NATO Chief Confident Andy Burnham Will Uphold UK Defence Spending Commitments

NATO requires members to spend 3.5 % of GDP on defence by 2035. The United Kingdom reaffirmed this target at the 2025 NATO summit and, on 29 June 2026, unveiled a ten-year defence investment plan worth over £300 billion, projecting an annual increase of about £30 billion. The plan’s funding gap, once estimated at £18 billion, has been reduced to under £4 billion after recent adjustments.

The Guardian

Defence Secretary John Healey resigned in May 2026, warning that the pace to meet 3.5 % was too slow. His exit followed Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s pledge to raise defence spending to 2.68 % of GDP by 2030, a £2 billion increase. New defence secretary Dan Jarvis secured an additional £1 billion, narrowing the shortfall. During a London visit, former Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte said the UK will make a “considerable figure and money commitment” as it moves toward the target.

The Guardian

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said he is confident Andy Burnham will honour long-term NATO spending commitments and noted that rearmament can boost economic growth. Mark Rutte reiterated that the UK will not reach the 3.5 % target in a single step but will progress through incremental commitments. Andy Burnham, speaking in Manchester, argued that future procurement will make each taxpayer pound work harder for defence. Dan Jarvis pointed to the recent £1 billion addition as tangible progress.

The Guardian

John Healey’s resignation highlighted internal criticism that the timetable to reach 3.5 % is inadequate. He warned the current trajectory will miss the alliance’s target. Burnham’s comments on public procurement have also drawn opposition, with some fearing cost-cutting could weaken capability.

The Guardian

• “I’ve always seen the UK living up to its commitments over the years,” — Mark Rutte

The Guardian

• “UK public procurement policy has been based on chasing cut price deals around the world” — Andy Burnham, MP

The Guardian

• “every pound raised from taxpayers will work harder for them, and that approach will apply fully to the defence investment plan” — Andy Burnham, MP

The Guardian

• “for everything that he did” — Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General

The Guardian

Sources disagree on the timetable to achieve 3.5 % of GDP. Starmer’s pledge of 2.68 % by 2030 leaves little margin for the 3.5 % goal by 2035, while Rutte expects the UK to progress “in steps.” The funding shortfall is reported only as “less than £4 billion,” without a precise amount.

The Guardian

The NATO summit in Ankara, early July 2026, will be the first major forum to review Burnham’s defence agenda. UK officials are expected to present the revised plan and outline steps toward the 3.5 % target.

The Guardian