Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte has expressed confidence that the UK government understands the need for a "credible path" to increase defence spending. He told the BBC he was "absolutely confident" in the UK's commitment to reach a Nato-wide spending target of 3.5% of GDP by 2035.
Following meetings in London, Mr Rutte stated that British ministers accept the necessity of making yearly increments towards the target. However, he acknowledged that the precise "pathway" to achieve this goal would not be detailed until next year's spending review.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has reaffirmed the 3.5% Nato target, a commitment previously made by Sir Keir Starmer. Mr Rutte also suggested that defence spending should be considered separately from welfare issues, emphasising economic growth as key to meeting military commitments.