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George Osborne pledges to meet Nato target on defence spending George Osborne pledges to meet Nato target on defence spending
(about 1 hour later)
Britain is to meet the Nato target of spending at least 2% of its national income on defence until the end of the decade, George Osborne announced in the budget.Britain is to meet the Nato target of spending at least 2% of its national income on defence until the end of the decade, George Osborne announced in the budget.
Tory MPs, who had been calling on No 10 to give a firm undertaking that it would meet the Nato target, welcomed the move. The chancellor said the defence budget would rise by 0.5% above inflation each year until 2020-21.Tory MPs, who had been calling on No 10 to give a firm undertaking that it would meet the Nato target, welcomed the move. The chancellor said the defence budget would rise by 0.5% above inflation each year until 2020-21.
In the red book, which explains the details of the budget, the Treasury said the government would meet the Nato pledge to spend 2% of national income on defence in every year of the decade.In the red book, which explains the details of the budget, the Treasury said the government would meet the Nato pledge to spend 2% of national income on defence in every year of the decade.
The government will make available an extra £1.5bn a year to allow spending on military and intelligence agencies to increase by an average of 1% above inflation. Spending on counter-terrorism, which stands at £2bn across government, will be protected in real terms, rising at least in line with inflation.The government will make available an extra £1.5bn a year to allow spending on military and intelligence agencies to increase by an average of 1% above inflation. Spending on counter-terrorism, which stands at £2bn across government, will be protected in real terms, rising at least in line with inflation.
Osborne, who opened by saying that his budget would put security first, said in the final minutes of his statement: “Today I commit additional resources to the defence and security of the realm. We recognise that in the modern world, the threats we face do not distinguish between different Whitehall budgets – and nor should we. So I will guarantee a real increase in the defence budget every year, and on top of that create a joint security fund of £1.5bn a year by the end of the parliament.Osborne, who opened by saying that his budget would put security first, said in the final minutes of his statement: “Today I commit additional resources to the defence and security of the realm. We recognise that in the modern world, the threats we face do not distinguish between different Whitehall budgets – and nor should we. So I will guarantee a real increase in the defence budget every year, and on top of that create a joint security fund of £1.5bn a year by the end of the parliament.
“Today, this government makes this choice. Committing to our armed forces who fight to keep us free. Committing to the intelligence agencies who keep us safe. Committing to the values we hold dear and defend around the world. And so committing today to meet the Nato pledge to spend 2% of our national income on defence. Not just this year, but every year of this decade. We will ensure that this commitment is properly measured, because we know that while those commitments don’t come cheap, the alternatives are far more costly.”“Today, this government makes this choice. Committing to our armed forces who fight to keep us free. Committing to the intelligence agencies who keep us safe. Committing to the values we hold dear and defend around the world. And so committing today to meet the Nato pledge to spend 2% of our national income on defence. Not just this year, but every year of this decade. We will ensure that this commitment is properly measured, because we know that while those commitments don’t come cheap, the alternatives are far more costly.”
Labour questioned whether the chancellor was announcing new money after he announced the creation of the new joint security fund that will cover intelligence-gathering. Kevan Jones, the shadow defence minister, tweeted: “Govt pledge 2% Nato target, but it seems like there is no new cash for the military. Govt just lumped intelligence services as def spending.”Labour questioned whether the chancellor was announcing new money after he announced the creation of the new joint security fund that will cover intelligence-gathering. Kevan Jones, the shadow defence minister, tweeted: “Govt pledge 2% Nato target, but it seems like there is no new cash for the military. Govt just lumped intelligence services as def spending.”
James Gray, a Conservative member of the Commons defence select committee, welcomed the chancellor’s announcement. He said: “This is extremely good news. We have been pressing very hard for it. At a time like this, with the world in as dangerous a place as it is, I am glad they have done it.James Gray, a Conservative member of the Commons defence select committee, welcomed the chancellor’s announcement. He said: “This is extremely good news. We have been pressing very hard for it. At a time like this, with the world in as dangerous a place as it is, I am glad they have done it.
“We also spent time at the Nato conference last year asking everybody else to achieve 2% and we couldn’t in good conscience have done that without doing it ourselves. So top marks to the chancellor.”“We also spent time at the Nato conference last year asking everybody else to achieve 2% and we couldn’t in good conscience have done that without doing it ourselves. So top marks to the chancellor.”
David Davis, the former shadow home secretary, said: “I have long called for the government to commit to properly funding our armed forces, and we should consider the Nato 2% of GDP target to be the minimum required.David Davis, the former shadow home secretary, said: “I have long called for the government to commit to properly funding our armed forces, and we should consider the Nato 2% of GDP target to be the minimum required.
“It is vital that the government does not attempt to achieve the target through creative accounting, and instead provides adequate funding required for the security of our nation.”“It is vital that the government does not attempt to achieve the target through creative accounting, and instead provides adequate funding required for the security of our nation.”
John Healey, the former Labour minister, told MPs: “Let me welcome the 2% commitment for defence spending; it matches what a Labour government did in each and every one of our 13 years in power.”John Healey, the former Labour minister, told MPs: “Let me welcome the 2% commitment for defence spending; it matches what a Labour government did in each and every one of our 13 years in power.”
Caroline Lucas, the Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, said: “The chancellor should be prioritising, particularly at a time of austerity, investment in our real security. That would have meant addressing the risks of climate change in this budget.
“There is a climate shaped hole at the heart of this budget where there has been nothing positive in terms of investment in green infrastructure, green energy, green economy which is good for jobs and good to get us out of the economic difficulties we are in.
“To have turned his back on that and instead to have prioritised a very narrow definition of security, in terms of what is represented by the defence budget, is perverse and irresponsible.
“That is before we even get to the savage welfare cuts where he is telling us that there is absolutely no money and then he is able to spirit something out of the bag in order to please his backbenchers.”