UK Defence Spending: Commitments and Criticism

The government has committed to raising defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, with aspirations for 3% in the next parliament—but a resignation letter reveals internal conflict over funding.

Government Commitments

In February 2025, the government committed to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027. A change in the definition of defence spending put the figure at 2.6%.

The government outlined an ambition to reach 3% of GDP in the next parliament.

Additionally, the UK has committed to a NATO target to spend 5% of GDP on "national security" by 2035. This comprises 3.5% on "core defence" and 1.5% on critical infrastructure and civil preparedness.

Healey's Statement

In his resignation letter, Healey accused the prime minister of not committing sufficient resources for the military.

"There are credible ways of meeting the mid-term funding challenges," Healey stated, but the financial settlement for the defence investment plan "falls well short of what is required."

He said extra support in the plan is "backloaded" while pressure to speed up readiness is "in the first two years."

Healey noted that defence spending "rises to just 2.68% of GDP in 2030," which implies a 0.08% increase on the 2027 commitment.

Key Discrepancies

The financial settlement for defence "falls well short of what is required," with support backloaded while readiness pressures are frontloaded.

• 0.08% increase from 2027 to 2030 (from 2.6% to 2.68%)
• Funding for readiness is needed in the first two years, but extra support arrives later
• The 2.68% figure for 2030 falls short of the 3% ambition for the next parliament