UK Defense Spending Pledge Faces Scrutiny Over Funding Plan

Defense Secretary John Healey faced questions this morning regarding the financial plan for a new commitment to allocate 5% of the nation's GDP to military spending. This pledge was made by Sir Keir Starmer during his visit to The Hague for the annual NATO summit, as leaders aim to maintain support from Donald Trump. The proposed increase in defense spending, from 2.3% to 5%, is estimated to cost the UK between £80 and £90 billion.

When asked about the funding strategy, Mr. Healey stated that no NATO member has yet presented a detailed plan. Speaking on Sky News, he highlighted the current increase in defense spending by £5 billion this year, with further increases planned over the next two years, representing the most significant rise since the Cold War's end. He explained that the government intends to fund this investment by reallocating funds from overseas development aid. He added that a plan for the 5% benchmark by 2035 will be revealed in the next parliament.

The host, Wilfred Frost, criticized the lack of a concrete plan, arguing that claiming to reach 3.5% without a proper strategy is "entirely meaningless." Mr. Healey responded that he had spent the previous night with other defense ministers, and none of the 32 governments attending the NATO summit would present a fully detailed 10-year budget plan. Frost clarified that he was seeking details on the steps to be taken over the next four years to prepare the UK for the new 5% target. He emphasized that without significant progress in closing the gap, the pledge lacks credibility, particularly without the Chancellor's financial backing. The Defence Secretary responded that voters could assess the credibility of the plan themselves.

responding to threats. Spain has already opted out of the NATO agreement to reach 5%, which has affected the hope of unity. Sir Keir stated that this is an opportunity to deepen the commitment to NATO and increase investment in the nation's security and resilience.