John Healey, the Shadow Defence Secretary, has sharply criticised the government's current defence investment plans, describing them as 'well short of what is required' to meet the growing threat from Russia. In a statement, Healey emphasised that the UK's adversaries do not adhere to timetables set by the Treasury.
Healey's Warning on Russian Threat
Healey stated that Prime Minister Keir Starmer is fully aware of what is needed for national defence. He referenced Starmer's recent warning based on intelligence assessments that Russia could launch an attack on a NATO member as early as 2030. 'The prime minister knows what the country needs for defence,' Healey said. 'He spelled out the threat this month when he said it is our intelligence assessment and the assessment of other countries in NATO that there could be an attack by Russia on NATO as soon as 2030.'
Call for Increased Defence Spending
Healey argued that Britain must set a clear target of spending 3% of GDP on defence by 2030, with a path to 3.5% by 2035. He stressed that the commitment made by all NATO nations commands wide cross-party support. 'Our predecessors in this house experienced what happens when deterrence fails,' he added, urging the current political generation to ready Britain for future uncertainties.
Healey criticised the current defence investment plans, which show a rise of only 0.08% from next year to 2030, with no date for reaching 3% and no path to 3.5% by 2030. He noted that well over half of NATO members will be spending 3% or more on defence. 'When allies are looking for British leadership, we must not fall behind. When NATO needs European nations to step up, we must not fall short,' he said. 'Our adversaries don't follow the timetable set by the Treasury.'
