UK commits to 5 per cent NATO pledge

The prime minister has made a commitment to spend 5 per cent of GDP on national security.  

Sir Keir Starmer will make the announcement at the NATO Summit, where other nations are expected to make the same commitment.

It is expected that there will be a split of 3.5 per cent on core defence and 1.5 per cent on resilience and security. A target date has been set for 2035. The UK expects to reach at least 4.1 per cent of GDP in 2027.

Also today, the government has published its National Security Strategy, which brings together all of the security work that has taken place since the General Election.

The National Security Strategy brings together the Strategic Defence Review, Strategic Security Review, AUKUS Review, Resilience Strategy, China Audit, and Industrial and Trade Strategies.

According to the government, "marking a step change with the approach of previous governments, the National Security Strategy directly answers to the concerns of working people, aligning our national security objectives and plans for economic growth in a way not seen since 1945."

The strategy is hoped to increase investment in security, defence and resilience, while at the same time, delivering jobs, wages and growth for the British people to raise living standards and put more money in working people’s pockets.

The strategy asserts that the UK must become more competitive and robust in crucial areas like science, education, trade and frontier technology, or risk falling behind.

It also states that in order to reduce dependency on other nations, the UK should build its own overeign, independent capabilities in strategically important areas. 

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: "We must navigate this era of radical uncertainty with agility, speed and a clear-eyed sense of the national interest to deliver security for working people and keep them safe.   

"That’s why I have made the commitment to spend 5% of GDP on national security. This is an opportunity to deepen our commitment to NATO and drive greater investment in the nation’s wider security and resilience.   

"After all, economic security is national security, and through this strategy we will bring the whole of society with us, creating jobs, growth and wages for working people – guided by my Plan for Change."