Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte has urged Britain to establish "a credible path" of annual increases in its defence budgets. This is to meet the alliance's target of spending 3.5% of GDP on the military by 2035, which would mean nearly £30bn more for the military by the middle of the next decade.
Mr Rutte stated on Thursday that Britain cannot delay increasing defence spending until just before 2035. He made these remarks a day after meeting Prime Minister Andy Burnham and also held discussions with Defence Secretary Wes Streeting and Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband.
The 3.5% of GDP target was signed by Keir Starmer in summer 2025 and has since been endorsed by Prime Minister Burnham and Chancellor John Healey. However, current spending plans, which extend until 2028/9, indicate defence spending will stabilise at 2.7% of GDP, approximately £30bn below the ultimate goal.
Mr Rutte expressed confidence that the Burnham government supports the ultimate goal and the need for gradual increases. He added that the exact "credible path" would likely be determined with the government spending review next year.