Key facts
- Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis is urging Andy Burnham to commit to a path towards 3.5% of GDP defence spending.
- This target would require an additional £25 billion per year for the military by the mid-2030s.
- Jarvis is confident that Burnham, as prime minister, will prioritize national security.
- The UK is preparing for a significant deployment in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Jarvis's predecessor resigned after the commitment to increase spending to only 2.68% of GDP by 2030.
- An extra £1.5 billion has been secured for defence over four years, including for drones.
Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis has publicly urged Andy Burnham, the presumptive next Prime Minister, to commit to a clear plan for increasing UK defence spending to 3.5% of GDP, aligning with Nato targets. Jarvis emphasized the growing global dangers and the need for a substantial increase in military resources, estimating an additional £25 billion annually by the mid-2030s.
Jarvis, who recently took over as Defence Secretary, has already engaged with Burnham's team to discuss defence priorities and the recently published £298 billion, four-year defence investment plan. He expressed confidence in Burnham's commitment to national security, despite the financial implications, which may necessitate cuts elsewhere or increased taxes.
The call comes as Britain prepares for a significant deployment in the Strait of Hormuz. Jarvis plans to assure his US counterpart, Pete Hegseth, that the UK will honor its spending pledges. His predecessor, John Healey, resigned last month after the government only committed to increasing defence spending to 2.68% of GDP by 2030, leaving a steep climb to the 3.5% target.
The recent defence investment plan secured an additional £1.5 billion over four years, partly for drones, but this was accompanied by cuts to other capital programs, creating a £4.7 billion fiscal hole. Burnham has stated his intention to fully fund the defence investment plan if he becomes prime minister, assuring no compromise on national security.
Jarvis acknowledged the challenge of making the case for defence spending but noted that publishing the investment plan ahead of the Nato summit was crucial. He highlighted securing approximately £600 million extra for drones and credited constructive negotiations with the Treasury, led by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, for the final approved £15 billion increase until 2030. Jarvis accepted his cabinet position without demanding increased defence funding as a precondition and expressed a desire to continue in his role under Burnham.