I pressed my parliamentary neighbour and the Defence Procurement Minister, Harriet Baldwin MP, about NATO’s 2% GDP spending target during Defence questions this week.
In the House of Commons Chamber on 13th March, I asked what recent discussions the Defence Department has had with our international counterparts on NATO’s spending target and what reasons have been given by NATO allies who do not currently spend 2% of their GDP on defence. The House heard that 23 NATO allies do not currently meet NATO’s spending target, including just eight who are considered to be on a clear trajectory to meet the target. Overall, just five NATO countries meet the 2% target and 10 countries meet the 20% pledge on major equipment and research.
In response to my question in the Chamber, other Members of Parliament echoed my sentiment and pressed the Minister on what the Government is doing to encourage our NATO allies to meet their spending commitments. Peter Bone MP expressed frustration that Minister after Minister had come to the Dispatch Box over the last few years to say that we are encouraging other NATO members to meet the spending target, but little progress appeared to be being made and he added “Some of our European partners take the whole thing for granted in the knowledge that we and the Americans pick up the bill.”
During the ensuing discussion the Minister reaffirmed the Government’s belief in the importance of all NATO allies meeting the spending target and stated “we cannot reiterate too often that we hope everyone will reach the 2% pledge soon”.
I am proud that Britain is meeting the commitment we made to our NATO allies to spend 2% of our GDP on defence. Our defence budget is one of the largest in the world and supports our armed forces with the equipment and capabilities needed to deliver security for Britain in an unstable world. Whilst I am pleased that Britain is leading the way as one of just five NATO countries to meet the spending target, it is crucial that our other NATO allies follow suit. Germany only spends 1.2% of GDP on defence and would need to spend 26 billion Euros more to bring its spending up to the required 2%. France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands all fail to pay 2% too. It is simply not fair that other countries are not paying their way. I will continue to urge the Government to continue to press our international counterparts to meet their pledge to spend 2% of GDP on defence.
Watch my question and the Minister's response here: https://goo.gl/Xknlwi