Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the Written Statement of 26 February 2020, Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy, HCWS126, whether it remains his policy that the UK will (a) continue to exceed the NATO target of spending two per cent of GDP on defence and (b) maintain the established strength of all branches of the (i) armed services and (ii) armed forces reservists; and if he will make a statement.

Her Majesty's Government will continue to exceed the NATO target of spending 2% of GDP on defence and increase the budget by at least 0.5 above inflation every year. The UK is one of only a handful of nations that meets the 2% target, and we remain the largest European Defence spender in NATO. The Integrated Review will consider all aspects of international policy from defence to diplomacy and development. It is too early to discuss specifics, but I can assure?you?that this country will maintain the strength of our world class Armed Forces.