UK Defence Spending Target Delayed Until Next Year’s Review

Chancellor John Healey confirmed that the government will postpone announcing a date for meeting the NATO-aligned target of allocating 3 percent of gross domestic product to defence. The Treasury indicated that the focus of Healey’s first budget, presented on October 28, will be to fully fund the Defence Investment Plan (DIP) without specifying a timeline for the 3 percent goal. A spending review is expected next year, but no date has been set.

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Healey resigned as defence secretary in June under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, accusing the prime minister of being “unable” and the Treasury “unwilling” to commit necessary resources. After Andy Burnham assumed the premiership and Rachel Reeves left the chancellorship, Healey succeeded Reeves as chancellor. Defence spending is projected to reach 2.7 percent of GDP by 2030, a trajectory supported in part by cuts to the UK’s aid budget.

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• John Healey – Chancellor of the Exchequer, former defence secretary.

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• Keir Starmer – Former prime minister who oversaw Healey’s resignation.

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• Andy Burnham – Current prime minister, under whose leadership the spending review will be held.

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• Rachel Reeves – Former chancellor whose defence investment plan the current budget will fund.

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• “The first duty of government is to keep its citizens safe. The prime minister and chancellor are committed to fully funding the defence investment plan. At the spending review we will set out a pathway to meet our Nato commitment of 3.5% of GDP on defence by 2035 and will set a target date to hit 3% on that path.” — government spokesperson

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