Prime Minister Keir Starmer is poised to accelerate a substantial increase in military expenditure following urgent crisis meetings with defence chiefs on Monday night. The government is expected to unveil a detailed timetable "within weeks" to achieve a key defence spending milestone years ahead of the original schedule.
Defence Spending Boost to 3% of GDP
The proposed move would elevate defence spending to 3 per cent of Britain's gross domestic product, a significant rise from the current level of 2.4 per cent. This increase is projected to generate an estimated £17 billion in additional funding for the armed forces. However, the Treasury is reportedly withholding approval due to concerns over how this substantial sum will be financed.
Funding Challenges and Political Backing
The additional £17 billion would need to be sourced from public spending cuts, increased taxation, or higher borrowing, creating a contentious fiscal dilemma. This development comes nearly two years after the Daily Mail launched its "Don't Leave Britain Defenceless" campaign, which advocated for precisely this increase on the same accelerated timetable.
Supported by senior military officers, the campaign called for Britain to commit to spending 3 per cent of GDP on defence by the end of the current parliament, or by 2029. Presently, this percentage is described as "an ambition" to be achieved by the end of the next parliament, potentially as distant as 2034.
Timetable and Political Reactions
The timetable to reach 3 per cent by 2029 could be formally confirmed as part of the government's economic Spring Statement scheduled for March 3. This move also follows a statement made a year ago by Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, who indicated her party would support Labour in any attempt to reach the 3 per cent target by 2029.
In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail on Monday night, Tory defence spokesman James Cartlidge commented: "This would be very welcome if it is true. But we called for this a year ago. Why has the Government waited a year? This exemplifies how the Prime Minister is making everything up as he is going along."
Current Expenditure and Strategic Shifts
The present defence expenditure stands at 2.4 per cent of GDP, with spending for the last financial year recorded at £60.2 billion. This is anticipated to rise to £62.2 billion in the 2025/26 period. Sir Keir's decision was apparently solidified after he took a personal interest in the Defence Investment Plan, a comprehensive blueprint outlining costed military priorities.
Delays and Funding Shortfalls
The Defence Investment Plan was originally slated for publication in the autumn but faced delays due to financial discrepancies, including reports of a £28 billion shortfall over four years. There is widespread consensus that the armed services have been "hollowed out" by decades of insufficient funding.
This situation has become increasingly critical as America's defence priorities shift away from Europe and the threat from Russia continues to escalate. Downing Street sources did not deny the move towards the 3 per cent target yesterday, indicating ongoing discussions and potential announcements in the coming weeks.
