Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Defence Spending: 2.5% of GDP

Monday 6 January 2025 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • UK has been one of the highest spenders on defence in NATO for many years.
  • Government prioritises UK-based defence firms for investment under the defence industrial strategy.
  • Strategic defence review allows for fresh thinking in defence planning.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Patrick Spencer Con Central Suffolk and North Ipswich
Defence
Context

The UK aims to increase its defence spending to 2.5% of GDP, a target previously met by the Labour government in 2010.

Question

It is all very well spending 2.5% of GDP on defence, but we have to spend it on the right kit. Over the weekend I noted a story about our NATO allies being frustrated with Britain for not investing in appropriate missile defence systems. As the Secretary of State meets his 2.5% commitment, will he commit to investing in surface-to-air missiles, precision and hypersonic missile systems, DragonFire laser systems and counter-drone blocking technology to ensure that the British Army is the most advanced and able in the western world?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Defence (John Healey)

The UK has for many years been one of the highest spenders on defence in NATO. We continue to hold that proud record. Increasing spending this year will mean that Britain continues to be one of the highest spenders in NATO. I remind the hon. Gentleman that the last time this country spent 2.5% on defence was in 2010 under the previous Labour Government—a level of defence spending that was not matched once during the 14 years in which his party was in government.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to specific high-tech systems

How: Reminding About Past Government'S Record

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Q2 Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi Lab Slough
Defence
Context

Major defence programmes are facing significant delays and cost overruns, with only two out of 49 projects currently on track.

Question

On defence spending, I am glad that UK-based defence firms will be prioritised for Government investment under the defence industrial strategy, which should boost British jobs in constituencies such as Slough and help to strengthen national security, but major defence programmes are currently in disarray, with only two out of 49 on time and on budget. What actions are the Government taking to fix the waste and mismanagement in the system?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Defence (John Healey)

My hon. Friend is right. Everyone agrees that more needs to be spent on defence to meet the increasing threats. He asks why only two out of 49 of the major defence projects are on time and on budget. That question may best be directed at the shadow Defence Secretary, the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge), who was responsible for exactly that up until the election six months ago. There is of course a question about how much we spend, but there is also a challenge in how well we spend it. The shadow Armed Forces Minister, the right hon. Member for Rayleigh and Wickford (Mr Francois), was one of the strongest critics of the previous Government and of what he described as the “broken” procurement system. We are getting a grip of MOD budgets, driving deep reform in defence and ensuring that we reduce the waste and delay in procurement contracts.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions to address delays and cost overruns

How: Redirecting Question

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Q3 James Cartlidge Con South Suffolk
Defence
Context

The Government have delayed the publication of the Strategic Defence Review from spring to summer.

Question

I congratulate the Minister for Veterans and People, the hon. and gallant Member for Birmingham Selly Oak (Al Carns), on receiving a distinguished service order—we are all proud of him.<br/><br/>The Government have tied the announcement of their timetable for 2.5% to the publication of the strategic defence review, so we need it to be published as soon as possible. Will the Secretary of State clarify why he has pushed back the SDR’s publication in Parliament from the spring to the summer?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Defence (John Healey)

I have not done that. The work of the reviewers leading the strategic defence review is thorough and flat out. The review has been widely contributed to and is the first of its kind in this country, allowing fresh thinking in defence planning. On the 2.5% commitment, as we said in the plan for change, we will set out a path to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence in the spring. The Government are delivering on defence and defence reform; we will deliver on defence funding, too.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Reasons for delay in publication

How: Stating That No Pushback Has Occurred

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