Politics
UK publishes Defence Investment Plan as Starmer pledges £15bn increase
July 13, 2026 at 07:11 PM
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has published the delayed Defence Investment Plan, committing an additional £15bn over four years.
- Starmer said the plan takes UK Nato-qualifying defence spending to 2.7% of GDP by 2027-28 and 4.2% by 2035 under the alliance's 5% target.
- The Ministry of Defence's 2026-27 budget stands at £68.3bn, with Nato-measured spending estimated at £70bn or 2.4% of GDP in 2025.
- Former Defence Secretary John Healey, who resigned on 11 June, said the original DIP took spending only to 2.68% by 2030 and was insufficient for rising threats.
- Chancellor Rachel Reeves stated that £10.3bn of the £15bn increase has been identified, with £4.7bn to be confirmed at Budget 2026.