STORY
The Prime Minister has told NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte that the Government will publish its Defence Investment Plan before the NATO summit in Ankara. The call followed the resignation of John Healey as Defence Secretary over the level and timing of defence spending.
Downing Street said both leaders agreed that NATO allies needed to strengthen collective defence and deliver more quickly in response to shared threats. Starmer said national security would remain the Government’s top priority and repeated his commitment to reaching defence spending of 3% of GDP in the next Parliament.
Rutte welcomed the UK’s increased defence investment, according to the Government readout. The forthcoming plan is expected to set out how ministers intend to fund military readiness, procurement and long term capability after recent criticism from former defence ministers.