Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 1
1
Global instability prompting increased UK defence spending and refreshed NATO operational plans.
Conclusion
Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which followed its annexation of Crimea in 2014, has contributed to making the world more unstable. In response, the UK government has confirmed in its Spending Review on 11 June that it will increase defence spending to 2.5% of gross domestic product from April 2027, with an ambition to increase it to 3% in the next Parliament.1 Likewise, total NATO defence spending has increased enormously, predominantly through European countries, and NATO has refreshed its operational plans so that member nations know how they best fit in and what capabilities are required.2
Government Response
A response document is linked to this report, dated 16 September 2025. Response attribution to this conclusion has not been verified. Read the response document ↗