Starmer still not giving timeline when UK will spend 2.5% of GDP on defence
Sir Keir Starmer and his Labour Government have repeated their commitment to spend 2.5% of the UK's GDP on defence, but have still refused to say when they will do it.
The Prime Minister confirmed he will launch the Government's strategic defence review next week, with prep already undertaken by Defence Secretary John Healey.
This review will, according to the PM, set out the road map to achieving a 2.5% GDP spend on defence, as well as the defence posture of the UK and the capabilities needed.
However James Cartlidge, who served as the Defence Procurement Minister in the previous Conservative government, has written to Mr Healey, asking him for "urgent clarity on Labour's defence spending plans".
"It's vital the Government sets a clear date by when it will deliver 2.5% of GDP on defence – otherwise we will have to conclude defence is not a Labour priority," he said.
The PM told ministers there was no more important duty than "keeping the people of our country safe" and reiterated there would be an increase in spending, but stopped short of saying when.
"At a time when we face multiple threats at home and abroad, we must make sure we are ready to defend ourselves," he said.
"That's why I have immediately ordered a root-and-branch review that will secure Britain's defences for the future.
"Working with our most important partners around the world, our strategic defence review will make sure the UK is sending a clear message to those who seek to undermine peace and democracy – you will not succeed."
Speaking to Forces News, the new Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard said the first step to achieving a 2.5% spend is conducting the strategic defence review.
"We know that there are capability gaps across our Armed Forces," he said.
"We know that there are some difficulties in terms of the deployability of some of our forces, and that needs to be looked at as part of that defence review because, what we spend on defence, the 2.5% commitment that we have made, is important, but how we spend it is equally as important."
Mr Pollard said "the MOD hasn't always spent money as efficiently" as he would like and the new Labour Government wants to make sure they "spend money with a greater focus on value for money, more focus on frontline forces".
The minister was then asked why the new Government is not fast-tracking an increase in defence spending when the Government has already fast-tracked aid to Ukraine – with one former intelligence officer adding the Government was "playing with fire" by waiting.
Mr Pollard said he agrees the UK is in "more difficult circumstances", but said that is why a new defence review was commissioned "within days of being elected as a new Government".
And whilst he said the review was the first step to increased spending, he added that there are also decisions alongside that do not concern equipment and kit, but people.
"Over many years, we've seen falling morale in our Armed Forces," he said.
"We've already taken decisions to make sure we can prioritise better military accommodation so our forces and their families aren't staying in, frankly, some rubbish accommodation with black mould, leaky roofs and broken boilers, and making sure we're taking steps to address the recruitment crisis and the retention crisis."
His remarks come as Nato ministers are set to meet in Washington, with Sir Keir praising member nations for trying to increase defence spending, adding that further increases will help safeguard the future of the alliance and see it tackle modern threats.
Mr Healey said the UK's commitment to Nato was "unshakeable" and the country cannot "have prosperity without security", repeated claims of a spending increase but, again, not saying when it would happen. "The world is increasingly volatile with rapidly changing global threats," he said.
"In the footsteps of Bevin, our Government will help ensure we have a strong Nato in this increasingly insecure world.
"Our Government's first duty is to keep the country safe.
"That's why we will increase defence spending and launch a Strategic Defence Review to ensure we have the capabilities needed to protect the UK now and in the future."
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