VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Armed Forces: Finance

Asked by Stuart AndersonConservativeMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 8 September 2026UIN 21452

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of funding for the armed forces.

Answered by Ministry of Defence

The Defence Investment Plan is backed by a £15 billion increase in Defence spending power over the next four years and almost £300 billion of investment in Defence during that period. This places Defence on a sustainable financial footing and delivers the Strategic Defence Review's vision for a stronger, more resilient and more warfighting-ready force.

The Plan provides funding to strengthen military capability, rebuild readiness and invest in priority areas including the nuclear deterrent, munitions and missiles, integrated air and missile defence, cyber capabilities, autonomous systems, advanced digital technologies and defence infrastructure.

The Government has also committed to increasing defence spending to 3% of GDP in the next Parliament when conditions allow. Alongside NATO Allies, the UK has committed to reach 3.5% of GDP on core defence spending by 2035.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim