Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between John Lamont and John Healey

Monday 10th February 2025 Commons Chamber

[Aphra Brandreth (Chester South and Eddisbury) (Con)]

12. In which financial year he plans to spend 2.5% of GDP on defence.

[The Secretary of State for Defence (John Healey)]

The Government were elected on a firm commitment to set a path to increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP. The Prime Minister has said that we will do so in the spring.

[John Lamont]

So that my constituents can better understand the Government’s priorities, which does the Minister think that we will achieve first: a deal to lease Diego Garcia for billions of pounds, or spending 2.5% of GDP on defence?

[John Healey]

Everyone agrees that we must increase defence spending to meet the increasing threats. This Government are delivering for defence by increasing defence spending, and we have already increased defence spending by almost £3 billion next year.