Issue
National Security
Issue Type
National Policy
Year
2025
Last week, Keir Starmer announced significant changes to our national security and defence strategy. These changes include a substantial increase in defence spending and a renewed commitment to our alliances with NATO and Europe. These measures are essential to ensuring our security in response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the evolving global threats we face as a nation.
The Government’s priority is to keep Britain safe and secure while standing in solidarity with our allies. To achieve this, they have confirmed the biggest sustained boost in defence spending since the Cold War, committing to invest 2.5% of our GDP on defence by April 2027, with an ambition to reach 3% in the next Parliament. In real terms, this means investing £13.4 billion more on defence every year from 2027 and maintaining this level of spending at least until the next General Election. I welcome these changes as they strengthen Britain’s position as a leader in NATO and across the continent.
However, this increase in defence spending unfortunately requires cuts elsewhere. The Government has made the difficult decision to decrease our spending on development assistance from 0.5% of our GDP to 0.3%, with the aim of increasing it back to 0.7% when fiscal circumstances allow it. I am proud of the work the UK does overseas, helping to create a world free from poverty and working towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals through clear, effective, and modern development policy. The Government’s commitment to a renewed approach characterised by genuine respect and partnership with the Global South is something to be proud of.
Nevertheless, we are currently seeing hybrid attacks on national sovereignty and democracy in Europe. The UK has also seen enduring cyber threats in the form of critical infrastructure attacks and state-aligned aggressive cyber activities. I therefore recognise that the defence and security of this nation and its people must be prioritised.
I am glad the Government recognises the importance of delivering value for taxpayers’ money with this investment. It fills me with confidence that the Chancellor and Defence Secretary are working together to produce a new defence reform and efficiency plan, alongside our ambitious Defence Reform programme.
Finally, I look forward to seeing how the increase in defence spending will not only bolster our security but will serve as an engine for economic growth.
Coventry and the wider West Midlands are traditional heartlands of Britain’s defence manufacturing industry. Indeed, the invention of the jet engine belongs to the manufacturing towns of the Midlands. With 68% of defence spending directed to businesses outside London and the South East, and the majority of the 434,000 jobs supported by defence located in these regions, I am excited about the benefits and opportunities this will bring to our area.
As the Government calls on British industry, universities, businesses, and the British people to play a bigger part in our approach to national security, I am eager to see how increased defence spending will translate into growth, jobs, skills, and innovation across the West Midlands. With world-leading universities, established manufacturers, and a hardworking and dedicated workforce, our region is well-positioned to thrive in this new era of investment.
Yours sincerely,
Taiwo Owatemi, MP for Coventry North West.
