UK needs credible path on defence spending, says Nato
Nato chief says UK ministers accept the need for yearly steps towards the 3.5% defence spending target following London meetings.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Nato insists the UK must establish a credible path for defence spending
- The alliance targets a 3.5% military spending goal by 2035
- Exact financial pathways will be detailed in next year's spending review
- Economic growth is highlighted as vital to balancing defence and welfare
Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte has expressed confidence following discussions in London, stating that British ministers fully accept the necessity of taking incremental yearly steps to achieve the alliance's defence spending targets.
The talks follow sustained pressure on Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who recommitted to the 3.5% defence target initially signed up to by his predecessor Sir Keir Starmer. Burnham has faced calls to immediately outline a trajectory toward an interim goal of 3% by 2030, previously championed by Chancellor John Healey as a measure of national commitment.
Achieving the 3.5% defence spending target presents a major fiscal balancing act for the UK government as it weighs national security against domestic public services. Nato's emphasis on a structured pathway highlights the alliance's push for long-term predictability amid growing international security challenges.
Photo by Teemu Paananen / Unsplash
While endorsing the commitment to yearly budget increments, Rutte acknowledged that the precise pathway to the goal will not be finalised until the spending review next year. Rutte held meetings with Defence Secretary Wes Streeting and Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband during his visit to the British capital.
"I am absolutely confident that when it comes to the 3.5[%] they are there... There has to be a credible path."
Mark Rutte
Furthermore, the Nato chief emphasized that military expenditure should be treated separately from welfare funding, pointing out that robust economic growth remains the foundational driver required to successfully fund defence commitments alongside healthcare, pensions, and public services.
Source: BBC Politics
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