Ministers will always spend enough on defence, No 10 says amid Trump 5% GDP call Ministers will always spend the money needed to defend the UK, Downing Street said, after Donald Trump called for Nato allies to spend 5% of their national output on defence.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman added: “As the Defence Secretary (John Healey) said on Monday in Parliament, everyone agrees that we need to spend more on defence, and that’s why the Budget increased defence spending by £2.9 billion next year.
“We’re committed to setting out a path to 2.5% of GDP and in such an uncertain, dangerous world, European allies must be prepared to spend on defence and increase our levels of deterrent.”.
Asked about the incoming president’s remarks, Downing Street said: “The Government is always going to spend what’s required on defence to keep Britain safe.”.
The US president-elect has called for all members of the transatlantic alliance to more than double their defence commitment, which is currently set at 2% of gross domestic product (GDP).
