Defence: 2.5% GDP Spending Commitment Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Defence: 2.5% GDP Spending Commitment

Suella Braverman Excerpts
Monday 11th November 2024

(1 week, 5 days ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Healey Portrait John Healey
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Indeed I do. My hon. Friend is a strong champion in his constituency in Scotland for the armed forces and veterans. I greatly valued the visit that I was able to make with him before the election to talk to veterans in his constituency and talk about our plans to increase support in respect of employment, mental health and housing for the future.

Suella Braverman Portrait Suella Braverman (Fareham and Waterlooville) (Con)
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One of the big achievements of the last 14 years was the delivery of the aircraft carriers, both of which are stationed in Portsmouth, near my constituency. However, it remains clear that they are underpowered. We need more Type 45s, more Type 26s and more Type 31s. If the Government are serious about the 2.5%, when will they set out their plan to invest in our Royal Navy and, in particular, our aircraft carriers, so that our carrier strike group can provide a world-class capability?

John Healey Portrait John Healey
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The aircraft carriers constitute an important defence programme. We are considering the threats that we face and the future capabilities that we need as part of the strategic defence review, which will report in the spring, and we will follow that within our clear path and our commitment to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence, just as the Chief Secretary to the Treasury told the media yesterday.