NATO Chief Urges UK: Show 'Credible Path' to Boost Defence Spending Now!

Britain must demonstrate a “credible path” of annual increases to its defence budget to meet a critical NATO target, the alliance's head, Mark Rutte, stated emphatically on Thursday. The UK is expected to spend nearly £30 billion more on its military by the middle of the next decade, reaching 3.5% of its GDP by 2035.

Rutte, the NATO Secretary General, stressed that Britain cannot afford to wait until just before the 2035 deadline to suddenly boost its defence spending. Instead, he called for “yearly increments,” a message he delivered following meetings with various UK political figures, including Prime Minister Andy Burnham, Ed Miliband, and Wes Streeting.

His remarks underscore a significant challenge for the UK.

Current spending plans indicate defence spending will level off at 2.7% by 2028/29.

This leaves a substantial £30 billion gap to bridge to meet the 3.5% target, raising questions about how this will be achieved, whether through tax increases, borrowing, or cuts to other public services.

The decisions are likely to be left for the next government's spending review, scheduled for next year, prompting Rutte's public lobbying during his visit.

The commitment to raise defence spending to 3.5% of GDP was made by Keir Starmer in the summer of 2025, under pressure from then-US President Donald Trump. This target has since been endorsed by Prime Minister Burnham and his Chancellor, former Defence Secretary John Healey.

Interestingly, Healey had resigned from his previous role in June due to Starmer's reluctance to commit to a 3% target by 2030, using similar language to Rutte about needing a “clear path.”

Despite the immediate political hurdles, Rutte expressed confidence that the Burnham government remains committed to the ultimate goal and the necessity of gradual increases.

I am absolutely confident that when it comes to the yearly increments, they totally take it and accept it, that they have to be there,

he told the BBC, adding, “There has to be a credible path.”

During his trip, Rutte also gave a speech at Ditchley Park in Oxfordshire, where he warned that the 32-country military alliance faces “the most dangerous and complex security environment in a generation.” He highlighted ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, alongside rising state competition. Rutte emphasized the need for “more UK and more Europe” to compensate as the United States potentially reduces its military commitment to the alliance, a stance long advocated by Donald Trump.

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