UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham did not provide a timetable for achieving the target of spending 3% of the UK's GDP on defence during a session in Parliament on September 1, 2026. When questioned by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, Burnham did not specify a date for meeting this target. He stated that he appointed John Healey as Chancellor due to his commitment to defence and that Healey would outline plans for defence spending at the upcoming spending review in 2027.
Former Defence Secretary, who resigned from Sir Keir Starmer's government, had previously called for a target date of 2030 for the 3% GDP spending goal, ahead of a NATO commitment to 3.5% by 2035. However, concerns have been raised about the possibility of backtracking on this commitment.
During the Commons exchange, Badenoch asked Burnham if he would provide the necessary funding for British troops, to which Burnham responded that Healey would detail the path to fulfilling international commitments at the spending review. Healey indicated that he would reveal the timeline for reaching the 3% target but did not specify when.
He mentioned that the spending review in spring 2027 would clarify how the UK plans to meet the NATO commitment of 3.5% of GDP by 2035, including a target date for the 3% goal. Healey acknowledged that addressing a £5 billion funding gap would require 'difficult decisions' in the upcoming Budget. He reaffirmed his commitment to the NATO pledge of 3.5% by 2035.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting expressed confidence in Healey's commitment to defence investment, despite Healey's reluctance to commit to specific targets. Streeting described Healey as a 'firm friend' of the defence department. The former Prime Minister Starmer had proposed increasing defence spending to 2.7% of GDP by 2027/28 without providing further details.
The Treasury has stated that plans to reach both the 3% and 3.5% targets will be revealed at the spending review. According to the Office for Budget Responsibility, committing to 3% by 2030 would require an additional £17.3 billion in funding. Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge accused Healey of backtracking on commitments that contributed to the previous Prime Minister's resignation. Healey emphasized the importance of 'fiscal discipline' for the Chancellor, stating that the government cannot address national issues by excessively increasing debt. Burnham noted that the fiscal situation leading up to the Budget is 'challenging'.