Politics · United Kingdom · 1 hr ago
UK sets goal to spend 3% of GDP on defence by 2030
UK Chancellor John Healey set a goal of spending 3% of GDP on defence by 2030 in the government’s Budget.
The target is a step toward NATO’s commitment for the UK to spend 3.5% of GDP by 2035.
Healey said the government would set out a path to that longer-term commitment at next year’s spending review, but did not explain how it would fund the 2030 goal.
The Office for Budget Responsibility estimates that reaching 3% by 2029-30 would require an extra £17.3 billion.
Healey said the government would look at public spending and consider financing with private companies and international partners.
The Budget also addresses a £4.7 billion gap in the Defence Investment Plan, with £3 billion to come from reprioritising government capital budgets and the rest from a Treasury reserve.
The funding plan for the 3% goal is still to be set out next year, and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticised the lack of detail.
The UK government has set a goal of spending 3% of GDP on defence by 2030.
Chancellor John Healey said details of the route to higher spending would be set out at next year’s spending review.
The goal is a step towards NATO’s target of 3.5% of GDP on defence by 2035.
The Office for Budget Responsibility estimates reaching 3% by 2029-30 would cost an extra £17.3 billion.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticised the announcement for not setting out a detailed plan.
- Who
- Chancellor John Healey announced the goal for the UK government.
- What
- The government aims to spend 3% of GDP on defence by 2030, on the way to NATO’s 3.5% target by 2035.
- When
- The announcement was made on October 28, 2026. The spending goal is for 2030.
- Where
- The announcement was made in the UK Parliament in London.
- Why
- It is intended to set a path towards the UK’s NATO defence spending commitment.
UK government
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch
Commitment
UK government
The government aims to spend 3% of GDP on defence by 2030 and says it is working on a fiscally sustainable route.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch
Badenoch said Healey should have set out a plan for 3% in the Budget.
Funding details
UK government
Healey said next year’s spending review would set out details and referred to reviewing public spending and using innovative financing.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch
Badenoch criticised the announcement as a plan to have a plan.
Healey announced the goal of spending 3% of GDP on defence by 2030 in his first Budget as chancellor.
Healey said the spending review would set out details of the route to the target.
The Budget measures are expected to raise defence spending to 2.7% of GDP.
The Office for Budget Responsibility estimates reaching the 3% target by then would cost an extra £17.3 billion.
The UK’s NATO commitment is to spend 3.5% of GDP on defence.
- 2030 goal
- 3% of GDP on defence
- NATO target
- 3.5% of GDP by 2035
- Estimated extra cost
- £17.3 billion in 2029-30
- Defence spending share
- 2.7% of GDP by 2027
- Defence Investment Plan shortfall
- £4.7 billion
3 sources
What people are saying
At the spending review next year, I confirm that I will set out the details of how we will meet our Nato commitment to spend 3.5% of GDP on defense by 2035, with a target date for 3% in 2030.
I welcome this move to put [the U.K.] on a credible path towards meeting the commitment made by all NATO Allies in The Hague — to ensure we’re all investing what’s needed to remain ready [and] able to deter aggression and defend our freedom and security.
You can't have social security without national security... There are huge problems coming down the road but this Budget is simply trying to get through the day.
industry needs to know that the commitment to defence is there long term to strengthen business confidence to invest.
Posts on X
Good news on the new budget from @JohnHealey_MP with a strong commitment on defence. The UK role in transatlantic security is vital, and I welcome this move to put 🇬🇧 on a credible path towards meeting the commitment made by all NATO Allies in The Hague - to ensure we’re all