UK ‘won’t meet Starmer’s vow of spending 2.5% of GDP on defence until 2032’ as stalling economy hammers Labour plans_Nhy
Fears are mounting that Labour will delay the push to spend 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence as the economy falters.
The Treasury is said to be insisting on slower progress than the 2030 deadline that the previous government set.
Instead the timetable could be two years later amid warnings that deep spending cuts would be needed in other departments.
However, the looser schedule would risk derailing Keir Starmer‘s hopes of forging close ties with Donald Trump – who has demanded Nato countries move towards a 5 per cent threshold.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a huge tax and borrowing package in the Budget, but it has since been blamed for crushing growth.
Meanwhile, the costs of servicing the UK’s debt mountain have risen, putting huge pressure on the government’s spending plans.
The looser schedule would risk derailing Keir Starmer ‘s hopes of forging close ties with Donald Trump – who has demanded Nato countries move towards a 5 per cent threshold
The current Nato commitment is for members to spend 2 per cent of GDP on defence – with the UK among a small group that has consistently hit the level
Mr Trump has suggested spending should rise to 5 per cent – far beyond the current US figure of around 3.4 per cent
A senior government source told The Times: ‘If we try to hit the target by 2030 it will mean deeper cuts to public services in the run-up to the election.
‘It feels like a non-starter.’ The next general election would be due by mid-2029.
Downing Street insisted the timetable would not be set until after the Strategic Defence Review is complete in the summer.
Labour’s pledge on the 2.5 per cent level did not have a specific date attached to it, but there has been increasing alarm about the UK’s capacity to respond to threats from Russia and other hostile states.
The current Nato commitment is for members to spend 2 per cent of GDP on defence.
Mr Trump has suggested that should rise to 5 per cent – far beyond the current US figure of around 3.4 per cent.
Sir Keir and the US president committed to ‘close’ ties in a 45-minute conversation last night.
The positive tone will be a relief for Sir Keir as he desperately tries to get off to a good start with Mr Trump – who was previously branded a ‘neo-Nazi-sympathising sociopath’ by Cabinet ministers.
It came hours after the Republican praised the PM doing ‘a very good job thus far’, and suggested his first foreign visit might be to the UK.
However, the leaders seem to have been at pains to skirt potential flashpoints during their chat, such as sovereignty of the Chagos Islands, US threats of tariffs on imports, and defence spending.
Sir Keir is hoping to go to Washington DC within weeks, although dates have yet to be finalised.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves (pictured with Defence Secretary John Healey, right) announced a huge tax and borrowing package in the Budget, but it has since been blamed for crushing growth
