Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis has called on Prime Minister-in-waiting Andy Burnham to dramatically increase defence spending from 2030 and demonstrate a clear path towards NATO's 3.5% GDP target, which would require an additional £25 billion annually for the military by the mid-2030s. Speaking ahead of the annual NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, Jarvis emphasized the need for resources to meet the commitment.
Jarvis Lobbies for Increased Funding
Jarvis, a former paratrooper who served in Kosovo, Northern Ireland, Iraq, and Afghanistan, expressed confidence that Burnham values national security. He stated, "What I absolutely will want to see is that in the next spending review we commit the resources to evidence the trajectory to 3.5% [of GDP]." Jarvis has already discussed defence priorities with Burnham's team, including the £298 billion four-year defence investment plan (Dip) published last week after months of ministerial wrangling.
"I've known Andy for a very long time and I have not a shred of doubt that as prime minister he will make sure that we've got the resources that we need at a point of challenge," Jarvis said, citing increased threats from Russian warships and shadow fleet vessels near UK waters.
Nato Summit and US Relations
Jarvis will travel to Ankara with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. He plans to personally reassure US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that the UK will meet the 3.5% spending pledge agreed last year under pressure from Donald Trump. "I will give him the commitment that we will honour the pledges, the commitments that we've made to the United States and to our Nato allies," Jarvis said of the largest military spending increase since World War II.
Britain is also preparing for its most significant sustained deployment in years, safeguarding the Strait of Hormuz in a joint operation with France, pending a sustainable peace agreement between the US and Iran. Reports indicate that Downing Street has kept Burnham out of detailed planning for this operation.
Funding Challenges and Political Context
Jarvis's predecessor, John Healey, resigned last month after Starmer only committed to increasing defence spending to 2.68% of GDP by 2030, leaving a steep curve to reach 3.5% by 2035. Jarvis secured an additional £1.5 billion over four years as part of the £298 billion plan, partly to increase spending on drones, though the overall uplift was modest. This prompted backlash after it emerged that spending on roads and other capital programmes would be cut, and a £4.7 billion hole would need to be filled by the Treasury in Burnham's first budget.
Burnham, former Greater Manchester mayor and health secretary, has limited defence background but stated he would "fully fund" the defence investment plan and ensure "no compromise on the security of the nation." Meeting the NATO commitment will require a £25 billion shift in resources, funded by cuts elsewhere, tax increases, or higher borrowing.
Jarvis's Role and Future
Jarvis acknowledged the need to "make the case for defence" to the public and cabinet colleagues. He argued that leaving a funding gap for the next budget was "entirely routine in terms of Whitehall accounting" and necessary to publish the delayed Dip before the NATO meeting. He also noted he secured about £600 million extra for drones after studying their use in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Jarvis said he succeeded where Healey failed by ensuring "negotiations with the Treasury were conducted in the most constructive and productive fashion" with Chancellor Rachel Reeves. The Treasury approved an extra £15 billion for defence until 2030, £1.5 billion more than Healey obtained, but less than the £18 billion originally sought.
Jarvis learned of Healey's resignation while visiting the Sandhurst training academy, marking 30 years since he first arrived as a cadet. Starmer offered him the cabinet job in person at Downing Street that evening. Jarvis accepted promptly, stating it "wasn't a transactional conversation." He expressed hope to continue serving under Burnham, though acknowledged it would be Burnham's decision.
