Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

NATO: UK Obligations

Monday 20 May 2024 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • UK contributes to every single NATO mission and increases defence spending to 2.5% of GDP.
  • HMS Raleigh is the fullest it has been in eight years, with a big increase in military role applications across all three services.
  • UK is the second-biggest spender in NATO and the only country in Europe besides France declaring its nuclear deterrent to NATO.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Virendra Sharma Lab
Defence
Context

UK's commitment to NATO, particularly in light of Russia's illegal war in Ukraine.

Question

What steps he is taking to ensure that the UK meets its NATO obligations. Given the situation with Russia and the need for credible armed forces, what specific measures are being taken?

Answer from Grant Shapps

Our commitment to NATO is unwavering. We contribute to every single NATO mission, declare our nuclear deterrent to NATO, and increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP.

Answered
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Q2 Paulette Hamilton Lab Birmingham Erdington
Policing & Resources Defence
Context

Public Accounts Committee warned that deterrence is undermined by recruitment issues, with more people leaving the forces than being recruited.

Question

The Public Accounts Committee has warned that “deterrence can only be effective if our Armed Forces are credible.” However, recruitment issues have been reported. What message does this send to NATO allies?

Answer from Grant Shapps

We are now seeing a very high level of applications for military roles. HMS Raleigh is the fullest it has been in eight years, and there is a big increase in applications across all three services.

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Q3 Virendra Sharma Lab
Defence
Context

Recognition of the UK's outsize role in NATO and contributions to European security.

Question

I recognise that the UK plays an outsized role in NATO as a bridge between the US and Europe. Should we be contributing our industrial expertise to EU defence programmes for additional resilience?

Answer from Grant Shapps

We are indeed contributors to every single NATO mission, second biggest spender in NATO, and the only country in Europe besides France declaring its nuclear deterrent to NATO. We will always look at ways to do more with NATO by committing 2.5% of GDP.

Answered
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Q4 James Gray Con
Defence
Context

Importance of freedom of passage through the Greenland-Iceland-UK gap for NATO, especially during conflicts. Mention of a symposium on Arctic defence.

Question

Maintaining freedom of passage in the Greenland-Iceland-UK gap is essential for NATO. Does the Secretary of State agree with this and will he join us at a symposium to discuss Arctic defence?

Answer from Grant Shapps

The point raised is important. Questions about the Russian fleet have been discussed today. The date needs to be confirmed, but there is a predisposition to attend the symposium on Thursday 8 July in Portcullis House.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Attendance at the Arctic defence symposium

How: Will Have To Check The Date

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Q5 Steve McCabe Lab
Defence
Context

Concerns about insufficient training and resources for high-intensity warfare, equipment and stockpiles not sufficient for prolonged campaigns.

Question

We are warned of a “pre-war world,” yet we lack the necessary training, resources, and equipment for high-intensity warfighting. When will this be addressed?

Answer from Grant Shapps

We have just provided the largest number of personnel for NATO's Steadfast Defender exercise, which is the biggest in 40 years. The UK supplied a large number of people on land, air, and sea. To achieve security, we must spend 2.5% of GDP and set out a trajectory to reach it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Timeline or specific steps to address readiness gap

How: Cannot Just Wish Ourselves To Security

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