Dan Jarvis Urges Higher UK Defence Spending as Labour Targets 3.5% of GDP by 2035
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 14
Dan Jarvis Urges Higher UK Defence Spending as Labour Targets 3.5% of GDP by 2035
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 14
Summary
Dan Jarvis, appointed defence secretary on Thursday, said Labour must “meet the moment” by increasing defence spending despite tight public finances and promised to secure the equipment and funding the armed forces need.
The pressure comes after predecessor John Healey quit in a row over the delayed Defence Investment Plan, accusing Keir Starmer of withholding money needed to counter rising threats; armed forces minister Al Carns also resigned.
The 10-year plan, due last autumn and still not expected next week, is now slated for release before next month’s NATO summit, with Jarvis saying he is still working through its details.
Healey said the current plan would lift spending only to 2.68% of GDP by 2030 with about £10 billion extra, short of his preferred 3%; the government still says it will reach 3.5% by 2035.
Officials do not expect the overall funding pot to change, leaving Jarvis to reassess priorities as Starmer defends Labour’s record and argues the plan will provide the resources the military needs.