Prime Minister Keir Starmer conferred with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on June 13, 2026, regarding the military expenditure trajectory of the United Kingdom. Starmer confirmed the government will publish its comprehensive Defence Investment Plan prior to the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, scheduled to commence on July 7, 2026.
During the dialogue, Starmer formally reiterated the administration’s strategic commitment to elevate national military expenditure to 3 percent of the gross domestic product during the next Parliament. This expenditure target is established to address evolving collective security requirements and reinforce collective defense capabilities among allied nations. Rutte acknowledged the planned increase in the United Kingdom’s defense investment as a necessary contribution to the strategic objectives of the NATO alliance.
The affirmation of the 3 percent target follows significant internal instability within the Ministry of Defence. Former Defence Secretary John Healey resigned on June 11, 2026, citing disputes with the Treasury regarding the scale and velocity of the military budget expansion. Healey stated that the Treasury’s proposed settlement, which capped defense spending at 2.68 percent of GDP by 2030, was inadequate for maintaining operational readiness against international threats.
In response to the fiscal disputes, Starmer stated that national security remains the primary priority of the administration. He indicated that the government will execute the strict financial decisions required to achieve the long-term defense spending objectives. The forthcoming publication of the Defence Investment Plan is expected to detail the precise fiscal mechanisms and timelines for expanding the military budget.
