UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting repeatedly refused to commit to spending 3% of gross domestic product on defence by 2030, stressing the need for fiscal discipline.
During a series of media interviews on July 30, 2026, Streeting declined to pledge the target at least ten times.
He emphasized that any long-term budget commitments must be fully funded to avoid economic instability.
His stance aligns with Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who also declined to commit to the 2030 target, instead backing NATO's broader goal of reaching 3.5% by 2035.
Funding Must Be Fully Accounted For
Speaking on the BBC's Today programme, Streeting outlined the government's approach to future fiscal planning.
“The Prime Minister has said very clearly that the defence investment plan must be fully funded,” he said.
“People will know how strongly the Chancellor feels about that. Those are conversations for future Budgets and future spending reviews.”
On Times Radio, Streeting addressed whether Chancellor John Healey would allocate funds to reach the 3% figure.
“Certainly not ruling it out.
But I’m also being clear that when we make spending commitments, we also set out how they will be paid for,” he said.
He warned against repeating past mistakes under Conservative predecessors, whom he accused of “playing fast and loose with the public finances.”
Speaking to Sky News, Streeting expanded on the risks of unbacked financial promises.
“Let’s say, for argument’s sake, I just said: yes, we will by 2030 meet 3 per cent.
The inevitable next question is how will you fund it,” he said.
“The trap that I’ve seen so many previous, particularly Conservative governments fall into is setting out what they would spend or the taxes they would cut without at the same time saying how they will pay for it.”
He added that such a path leads to uncertainty, loss of market confidence, and higher borrowing costs.
“So if it feels like we’re dancing on the head of a pin here.
It’s because we’ve got to maintain as a country, and as a Government, that fiscal discipline,” Streeting said.
Criticism from Former Military Officials
Former military officials argued that postponing the 3% goal until 2035 leaves the UK vulnerable.
Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon called the 2035 timeline “too little, too late,” while Colonel Richard Kemp described failing to hit 3% by 2030 as a “sign of weakness.”
Streeting was also asked about past critical comments regarding US President Donald Trump, including calling him an “odious sad little man” who supported “racist” policies.
He downplayed the remarks, saying they have not hindered building a good relationship with the US administration.
“The United States is our closest ally, and in defence in particular it is hard to overstate just how close we are,” Streeting said.
On Middle Eastern diplomacy, Streeting commented on Israeli military operations in Gaza and the West Bank.
“Both in Gaza and in the West Bank, which is under the control of the Palestinian Authority, we’ve seen either the government of Israel – or indeed Israeli settler terrorists in the West Bank – undertaking actions that fall short of the standards that we would expect,” he said.
£8.4 Billion Investment in Nuclear Submarines
Despite the defence budget debate, the government confirmed an £8.4 billion investment in the Dreadnought class nuclear-armed submarine program.
Prime Minister Burnham announced the funding during a visit to Barrow-in-Furness, where the submarines are built.
The project currently supports 47,000 national jobs, projected to expand to 65,000 by 2030.
Burnham framed the defence enterprise as a driver for economic growth and youth employment.
“Keeping this country safe is the first responsibility of any Government,” Burnham said.
“But security is not only about what we build, it is about who builds it, and who benefits from it.”
“The submarines produced in Barrow will protect Britain for decades to come, and the 47,000 jobs and apprenticeships will change lives both in this town and in dozens of places like it,” he added.
“British money, spent on British workers, British firms and British skills, in the places that were written off for 40 years.”
Burnham also addressed young people directly: “To every young person across the country, I want you to know that there is a path for you into a reindustrialised Britain and it starts with the apprenticeships we are funding through this investment today.”
The first Dreadnought class vessel, HMS Dreadnought, is scheduled to enter active service by the mid-2030s, replacing the aging Vanguard fleet that maintains the UK's continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent.
