Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the increase in the defence budget in the context of global threat levels.

The Strategic Defence Review assessed the increasingly challenging security environment facing the United Kingdom and identified the capabilities required to deter and respond to current and future threats.

The Defence Investment Plan delivers that vision through a funded, affordable and deliverable programme of investment. Backed by almost £300 billion over the next four years, including a £15 billion increase in Defence spending power, it prioritises investment in areas such as the nuclear deterrent, munitions and missiles, integrated air and missile defence, cyber capabilities, autonomous systems, advanced digital technologies and homeland resilience.

The Government has also committed to increasing defence spending to 3% of GDP in the next Parliament, with funding and plans to be set out at the next Spending Review. Alongside NATO Allies, the UK has committed to reach 3.5% of GDP on core defence spending by 2035.

This investment ensures the Armed Forces are equipped to meet the threats and challenges identified through the Strategic Defence Review and to strengthen the UK's warfighting readiness and national resilience.