Main Political Parties Issue Pledges On Defence Spending

The Conservatives say they will honour the NATO commitment to spend at least 2% of economic output on defence if they are returned to power. 

The announcement comes as a group of retired senior military figures accuses the Ministry of Defence of being guilty of "accounting deception" in meeting the 2% spending level.

The Tories have also pledged to increase the defence budget by at least 0.5% above inflation in every year of a new Parliament.

The Prime Minister says she will "always put Britain's national security first" if she wins the election.

A draft of Labour's general election manifesto has been leaked and reveals a commitment to spending 2% of GDP on defence. 

According to the draft, Labour would also keep Britain's Trident nuclear deterrent.