Defence Committee reacts to PM’s announcement on defence spending
23 April 2024
The Defence Committee has reacted to the Prime Minister’s announcement today that military spending would rise to 2.5% of GDP by 2030.
Chair comment
Reacting to the announcement, Chair of the Defence Committee, Sir Jeremy Quin MP, said:
“I welcome the Government’s commitment to spend more on defence. In this increasingly hostile and volatile world, we need to ensure the UK has a robust and unwavering means of deterring its adversaries.
“The Defence Committee has consistently advocated increased defence spending and for that spending to be strategic. It is welcome that the path to 2.5% of GDP is set out through yearly budget increases: this will increase confidence, helping to underpin industrial investment and the Defence Equipment Plan. To maximise its benefits procurement reform must be supported by cultural change across Government.
“This level of UK investment will help set a higher benchmark for other NATO partners as we enhance our collective security. In line with the recommendations in our ‘Ready for War?’ report, the focus on growing our munition stockpiles is to be welcomed, as is focussed investment in new technology and guaranteed long-term support to Ukraine in resisting Russian aggression.”
Further information
Image credit: House of Commons