US EditionUK considering significant increase to defence spending: BBC
The UK may speed up plans to allocate 3% of GDP to defense by 2029 amid rising costs and security threats, with an estimated additional cost of £17.3 billion annually.
- On Feb 16, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is considering bringing forward the target to spend 3% of GDP on defence, with Downing Street saying no decision has been taken and aides mulling costly options.
- UK government officials say rising defence costs and external pressure, including from the United States, support accelerating spending plans, with Sir Keir arguing `To meet the wider threat, it's clear that we are going to have to spend more, faster` at the Munich Security Conference.
- The Office for Budget Responsibility estimated increasing defence spending to 3% of GDP would cost an extra £17.3 billion annually by 2029-30, with current spending about 2.3% or £66bn last year.
- The finance ministry expressed caution and Treasury sources denied resisting a specific 3% plan, while options include raiding Overseas Development Assistance, net-zero programmes, or borrowing, with a special MOD group examining workarounds.
- Aides are now looking at proposals to meet the 3% ambition by the end of the current parliament, which could last until 2029, but the defence industry remains frustrated by the absence of a published defence investment plan.
19 Articles
19 Articles
UK Weighs Accelerating 3% Defence Spending Target
The government of United Kingdom is considering bringing forward its target to spend 3% of GDP on defence, according to a report by the BBC. The proposal would accelerate plans set out last year and reflects mounting pressure to address rising security costs. Shift From Earlier Spending Plans In February 2025, Britain pledged to raise […] The post UK Weighs Accelerating 3% Defence Spending Target appeared first on Modern Diplomacy.
The British Prime Minister is considering a significant increase in defence spending, the BBC has learned. Downing Street is considering the idea of meeting an existing spending target earlier than planned, at a potential cost of billions of pounds, the Telegraph reports. Keir Starmer signalled his stance over the weekend at the Munich Security Conference, telling world leaders: "To meet the wider threat, it is clear that we will need to spend m…
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