Defence: Finance
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Spring Statement on 26 March 2025, whether the £13.4 billion increase in defence spending announced by the Prime Minister on 25 February 2025 will go ahead.
Answered by Maria Eagle
The Government has set out its clear commitment to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP in 2027, and to 3% of GDP in the next parliament as fiscal and economic conditions allow.
When the Prime Minister announced the uplift to 2.5%, he was clear that comparing total NATO qualifying defence spending in 2024-25 with 2027-28 was an uplift of £13.4 billion. The new OBR forecast means that this figure has increased to £14.2 billion.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →