intelligence assessment and the assessment of other countries in NATO that there could be an attack by Russia on Nato as soon as 2030.'
Call for Increased Spending
Healey argued that Britain must set a target of spending 3% of GDP on defence by 2030, with a clear path to 3.5% by 2035. He stressed that the commitment all Nato nations have made to each other and to their people commands wide cross-party support.
'Our predecessors in this house experienced what happens when deterrence fails. Our predecessors in this House entrusted us with institutions like Nato that they created to keep us safe,' Healey added.
Criticism of Current Plans
Healey described the current defence investment plans as falling 'well short of what is required', noting a rise of only 0.08% from next year to 2030. He pointed out that there is no date for reaching 3% and no path to 3.5% by 2030.
'Well over half of Nato members will be spending 3% or more. And when allies are looking for British leadership, we must not fall behind. When NATO needs European nations to step up, we must not fall short. Our adversaries don’t follow timetable set by the Treasury,' he concluded.
