Prime Minister Keir Starmer has declared that Britain "needs to go faster" on increasing defence spending, emphasising the enduring threat from Russia during a press conference in south-west London. However, Downing Street sources have clarified that this acceleration is unlikely to mean reaching a 3% of GDP target before the next general election.
Starmer's Call for Accelerated Defence Investment
At the event, Starmer was questioned about a BBC report suggesting the government aimed to boost the defence budget to 3% of GDP by 2029. In response, he highlighted the obvious and persistent threat posed by Russia, stating that even if the conflict in Ukraine ends, the danger remains. "We need to be alert to that, because that's going to affect every single person in this room, every single person in this country, so we need to step up," Starmer asserted.
He further stressed, "that means, on defence spending, we need to go faster," which initially led to speculation that he supported the 3% spending proposal. However, the prime minister did not explicitly endorse the figure, and it had not been formally approved by the Treasury at the time of his remarks.
Clarifications on Spending Targets and Parliamentary Timelines
Following the press conference, sources from Downing Street provided clarification, indicating that while Starmer advocates for faster progress, it is improbable that defence spending will be raised to 3% of GDP before the next election. They explained that alternative methods could be employed to "go faster" without immediately hitting this specific target.
Currently, defence spending is projected to be 2.4% of GDP in 2025, with plans to increase it to 3.5% by 2035 in alignment with Nato objectives. Most of these planned rises are scheduled for the next parliamentary term, underscoring the ongoing debate over timing and funding.
Ongoing Dispute Between Ministry of Defence and Treasury
A protracted dispute has been unfolding for several weeks between the Ministry of Defence and the Treasury regarding the financing of the Defence Investment Plan. Originally slated for agreement last year, the plan still lacks a fixed publication date, adding to the uncertainty surrounding defence budget allocations.
If implemented, a strategy to elevate defence spending to 3% by 2029 would necessitate a real-terms budget increase of approximately £15 billion several years ahead of the current schedule. This potential shift highlights the tensions between immediate security needs and fiscal constraints, as the government balances long-term commitments with short-term economic pressures.
Starmer's comments reflect a broader push within the government to bolster national security in response to global instability, yet the path forward remains contentious, with key details still to be resolved between ministerial departments.
