Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has intensified pressure on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to commit to allocating 2.5% of Britain’s GDP to military expenditure in the upcoming Conservative Party manifesto.
Amid escalating global threats from nations like Russia, China, and Iran, the demand for bolstered defence funding has become a focal point within the Tory government.
Renewed Calls for 2.5% Defence Spending Target
Despite Defence Secretary Shapps’ repeated insistence on meeting the 2.5% GDP target, Chancellor Sunak has evaded providing a specific timeline for achieving this goal.
Sunak emphasized that while defence spending is on the rise, a definitive date for reaching the 2.5% threshold remains undetermined, contingent upon prevailing conditions.
Shapps’ Stance on Defence Funding
In his address to the Defence Committee, Secretary Shapps reiterated the imperative of reaching the 2.5% GDP benchmark, citing the increasingly perilous global landscape.
While underscoring the urgency of adequately funding defence initiatives, Shapps emphasized the need for swift action, particularly in light of impending electoral considerations.
Potential Inclusion in Tory Manifesto
Pressed on whether the 2.5% target would feature in the Conservative Party manifesto for the upcoming general election, Shapps hinted at its inclusion, stressing the importance of deterring adversaries through robust defence capabilities.
He argued that such investments are ultimately cost-effective in safeguarding national security interests.
Additional Pressure from Exiting Minister Heappey
Former Armed Forces Minister James Heappey, who recently announced his resignation from the government, echoed Shapps’ calls for meeting the 2.5% GDP commitment.
He emphasized the urgency of achieving this target to align with evolving geopolitical challenges, signaling his intent to advocate for increased defence spending even after leaving office.
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