Healey to set path for UK defence spending at 3.5% of GDP by 2035

  • John Healey will outline a path for Britain to meet NATO defence-spending commitments.
  • £17.3 billion would be needed annually to reach 3% of GDP by 2030.
  • Defence will be central to next year's spending review, Healey said.

British finance minister John Healey said the government will use its spring spending review to outline how Britain will meet its NATO (North Atlantic military alliance) commitment to spend 3.5% of GDP on defence by 2035. He also said the review will set a target date for reaching 3%. Defence will be central to next year's spending review, while Healey's first budget is scheduled for October 28 and must comply with borrowing rules inherited from predecessor Rachel Reeves. Reaching 3% of GDP by 2030 would cost an additional £17.3 billion ($23.4 billion), according to the Office for Budget Responsibility, and the existing Defence Investment Plan has a £4.7 billion funding gap.

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