Labour delays defence spending target commitment to next year

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 11 Oct, 12:48 · Archive

The government has postponed announcing when it will meet defence spending targets.

The government has pushed back plans to outline when it will meet defence spending targets. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting acknowledged in a BBC interview that he wanted defence spending to reach 3 per cent of GDP by 2030, but said Chancellor John Healey will not make a public commitment until a spending review expected late next year. Healey had previously resigned from the government over its failure to set a timetable for defence spending, before returning as Chancellor.

Streeting argued that Healey voicing the same ambition now would risk panic on international markets. The government has pledged to meet a NATO goal of spending 3.5 per cent of GDP on defence by 2035. An October 28 budget is set to explain how the government will fund a near-£5billion hole in the Defence Investment Plan, but will not give details of the funding trajectory.

The delay has drawn questions about the government's sense of urgency in response to perceived rising threats from Russia. Streeting had previously said he would resign if Labour failed to meet its defence spending commitments, a promise now being tested by the postponement of the spending review.

How it is being reported

• Defence shambles as Wes Streeting says he DOES want spending to hit 3% of GDP by 2030... but admits Chancellor John Healey won't commit to the date for another yearWes Streeting eventually acknowledged he wanted the reach the goal after repeatedly dodging in a BBC interview.Daily Mail · 11 Oct, 12:38
• Camilla Tominey haunts Wes Streeting with previous 'vow to resign' if Labour fails to meet defence spending targets after fresh delayCamilla Tominey challenged Wes Streeting over his earlier vow to resign if Labour failed to meet its defence spending commitments. The Defence Secretary insisted his party was increasing funding for the armed forces, but plans to meet Nato spending targets have been hit with yet another delay. Chancellor John Healey has failed to set out plans to spend 3.5 per cent of GDP on defence by 2035 in his October 28 budget. It was expected in an early 2027 spending review. However, that date is now expected to be pushed back to late next year to align with a future Budget. TRENDING Stories Videos…GB News · 11 Oct, 11:45

In this story: Wes Streeting · John Healey · NATO · Labour · UK

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