Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will ensure that as a result of the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy the UK (a) continues to exceed the NATO target of spending 2 per cent of GDP on defence and (b) at least maintains its level of established strength in each branch of the armed forces and Reserves; and if he will make a statement.

Her Majesty's Government will continue to exceed the NATO target of spending 2 per cent of GDP on defence and increase the budget by at least 0.5 above inflation every year of this parliament. The UK is one of only a handful of nations that meets the 2 per cent target, and we remain the largest European Defence spender in NATO. It is too early to speculate on the outcomes of the Integrated Review but I can assure you that our national security capabilities will be determined by the threats that we face and that this country will maintain the strength of our world class Armed Forces.