Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he is taking to (a) strengthen the UK's role within NATO and (b) ensure that the UK leads in (i) European and (ii) transatlantic security.

NATO is the cornerstone of UK and Euro-Atlantic security. Our commitment to NATO is unshakeable. This Government is pursuing a ‘NATO First’ defence strategy. In response to growing threats, the Prime Minister has underlined the UK’s cast-iron commitment to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence. Our commitment to NATO includes our nuclear deterrent and world class carriers with 5th generation combat aircraft.

European security will be our foreign and defence priority. Britain must also restore trust with our closest neighbours. This includes new security and defence agreements with close allies and partners in Europe, such as Germany, our plan for an ambitious and broad-ranging UK-EU Security Pact and reinvigorating the Lancaster House Agreement with France. This work enhances cooperation between the UK and key allies that complements the wider NATO alliance.