Stuart Anderson MP calls on government to urgently boost spending on defence

Stuart Anderson MP calls on government to urgently boost spending on defence

Stuart Anderson MP calls on government to urgently boost spending on defence

Stuart Anderson MP has called on the new government to set a timeline for boosting defence spending to 2.5% of GDP. It follows the failure of the new government to do so in the King’s Speech on 17th July.

The former government, of which Stuart was part, had pledged to increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2030 - the biggest strengthening of our national defence in a generation. In April, the previous government set a clear plan for defence spending to reach £87 billion a year in 2030, primarily focused on three areas to protect British interests at home and abroad; firing up the UK defence industrial base, modernising our Armed Forces; and backing Ukraine’s defence.

Since taking office, the new government has failed to match the previous government's plan. Earlier in July, Stuart expressed his disappointment that no firm commitment had been made in the King's Speech. Instead, the new government is conducting a strategic defence review that could take a year to complete.

Stuart has now called on the new government to set a date for the increase as soon as possible, so that new projects do not have to be put on hold while the review is undertaken. If all NATO partners spent 2.5% of GDP on defence, collective spending would increase by over £140 billion.

Stuart Anderson MP said:

“The last government, of which I was part, made tough decisions to maintain our leading position in NATO. With war waging in Europe and conflict ensuing in the Middle East, our nation’s defences need to be urgently prepared to keep us safe and protect our interests. That’s why I have called on the new government to boost defence spending to 2.5% of GDP as soon as possible. This will protect our national security, cement our UK leadership in NATO, and create more jobs in the UK.”

Speaking in Parliament on 30th July, Stuart Anderson MP said:

“I am proud to have served on NATO operations in both Bosnia and Kosovo. The 2.5% of GDP commitment will strengthen our ties within NATO. Will the Foreign Secretary commit to a timeline at the earliest opportunity to ensure that we do not have to cancel any defence projects and that we have the 2.5% of GDP on defence spending as soon as possible?"

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